Metro Dev: Kinect GPU Boost Isn't Actually 10%, DX12 To Be Important For Xbox One

4A Games, which recently released Metro Redux, explains that the "Kinect GPU Boost" isn't actually worth 10% most of the time.

[ccgr]

Curious what DX12 will do for them

[kaiserfranz]

It should bring an improvement, although not that large.

[Sethry101]

It has been stated that its biggest benefits will be seen on PC, as well as increasing the ease of cross development. Increasing The Xbox One power will be a very minor bonus and is not the main goal anyway.

[Volkama]

The full interview has already been posted. You should read it, it's very interesting.
http://n4g.com/news/1574095...

[sonarus]

esram, cpu overclock, the cloud, gpu boost and dx12. By their powers combined they might form voltron or captain planet but somehow ps4 still remains most powerful console

[Ezz2013]

@sonarus

Lol XD

[UltraNova]

@Sonarus

Hahah good one! When it comes to multi-platform games though that extra grunt in the ps4 is MIA.

Its like any Batman vs Superman showdown where either one could win...how on Gods green earth can a smart human with fancy gadgets beat a super powered planet destroying alien?

Answer: Parity.

Why alienate fans by doing the obvious when you can cater both fences equally and gain more in the process?

Disclaimer: I prefer Batman over Superman any day, any time. However, the truth is the truth.

[Mithan]

It will improve performance significantly. The disparity between PS4 and Xbox One games as we saw with the first batch of games, should mostly go away.

Obviously, the PS4 is still going to have an edge, but not like it did with Call of Duty last year... that was terrible and clearly due to a really bad API for the X1.

Still, PS4 is more powerful. Done.

[Flamingweazel]

No it wont even Phil spencer said it won't...Th GPU is too weak and DX1`2 will help more with CPU optimization, another pipe dream for x1 owners. You cannot overcome a hardware diff without better hardware. PS:: PS4 SDk will also improve.

[JMyers]

You know that DX12 will also bring benefits to the PS4 right?

Also just like the X1, developers will also be extracting more from the PS4. One doesn't sit in a bubble, while the other gets enhanced.

There is no substitute for hardware.

[larrysdirtydrawss]

how??? like exactly how? devs themselves expect little improvement,phil spencer HIMSELF TOLD you its not gonna be significant... sonys not sitting on its asses with their tools... devs say everyone month the sony tools improve and improve allowing them to get the more and more out of the system.. hang out at beyond3d every now and than... plus gpgpu rendering is around the corner

[Mithan]

Man you guys are willfully ignorant. The API itself was garbage originally. It's improved. Duh.

[DoubleM70]

SMH.. Another Dev comes out and telling you blatantly it's going to benefit.

"No, it’s important [for Xbox One]. All the dependency tracking takes a huge slice of CPU power".

Taking the load off the CPU is very beneficial. The side affects are better frame rate and other things.

[Imp0ssibl3]

I guess hoping for a flat 10% performance increase was too much. Still, better than nothing...

[AndrewLB]

Such things never turn out to be the full amount since we're dealing with "maximum theoretical output" when talking about flops, etc. To hit those numbers you'd have to have 100% efficiency, which is impossible.

[mhunterjr]

It's theoretical output and depends largely on HOW developers are using it...

[vlashyr]

Sounds like DirectX 12 will be more important for Xbox One than that publicized "GPU boost" thing. Let's hope they can finally reach 1080P with it

[hello12]

You will not see any resolution bump with directx12. Resolution is a GPU+memory issue.

You will see better graphics though and better frame rates.

it is not like ‘here, take that ten per cent of performance we’ve stolen before’, actually it is variable, like sometimes you can use 1.5 per cent more, and sometimes seven per cent and so on.

According to Microsoft the reduction was between 8 and 10 per cent. How much of it is used will be up to the dev's.

Bigshot@ I agree, but its much easier for the PS4 to achieve 1080p. The memory configuration and slightly better GPU is the reason for that. Better Resolution doesn't mean better graphics though.

In my opinion the x box 1 games will have better graphics and better frame rates when directx12 hits, but its not a game changer for resolution.

Christocolus@ I agree. We love every game to run at 1080p and 60 frames and not sacrifice a damn thing. With consoles given and take will be applied.

Ryse is a good example (resolution) doesn't mean better graphics. Ryse main issue was the frame rate still looked great at 900p.

[christocolus]

I don't see any problems with that,infact ill take better graphics&fps over higher resolution anyday.just take a look at QB now imagine what halo5 or Gears4 would like? I just hope dx12 brings some great improvements to the console.

[Alexious]

Well, frame rate in the end is always a choice of the developer. If they want to push even more graphics while keeping the game at 30 FPS, they can do it.

[Lawboy2]

See it took me awhile to understand this...I actually thought that resolution is what made the game look pretty...my brother had to explain to me that resolution just makes the game clearer...and what you should be worried about is how the game looks which is the graphics...now I understand ryse and why it was 900p but was still gorgeous...so yeah I would definitely take a graphics boost over a resolution boost

[rdgneoz3]

Seeing as DX12 will help PCs get "closer to the metal" with a console like api, the benefits will be in the ease of porting games developed on the PC to console. Consoles are already being developed close to the metal and make use of multi core computing (which a lot of PC games don't do).

[BigShotSmoov007]

Well they have reached 1080p. Look at games like Destiny, Tomb Raider and Diablo. Not all games are 1080p on the X1 and we understand that but they are making strides to achieve that more and more and remember, this is a console that's not even a year old yet. I'm sure some of the best looking games are sure to come.

[Axios2]

What are you talking about, X1 has had 1080p from launch with numerous games. There's 19 just in this list:

http://ca.ign.com/wikis/xbo...

@ Below, Evilsnuggle forgot to mention UFC and Killzone

[BigShotSmoov007]

People get caught up like there are no games running at 1080p on the X1 while every game on the PS4 is 1080p and we all know that's not the case. Either way, it's irrelevant to me cause I don't play games cause they have a higher resolutions, I play them if that genre and style appeals to me.

[Evilsnuggle]

BigShotSmoov007@

That isn't true all games on PS4 are in 1080P except two games Battlefield 4 900p 60fps 720p 60fps on x1 and Watchdogs 900p 30fps PS4 and 792p x1. That's like 98-95% of games are in 1080P on PS4 . Most of x1 games or half of x1 games are not in 1080P those are facts.

I don't know why anyone would would be surprised only blind fanboys . That a 10% increase in GPU resources doesn't mean a 10% preformance increase . Anyone who understand how GPU's work could tell you that . Just like 50% more GPU cores in the PS4 doesn't not equal 50% more GPU real world preformance or 50% more powerful . Digitalfoundry benchmark both PS4 and x1 GPU . PS4 had a 30% real world preformance advantage over x1. It's very similar to horsepower in a motor . Just because you have 50 % more horsepower in your motor . Doesn't mean that you will go 50% faster there are other factors that change preformance. I stated this several times when it was report it that X1 was getting a GPU increase wasn't going to 10% more powerful or preformance.

[Ghost_Nappa]

60fps needs to be the priority, not 1080p.

[skydragoonity]

Here we go again

[johny5]

Sad that none of the consoles have advanced directx 11 PhysX/DOF, but out of those, I think the PS4 has the best chance of having them, albeit on low settings. "if they didn't go for parity"

[PCBOX]

You people dont you understand right? That damm machine is designed to be able to harness fully dx12 not the current dx11.1 API.The problem is not the hardware,it is the software.A proper software makes the hardware work and perform fine.I dont care you people disagree with me because I now what true is.So keep what you believe in about X1.

For example:I bought a Panasonic Home Cinema System but I could not use some specs of hardware and there were many problems with the sound when I used it at first but I took it to Technical Service and they updated the software even they admitted that the factory software was corrupted and not working properly with the hardware in many ways.After the software update my neighbours knocking the door please lower the volume down.

It is the same thing with Xbox One.

[bababrooks]

I agree...xbox one still uses dx11. Full dx12 will give a huge boost to the console when released (approx. 1 yr), those that say not are in denial plain and simple, fanboys!!!!

[BiggerBoss]

Hmmm... Bababrooks: "Dx12 will give a huge boost to the console!"
Phil Spencer: "Dx12 will not be a massive change for Xbox one"

Lol.

I vote we wait and see. If directx12 does help Xbox one, then that's awesome. If it doesn't, then oh well. But there's no point in fanboying out over such trivial things right now

[MasterCornholio]

Phil Spencer: "It will help developers on XBOX One. It’s not going to be a massive change but will unlock more capability for devs."

http://www.dualshockers.com...

You said this, "Full dx12 will give a huge boost to the console when released (approx. 1 yr), those that say not are in denial plain and simple, fanboys!!!!".

So your saying that Phil Spencer is in denial?

OK.........

[bababrooks]

Each to there own i guess...i believe the tech heads at nividia, amd, intel and the likes! time will tell and the jibber jabber will disapear.

[mhunterjr]

It's a hardware and a software problem.

As the xdk improves, developers will have an easier time achieving the performance specs that consumers have come to expect this gen, but that doesn't change the fact that better hardware could have gone a long way towards masking the limitations of the software.

They xbox came out in 2013, we won't see dx12 games until holiday 2015. As an xbox fan, it pains me to say it, but MS was simply unprepared for the launch of this gen, and that's before you account for the policy reversals.

[Mithan]

That was my point above, but the dumb dumbs came in.

The quality of the API for the system was crap at releas and has improved a lot. This means the games coming out this year will run much better than last year. The ps4 dev tools were better, but the main thing is that the ps4 had more raw power to compensate.

In the future, there won't be as much difference in the games as we saw in 2013

[Funantic1]

So mantle is temporary? That means he believes DX12 will be better and more usable.

[AndrewLB]

Mantle is for PC's with compatible AMD graphics cards. Last I checked, the number of card models could be counted on one hand. PC game developers almost exclusively use Direct X and AMD found out that they had to PAY developers in order for them to add the additional programming to implement Mantle because it's for such a tiny niche market. If AMD was the discrete graphics market leader, then I could maybe see some devs add mantle, but their market share is only 37%... with nVidia leading with 63%.

[Sm00thNinja]

Is it just me or does it sound like Microsoft would have liked to ship the Xbox One out this year instead of last? Sounds like the pressure of the PS4 pushed it forward a year. It also sounds like Direct X 12 was meant for the Xbone and 11 was a placeholder. That's exciting, especially if it was built with the Xbone tricky architecture in mind!

[not_UKRsoldier]

I believe that's exactly what happened.

[Aurenar]

They will improve the quality of their products, but they will not be able to hide the technical gap with the direct competitor.

[Gameplay999]

Well you will not be able to play Halo on PS4, or Uncharted on XO, so it will come down to software and personal preference. On paper PS4 is more powerful, but these systems have different operating systems and I personally believe that XO's is much more flexible and capable in contrast to PS4's.

[Illusive_Man]

It sounded to me that the developers simply didn't have enough time to get any more out of the XDK.

Also seems like even though DX11.2 despite being low level still isn't very efficient and that DX12 will fix its ineffencies.

[King_of_Nothing]

It would have been nice if, instead of PR fluff about 10% this and dx12 that, they had released a satisfactorily powered machine from the beginning given they milked 8 years out of the last generation.

[Alexious]

I definitely agree with this. They should have created a more powerful machine for sure, instead of focusing on Kinect.

[JRobes]

you guys can wish this all you want, but no matter what, a year later the "more powerful machine" will still be needing more and more power. It's up to devs to make due with what they have until the next gen

[King_of_Nothing]

@Jrobes- I agree-to an extent- with you that its up to devs to make due. The issue is that the Xb1 felt gimped out of the gate and needed more power from the get go. It shouldnt be lagging behind the ps4 as much as it is performance wise this early in the current gen, and I think MS realizes this. Otherwise, why would they be trying to squeeze more power out of the machine not even a year after launch?

[TheUltimateGamer]

Exactly what I was thinking.. The biggest problem XB1 has had from day one was poorly handled PR. They really need to clean that up.

[mrmack00]

Can someone explain to me which version to buy? I saw Metro Redux, Metro 2033 Redux, etc. Isnt' there a remastered version that includes all the games or 2 of them?

Been reading the reviews and it sounds interesting.

[Alexious]

Metro Redux has both 2033 and Last Light.

[feraldrgn]

On the topic of Kinect GPU boost & DX12.
They've overclocked the GPU, overclocked the CPU, gotten rid of Kinect for a little GPU boost & are releasing DX12 which according to Spencer won't be big for the console.

Where do they go from here, after overclocking everything just a year in to the 8th console gen?

[revben]

He said it won't be a big change, not won't be big. he he did not state what change he refered to, whether performance or game development apooarch.

[Spotie]

You can put your hopes down again. Trying to pry new meanings out of his words will get you nowhere.

[quenomamen]

Not 10% ???!! Somebody been lying.

[Sm00thNinja]

Did you even read the article??

[DougLord]

Are you guys playing games or staring at pause screens. You can not notice the difference between 900p and 1080p when playing. I have a 110" screen and sit <10' away. On your average 42" or 46" and at normal sitting distance you can't see 720p vs 1080p. The X bone is powerful enough to play great looking fun games. The PS4 being 20% more powerful doesn't make a game even 1% more fun. Looking at MCC and watching them flip from 360 to X bone gfx proves this. The game is equally fun both ways. By comparison MCC is 100% less fun on a PS4.

[xTheMercenary_]

That was an unnecessary comment and completely random. Where did you come from with that lol, nobody even brought that shit up i believe.

[purp13m0nk3y]

Well your comment is 70% DB and 30% BS.

[Locknuts]

From that whole (fantastic) interview they pick this one point as the headline?