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We Spend Way Too Much Time Talking About Frames Per Second

We really do.

It seems like throughout 2014, the only headlines that got a huge amount of attention involved resolution or frame rate in some way. Don't people get bored at some point?

I suppose at least to some extent, it makes sense. After all, a new generation of gaming hardware just started, and everyone loves to debate tech-related subjects. With such a limited selection of exclusive software for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, we have to resort to comparing the differences between major third-party titles. Sure, I get that. Without conflict and adolescent freak-outs, it just wouldn't feel right; gaming thrives on such argument (for better or worse).

At the same time, what are we really talking about? The most recent flip-out occurred when Ubisoft admitted that Assassin's Creed Unity would run at 900p and 30 frames per second, as opposed to the previously reported 1080p and 60FPS. Is this seriously that big of a deal, though? Is it a huge deal that some PS4 games hit 1080p while their Xbox One counterparts only manage 900p or 980p? And when it comes to 30FPS and 60FPS, I'm aware that a higher number is better. I get it. But if a game plays great, what does it matter?

I think we've all forgotten that great games are not made by statistics and benchmarks. They're made by gamers loving them, and you don't love a game for its technical merits. You can appreciate it for technical achievement but unless it plays great, it will not go down in the annals of history as a definitive title. I get that graphic whores are having the times of their lives right now, debating every piece of excruciating minutiae regarding hardware power and potential. I hope they're having fun. Me, I have fun with the actual game .

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Corvo
Corvo
9 years ago

Resolution > FPS

I didn't buy a next generation console to be stuck dealing with 720p. I want my games being crisp and clear.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
9 years ago

I want crisp and clear and 60fps, once you go 60 anything lower just crawls.

SaiyanSenpai
SaiyanSenpai
9 years ago

Yeah, what a bunch of idiots we were to enjoy a game like the Last of Us as late as the year 2013. I mean, it was 720p and 30 FPS – the source of all that is evil! What fools we were! We were all tricked! TRICKED I TELL YOU!!

Oh wait, that game was still absolutely amazing…


Last edited by SaiyanSenpai on 10/9/2014 11:07:36 PM

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
9 years ago

You must not play many FPS (First Person Shooters)

Having a better FPS than others is a huge advantage when playing a first person shooter.

Corvo
Corvo
9 years ago

Yeah I know more FPS increases the overall gameplay aspect but the only genre's I really feel needs it is action games like MGR Revengeance and FPS's.

And the only FPS's I haven't played are..like every COD and anything exclusive on xbox.

And Saiyan, The Last Of Us IS 1080p on the ps4, so that doesn't make any sense.

All I'm saying is the new NEW generation of consoles shouldn't be doing what the previous console could. It should be allowed to spread its wings and fly as high as it can go. I understand we're also very early-ish in the generation but it doesn't excuse games still not 'max' resolution.

PC gamers are lucky that they can go and mod any game and get the better resolution/FPS.

SaiyanSenpai
SaiyanSenpai
9 years ago

Knightzane, you'll notice I mentioned the year 2013, when TLoU originally came out on PS3. It was 720p, 30 FPS. And you know what? People STILL liked it. LOVED it even.

Sure, you can say it was on last gen consoles but you seem to be very focused on the numbers. Well, thems the numbers. 720p, 30 FPS, last year. "in this day and age" as people are quick to say.

Was it better in 1080p and 60 FPS when it came to PS4 in 2014? Yep. Sure was.

Did it dramatically change the experience? Nope.

And Limited, I made no mention of FPS's in my comment, which was intentional. However, it doesn't matter since you seemed to miss the point entirely.


Last edited by SaiyanSenpai on 10/10/2014 2:30:39 AM

SaiyanSenpai
SaiyanSenpai
9 years ago

If numbers are that much of a concern and outweighs all else, then play those games on PC. That's one of the strengths of the PC.

We live in an age now where we have 4 platforms, and each of them have particular strengths and weaknesses.

Yet while they are achieving parity with each other more so than ever before, they EACH have at least *one* thing the other cannot do. Not a single one excels in everything.

Xbone, PS4, Wii U, and PC.

Appreciate the differences. Love the games.


Last edited by SaiyanSenpai on 10/10/2014 3:11:01 AM

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
9 years ago

SaiyanSempai,

I was responding to the OP, not you. I didn't even read your reply to the OP. Learn how the reply feature works. My comment was 100% accurate.

Temjin001
Temjin001
9 years ago

World, you should get TLoU Remaster just to see this.
I played the game for like an hour straight at 60fps, then I decided to switch it to 30fps right then from the pause screen, just to see the diff. and hot dang it's like it went slideshow for a while until my brain adjusted.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
9 years ago

haha, see what I mean? It's big!

Axe99
Axe99
9 years ago

I'm with Knightzane here – the difference between a frame at 30fps and 60fps is 0.016 of a second. As long as it's a solid 30fps, then the difference, to me, is marginal (and I game on PC a bit, where I regularly have to make the choice between higher FPS and AA/texture quality, for example).

Driveclub is a perfect example – it's 'only' 30fps, but it feels as smooth to me as GT5 did at mostly 60fps. Why? Because it's a consistent 30.

Don't get me wrong, I know some people are more frame-rate sensitive, and others struggle to adjust to different frame rates (and resolutions) – but it's not a blanket 'one is better than the other' or 'once you've had 60 you can't go back'. For some, it's absolutely true that once _they_ have had 60 they can't go back, but not everyone is that frame-rate sensitive.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
9 years ago

I think it's because nobody can figure out how to actually make the games better aside from better specs, which is why we get "generic" comments about stuff like The Order 1886.

It's stupid too, every time I play a new so called AAA I can think of new ways to innovate the same old gameplay mechanics. I got a million of em, apparently nobody in the industry can think of any.

daus26
daus26
9 years ago

I think it's only natural a lot of people want 1080p/60fps this generation as standard after 8 years of 720p n 30fps for most games. If it can't, then this whole generation becomes questionable. it doesn't help when one console is seeming holding back the seemingly more powerful one.

daus26
daus26
9 years ago

If resolution or 60fps doesn't matter much, then why bother have a new generation of consoles? The reason I invest in a new console is to enjoy new technical specs. I think the industry n technology is just not keeping up with demand. The PS3 n 360 can literally last a good 5 more years if the two weren't trying to rush to the market first. By then, making an affordable console that can go 1080/60fps at will would be possible.

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
9 years ago

Your right, it's been long going now. I have a feeling something is irking over there at M$.


Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 10/10/2014 2:11:53 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
9 years ago

Tomb Raider DE proves why both are necessary.

Maybe TLoU too but I don't have that.

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
9 years ago

Write it on your game list for PS4.


Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 10/10/2014 2:16:03 PM

SaiyanSenpai
SaiyanSenpai
9 years ago

Thank you for writing this Ben. Sometimes people can forget the most important things.

Solid Fantasy
Solid Fantasy
9 years ago

Yes and no. If we're not over thinking res and fps we're crying about the overload of Indi titles. If it's specs that are the issue we must be one step closer to real next gen titles.
Or… Sometimes I think 1080 at 60fps is all we've got for the new gen. KZ2 and U2 ignored res and fps and went for bright colors and shear polygonal density! Developers should start pushing lighting effects to new standards soon.

If we could get the graphic whore developers trying to do the innovative and artistic ambition of the broke indi developers that would be swell.

DemonNeno
DemonNeno
9 years ago

I'll be honest. I freaked out A LOT. To the point where I'm sitting here thinking about it and kinda regretting it.

It's not about regretting what I said. It's not about EVIL MICROSOFT! It's about the same thing that has occurred since forever. A patch will change everything.

… No, seriously. It probably wouldn't be such a devastating turn of events had the comments made been completely held off. That's not how it went down. The industry is shifting and voices of plenty gamers are louder than ever. Asinine statements like "oh hey! 30fps LOOKS better than 60fps" and "we want a true cinematic vibe". All these comments with the worst of them nestled in the middle… "we've been TRYING to achieve 60fps, but we couldnt accomplish it". So… What validity do any of your statements offer the matter if you're throwing that in there? You were TRYING to achieve what you just blatantly claimed is an interior experience?

Does 1080p matter to me? Sure, it makes a difference. It doesn't, however, affect control input like 30fps vs 60fps. Input lag increases as FPS drop. Maneuverability becomes tedious when FPS drop. So much is hampered by the drop. Now, I get it. Cinematic cutscenes may benefit from 30fps to add that "realism" to behavior. I keep hearing this "but BD Movies are 24 fps" jive, but guess what? I'm WATCHING a movie; not controlling the characters. I'm not interacting with the environment. Even if I do, it's my physical body doing it. It's completely optional.

My brain hurts. Games have officially become the second worst things to politics.

bebestorm
bebestorm
9 years ago

Amen Ben!! Nier was not the best looking game but I enjoyed it far more than Tales of Xillia and White Knight Chronicles.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
9 years ago

I love that game, great soundtrack too. I wish it would get a sequel. Sad that the developer closed.

Big_Boss90
Big_Boss90
9 years ago

Amen ben i finally agree with you and every word of this post.. can we just enjoy the games we play for the love of everything that is holy..

JackieBoy
JackieBoy
9 years ago

Of course we do. Everybody wants a crisp and fluid experience after so many years. And Ubi saying " It actually feels better for people when it's at that 30fps"? How the F*** do they know what I want? I play TloU in 1080/60 and it is a blast!
And lack of AA still in current gen is another story to whine about but hell – how many more generations I ask, when it is so common now on PC?
It just feels pathetic when devs do such statements because they want to excuse themself.

Breadlover
Breadlover
9 years ago

Indeed. I miss the days when discussions were mostly gameplay-centric.

shaydey77
shaydey77
9 years ago

That's just it. Without the exclusive games to back either system out properly yet, people need something else to complain/brag/chat about.

Our time will come again for the game focused conversations….we just have to play the waiting game for another few months at least.

souljah92
souljah92
9 years ago

If the next Locoroco doesnt have 1080p and 60fps it will be a sad day in history.

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
9 years ago

This 30fps talk is getting older now, the devs need to step it up this gen with 60fps, seriously, for one thing most of the HDTV's out there have 60fps tech features.

Axe99
Axe99
9 years ago

Totally agree people are over-the-top with frame rate and resolution obsession. On the other hand, we should be happy that there are so many people with lives so comfortable that these qualify as things to get excited about ;).

Rachet_JC_FTW
Rachet_JC_FTW
9 years ago

yeah i totally get you but i don't think its going to go away just yet maybe not till mid to end of next year being 2015 but i do have to say it was a lil disappointing that the ps4 version was better like it usually is but hey watever still looks like a great game aye

happy gaming

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