Sony Aims to “Maximize Performance” of PS4, PS3 and PS Vita With Innovative Techniques and Tools

Sony is always looking for ways to improve the performance of its platforms, and a new career opportunity ad posted by the publisher, seeking a Staff Developer Support Software Engineer goes exactly in that direction, especially to provide optimized solutions to first and third party developers.

[imt558]

Quote from article :

and it could very well be a response to the optimizations coming with Microsoft’s DirectX 12.

Jesus Christ! What response? Some games on PS4 already use GPGPU possibilities.

[Abriael]

Using and optimizing are different things. There's nothing that cannot be improved.

[Allsystemgamer]

Aside from the hardware already inside the machine.

[Abriael]

Hardware works powered by software. Improving software means making the hardware run more efficiently, and juicing more power from it. That's the basics of the basics.

Edit: lol, you can disagree as much as you want, but if you don't think improving software and APIs corresponds to improving the performance of hardware, I can't really help you :D

[randomass171]

Don't know why people are disagreeing with you, this is pretty dead on about how hardware and software work. Software only works as well as the hardware is optimized to run it. There are no ifs, ands or buts about that.

[Dynasty2021]

You've pretty much nailed the delusion that console gamers have.

You're limited by hardware. End of story.

The PS4 won't get more powerful through software.

The only way the games will get better is if the hardware changes. Right now, you can make games look fantastic, like Infamous, but you'll never get 60 FPS as well.

And now that that is becoming a reality and almost every game so far can't do 60 FPS CONSTANTLY, suddenly FPS isn't an issue, and 30 is "fine anyway".

It's almost like you were all full of it before the consoles came out, and PC players were right all along.

[forcefullpower]

Sony have been doing optimization on their api and systems for years. You think companies just sit there doing nothing waiting for Microsoft to release dx.

That is why people disagree with you.

[dantesparda]

I agree with dynasty, both of these systems are weak in my opinion. While games like KZ and Infamous and Ryse do look nice. Its a shame that neither can run at 60fps. And neither system can handle most of its games at a constant 60fps. Complete, letdown in my opinion, that and the missing features from last gen.

[Why o why]

You can only improve hardware so much, thats obvious or we wouldn't need new hardware at all. Software makes a difference but not as much as 'some' are hoping on. The basis has to be strong hardware touched up with software not the other way around. Nobody should be saying hardware cannot be improved because we all know it can.

[mikeslemonade]

Grrrr this one of few things I don't really like about Sony is they let the last gen system hang around too much. PS3 should stop development soon. Give us more content on PS4 and Vita.

[kurruptor]

Abriael is correct.

Yes, hardware is the limit of the system. However, it takes software to utilize the hardware. If the software is inefficient, then the full power of the hardware cannot be utilized.

You have to use the software to use the hardware. If the software is limited, then so is the hardware. Making the software more efficient increases the utilization of the hardware.

Right now the PS4 and Xbone software isn't optimal and will be improved upon. Therefore the systems will be more powerful.

What is hard to understand about that?

[tuglu_pati]

if this is true, then Sony see DX12 as a real improvement on the Xbone. This a real sample of why competition s good, It pushes each company to improve.

[wsoutlaw87]

Ofcoarse api improvements can help but sony wanting to improve the ps4 doesnt just happen because mircrosoft is coming out with new pc software

[GameNameFame]

So gap wont disappear.

Good to know. Any DX12 stuff will get ported to PS4 anyways...

DX11 stuff already got ported for PS4. That includes famous secret sauce tiled resources on DX11.

Yup. Got ported to OpenGL and PS4 both. LOL

[nucky64]

the quote from the article is no more than a suggestion from the author of the article - sony hasn't said this is a response to directx12.

damn, can't sony even try to hire someone without it being made into some faux story like this?

[randomass171]

Keep in mind, this IS game journalism. Lots of sensationalism happens around these parts.

[kayoss]

I cant believe they are still putting so much effort in supporting the PS3 eventhough the ps4 is out for almost 6 months now. I know Sony likes to support their past consoles but i wouldnt think to this extent. Making the PS3 better?!? Impressive.

[Abriael]

They promised ten years after all. We're still over two years off from that.

[serratos27]

I think it's a good thing to continue to support the PS3, a lot of people are still gaming on last gen consoles, not to mention we ultimately do have a shortage of games at the moment. While current gen games are being worked on we will have something to game on.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

This seems more the logical thing to do rather than it being a response to what MS is doing. Did they not do the same thing on ps3?

[frostypants]

Yep. Sadly, most still don't seem to grasp that the vast majority of what was said about DX12's advantages were specific to PC. Of course, Microsoft's PR has gone out of their way to breed that misconception.

And yes, what Sony is doing isn't something console makers don't generally do anyway.

[mk4002]

Anyone remember the bonus disc included with Ridge Racer Type 4 for PS1? It was a Ridge Racer 1 tech demo showcasing all of the software improvements/techniques learned during the PS1 lifespan. The original RR ran at 30FPS and the tech demo ran the same track at 60FPS with along with visual enhancements.

[Speak_da_Truth]

Sony is looking to cancel out any performance gain DX12 brings to the xb1 damn!!! Sony is not playing this generation.

[hkgamer]

how can sony cancel out performance gain for DX12? Unless they are sending viruses to every XB1 I don't think they can stop DX12 giving the XB1 a performance boost.

EDIT/Update:

Doesn't really stop the XB1 from gaining a performance boost though.

@djplonker

Simple maths djplonker, Xbone had 80 apples, DX12 gives 20 apples to Xbone.

Xbone now has 100 apples

100 apples - 80 apples = 20 apples.

20 apples = performance gain/boost. Is sony stealing those apples from MS?

You cannot cancel another consoles performance boost. The gap between the Xbone and PS4 may never close up but still doesn't mean the Xbone is not getting better.

I thnk you should be able to understand that

[djplonker]

Hkgamer um its simple maths....

Sony has 100 apples

xbox has 80 apples

then microsofts dx12 gives xbox 20 more apples but sony also invest in getting more apples who also get 20.

So sony now has 120 apples

and

xbox has 100 apples

Thats how to cancel out dx12 I think you should be able to understand that!

[kayoss]

Pretty much...
Microsoft: I can make the Xbox one better
Sony: Whatever improvements you do to the xbox one, We can improve the PS4 to do better.
Microsoft: Oh...
Sony: What? you think we just going to sit idle while you improve the xbox one?
Microsoft: THIS IS NOT FAIR! (Run to the corner and sits)

[Nekroo91]

Dx 12 is great for pc because it will decrease the response times from the cpu to gpu thats why they mentioned 50% power more efficiency.

Ps4 already does that with gpgpu so no the dx12 for the x1 wont increase the power to compete with the ps4.

But they can use tools to get more power (efficient) from the current hardware and sony does the same with the ps4, everything comes down to the harware

[stuna1]

By coming up with their own techniques to boost the PS4 as well! It was pretty obvious what Speak_da_Truth was saying.

The thing about competition in the gaming industry, there is always a tug of war playing itself out, that is what competition is!

[MysticStrummer]

"Doesn't really stop the XB1 from gaining a performance boost though."

That has nothing to do with canceling out whatever the XB1's gain is. My grandparents used to do that with each other's votes. Whoever one voted for, the other would vote for the opponent and they'd say they were canceling each other's vote, but they still voted… for some damn reason… what a waste of time. lol

Anyway, from what I've read Mantle and DX12 are very similar and both will do PCs much more good than they will consoles. In fact the only appreciable DX12 advantage that I've read about is that it will work with a wider range of PC hardware then Mantle will.

[Jamaicangmr]

@ djplonker

LMFAO!!! You Sir/Mam have won the king of the internet for the day award and this early in the day too.

Perfect response my 2nd grade teacher couldn't have done it better.

[Codey47]

Unfortunately for M$ by the time they get their shit together.....the apples will be shriveled and over laden with mould.

[Thunderhawkxbox]

Djplonker just to remind u Sony can't do anything by software like Microsoft can do Sony is good in making hardware and Microsoft is good in software so u can't boost hardware unless u upgrade it but Microsoft can do so much by softwares to make a games looks so much better than ps4 games

[djplonker]

@thunderhawk

Lol sony has been making console software long before microsoft and are more than capable of matching any thing microsoft does!

Just remember dx12 is for pc and has nothing to do with making the xbone any better ;)

Any way it has always been hardware>software and with both upgrading the software the gap will remain!

[mark3214uk]

IF DX12 brings the performace of the x1 up it will at most only be at par with the ps4 it certainaly wont make it better

[kayoss]

"IF DX12 brings the performance of the x1 up it will most only be at par with the current specs of the PS4. It certainly wont make it better."

There, i corrected it for you.

[mark3214uk]

thank you :)

[randomass171]

PS4 getting more optimization doesn't really cancel out Xbox One's Direct X12 improvements. It just means both consoles are going to perform better and have better looking/running games on them.

[HugoDrax]

Exactly! The thing is once the RESOLUTION GATE is behind Microsoft! then it truly comes down to quality of games. Which is what this so called console war should have been about from the beginning. Instead people are passing up on playing fun xbox one games because the resolution is slightly less than its counterpart etc...

You know my motto....PLAY GAMES NOT CONSOLES

[hkgamer]

@hugodrax

its half and half. Xbone games(Multiplats) are not performing as well as they should be. people are making a big fuss about it because MS is charging extra for the console and buyers should be aware of this.

After a year or so people would forget about this like they did for PS3. both consoles by next year should have a range of software which should differentiate them from each other.

[Joey_Leone]

Gamers fired the bullets at Microsoft which damaged the Xbox brand, Sony's there to put the Xbox brand out of it's misery.

[alb1899]

The only thing is that the one who makes software is MS and the money and the experience behind X12 vs SONY's whatever they do........my money is with MS on this!

[hkgamer]

I promised myself not to give this site another click. They are a clickbait site and they report nothing.

Every company tries to maximise performance with their consoles with tools. Not all developers are geniuses and experts with every hardware component. Which is why it's Sony/MS job to make tools easier for devs to take advantage of the hardware.

[serratos27]

Yesss, so tired of seeing all these Dualshockers articles :/ maybe I'm not using this site efficiently I pretty much run into most, if not all, of their stuff.

[OrangePowerz]

Not really anything surprising or specific in response to DX12. It's the normal process with consoles.

[SoulWarrior]

They should borrow some DX12 and 't3h cl0ud'. Rite??

[MegaRay]

Off-topic: when will sony open the shares blog? Want to be the first to give my ideas :)

[Abriael]

They said "in a few weeks" ten days ago. So "in a few weeks" minus ten days.

Didn't add more info since.

[candy_mafia]

PS4/X1 new tools/API's, DX12, Cloud and whatever Sony's doing, is awesome for all gamers!

Let's keep these babies competitive!!

#gamersftw

[waltyftm]

Well said, competition is always good, keeps companies on there toes.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

OK... its great to see that Sony also is seeking top talent.

That said, seeing this article made me realize two of the top articles on N4G today are about Job listings at companies. Since when is a job listing news? These companies have hundreds if not thousands of job openings at them and will continue to do so. Why are we approving these? There is absolutely no news to be had from these articles.

[Abriael]

"Sony also is seeking top talent" is by itself relevant news. You just contradicted yourself.

But there's a lot to be read in some of those ads.

Or maybe you'd rather read about people losing or quitting their jobs? Because it seems to be what goes lately.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Abriael, I have plenty of respect for you in particular when looking at Dualshocker posts. You guys have broken some pretty big stuff over the past year and you deserve props for that.

That said, I don't find the job listings for talent to be terribly insightful or engaging. They have a good chunk of Marketing buzz words and then some details that are not terribly detailed and leave the wrtier to just giving "speculation" which is a stretch imo.

[GameDev1]

Its better to post none of them. An article based on how they are maximizing or optimizing would be better

Still great job on bringing news

[abc1233]

What exactly does this article reveal that we didn't previously know? That Sony is hiring talented folks which happens all the time for a big company anyway? That Sony is working to optimise the playstation platforms like every other hardware company has done over the years? That GPGPU is going to be a critical part of this process which we've known about since before release? I'm genuinely curious.

[No_Limit]

@Dlacy13g,

Agreed with everything you had just said!

[AutoCad]

i believe it when i see it.

[AnteCash]

Interesting that you do the opposite when it comes to MS.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rap...

[AutoCad]

it was sarcasm buddy,since most people on here are in denial of what DX12 can do to the xbox ones performance.

[MasterCornholio]

Not denial just not stupid enough to believe anything that Mr.X says. When Mr.X says that DX12 will double the Xbox Ones performance its automatically BS.

[randomass171]

Well of course that's just PR talk. That being said, DX12 is supposed to improve the console somehow and that's not something we've seen during a console cycle before (correct me if I'm wrong). I'd like to see what improvements are made, if any.

[AnteCash]

@randomass171

So you are saying that during all the console gens we havent seen consoles improving?

I dunno what to say...

[AutoCad]

So why should i believe Mr.S?
Yall act like Sony doesnt do shady things either lol.

[MasterCornholio]

@Autocad

"So why should i believe Mr.S?"

So you believe Mr.X because you claim that he represents Microsoft?

Wow thats just dumb.

Mr.X is a delusional fanboy who twists everything that Microsoft says to make it look 10 times better than it really is.

Microsoft says that DX12 will double CPU efficiency in PCs and Mr.X twists it into that it will double the Xbox Ones power.

Oh and Mr.S only claimed that the PS4 is the most powerful console ever made and its true you only have to look at multiplats to see that.

[OldDude]

How about stopping with all the stupid crap and just make my PS4 play MP3's... This has got to be the most money grubbing generation of any before it. Fix the systems, make new games, can the stupid remakes and get on with it... BOTH SIDES!

[player002]

more Pr from sony no way software can make hardware better.see what I did there?Of course sofware can make hardware better duh bunch of morons if you think otherwise so funny when MS says it can be done no lies but Sony says it and you all agree SMH ...Seriously what the hell do u think runs hardware magic words?Obviously software pushes hardware they go hand in hand funny how sony is doing what MS is doing but MS are liars and Sony is not seriously the real gamers laugh and you clueless people I have all systems so better tools im all for it

[Moe-Gunz]

Pretty sure this stuff was done on both the PS3 and 360 just now all of a sudden 10 articles is made every time optimization tools are mentioned. This is getting pathetic.

[AtomicGerbil]

This is normal practice folks, normal now and has been normal on consoles since the beginning of the last generation. Normal on Pcs for much longer.

Just because Microsoft have a name for their future graphical software upgrade and are using it as a selling point DOES NOT mean it is a new practice or the end of non XBOX gaming hardware.

A message to the gaming media: stop baiting the fanboys.

[Illusive_Man]

I seriously doubt any modification to Sony apis will demonstrate the same performance gains that DX12 will. By all accounts on PC and X1, Dx11 is bloated and highly unoptimized, while Sony Apis are already highly efficient and optimized. By the way some are saying Xbox one cannot achieve more power without new hardware. The very definition of power is the rate of doing work. If the X1 can do more work faster by offloading and multi threading than in theory DX12 will make the X1 more powerful.

[Hicken]

What accounts? The accounts you made up specifically for the purpose of making that comment? You've shown a propensity for have ZERO knowledge about how any hardware or software works; what makes you think what you say has any credibility?

You can't even correctly quote the people you're trying to discredit.

[frostypants]

If One's had high powered CPUs that were being vastly underutilized I'd believe you. But they don't. The leap for the One will be minimal.

[DivineAssault]

YA YA YA.. I know theyre going to improve everything in due time.. Im ready to see whats coming to E3

[Illusive_Man]

PS4s PRT is software based solution to texture streaming. It does not have a hardware solution. XB1 can do PRT and hardware tiling using the ESRAM. They are not roughly equivalent because they aren't the same thing.

A Dev can load up the DDR3 with 5GB of textures while simultaneously using the ESRAM for tiling up to 6 GB of textures.

[joeorc]

Just keep spewing that diatribe, this is getting really Amusing to say the least. Last generation Sony was slammed for useing the Cell for such benefits and many said the Cell was a very poor choice as a game system chip to make to put into a game console, and that Microsofts choice to design was way better, now it seems its the best thing since slice bread for Microsoft to employ because of DirectX will do what OpenGL could not. Just like last generation where Microsofts easy to develop system always had the better multiplats and always had the best looking games for 1st paty and how Alan Wake was the best looking game last generation better than any 1st party ps3 exclusives.

You may not have said this but many on this very board said over and over again sonys system design was a very poor choice to make as a gaming console, but yet the ironic thing is with many talking about the Directx 12 power sauce ,idea kinda overlooks one big giant hole of a problem, when all last generation microsoft had the easy to code for system why did they not push the hardware? While Sony had the than much harder to code system but yet had the most hardware pushing software developed 1st party offerings by sony 1st party studios. For many claiming that microsoft is the better software company over Sony. One has to wonder is that just talking about PC centric only and not consumer electronics! Because what I have seen shows Sony to be better in software dev. In the consumer electronics than what microsoft is able to do because its clear when it comes to pushing the game console hardware microsoft looks to look at ROI profit over spending more to make a single game
Why do you think all 11 xbox founding ceos left? Here is a hint people the big wigs over in charge of microsoft will not spend more money to increase the costs involved to create hardware pushing software game design over the loss of more profit.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

PS4 and the Vita too ! That's awesome my two favorite consoles, the most powerful console and the most powerful portable console ever will get a boost.

[corroios]

No it wont go on par. New tools will help the xbox get to the max she can do, thats like 1.30 tflops (without Kinect in action), the same will happend with the PS4, but it is like 1.80 tflops. Its not even close.

Xbox gamers need to understand that. They dont have the SAME SPECS. Therefore the xbox one will never be able to surprass the PS4.

The Xbox one can only by more powerfull if there was a second gpu inside the machine....

[madworld]

I think not just Sony who needs to improve gaming technology in developing side they need to invention new ways then the oldone so I hope they find new ways to develop gaming with reduce the cost. :)

[Go_Go_Se7en_30]

So lemme get this straight. MS along with AMD, Nvidia, Intel, & Qualcomm (all industry giants) announce DX12 and show demo at a major conference. MS then says XB1 will be fully supported by DX12. Ppl immediately take to the net to deny, debunk, and claim its bs, it wont do much, or MS is lying. Fast foward... Sony then lists a friggin JOB AD for software help, which concedes that DX12 is kind of a big deal IMO, and the fanboys begin to rejoice claiming that its possible now because Sony says so?? Smh

Cyberspace: Where everyone is an expert.

[Hicken]

People immediately called out the claims of double the power and other such nonsense.

Get it right, because when you don't, the only one looking foolish is you.

[Yaay4me]

look closely at the claims. MS was touting the DX12 as if it was something other than an update. claiming it was going to make 2X the performance. Sony is making no such claims. they are being more truthful that's all.

[joeorc]

Lmao, just like last generation where Microsofts easy to code for system was the more robust hardware? Because a certain Pr mouth piece said the xbox360 was more powerful than the ps3 not only that but had the best looking exclusives and how all multiplats would look better and play better. It seems now that the shoe is on the other foot many of the same people then as many on here now called out PS3 and Ps4 fans for being fanboys now seem to want to tout the same talking points "just wait until the cloud, wait for 2nd GPU to be shown, now its lets talk about DirectX12 being the best thing since slice bread and that Open Gl is a very poor choice for an Api vs DirectX 12 is" consumer electronics market is not the same , as PC market, Microsoft may be a leader in PC centric software design for the games being built for zmicrosofts Os, but in consumer electronics not all game consoles run an Microsoft powered Os.
Despite what many claim Microsft has yet to prove its willing to really push the hardware with software they design over what nintendo and Sony do because, its very bluntly simple microsoft would end up with less ROI because the cost in making such games goes up. And that is not the #1 priority for the people in charge of the xbox platform, to put in more money to gain a slight increase in performance for the game than making more money on the sale/copy.

Again why do you think robbie, ed. And all the other 9 founders of the xbox platform all left microsoft?

So this pipe dream about microsoft really pushing the new xboxone hardware is slim to none in my opinion and slim already left.

[lesrima88]

more secret sauce!

[S2Killinit]

that is how you announce an update when you're not desperate

[corroios]

You dont need to be an expert. The CPU in modern PC are much more POWERFULL then those on the Xbox One and the PS4, but they arent truly used to their best in PC games.

DX12 will allow beter use of those CPU in PC Games. On the Xbox one also but not in the same scale...

It Will not double or triple or nothing like that....

The experts are talking about some more frames...

The CPU in the Xbox One is not like The CELL, that was a beast in is time, but hard to work, because it was diferente. The diference was that the power was there!!! And some studios were able the bring out the full power and some amazing games were made.

This generation is all about GPU power and more RAM. The revolution is not on the CPU...

[DarXyde]

Look at it this way:

Whatever optimizations are coming to the PS4 and XBOX One, don't expect an enormous difference.

What you SHOULD be keeping an eye on is how much these companies will minimize the OS footprint(s). That WITH the optimizations should make for an interesting performance boost all around.

[thexmanone]

Wow Ps4 Fans seem so insecure. Why does it bother them that the Xbox one will get better? What happened about just being a gamer and enjoying games. Its so one sided now, its sad. And to think E3 is not even here yet.

[finito82]

preetty cool job if anyone qualifies, i sure dont' lol.

[Agent_hitman]

Pretty normal for a console cycle. Sony and MS always finding ways to improve their system to be able to prolong and squeeze more power on the machine since it's not upgradable.. With updated Dev kits and software API they can stretch more beyond console's capability just like on the PS3/X360. That's why until now many games are still being develop on that last gen hardware.

[Azzanation]

So MS talk about DX12, and everyone disagrees with it. Now Sony talk on similar terms and it is a good idea? Think everyone should be thanking MS since they were the ones to push next gen hardware with there future DX12.

[joeorc]

This is exactly what im talking about, people keep spouting off as if Microsoft is outright teaching Sony about how to max out the hardware and that there is no way Sony could ever teach microsoft a thing or two about Software.

Many are implying that Sony is always following the leader! If its not motion control, its software Api building Its always Nintendo and Microsoft the innovator not Sony. Like that some how some way Sony would not be able to push the Ps4's hardware in software design with out microsofts guiding principles in software development. Look to say they do not influence each other is not true they both very well do but to say or imply its mainly microsoft only the one making big strides is completely arrogant.