Yes, you can argue with optimization. Then the next question would be, why is it so hard to optimize for X1?

No, the Xbox One is well above the Wii U, but its definitely below Sony and should hit 1080. At least they are saving the FPS by dropping the resolution.

Multitude of reasons could be compounding that question.

It could be that the API's are not mature (Microsoft seems intent to rectify that with Direct X12.), the eSRAM adds an additional layer of complexity for developers and then you have the Operating System and other software stacks which could be compounding the issue. (I, nor anyone here has any idea on that side of the equation, but being a young platform... Would seem logical.)

Ultimately, the best development environment would be for all the consoles to be *exactly* the same and exactly the same as a high-end PC, that's not the case, things will get better in time for sure, but it's also good that all the systems are different in a multitude of ways, who wants three of the exact same consoles?

With that in mind, I fully expect the next gen twins to not hit 1080P in games by generations end, they just aren't that powerfull for the long term.

Agreed. I think we can all agree this isn't a direct hardware problem, it's not exactly the most visually demanding game, even at 60fps. It does raise the problem though of why does the X1 NEED everything to be optimized. Neither the X1 or PS4 are particularly well optimized at this point, yet the PS4 has had no problems with performance, only the X1.

I get the impression the X1 is a bit of an ass to work with for some stuff :/ That's certainly the most logical assumption right now. If it's true then that's arguable a bigger advantage to the PS4 than the power difference. It certainly benefited the 360 a lot.

Of course that was a rhetorical question since I very well know what makes it harder.

It's just so easy to attack the developers. It's the same thing Sony fans did last gen when devs weren't able or willing to figure out the cell.

In this case I think both versions are not optimized at all and that's when the PS4 gets ahead with more power.

I don't even think the level of expertise to optimize is the issue. In the end it's about if the devs care enough. Which begs the real question:

Why don't devs and publishers care enough to put more work into one version of a game? That the X1s second biggest problem. The power disparity is one thing but apparently devs und publishers do not care about putting more effort into the X1 version of a game. Which falls back to MS. They were the ones responsible for the hardware so it should be their responsibility to make the devs and publishers care about parity. Be it monetarily or with additional workforce from MS' side. If a game fails to reach parity it's on MS' hands because they are responsible for the initial product that apparently makes it harder for devs.

Blaming the devs even though I assume they worked even harder on the X1 is just not nice.

not to mention the fact that if the lower quality version of the game sells worse then it will result in even less effort being put into porting games for the X1, thus reducing game quality which reduces userbase which reduces the amount of sales a game can get which causes it to sell EVEN worse

Thus resulting in a vicious cycle of lack of effort eating profits and lack of profits eroding effort.

It would be nice if MS added a setting to use 90 pixel black borders for 900p. 900p seems to be a common resolution this gen and black borders are nicer looking than the softness of applying a 1.2x upscaling filter. Maybe just me, but I prefer to use doubling mode for dvds on ps3, displaying them at 960p with black borders instead of 2.25x upscaling to 1080p.

for people saying things about how trials should be an easy task to handle for systems because it is a psn/xbla type title you guys should really go and look up some videos for even trials evolution, while it's true it's a 2d racing game some of the stages in it are amazing looking, this isn't just a super meatboy looking 2d game is what I'm trying to say.

With the rather large gap in GPU grunt combined with GDDR5 v DDR3, I'm honestly more shocked that anyone could possibly be surprised by this. Get used to it. :

I don't think disparity in performance has much of an impact on sales. At least not directly. Most people only have one console so they only have one choice. Since they only have one choice, the differences don't matter to them and they will buy the game regardless.

It just matters for the educated consumer ready to choose his next console. If there aren't any particular features or games he is interested in he will pick the better performing console. Of course it also helps customers who didn't actually care about it validate their purchase to other people thus spreading the word.

If it's strong enough to penetrate news outlets in regular intervals it might have a lasting effect on sales. for the consoles.

Though I don't think the difference in install bases will ever grow so large that developers stop caring about the weaker platform altogether.