Batman: Arkham Knight Aiming for Graphics Parity Across Xbox One and PS4

The game was originally targeted to launch this fall, but publisher Warner Bros. delayed it to 2015. The game is now scheduled to launch in June 2015 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Batman superfans and collectors might also be interested in a $200 Arkham Knight special edition that comes with a model Batmobile.

[MeliMel]

Atleaet there letting gamers that care about that stuff know ahead of time. Not that it matters because your still gonna get the backlash as to why. Got my marshmallows on stand by...

[thekhurg]

Unless their target is 1080p/30fps then they should not ever mention parity.

[rodiabloalmeida]

I hope this doesn't affect the PC version, as it seems to be the case.

[Why o why]

Agreed rodiabloalmeida. I'm hoping all get pushed to their current limits

[UltimateMaster]

Graphics parity is basically taking a step back in the evolution of video games.

[UltimateMaster]

If games gets gimped because of the Xbox One, then nobody should own the Xbox One.

Just owning it would give support to not wanting graphics to go forward and we should not let that stand.

[NukaCola]

This parity word is poorly used now since the whole AC:U thing. They are going to make sure the consoles both are the same, but it's not bumming one version, it's about putting the most into each to maximize the potential of their respective version. Point blank, if the PS4 version will be it's best, X1 will be it's best. No one should be gimped for the other.

[nthstew]

Xbone is cancer of 8th gen gaming..

[vishmarx]

here we go!

admittedly i was getting bored
off to gaming forums!

[Pogmathoin]

well said nthstew, the cancer of gaming, fanboys.

[Lenrulesdaworld]

Why do people say graphics, when they're more than likely talking about resolution, when damn near every games actual graphics are pretty much on par. Other than some resolution differences most games look identical.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

Boo! A man just can't boycott this (was planning on skipping AC this year anyway) but it's an unfortunate practice and MS should stop asking for it. It's just giving them more of a negative public appearance every time.

[jackanderson1985]

who says MS are asking for it?? maybe devs are just making the decision themselves, rather than dedicating resources to making one game run at a higher resolution they've taken them and placed them in other areas such as the graphics,lighting,framerate yada yada

[--Onilink--]

here's the thing, games are not developed at let's say 480p and then start upgrading until they reach a point they are happy.

They start at the highest level possible and then start downgrading to a level where it runs smoothly. Therefore, if the PS4 version is 900p, it means they already went past a point where they could have left it at 1080p.

Im not saying thats the case here, as we still do not know if by parity they mean 900p both or 1080p both, and quite frankly the difference between the 2 is not THAT much, but at least its something to consider

[ramiuk1]

onilink your wrong.
if parity is the cause it will go with the lowest denominator.

so if ps4 can handle 1080p,yet they have to lower it to 900p for xbone then parity would mean the ps4 being lowered to 900p.

[--Onilink--]

ramiuk, parity means they are both the same. Not that one is being downgraded.

Blizzard was going for parity in D3, and they achieved it, both versions are 1080p.

Same with Destiny, both 1080p.

Parity doesnt mean 900p. It means they are the same. Either by extra effort to bring X1 to 1080, or just leaving the PS4 at a lower resolution

Until we know the resolution, its absurd to assume just because they used the word parity, that its suddenly 900p.

[AgentSmithPS4]

A man can wait and pick it up used if they are guilty of parity.

A Smith won't accept a gimped version, I bought the superior PS4 for a reason. I am disappointed in some humans, just taking what they're given like a dog. MS had all that money and they toss you a substandard box...

They should make each version its best and stop being lazy. I hope enough people complain and don't let them get away with treating us like peasants. Do you like bowing before your Lord Warner Bros and licking their boots?

[ramiuk1]

damn right dude.
MS and any dev using parity are slowing down game evolution imo.

why spend more money and time making better tech when its gonna be gimped to save face of the lesser tech.

absolutly stupid thing for devs to do.

[Volkama]

Just like Sony shouldn't have asked Activision not to use Azure on the Xbox and PC versions of Advanced Warfare <shakefist @ Sony>

I have no evidence that this is true. That's OK though, as apparently a man does not need evidence...

[Jaqen_Hghar]

PS4 has clearly demonstrated that it can handle better looks. Whether that's in performance, effects, resolution, load times, whatever it is it's demonstrated it with the vast majority of games. So the ones that aren't different are clearly being gimped in favor of the less powerful Xbox. SoM is great for taking advantage but even then it doesn't have to be resolution. Something as simple as foliage or more stable framerate (such is the case with any game that looks the same on both so far as it's inherent for the more powerful system to run smoother if not being taxed more). Meanwhile online on PS4 works just fine every time a man wants to play or download something so not sure what it would improve.

[Volkama]

XBox Live has clearly demonstrated that it can host a better multiplayer experience than what is on offer in Advanced Warfare. PSN has demonstrated DriveClub.

In a multiplayer FPS Servers are more important than resolution.

But meh I'm just being facecious because of your claim that Microsoft are trying to "gimp" the PS4 versions of the game. I'm sure MS would love the XBox version to be at least as good as the PS4 version, but it's a stretch to accuse them of 'gimping' the PS4 version.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

"PSN has demonstrated DriveClub."
What about The Last of us, Killzone Shadow fall or Destiny? Quit the BS dude.
"XBox Live has clearly demonstrated that it can host a better multiplayer experience than what is on offer in Advanced Warfare."
Like Titanfall?
http://www.gamespot.com/art...
http://venturebeat.com/2014...
Quit the B.S

[Spotie]

What about Killzone? MAG? DC Universe?

What of all these other games that clearly show you to be full of BS, Volkama? Or does all that suddenly not count?

Thing is: we KNOW Microsoft has done it in the past. We KNOW the policy still exists in some form or another. We KNOW that parity is still happening, and Microsoft is benefiting.

Dunno why you would even try to defend it... Oh, wait, there's ONE reason.

[Volkama]

Well Killzone is peer to peer, TLOU is peer to peer, Destiny is hosted by Activision, Mag ad DC Universe (and other SoE MMORPGs) don't have servers anywhere near as well distributed as Titanfall (and also aren't really a comparible experience). So... there goes that theory.

People trying to claim Sony have anything to rival Azure look just as silly as people claiming the XBox has a super secret stacked triple GPU waiting to be switched on.

BUT not Spotie, he is a balanced and respectable individual. He KNOWS that Microsoft are forcing devs to deliver parity (except the vast majority of devs that have not delivered parity). Feel free to share your evidence whenever it suits you.

[MoreRPG]

Here we go!

[maniac76]

Aim real big lolz

[mediate-this]

@jaqen

Troll harder bub, you got the inside on Microsoft ' s dealings? You know if they ask for parity for graphics? A man should stop trolling so hard

[Robearboy]

The phrase " we don't take too kindly to your type round these parts" come to mind

[WeAreLegion]

I would imagine 1080p/60fps is their aim. This is a modified UE3.

[starchild]

I seriously doubt it. Just because it is running on a heavily modified UE3 doesn't mean it isn't going to be demanding. It's an open world game and the assets and graphical quality is quite high, so I expect it will run 30fps on both consoles and be 1080p or 900p on PS4 and XB1. There will likely be other graphical differences though.

[Rainbowcookie]

"However, it's too early to say if it'll be 1080p/30fps, as Rocksteady says it hasn't locked down resolution or frame rate yet."

Yet it was shown at the microsoft and sony e3 shows Shame on you . Why should I watch it get excited only to be told it wasn't running on a console.

Anybody could buy an expensive pc and run it full blast , but to a console gamer looking for awesomeness ( not fakeness) it's plain sales pitch with visual promises they can't deliver.

[Apocalypze]

... Sandstorm-Darude anyone?

[gamertk421]

I will NOT be getting this! But only because I'm bored with the franchise. Didn't even finish Arkham City.

[medman]

These developers saying they are aiming for parity has to stop. They should be saying "we're trying to make each version as good as it possibly can be at this time with the resources we have", that would be great. But aiming for parity implies that what you're aiming for is a common endpoint, regardless of any particular platforms capabilities. How is that good enough?

[Doge]

Doesn't affect my plan to get the PC version, so I'm good.

[Volkama]

That makes no sense. Why would anyone want the cheapest version that also offers the best visuals? Stop talking crazy.

[skulz7]

Well they aren't exactly going to say "we are going to make the PS4 version graphically superior" as that would lose them an immense amount of sales.

Company's shouldnt even mention parity, resolution or frame rate until the game has gone gold.

[TheStrokes]

AIMING for parity. By aiming they mean trying to get the weaker hardware on par with the stronger hardware.

[OB1Biker]

'We're aiming for parity across all platforms'
I m not sure they even know what they mean ;P

[Pikminmaniac]

Parity. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Most obviously they mean both at 1080p, and either 60 or 30 fps. They are probably trying to max out their capability on both consoles.
Other than that, there will be some differences for the different hardware graphically.

[Nucler100]

Why? Just make each version the best it can be.

[TekKing]

Parity killed the Batman.

[AgentSmithPS4]

Games are art, would Batman break into an innocent's house and lower the quality of their artwork until it was equal to their neighbor's?

Damn them for wasting our time making us fight for something that should be a given...

[Volkama]

The game is not made by Batman, and I don't think the devs aspire to be Batman.

I do though, and I totally wouldn't break into my neighbours' houses to smudge up their paintings. So... well said I think.

[jhoward585]

I have a strange feeling Batman: Arkham Knight isn't going to look as good as the e3 demo.

[KrisButtar]

lol agreed. I don't even think it was running on consoles then. Just some PC

[WitWolfy]

I'm starting to think so too...

[Illusive_Man]

If the games look the same why get a PS4?

If I was a betting man I'd say this game is 900p/30 on both.

It will not be 1080p/60 on PS4.

[GameDev1]

Its not only res and fps that matters

PS4 version has usually come out on top with detail, lightning, AA this gen with most games ad still beats the Xbox with res and fps

[Revengeance]

Umm because the games on PS4 are better and has a better library. Duh.

[ziggurcat]

if the games look the same why get the xbone?

it will not be 900p on both, you can actually bet on that.

probably not 1080/60, but likely 1080/30 on PS4.

[OB1Biker]

yea possibly 900p/30fps on both or maybe 1080p/30fps on PS4
but why bringing up the question of 'why get a PS4?'
either possibility would not change anything on what anyone wants as a new gen console. There are so many factors for people and most of all : PERSONAL PREFERENCE
If you ask me why get an Xbone I dont really care.. its not my problem ;)

[mochachino]

Even if they were, why would any dev admit to that after all the backlash other games have received for saying the same thing.

[Braid]

So, 900p @ 30 fps pretty much confirmed.

[Pikminmaniac]

Have some faith in Rocksteady!

[Braid]

I'm sorry but I have zero faith when I see some words flying around like the dredded "parity". It's the worst concept that's been introduced with this generation, every playform should be maxed out with their full potentials, designing games based on the lowest common denominator gimps the experience dramatically.

[Takwin]

I DO NOT GET WHAT PEOPLE DO NOT GET ABOUT PARITY.

The systems are not the same, thus if they have the same resolution, then the Xbox will run at a lower frame rate or the PS4 will be gimped due to not maxing out. THIS IS HORRIBLE.

[Assassingamer136]

It was ubisoft that started this, it's all their fault

[gangsta_red]

I love this new found concern of PS4 automatically getting gimped!

Not one game has been gimped due to the Xbox One and yet we get the same people going overboard about the X1 gimping their "superior" console.

One minute they are celebrating their superior multiplat game as they announce the PS4 the clear winner, while stating they saw dips in the X1 version and "crushed blacks"(lmao) but then get all hysterical as they worry about future games being gimped by the X1.

The funny thing is...it hasn't happened at all!

They use one game that was supposedly gimped but then confirmed as not true and then apply it for every other game from that point on.

Like I said before, it's a good set up for the future. Claim today that MS paid to gimp the PS4 version, that way when a PS4 game doesn't live up to the unintentional 1080p/60fps hype their fans put behind it they can automatically point the finger at X1 and say "SEE, SEE, WE TOLD YOU!"

[XabiDaChosenOne]

First strawman arguments of the day....

[starchild]

No, it wasn't a straw-man argument at all. He's right, there hasn't been a single instance of a demanding game that has actually been identical on both consoles, yet people are jumping to all kinds of absurd conclusions about "parity".

Ubisoft never said there was "parity" between the two console versions of AC Unity. One Ubisoft dev simply said they targeted the same specs, which logically refers to the resolution and target framerate. But this does not mean there is graphical "parity" in general. Nor does it preclude the possibility that one version may run better than the other.

When Unity comes out and is shown to have graphical advantages on the PS4 I hope that people will admit they were wrong and stop jumping to stupid conclusions, but I doubt that will happen.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

@Starchild You don't know what a strawman argument is apparently since you just committed one yourself. While they are individuals that assumed the graphics woud be downgraded as well the entire conversation was about ubisofts deliberate attempt to keep the resolution of the PS4 version on par with the X1 version.

[ziggurcat]

"Not one game has been gimped due to the Xbox One"

AC Unity...

[D-riders]

companies are losing money going for parity. Im not even interested in games that are dumbed down . ill let my pocket book speak for me

[calvincrack]

Let me be the 50th person to say, yikes. No i didnt read the article or know anything about the long production of the game or the financial prospects. This is just a gut reaction.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

*sigh...I don't have the energy for this anymore.

[DoctorJones]

They're pretty similar anyway. One console is not much more powerful than the other.

[Zero-One]

Guess i'm getting this used then. Seriously, if they don't even bother to give that much of a shit, then why should I?

[CuddlyREDRUM]

Any PC player expects parity...

[SpadeX]

Too lazy to work on both consoles' full potential huh Rocksteady?