Next-Gen Will Be 'A Substantial Leap Over The Current Generation' Says Epic

Epic Games' Tim Sweeney believes the next generation will offer a substantial leap on current consoles and Unreal Engine 4 could reinvent the industry.

[Dylila]

i cant wait for next gen consoles. i cant wait for ps4. where are the fanboys of weak systems that love to say that next gen consoles like the ps4 and xbox next wont be a big improvement over this gen.

watch dog, metal gear ground zeros and a few other games shown off already are games meant for consoles namely next gen consoles. those games will be launch games on the ps4 which should show how powerful next gen consoles will be. i cant wait for the 20th feb. one more week.

[Jadedz]

I don't want gaming companies to suffer because of my selfish needs. I enjoy high powered tech, though I'd rather the company who develops the games I like, to be profitable and not to go the way of Atari.

[Spinal]

Well I hope to see Battlefield 4 with 64 players with decent visuals on my future PS4 that's when I'll believe there has been a substantial leap from this gen. My PC is the only thing showing me next gen quality with BF3 on ultra.

I'm realistic so I don't expect much but I want the best for the ps exclusive sequels like the last of us 2 :)

[BlindGuardian]

it seems that someone actually took the time to explain to the guys at Epic that their former line 'A Quantum Leap Over The Current Generation' really meant a very small diference, so they fixed it

I guess is never too late to learn stuff that you should've learn in high school

[zebramocha]

@blind when some one says "quantum leap" they don't of think something small but a transformative leap or progress.

[Army_of_Darkness]

I can't imagine how killzone 4, god of war 4 and uncharted 4 will look on the PS4 if they can pull off very Nice graphics on the PS3!!! :-D

[darthv72]

that says physical/retail games are inefficient...??? hmmm

http://n4g.com/news/1173399...

As to their claim of substantial, that could elude to much better programming rather than full on total hardware blowout like many are expecting.

There can be substantial improvements in code that gives the visual impression that something is dramatically better. Even to the point of many thinking it is next gen but still be running on current gen specs.

We have seen many times where that happens over the course of a consoles lifetime. The games generally are significantly better at or near the end of the run than they are at the beginning. Experience and dedication are proof of that.

just compare any early release on the PS1 or PS2 with one near its end to understand.

[Dasteru]

@zebramocha:

Yes he knows and that is exactly the point he was trying to make. The word is being misused by people who do not understand its meaning. It sounds like it should be big to them so they use it in that manner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Quantum means minimal.

To say "A Quantum leap" actually means a very small change.

[skyrimer]

Atari is cursed, I've seen atari crash 3 or 4 times by now, someone always picks it up, and it crashes not too long after that

[Dude420]

noun
1. quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
2. a particular amount.
3. a share or portion.
4. a large quantity; bulk.

5. Physics.
a. the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
b.the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.

adjective
6. sudden and significant: a quantum increase in productivity.

according to the dictionary, it can be used differently, but perhaps 'quantum leap' is only a physics term, which is why it could be confusing.

[LAZL0-Panaflex]

Two words STEAM BOX.

With or without Xbox infinity or ps4....I will have my next Gen console.

[kevnb]

steam box isnt even a console.

[Enemy]

LOL

[Ritsujun]

Ha ha ha.
PC > SteamBoobx

[LAZL0-Panaflex]

Look at all the upset fanboys just cuz i like steam,.....losaz.

[Ritsujun]

Why U so mad? LMSAO

[Brasi1989]

I think you have some fanboi spittle on your chin...

[Tyre]

Sweeney believes that the current crop of high-end PCs are ‘representative' of what players should expect...exactly as i anticipated. Ur right! @Dylila The fanboys of weak systems are in a state of confusion. Crytek was also right about the PC version of Crysis 3 being representative of the Next Gen Console games! Can't F'ing wait. Can't be more happy to hear this...thx Sweeney!

[Eldyraen]

My favorite thing about the whole Dev vs gamer expectations is apparently a lot of gamers don't think the Developers already have Dev kits or know what to expect. If I'm going to have to pick between a game dev's assumption and that of uninformed fanboys I think I know who I'd listen to.

Naturally games will begin to look better as the generation progresses but at launch its not going to be as large of a difference compared to high end pcs of today. However when compared to today's consoles and PCs the leap is still substantial without taking into account new tech will allow for raising the bar a little but more.

[ILive]

Of course the leap will be substantial. To those who think that the crytek guy meant launch games will not look better than crysis 3 does on consoles are forgetting that current consoles do not suppot dx11, but the next systems do. Expect launch games to look like crysis 3 on pc and not on consoles, which is fine. Next gen is going to be amazing for console only gamers.

[williamdt3]

Agreed! Can't wait.

[stragomccloud]

Referring to PC. Also, it's their job to boast their own engine. They are more in the business of selling engines then they are in the business of actually making games.

[delboy]

STFU Sweeney, and go finish your engine.
You are way behind cry engine 3,so you have no right to talk about anything.
Finish you engine, then make some games on it, and then do the talking.

[showtimefolks]

if every game can do Full 1080P with 60 FPS than i will consider that a huge leap. what sony and ms have to realize is that ps4 and xbox720 will be in the market for next 6-8 years at the very least. so give us a system that is a little future proof specs wise.

i know that's hard to achieve within a $400-500 price point. the way ps3 and xbox360 delivered later in this gen with amazing looking games i can't wait to see what future holds

show last guardian running and playable on February 20th

show Killzone 4 and make a impression like KZ2 did for ps3 of what PS4 is capable of

[Psn800]

The UNREAL ENGINE IS AWESOME CAN''T WAIT FOR THE PS4 .

[steve30x]

Its nice to know somebody on N4G has inside knowlege of whats happening.

[Walker]

The next generation would be a substantial leap if Naughty Dog and other sony's first-party developers make a game .

[Irishguy95]

Sir....That was excellent

[xBigxBossx]

About time. As a Someone who owns ps3 and a high end pc... I find it funny when all these devs say next gen won't be a huge leap. The games I play on PC are a huge leap from ps3! Epics right, next gen will be amazing.

[DigitalSmoke]

Higher resolution or AF/AA isnt a GFX leap, its 1 factor in the whole, and easy to tune up, no skills involved.

Animation systems, sophistication of physics linked to game mechenics are excactly the same on PC and these latest Gen consoles.

As a long time PC user/player/builder/overclocke r
Now, show me a game that got developed with the obvious love as Uncharted1/2/3/God of War3/GT5 or Killzone 2/3, then get loud "as a PC gamer"

...

[classic200]

Its the same as back in the day, a PC can make a current gen game look good but most pc gamers still have not seen next gen in the sense of games dedicated to high end machines. Not even crysis 3 and battlefield 3 full push high end computers. Lots of PC gamers think they are experience true next generation but there are way more stuff that are not pushed properly yet.

[Dms2012]

Thank you, finally someone brings up something graphically besides 1080p/60 fps. Animation is where I hope to see vast improvement.

[xBigxBossx]

Games usually get developed for consoles then they make a PC port. So the PC truely hasn't been tested or taken advantage of. And I love GoW, killzone and gt series. I have owned and played all those games at one point. But if a game comes out on PC and ps3 at the same time like Borderlands 2, Hitman, or far cry 3 I'm going PC. And there is a notable difference to me. And those games all have limitations due to the fact that they were made with consoles in mind first. I'm very excited for this upcoming generation. Especially the rise of RPGs

[kevnb]

I have yet to see something like shogun total war 2, guild wars 2, battlefield 3(pc vesion of course), arma 2/dayz, Amnesia the dark descent, stalker series, civilization, minecraft on pc, Starcraft 2, on console. Killzone 2/3 are meh, gt5 is outclassed by multiplat games, god of war 3 is just another god of war game(not a labor of love, just a good game), uncharted games are great though. Theres always going to be great games on every system on every system. I cant think of anything that had the love of xenoblade chronicles go into it on ps3, it makes those ps3 games look like corporate machine stuff.
Honestly what on consoles can compete with guild wars 2 from last year?

[starchild]

I am a pc gamer and I have to agree with you. The games on pc are really the same games as on consoles, only with the increase in resolution and framerate...and sometimes effects and textures will be improved.

Most of the time, though, we mainly get smoother versions of console games. It's just the way the industry is nowadays.

Next gen will start with the release of the ps4 and next xbox.

[N0S3LFESTEEM]

Half life, Doom 3, Halo 5 :|

[TenkoTAiLS]

@DigitalSmoke
I think you will find there are some, people just generally forget about them until they get toned down console releases. Like Witcher and Witcher 2 for example, don't even try to pretend the 360 version looked as good as the PC version on max settings. Those games were a real labor of love, and it shows. Cyberpunk will be no different.

Overall you are correct tho, most dev's these days just release quick console ports to the PC without the ability to enhance the experience with all the extra settings the PC is capable of. But that is the developers fault for treating those releases as quick rush jobs, not the PC as a platform.

[chukamachine]

I have both.

Some games are a big leap, some are not.

Better textures is one thing, due to ram limitations on PS3/360.

Where the PS3/360 suffer is mainly rez,shadow quality,fps in some games.

Take GT5.

Awesome cars - premium
Awesome lighting - best there is racing wise.
Textures - okish, poor in places.
Shadows - poor, awful in places
AA is fine, and rez is okish.

Now fix those things for GT6, add destructive damage and it'll be juicy.:)

[NastyLeftHook0]

keep current gen graphics if you have too, just make games bigger and better. and besides, current gen looks fantastic!

[BanBrother]

I like Tim Sweeney, he always looks very calm and has intelligent things to say. I'm very interested in the UE4, mainly for its versatility. If it is as easy to use as I have seen and as easy as people have said it is, then I think UE4 will be massive next-gen. I want more variety from the people using it though.

I also agree that next-gen will be a massive leap. Look at what lighting can do for a game with good atmospheric effects. Games like Killzone3 and Halo 4 that makes them look so much better.

[NewZealander]

I remember when the 360 and the ps3 came out and launch games only looked slightly better than past gen games and that was mainly cos of high def tvs, it was not till a year or 2 latter that you really got to see what the consoles could do once devs got to grips with the hardware, eg gears of war was the first true game that showed what this gen was capable of and then uncharted 2, I don,t think we will see many launch games that will blow us away give it a year after they launch and then you will start to see what games will look like.

[I_am_Batman]

While I do agree that we'll have to wait some time til the real power of the consoles will be seen I still believe that the launch games will blow me away. Even a slight improvement of details, animation, lighting and physics in 1080p and 60fps will look jaw dropping on a good HDTV.

[blackstrr411]

Metal Gear Solid snake eater looks better than halo 3. Its true and I'm not a sony fan boy

[Qrphe]

Really?
http://199.101.98.242/media...
http://www.g-unleashed.com/...

@NewZealander
But you could then just look at launch exclusives to tell the systems apart from the PS2 games (Resistance and Perfect Dark Zero did not look like something the PS2 could have rendered)
And multiplats ran at higher resolutions than what they did on PS2 (Gun for example), proof that the new systems had extra juice the PS2 could not afford

[ElectricKaibutsu]

... Maybe if you played them both on an SD TV, but even then...

[N0S3LFESTEEM]

I'm with him. Halo 3's cut scenes looked stiff and awkward... can't compare direct details considering of course halo 3 looks better but MGS looks like it had more dedication.

http://www.youtube.com/watc... -SPOILERS
http://www.youtube.com/watc... -SPOILERS

[dangert12]

Guessing they don't see the wii u as next gen then lol

[Hellsvacancy]

Does anybody though? other than Wii U owners

[williamdt3]

I'm a Wii U owner and I don't see it as next gen.. lol

[MasterCornholio]

Does the Wii U even meet the minimum requirements for the Unreal Engine 4?

I'm not trolling just curious.

Motorola RAZR i

[ElectricKaibutsu]

It's very scalable. UE4 can run on cell phones. Maybe even your Motorola RAZR i :)

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Psh... if ps4 is even 3/4th's the power of current high end pc's you can bet it'll have graphics better than high end pc games. The beauty of consoles is the realization of full optimization. I doubt we'll ever see a game take full advantage of pc hardware.

[Skate-AK]

Not too much longer now.

[DevilishSix]

Since 3 of the top 5 guys at EPIC have left in the last six months (Cliff B. R. Ferguson, and Dr. Capps) that leaves just Mark Rein and Tim Sweeney left (of the original top 5). I have a feeling something went down behind the scenes last year, such as a buy out or purchase of EPIC. It makes sense that the three that exited got substantially compensated (whichallowed them to retire or pursue other avenues) but probably decided not to sign a contract to stay on board for 3 to 5 years. It would not surprise me to hear a reveal that Microsoft purchased EPIC at this E3 with the reveal of the new Xbox.

[BitbyDeath]

Would be a smart move for MS.

[lovegames718]

Jack Tretton has went on record to say differently lol He said that when it is ready Ps4 will be a noticebale difference. Yeah i believe Jack Tretton.

Games on launch or close to launch that looked next gen on the ps3
1) Resistance (go chk reviews and see what ppl said "wow this is def. next gen")
2) Lair
3) Heavenly Sword

and maybe a few others i forgot!!!! So yeah that myth that the ps3 upon launch or shortly after launch didnt have games that were noticeably nxt gen as compared to ps2 is bs.

[lovegames718]

Oh sorry read the headline wrong thought he said that it wouldnt be a substantial leap lol sorry!!!! I agree with him and Jack Tretton.

[KillrateOmega]

Nex-Gen Console Season madness left and right! If I only I had a time machine so that I could skip to the 20th...

[RevXM]

Artificial Coma inducing drug... lets time travel!

Im hoping that Ps4 will have hardware in the High end spectrum.
Today that means a GPU that is 15 to 24 times the power of current gen consoles.
12 to 16 GB ram, prolly not happening though. Id settle with tormenting 8GB. A lot of ram would come in handy.
The UE4 demo used 16GB ram and other tasks may be used simultainously like Web browser, music player, chat and smaller background system operations.

And for CPU Id prefer it to be a dense Power PC based one. A Power7+ or Power 8 design would make my day.
They are powerful and emulation would prolly be easier as there would be way less overhead trying to run PS2-3 games. PS3 games however would need cell parts to run though. Cell is not just powerful, but it is its design that makes it hard to overcome much like Ps2 was for years only I believe Cell will be even more difficult.

And some Are voting for HDD's with terrabytes of storage and that sounds good. But performance is better to me so Id like SSD to be in it, prices are dropping and its not like we couldnt afford upgrading the capacity down the road if its too little, External drives and Cloud saving will provide no worries for my data when Ill be swapping to a bigger drive.

Previous gen had Blu-ray, SSD is a lot easier to make as it is an established standard and have been for years and they are way cheaper now than BD players were back when Ps3 launched.

Compare SSD prices to what BD players were sold for back in 06 and keep in mind also that the ps3 were almost half the price of most players + a powerful console.

No matter what the specs may be it is the games that is the final deciding factor, no decent games = no buy, but for sony I trust there to be a little handful of treats available around launch.

[Saryk]

We will see!

[iNathan]

No Windows, No big names supporting it, nobody knows Valve amongs casual games, hell only hardcore games even know what Valve is, how in hell will the advertisse that Console ?

They aint Sony or Microsoft, they dont have the Money to spend on that.

SteamBox will be popular among hardcore Pc games but thats it, a minority it will cost vale shitloads of Money and Valve aint Sony to can afford that.

they will get in trouble, this is no easy business, just ask Microsoft how much they lost with Original Xbox and you will know.

Valve is on for serious trouble.

[Rubberlegs]

Even though they are using Linux you can install any OS you want on it, it isn't locked out. I'm a hardcore PC gamer guy but I don't plan on getting one since I don't really need it.
Its going to attract those that don't want to put a lot money into a PC build and instead have a plug and play unit that's ready go. Once people see how much cheaper PC titles go for that will help as well.

Also Valve has made a crap load of money already from Steam alone. Not sure where your getting they don't have the money. They have been listed to be worth around $2 billion. The production cost also won't be so much compared to next-gen consoles, same with its selling price.

[isarai]

OK didn't they just say otherwise not too long ago?

[zbg31610]

yeah I thought they came out and said next gen would have trouble running unreal 4

[Tzuno]

i suppose they speak about their new graphical engine Unreal engine 4.0. It's all about the engine.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

lets hope it is a big leap.

[hano]

of course
Epic will say that to sell UE latest version

[Cyber_Snipa831]

Am I really gonna be the first one to call... No shit Sherlock? I mean cmon people are u guys really that surprised!? Im more like its about Fucken time! I mean its been 7 long ass low resolution years so I expect this and even more!

[josephayal]

I can't imagine Far Cry 4 on the PS4/720

[nosferatuzodd]

God the wait Is killing me I want ps4 and I want it now ..

[PAYNEinc85]

They're working with hardware that is about 7 years newer than what we currently have in our consoles. With that said, It better be a substantial improvement.

[konohashin]

PS4 BLAH PS4 BLAH!

[Megaton]

UE4 only looks a couple steps better than current UE3.

[Timesplitter14]

Who would've thought!

[Doctor_Freeman]

Hoping for the most, but expecting for "the big jump" to be slow and gradual. But for me that's good enough, progress is progress.

[Mookie]

all i want is spilt-screen with all co-ops games , 4 player racing games . 60fps , 1080p, no lag, multitasking

[Ricdog]

Can't wait to see the new consoles, but no I don't expect to be blown away from their graphics.

10 bucks says they won't be better than this:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Hanif-876]

You gotta be kidding right?

[fabiani]

good i need moreee polygons to model with. fk normal maps no more illusions.

[RickHiggity]

It better be. This has been a long console generation. Can't wait to see the new games :D

[Gamesgbkiller]

I need more space to do a lot of things

[skyrimer]

The problem here is that people think that current ports of console games on PC, with better resolutions and textures, is all the improvement you'll get in next gen consoles.

We're forgetting that no game is developed exclusively for PC to take full advantage of it's technology, instead, PCs only get ports of those games, and that can be misleading.

[FinalomegaS]

think the only games are MMORPGs, try and put games like those on max setting with the mobs and action going... going to still get some slow down.

maybe the RTS also?

those are the only 2 genre that aren't on consoles i can think of.

[SlyFamous02]

I doubt that there will be a huge graphical difference. So dont get your hopes up

[OniXRuleZ]

Skyrim, Red dead Redeption, etc, etc.... Goty games... Very good games, and the grafics were not that good! Give me good games thats what i ask! For newt gen...

[FinalomegaS]

So the PS4 is the only next gen?

I thought MS was in the game also?

[DivineAssault]

how bout wii u? people say its "next gen" so this should apply right?

[Rynocirator]

I have said it before and I will stand by it...graphics aren't going to look much better next gen, it will be physics that will be leaps and bounds ahead of this current gen...just look at physx, physx made borderlands 2 freaking crazy gorgeous just by adding spark physics and particles. We will see more things like destructibility, apex clothing, water physics than better geometry. Textures will look better but textures don't require that much more vram than the current consoles to achieve.