Digital Foundry Next-Gen Face-Off: FIFA 14

FIFA 14: the Digital Foundry verdict

As performance metrics stabilise at either a clean 30 or 60fps, we're left short on ways to truly distinguish the two next-gen versions on any technical level. That being the case, it's worth noting the Xbox One version does offer a minor advantage in content with its exclusive Ultimate Team "Legends," opening up access to classic players like Pelé, Lineker and Zola. It's perhaps not the most essential feature given the rarity of these cards, and the potential expenditure on packs to seek them out, but it's a clear point in favour of the Xbox One release.

Speaking of content, certain modes are stripped back compared to the PS3 and 360 editions - Be a Pro and Tournament options, for example. Getting the game out in a reasonable time-frame likely took precedence this year, but on the plus side, the honed focus does mean the Ignite Engine lands on both feet to give the definitive on-pitch experience.

In all, putting aside nit-picks in gamma that suggest a slight black push on the Xbox One, both releases are a match in every other conceivable sense. The 1080p presentation backed up by 2xMSAA is sumptuous to behold, and sidesteps the upscaling and post-processing seen in other games that tend to spoil all the hard work. As a result, FIFA 14 easily ranks as the most crisply presented next-gen game released yet, and for time time being, a solid showcase of the next-gen difference to any passer-by.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

EA Ignote engine. AKA look at these robots playing sports.

I have this game with my day one edition.

Looks worse than old gen. WT.....

The darker image on the X1 is kind of a big difference for me. I have this on the PS4 but now that I've seen the darker look of the X1, it's more appealing for sure.

There's probably a contrast setting on your TV. Try using it.

I have, a little. I have my tv set up perfect for other games on my ps3 and 360 so I'm not willing to mess around with the settings much now because of how the PS4 tends to lighten FIFA. Not sure if it's an EA thing or PS4. Don't have this problem with KZ but I do with BF4.

That 50% more power is really showing up so far.

Horrible game that pushes none of them.

I thought this game looked like shit at the PS4 kiosk.. Okay not like shit but didnt really impress me at all.. Most likely just because its not final builds of the game at the Kiosks. But it just looked like Fifa on 360/ps3 but sharper. 2k14 on ps4/xb1 looks incredible though.

@kuu2: Dude give it up, the chip sets have been compared. Not every game is going to show the power difference, especially not a game from MS shills like EA. Deal with it dude.

Shame they didn't mention the AI improvements. Apparently the largely broken heading at crosses and corners is fixed because the AI is good enough to simulate more than two players challenging in the air. The increase in animations and slicker loads especially in in game replays is actually really nice, everything's a lot more fluid.

I wasn't expecting much given on the current gen versions they can barely get the menus to run properly and haven't touched the graphics outside of player face updates for nearly 5 years..

Dunno if serious? Maybe you forgot already that the PS4 just came out?

Good that they are both good ports, will wait for Fifa 15 though before I buy my next Fifa.

Wait I don't get it... The ps4 has uber power mo0rr!11!!

Lol that we will not be hearing about the x1 having the better version around here

@Bishop1310: turn rgb to full in the playstation video settings. Gives it better blacks and color

Ps4 clearly looks better. That's without the help of the cloudzz.

PS4 wins...................again.

Thanks I'll try that.

LOL, fanboys at it again. It looks better so it must be better.

Yet they look the same and you get more in the Xbox One, so no sorry PS4 loses.

Install times

xbone= 16:06 minutes

PS4= 34 seconds

why do the colours look so washed out in the PS4 version copared to the X1

I've been saying this since back in the X360/PS3 AC comparison days as well. It's got to be something that Xbox does differently. It can't be that every reviewer and every site sabotages TV settings on PS systems. I noticed it myself when comparing the AC series on my X360 then compared it to AC3 on my PS3. I know my TV, I know my settings and I tried everything in the PS3 display settings....it is what it is...No one seems to have a REAL reason as to why PS games look washed out compared to Xbox games. *shrug*

you mean why does xbone have crushed blacks. can hardly see the crowd at the top because of it lol.

In most cases its the Xbox doing it badly, the Playstation doing it correctly. Colors that 'pop' are useless when they hide details, which is easily seen even in the shots in that article. Look at how much detail is lost in the dark sections.

The Xbox adjust its gamma curve non linearly, most likely on purpose now since this is two console generations of them doing this.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&ved=0CH8QFjAK&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valvesoftware.com%2Fpublications%2F2008%2FGDC2008_PostProcessingInTheOrangeBox.pdf&ei=ZQiZUsubOYbdoASVjoC4CA&usg=AFQjCNGvxY_gt1XbNXQ8N3DADTXPvUuSPg&sig2=l4bLsJ9rjkqZ4erxRA0WAg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.cGU

I dont get it either, but its noticeable and I have done similar comparisons myself. Ps games always look like they have a lens filter on. Weird.

@killzowned24 said:

@always_explicit said:

why do the colours look so washed out in the PS4 version copared to the X1

you mean why does xbone have crushed blacks. can hardly see the crowd at the top because of it lol.

Honestly, and im not trying to flame or troll you or whatever...but it just looks like the same image with the contrast notched up a tad. I think i prefer the vivid colour to the better depth of field but each to their own. Im not really that clued up on graphics.

people saying that one version looks way better than the other is delusional. there are differences but not major at all

@always_explicit said:

@killzowned24 said:

@always_explicit said:

why do the colours look so washed out in the PS4 version copared to the X1

you mean why does xbone have crushed blacks. can hardly see the crowd at the top because of it lol.

Honestly, and im not trying to flame or troll you or whatever...but it just looks like the same image with the contrast notched up a tad. I think i prefer the vivid colour to the better depth of field but each to their own. Im not really that clued up on graphics.

then use your tv settings.MS screw with it from the start.

@killzowned24 said:

@always_explicit said:

@killzowned24 said:

@always_explicit said:

why do the colours look so washed out in the PS4 version copared to the X1

you mean why does xbone have crushed blacks. can hardly see the crowd at the top because of it lol.

Honestly, and im not trying to flame or troll you or whatever...but it just looks like the same image with the contrast notched up a tad. I think i prefer the vivid colour to the better depth of field but each to their own. Im not really that clued up on graphics.

then use your tv settings.MS screw with it from the start.

Never touch my t.v settings : /

@always_explicit said:

@killzowned24 said:

@always_explicit said:

@killzowned24 said:

@always_explicit said:

why do the colours look so washed out in the PS4 version copared to the X1

you mean why does xbone have crushed blacks. can hardly see the crowd at the top because of it lol.

Honestly, and im not trying to flame or troll you or whatever...but it just looks like the same image with the contrast notched up a tad. I think i prefer the vivid colour to the better depth of field but each to their own. Im not really that clued up on graphics.

then use your tv settings.MS screw with it from the start.

Never touch my t.v settings : /

no wonder you like it. probably still on torch mode too and not properly calibrated.

damn, ps4 version looks so washed out. i guess i'll pick up the superior version on the Microsoft Xbox One.

Final result: They both look like shit

Hmm, crushed blacks that ruin the picture quality of my entire game, or no crushed blacks and the absence of one small gameplay feature...decisions decisions....

It looks washed out because the XB1 has destroyed the picture quality by crushing the blacks. It gives the impression of a picture with more contrast in comparison to an image w/o crushed blacks, when in reality - you're losing tons of detail to black-levels that don't even exist. :( Completely unplayable if you ask me.

wow, consoles still look like shit.