Of course, the real game-changer here is performance. For the first time, Halo 5 is built from the ground up with 60fps gameplay in mind. However, the question of whether 343 can hit that target with an acceptable level of consistency is still open to question, based on the E3 showing. While last year's multiplayer beta turned in relatively solid frame-rates, the conference campaign footage raises some concerns. Based on the demo, it seems that the target is a 'perceptual' 60fps experience more in line with the Call of Duty titles. That is, while the target remains 60fps, performance levels often dip below during action sequences.
The current dynamic frame resolution system can actually be observed in more detail within the 'Road to E3' video published on the Halo Channel a few weeks back, and embedded below. It provides a closer look at the game in a debug state, complete with important performance statistics visible on-screen, as the camera is flown in and around the environment. We can see the horizontal resolution apparently shift dynamically between a full 1920 all the way down to 832 pixels. With 810 vertical lines in play we're looking at a resolution ranging from 1920x810 to 832x810. However, in b-roll distributed during E3, minimum resolution observed comes in at 1152x810 - not exactly wonderful but presumably more indicative of where the system is right now during gameplay.
In many ways, Halo 4 felt like a passing of the torch from Bungie to 343 Industries: a transition both in terms of technology and design. 343's debut put the stake in the ground, it was the starting point from which future titles would be defined. With Halo 5, the transition is complete. The Master Chief's next outing is 343 Industries through and through, a creation that casts aside many of its Bungie roots in favour of a fresh take on the classic gameplay, forged through years of experience. The multiplayer beta released late last year gave us a taste of these changes with a newfound focus on performance, innovative gameplay features, and new technology while the E3 demo further cements this new focus. If the final game can deliver on the promise of a stable 60fps frame-rate across all modes while offering compelling mission design, we could be looking at one of the best shooters of the year.
Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-can-halo-5-deliver-on-its-60fps-promise
