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curl-6 said:

Theoretically a platform holder like Microsoft could make it mandatory that all games on their platform be 4K or 60fps, but this would present several problems.

For example, what happens if a dev realizes late in development that they can't hit their target? Would the game have to be cancelled for Xbox, but still release elsewhere?
Or what if a dev wants to make a game that current hardware can't handle at 4K, or 60fps? They'd have to choose between compromising their vision and skipping Xbox.

Beyond the obvious practical limitation MS would also flat out loose marketing power with this. 

Hellblade 2's 30fps original "in-engine" tech demo is how they announced and sold the power of the series X. It's honestly one of the reason why so many eyes are on the game to begin with.

Last gen Naughty initially made a commitment for Uncharted 4 to be 60fps based on their experience of TLOU Remastered, but then they went back on that goal because they couldn't achieve the visual fidelity they wanted. Uncharted 4 at 30fps went on to sell approx 20m units and for sure its main selling point was the shear amount of spectacle. Plenty of games market themselves on visual fidelity, and limiting their ambitions there would not make any console an easier sell to the generic consumer (same kind who rushes out to buy every COD, Fifa, Pokemon etc). For better and for worse they are not using digital foundary to determine their purchase lol. Even if we look at the PC space, the majority of steam gamers still play at 1080p. So I think any mandate in terms of res/60fps would be unnecessary restrictions/costs on developers.

Personally I care primarily about stability and quality of experience. The only game in recent memory that I actually found frustrations with a stable 30fps was actually Kirby. Still enjoying it but the 30fps lacks the buttery smoothness a Nintendo platformer of that nature should have. Meanwhile Pikmin 4 feels exactly right to me, so I get that it varies very much by person and by game.

Last edited by Otter - on 22 April 2024