Digital Foundry hands on with actual PS4 - Some games sub 30fps

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#1 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

Eurogamer put up an article today with a hands on look with an actual PS4 and some of its gamesĀ 

"No smoke or mirrors from Sony - everything we saw was running on PS4 hardware. But it's still early days and many of the games clearly require a lot of optimisation."

Here are some quotes about the games they tried below

Killzone

When it comes to the tricky issue of control and response, Killzone: Shadow Fall currently delivers a largely 25-30FPS experience with v-sync engaged, where a long overview of the forest tests the hardware most. A strong trace of input lag is felt when turning the analogue sticks - a quirk that hangs over from the Killzone 2 days. It's a delay in response that is impossible to ignore after playing snappier low-latency shooters, and at the default 50 per cent sensitivity for the X and Y axis proved tricky to adapt to. Migrating to the new and more shooter-friendly Dual Shock 4 controller isn't the cause here, as this is the only game we test with such problems. Rather, the issue is likely to be the result of latency being built up over the course of a long and complex rendering pipeline.

DriveClub

When questioned, Evolution Studios confirms that it's pushed for a full-fat 1080p presentation, falling in line with all Sony's other leading PS4 titles. Unfortunately, this higher resolution only amplifies the low quality, blurry, flat-looking textures used across this level, which would easily look at home on current-gen hardware. It's also a shame that, while the scenery draw distance is broad, there's an incredible amount of pop-in for trees and waving NPCs as we approach at high speeds...With regards to performance, we're surprised to find DriveClub is running at 30fps with permanent v-sync - an unusual step for any modern-day racer putting heavy emphasis on shaving seconds from lap times. It is noted that 60fps is something the team strives for, but no promises can be made; in the interest of providing a smooth E3 experience it remains decidedly locked at 30fps for now. Alas, even this number isn't held convincingly during our play-testing, and the game dips noticeably below this point - a feeling of 20fps being achieved during doughnut-turns, where lots of tyre friction smoke is produced. Bearing in mind the PS4's next-gen tech (not to mention its 32 ROPs), we're somewhat surprised to see alpha transparency effects still having such an obvious impact on performance.

Knack

That's the next-gen hook, but little else is in place to enthrall. The Pixar aesthetic is let down by some muddy image quality, and heavily dithered shadows. We're promised 1080p native resolution here, but Knack doesn't look as crystal clear as we'd expect from such a pixel count - perhaps in part owing to the HDTV settings being used at the exhibition. It's a real disappointment on the grounds of image quality, and while the transparency effect on Knack and the big, beautiful ocean view during the first stage are visual treats, there isn't a whole lot to the rest of stages shown. Certainly, the physics are impressive and technically taxing. All the bits and pieces that whip around Knack indeed feel like individual objects, taking advantage of the game's per-object motion blur. The only problem here is that, despite being a 30fps game in target, we see dramatic frame-rate drops when too many of these pieces go zooming across the screen to form a shell around Knack. To achieve this bullet-point trick, the performance has to take a noticeable hit in the current build. Excluding this effect, the frame-rate isn't smooth for the current built in general, and it stutters even as Knack trots through empty streets unengaged. There's no evidence of tearing, but this choppy motion is surprising given its overtly simplistic visual style. Fortunately it evens out during the later interior stages based around the mansion and cave, but some optimisation is still clearly needed on the game before the PS4's launch.

Thief

When it comes to performance, the game is v-synced, but very jittery in the frame-rate stakes for transitions into new areas, and throughout an entire sequence where a bridge burns to cinders. It also appears to run at native 1080p, though there's little being achieved here visually which we haven't already seen before, likely showing its prior development history on weaker platforms. That is, with the exception of its impeccable lighting - a striking feature as lamp-light streams through the city's fogged archways, and one which feeds into a gameplay design predicated on hiding in shadows. A curious trend among other next-gen game we've seen - such as Killer Instinct - is the decision to ramp up the particle count to dazzling degrees for explosions. That's true here, where lighting on particles is truly striking as flaming debris crumbles down from a bridge during one later segment. It's only a shame that surrounding texture-work and alpha effects appear so mismatched with these more "next-gen" elements in this current build, and we hope to see everything ramped up to an even level for the final release.

Conclusion

We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, with two key takeaways in light of the Xbox One's rivalling offerings. Firstly, though almost all launch titles on show appear to be running directly from PS4 hardware, it's a touch disappointing to discover the likes of Thief and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag are only currently being demonstrated by proxy of an on-hand developer. This was a very closely guarded event indeed, suggesting a lack of confidence in the progress of development for some of these titles. Even so, Knack, DriveClub and Warframe do give us absolute, no-holds barred freedom to toy with the most current builds as long as we please...When it comes to the state of software development on PS4, the situation as it stands is surprising. On the one hand, freely playable first-party titles such as Knack and DriveClub suffer from noticeable frame-rate stutters down from 30fps, while on the other, "hands off" demos for the new Infamous and Assassin's Creed games appear to run without a perceptible hitch. This is in stark contrast to the playable software confirmed to be running direct from Xbox One hardware, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct, which benefit to no end for targeting the 1080p60 gold standard, and largely succeed in doing so.

Such a disparity in performance is far from the outcome we had expected going in to E3, but Sony's agenda with this initial wave of games is clearly hinging on visual fireworks rather than maximising frame-rates to the full 60Hz refresh.

So it seems some games run slightly poorer than expected with KZ:SF feeling like sub 30 fps at times but further optimisation before launch might iron that out. Sad part is it has the input lag of KZ 2 which means I'm avoiding it completely.

Driveclub is also sounding poor with dips feeling as low as 20 fps in a racer is just a joke TBH

TL;DR Sony are going for more flashy graphics at the expense of performance from these hands on

Direct source

GAF link

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#2 Nike_Air
Member since 2006 • 19733 Posts

Killzone SF Day 1.

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#3 blue_hazy_basic  Moderator
Member since 2002 • 30854 Posts
urgh thats not good....
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#4 clyde46
Member since 2005 • 49061 Posts
Lol at KZ.
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#5 campzor
Member since 2004 • 34932 Posts
Aren't these games using the gimped dev kits (pre gddr5 announcement?)
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#6 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

urgh thats not good....blue_hazy_basic

Yeah some of the stuff in there is bad omens.Ā 

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#7 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

Aren't these games using the gimped dev kits (pre gddr5 announcement?)campzor

Well they said it was a no smoke and mirrors affair and what they were playing in is basically what the PS4 is. So I dunno

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#8 MonsieurX
Member since 2008 • 39858 Posts
#SDC THANK YOU LORD KAZ
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#9 Jack-Burton
Member since 2013 • 2435 Posts

Sony's press shots for DriveClub look pretty cool, but despite some neat features such as proper vehicle deformation and some beautiful lighting, the low quality, blurry textures looked a world apart from what Forza 5 was achieving running at twice the frame-rate.

Ummmmm
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#10 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

Sony's press shots for DriveClub look pretty cool, but despite some neat features such as proper vehicle deformation and some beautiful lighting, the low quality, blurry textures looked a world apart from what Forza 5 was achieving running at twice the frame-rate.Jack-Burton

Ummmmm

Cows are not gonna be happy :P

inb4majorDC

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#11 thedork_knight
Member since 2011 • 2664 Posts
wheres the cows with the DC?
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#12 RR360DD
Member since 2011 • 14099 Posts
LOL Clownzone I'm more interested in multiplats at the PS4 launch
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#13 Heil68
Member since 2004 • 60712 Posts
Conclusion We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, awwww yeahhhhhh
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#14 timbers_WSU
Member since 2012 • 6076 Posts

I made a thread about Drive Club looking like shit last week and people claimed....oh what was it? I was a butthurt Lem. The PS4 launch titles are not impressive at alle excpt for Second Son. Ā To be fair aside from Forza 5, neither are the XBONE's. However the word is seeing Killer Intinct in person supposed to be amazing.

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#15 adamosmaki
Member since 2007 • 10718 Posts
All hail Sony the savior of gaming
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#16 thedork_knight
Member since 2011 • 2664 Posts
Aren't these games using the gimped dev kits (pre gddr5 announcement?)campzor
quick man the DC cannons
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#17 HaRmLeSS_RaGe
Member since 2012 • 1330 Posts

I can't believe Drive Club is struggling to maintain 30fps when it looks like an early PS3 game :roll:

Ā 

Dat GDDR5 :?

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#18 Wasdie  Moderator
Member since 2003 • 53622 Posts

I noticed the Killzone demo wasn't keeping consistent. I'm sure by launch they'll have the optimization nailed.

Happy to see Sony's not afraid to throw their real hardware into the fray. None of this using virtulaized machines with much higher spec like Microsoft did.

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#19 GrannyGoat
Member since 2010 • 1190 Posts

in b4 butthurt cows

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#21 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

Conclusion We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, awwww yeahhhhhhHeil68

lol in other words "I don't want to read the disappointing parts":P

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#22 timbers_WSU
Member since 2012 • 6076 Posts
[QUOTE="Heil68"]Conclusion We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, awwww yeahhhhhh

Your little shtick is so stupid. I can't wait til you turn 13 and give it up.
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#23 Farsendor1
Member since 2012 • 462 Posts

non of these games are finished so this is expected, same with x1 none of those games are finished either.Ā 

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#24 thedork_knight
Member since 2011 • 2664 Posts
[QUOTE="Heil68"]Conclusion We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, awwww yeahhhhhh

This is in stark contrast to the playable software confirmed to be running direct from Xbox One hardware, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct, which benefit to no end for targeting the 1080p60 gold standard, and largely succeed in doing so.
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#25 clyde46
Member since 2005 • 49061 Posts

[QUOTE="Jack-Burton"]

Sony's press shots for DriveClub look pretty cool, but despite some neat features such as proper vehicle deformation and some beautiful lighting, the low quality, blurry textures looked a world apart from what Forza 5 was achieving running at twice the frame-rate.seanmcloughlin

Ummmmm

Cows are not gonna be happy :P

inb4majorDC

Best get your flame shield Sean :P
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#26 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

I noticed the Killzone demo wasn't keeping consistent. I'm sure by launch they'll have the optimization nailed.

Happy to see Sony's not afraid to throw their real hardware into the fray. None of this using virtulaized machines with much higher spec like Microsoft did.

Wasdie

As people have pointed out GG usually get there in the end and make leaps in the last few monthsĀ 

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#27 King_Dodongo
Member since 2006 • 3759 Posts
Sad that many gamers got into a trap. So much for the "saviors of gaming".
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#28 AzatiS
Member since 2004 • 14969 Posts

Have you ever heard BAD GRAPHIC ENGINE OPTIMIZATION ?!! Or some people trying to blame PS4 for lower FPS than expected ? If companies are lazy or their graphic engine not optimal then its not systems fault but developing one.

Ā 

At least Sony didnt run games on ... PCs like some others lol

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deactivated-59b71619573a1

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#29 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

Best get your flame shield Sean :Pclyde46

Pfff I don't need no shield, my skin is thick enough to deflect the BS cows throw around :cool:

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#30 Chutebox
Member since 2007 • 50556 Posts

Meh, they'll be fine come release.Ā  Just hope they aren't rushing these games.

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#31 SecretPolice
Member since 2007 • 44058 Posts

Sony's press shots for DriveClub look pretty cool, but despite some neat features such as proper vehicle deformation and some beautiful lighting, the low quality, blurry textures looked a world apart from what Forza 5 was achieving running at twice the frame-rate.Jack-Burton

Ummmmm

:lol: Perhaps due to the PS4 having way, way too much... powah.

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#33 Farsendor1
Member since 2012 • 462 Posts

X1 was also running on high end gaming computers, Sony should have done the same thing. The games aren't done and probably wasn't ready to be played at a big event like e3.Ā 

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#34 Jack-Burton
Member since 2013 • 2435 Posts

I noticed the Killzone demo wasn't keeping consistent. I'm sure by launch they'll have the optimization nailed.

Happy to see Sony's not afraid to throw their real hardware into the fray. None of this using virtulaized machines with much higher spec like Microsoft did.

Wasdie
Forza 5 was running on a one and still seems to best drive club.
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#35 Chutebox
Member since 2007 • 50556 Posts
[QUOTE="thedork_knight"][QUOTE="Heil68"]Conclusion We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, awwww yeahhhhhh

This is in stark contrast to the playable software confirmed to be running direct from Xbox One hardware, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct, which benefit to no end for targeting the 1080p60 gold standard, and largely succeed in doing so.

Ok? And?
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#36 Heil68
Member since 2004 • 60712 Posts

I noticed the Killzone demo wasn't keeping consistent. I'm sure by launch they'll have the optimization nailed.

Happy to see Sony's not afraid to throw their real hardware into the fray. None of this using virtulaized machines with much higher spec like Microsoft did.

Wasdie
Yup. awwww yeahhh
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#37 SecretPolice
Member since 2007 • 44058 Posts

[QUOTE="Heil68"]Conclusion We leave Sony's E3 booth undoubtedly impressed, awwww yeahhhhhhtimbers_WSU
Your little shtick is so stupid. I can't wait til you turn 13 and give it up.

Too true. :P

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#38 AzatiS
Member since 2004 • 14969 Posts

[QUOTE="Jack-Burton"]

Sony's press shots for DriveClub look pretty cool, but despite some neat features such as proper vehicle deformation and some beautiful lighting, the low quality, blurry textures looked a world apart from what Forza 5 was achieving running at twice the frame-rate.SecretPolice

Ummmmm

:lol: Perhaps due to the PS4 having way, way too much... powah.

Or perhaps because X-bone games run on PCs instead , what many accusing MS for ... ITs a myth or not ? who knows!

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#39 Mr720fan
Member since 2013 • 2795 Posts

#SDC THANK YOU LORD KAZMonsieurX

lol this one made me laugh

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Mr720fan

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#40 Mr720fan
Member since 2013 • 2795 Posts

finally some bad news for ps4 yesssssss

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#41 Tessellation
Member since 2009 • 9297 Posts

This is in stark contrast to the playable software confirmed to be running direct from Xbox One hardware, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct, which benefit to no end for targeting the 1080p60 gold standard, and largely succeed in doing so.

this won't sit well with the basement dwellers.. lets see the ocean of excuses being made :cool:

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#43 deactivated-59b71619573a1
Member since 2007 • 38222 Posts

sub 30fps? Ā  totally unacceptable for a next gen machine with those specs. Ā  decidely worried.

sts106mat

KZ will get to the 30 mark by launch, but it does make me worried a little cos I thought it ran higher and they capped it at 30 to keep it consistent. Now it seems that it was actually struggling to hit that. The input lag worries me more, I just can't play a shooter on consoles that's already clunky and unresponsive due to analog sticks and have input lag on top of that. It's a horrible experience

Driveclub I don't think will reach the 60fps mark they're striving to get to though. They'll be lucky to hit 30 at this rate

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#44 AzatiS
Member since 2004 • 14969 Posts

finally some bad news for ps4 yesssssss

Mr720fan
Gratz , you win the console war
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#45 Ontain
Member since 2005 • 25501 Posts

really not surprising. this is like alpha or beta stage for the games. they aren't running on the final hardware either. I would wait for actual launch reviews before making judgements on performance.

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#46 CanYouDiglt
Member since 2009 • 8474 Posts

Ā 

So it seems some games run slightly poorer than expected with KZ:SF feeling like sub 30 fps at times but further optimisation before launch might iron that out. Sad part is it has the input lag of KZ 2 which means I'm avoiding it completely.

Driveclub is also sounding poor with dips feeling as low as 20 fps in a racer is just a joke TBH

Ā 

seanmcloughlin

Wow that sucks and is kinda worrisome.

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#47 HaRmLeSS_RaGe
Member since 2012 • 1330 Posts

Forza 5 was confirmed by Digital Foundry to be running on an actual X1 beta kit. Zebra stripes and all :cool:

Ā 

Damage control harder cows :lol:

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#48 SecretPolice
Member since 2007 • 44058 Posts

[QUOTE="Mr720fan"]

finally some bad news for ps4 yesssssss

AzatiS

Gratz , you win the console war

Not yet, MS got out of the way early all the news that could be considered bad but Sony on the other hand, well, that's just not how they roll if ya know what I mean. :P

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#49 Farsendor1
Member since 2012 • 462 Posts

PS4 nor X1 games are done yet they are still in development that is why MS used gaming computer to show case their games.Ā 

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Mr720fan

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#50 Mr720fan
Member since 2013 • 2795 Posts

This is in stark contrast to the playable software confirmed to be running direct from Xbox One hardware, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct, which benefit to no end for targeting the 1080p60 gold standard, and largely succeed in doing so.

this won't sit well with the basement dwellers.. lets see the ocean of excuses being made :cool:

Tessellation

halo 5 @ 60FPS lol uh oh whats going on but but but but the gahataki clouddd powerzuzz