Ryse: Son of Rome - the Digital Foundry verdict

Crytek has faced a long and difficult road in the development of Ryse. As a game that began life on Xbox 360 as a Kinect-exclusive title, we imagine that the final product seen here today shares very little in common with the original design. And yet, despite the challenge this must have represented, Ryse stands as the first real technical showpiece on the Xbox One that delivers visuals that exceed anything we could have experienced on a last-generation console. It also serves as proof positive that a lower-resolution output can still deliver excellent, clean results. When it comes to delivering attractive results, image treatment is a critical part of the equation that a higher resolution alone will not solve.

Furthermore, as the first title designed using the latest iteration of CryEngine middleware, it's interesting to consider how it stacks up against previous PC releases. Crysis 3, released earlier this year, maxes out Titan-class GPUs at its very high quality setting - even before higher-end anti-aliasing settings have been engaged. Bearing in mind the gulf in power between top-end PC graphics card and the more lowly Xbox One, it speaks to the flexibility of the engine and the advantages of fixed-platform console architecture.

All of which begs the question: could these new consoles run Crysis 3? Ryse delivers the full suite of CryEngine features with excellent image quality and it's still just a launch title. Given the experience of working on such a product, we have little doubt that Crytek could produce a Crysis Trilogy of sorts for next-generation consoles with few compromises - and yes, we want it. Given the quality of the developer's work on Xbox One, we would love to see what it could do with PlayStation 4 in the future as well. However, despite all the technological finery on offer, the limited and repetitive gameplay make Ryse difficult to actually recommend as a prospective purchase. That said, if you really want a taste of what we can expect from the next generation of consoles, Ryse towers over the rest.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-vs-ryse-son-of-rome

Nothing will ever come close to an actual Gym.

Has anyone here seen articles (surprised they haven't been posted here yet) about MS selling off the Xbox division? Rick Sherlund's name has been thrown around too. Thoughts? BS? Truth?

They were only Halo 4 pro's out of necessity. Neighbor has been around since Halo 2. Bravo is actually a coach, not a player and also has been around since 2. Dersky has been around since 3 at least. I can't quite remember much of him though, he isn't as high profile as the others mentioned nor has he achieved as much in the Halo scene.

I used to watch MLG Halo all the time. Stopped at Halo 4 after MLG stopped supporting it.

Well that's certainly better than I was thinking.

I'm sure we'll get 20 threads within the hour.

I've had the same issue though it is very rare for me.  how do you reboot your console?  I dont even know lol  Mine just goes into hibernate so i never thought about turning it off completely.

That idea itself is pretty old news. Many expect that if Elop takes over, that'll be one of his first acts. Not sure though if there have been recent developments.

Personally I'm not necessarily against it. In a perfect situation the xbox division would buy itself essentially and form its own company. Doubt Samsung or Apple would be interested.

Quantum Break Destruction

Quantum Break developer Remedy Entertainment, is using a highly accurate and versatile destruction system called Digital Molecular Matter (DMM), developed by Pixelux Entertainment. The company has now announced its partnership with Remedy.

According to Pixelux Entertainment, Digital Molecular Matter is a “system designed for high quality in-game destruction”. The firm explains that the system is able to produce “deformation-based fracture destruction that simulates the physical properties of any material using finite element analysis.”

“If a structure exists – big or small, dense or thin, floppy or rigid – DMM causes it to react in the same way as dictated by reality. For example, wood doesn’t simply break along a predetermined seam every time – rather, it bends and splinters into pieces from the point of impact. The same rules apply to any substance imaginable: rubber bends and snaps back into place. Glass shatters. Steel dents and bends. Plastic deforms,” it added.

The firm also notes that the system has been used “in over 20 feature films, commercials and even TV series,” which is interesting considering Remedy will be developing a TV series that’s releasing along with the game.

“DMM has played a key role in shaping Quantum Break, our vision of next-gen entertainment. We have been able to simulate complex scenarios on a scale that hasn’t been possible before and then allow players experience them in real time. Can’t wait to show the world more of what we’re able to do!,” said Mikko Uromo, tech team lead at Remedy Entertainment.

This follows this morning’s announcement that Remedy Entertainment will be using a 9-camera facial capture technique. Information is sparse on the shooter’s gameplay aspects, however we now know that you’ll be playing as both the villain and the hero in key points in the game.

http://www.vg247.com/2013/11/25/quantum-break-uses-digital-molecular-matter-a-highly-accurate-and-versatile-destruction-system/

QB sounds great. Alan Wake was one of my faves along with Condemned and Lost Odyssey. A couple of more also