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Multi-platform games on XBone/PS4: the death of the definitive version?

This gen had a lot of "360 vs PS3" for the multi-plat games we buy. Red Dead looked better on the 360, Bayonetta was bad on the PS3, Tomb Raider looked cleaner on the PS3, and do I have to mention Skyrim?

I asked quite a few of those questions here on GAF: "What version is better, PS3 or 360?"

With next gen coming out and graphics looking so good, disk space all on Blu-ray, will we see the end of the definitive version for multi-plat games?

If so it'll be a pre-order, DLC, timed-exclusive battle. I'm not sure I like the sound of that. But one thing's for sure...all we need is perhaps only one next-gen console for multi-plat games, and the one we choose will all boil down to exclusives.

In that case I choose the Wii U! :p

J/K
 

ElTorro

I wanted to dominate the living room. Then I took an ESRAM in the knee.
The PS4 will have the definitive version of any game because you can sell it if it sucks.
 

Sethos

Banned
I currently have GTA V pre-ordered for two consoles now, so I'm sure to get the 'best' version. Hopefully DF or someone else does a head-to-head before release.

Now, the PS4 is a lot more powerful and will always have the definitive version, unless developers make it worse on purpose.
 

Minions

Member
Depends which console becomes the "standard". I think the PS4 will as it does not have ESRAM which requires extra programming but who knows.
 
You know, PS4 is quite a bit more powerful yet every multiplat is 1080P and 60FPS. Wonder how much difference there will be in terms of visual effects.
 
I thought a developer commented on this, something like one version might be true HD or run at a higher framerate, etc, because the system architecture is so similar it'll be easy to use similar code.

I might also be talking out of my ass but I know I read it here in a thread a few days ago.
 

StuBurns

Banned
You know, PS4 is quite a bit more powerful yet every multiplat is 1080P and 60FPS. Wonder how much difference there will be in terms of visual effects.
They're not all confirmed to be doing that, and even those that are, are just a result of being ported from massively inferior consoles. Ground up games will be dropping 60fps pretty quickly.

Thief for example is 30, I don't know, but I would imagine The Witcher 3 will be too.
 

Brokun

Member
The definitive version is the one that doesn't lose it's AI and physics calculations when your ISP decides to take a maintenance dump at 9 pm.
 

Reven

Member
Of course since the PS4 has theoretically better internals it begs the questions if multiplats will be hampered by the xbone's worse internals.
 
I don't know. Graphics would seem like it'll hit a ceiling and the comparisons between both versions will be so small that I don't see how it'll make a difference.
 

Eusis

Member
I don't think we'll see the end of it in terms of performance... because thanks to the PS4's higher power it's pretty much always guaranteed that's better. How often was it even asked for PS2/Xbox? Usually Xbox was just better or at least equal, and I expect it to be the same here but with PS4 instead as the better/equal version, and there isn't even the factor of an esoteric processor throwing a wrench into it.

Of course, yes, there's going to be the DLC factor, or features that may be on the X1 version but not the PS4 and vice versa. But raw performance is probably always going to go to PS4 pending deliberately undermining the PS4 version or whatever.
 

JaseC

gave away the keys to the kingdom.
I currently have GTA V pre-ordered for two consoles now, so I'm sure to get the 'best' version. Hopefully DF or someone else does a head-to-head before release.

Now, the PS4 is a lot more powerful and will always have the definitive version, unless developers make it worse on purpose.

I don't think DF has ever done a pre-release comparison of final builds, and demos are like unicorns these days.
 
If a game is a multiplat on the Xbone and PS4, it is 'in concept' an exclusive to the PS4 because you actually OWN the game you BUY.

1- you are not blocked from playing the game you already paid full price for if your internet connection goes down.
2- on the Xbone you are only RENTING the game's license, on the long run when the servers go down your purchase is obsolete.

What do you prefer, renting a license or owning what you purchase?
 
I would assume that the PS4 versions of multiplat games will unanimously be better (or, at the very least, the same) as the architecture isn't a hindrance and it has a much stronger GPU coupled with faster memory, but who knows.
 

Lulubop

Member
They're not all confirmed to be doing that, and even those that are, are just a result of being ported from massively inferior consoles. Ground up games will be dropping 60fps pretty quickly.

Thief for example is 30, I don't know, but I would imagine The Witcher 3 will be too.

Pretty sure CDPR already said they're aiming for 30 on console, so you are correct.
 
What is it, 3gb of ram is dedicated to the Xbox One's OS?

That could definitely hamper games in a few years when studios really start to push the visuals on multi-plat games. But that's where the cloud comes in right...?
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
I ink it'll be more noticable this time around. Maybe not immediately as devs get used to the new systems. Later in the gen, Assuming PC as lead platform and new GPUs etc start to push what can be done, PS4 will be more able to hang on with the PC and not be so compromised, but Xbox may struggle there.
 

Perkel

Banned
I think people buying xbone should prepare that most of their games which are multiplats will look noticeable worse.
It will no longer be x360/PS3 difference but more than that.
 

bobbytkc

ADD New Gen Gamer
IF you thought this gen had a "definitive version" with the microsopic differences you see this gen...

Nextgen will definitely see a more obvious difference, in favor of the PS4. It has practically all the components of the Xbone, except just flat out more powerful.
 
Will this mean developers wont have to have a team for specific console? Or at least fewer people working on poting it to each console since the architecture is so similar.
 

szaromir

Banned
I ink it'll be more noticable this time around. Maybe not immediately as devs get used to the new systems. Later in the gen, Assuming PC as lead platform and new GPUs etc start to push what can be done, PS4 will be more able to hang on with the PC and not be so compromised, but Xbox may struggle there.
Later in the gen (like, in late 2014) both consoles will be pitifully weak compared to mid-end PCs. So yeah, both console versions will be compromised and struggle, though obviously PS4 to lesser extent.
 

Matt

Member
There is zero technical reasons why the PS4 would ever not have the best version of a game between the two consoles.
 

Ramenman

Member
As long as fanboys live, "definitive versions" will never die.


I'm not implying that this is entirely about console warz though. it's legitimate to want to know which version of X360 or PS3 is the best if you want a multiplat game and own both consoles. But even when/if we get to a point where there is no difference, I fear some people with darkness in their heart will still be there to draw conclusions ):
 

RiverBed

Banned
I figure since PS4 is more powerful, PC/PS4/XBO multiplats should look better on PS4 than XBO. Some say devs go for the lowest denominator to skimp or work, but it doesn't work when you throw PC in the multiplat soup.

I'm just assuming, I don't know the tech process behind these things.
 

balohna

Member
I figure since PS4 is more powerful, PC/PS4/XBO multiplats should look better on PS4 than XBO. Some say devs go for the lowest denominator to skimp or work, but it doesn't work when you throw PC in the multiplat soup.

I'm just assuming, I don't know the tech process behind these things.

Right now, Xbox 360 is easier to develop for because it's more like a PC than the PS3. PS4 and Xbox One are equally PC-like, but the PS4 is more powerful. I wouldn't be surprised to see games look and generally perform the same on PS4/Xbone/PC(don't kid yourself master race bros, a huge chunk of your games will be direct console ports) with the advantages of more advanced hardware being apparent for things like hitting a consistent 60 FPS and displaying more objects/better draw distance. I wouldn't expect magically better textures or models because somebody has to actually make those and they'll be suitably high res on all of them.
 
Has anyone compared the multiplatform games across the two platforms at E3? I know they're devkits, but it'll still be interesting.
 

sensi97

Member
PS4 might be more powerful but it's up to the devs. If they can't use its "theoretical" power correctly or don't have time/budget etc to exploit it I doubt we'll see much difference. Even I think some Xb1 version might be running better.
But all of that is speculation. Let's wait to see the actual games running on final h/w and people doing pixel/frame count.
 

Striek

Member
Jack Tretton seemed pretty confident that the PS4 would have the definitive version in his interview with Geoff Keighly. Said something like hes heard from publishers and that journalists should definitely compare the multiplatform games on both platforms when they come out.
 

onQ123

Member
This gen had a lot of "360 vs PS3" for the multi-plat games we buy. Red Dead looked better on the 360, Bayonetta was bad on the PS3, Tomb Raider looked cleaner on the PS3, and do I have to mention Skyrim?

I asked quite a few of those questions here on GAF: "What version is better, PS3 or 360?"

With next gen coming out and graphics looking so good, disk space all on Blu-ray, will we see the end of the definitive version for multi-plat games?

If so it'll be a pre-order, DLC, timed-exclusive battle. I'm not sure I like the sound of that. But one thing's for sure...all we need is perhaps only one next-gen console for multi-plat games, and the one we choose will all boil down to exclusives.

In that case I choose the Wii U! :p

J/K

You drank the 33% isn't noticeable Kool-Aid didn't you?
 
PS4 might be more powerful but it's up to the devs. If they can't use its "theoretical" power correctly or don't have time/budget etc to exploit it I doubt we'll see much difference. Even I think some Xb1 version might be running better.
But all of that is speculation. Let's wait to see the actual games running on final h/w and people doing pixel/frame count.

I really don't see how that is possible unless done intentionally?

It will either be identical or an advantage to PS4.
 

Sethos

Banned
I don't think DF has ever done a pre-release comparison of final builds, and demos are like unicorns these days.

Well, as a European, I usually have a 3 day buffer period due to the shitty release delay :p

Also, I remember buying L.A Noire on PS3 based on one of those comparisons, so that must have been in that skewed release period.
 
360 and PS3 were wayy more comparable than PS4 and Xbone. Yet it still showed that 360 generally performed better due to a few different reasons. Now those reason are all at least even or favorable for the PS4. The only way multiplats wouldn't take advantage of this is if they purposefully don't.
 

Jinfash

needs 2 extra inches
Well if specs are to be believed the difference is even larger, and in favor of the PS4. But due to politics we haven't gotten our hands on any multiplatform comparison, and most likely won't for quite some time. I for one can't wait for the comparisons because a cynical part of me think it's being exaggerated, either people have overestimated or overlooked something or because 3rd parties will to achieve parity for one reason or the other.

I really hope I get proven wrong, with PS4 SKU's looking noticeably better "by default."

There is zero technical reasons why the PS4 would ever not have the best version of a game between the two consoles.
You fill me with hope and optimism, Matt.
 
Right now, Xbox 360 is easier to develop for because it's more like a PC than the PS3. PS4 and Xbox One are equally PC-like, but the PS4 is more powerful. I wouldn't be surprised to see games look and generally perform the same on PS4/Xbone/PC(don't kid yourself master race bros, a huge chunk of your games will be direct console ports) with the advantages of more advanced hardware being apparent for things like hitting a consistent 60 FPS and displaying more objects/better draw distance. I wouldn't expect magically better textures or models because somebody has to actually make those and they'll be suitably high res on all of them.

We know. We know. This is why we hate them so. They are so much inferior to their potential in performance, graphics and control schemes as a result.
 
I don't know if it's possible to consistently have an identical experience on two consoles. There are just too many factors in play.
 
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