Performance Analysis: Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 beta on Xbox One

Digital Foundry:

The Black Ops 3 beta handed in a solid presentation on PlayStation 4, with the game delivering a similar, if more refined gameplay experience compared to last year's Advanced Warfare, demonstrating native 1080p visuals along with smooth frame-rates that adhered closely to the desired 60fps target. It was largely business as usual on Sony's console, but how well does the Xbox One beta stack up in comparison?

[Dario_DC]

This analysis is missing some important facts like the dynamic resolution.. and more...
Honestly, I don't know why Digital Foundry is still a thing... With people like NX Gamer making way better Analysis and in more depth than DF..
I advise everyone that's interested in these types of Analysis to subscribe to NX Gamer on youtube!

[Genuine-User]

The author of this analysis does mention the drop in resolution below 900p in the article.

Long shots are almost impossible for me.

I'm sure the final build will be better, should be locked at 900p hopefully.

[Dario_DC]

He mentions one picture, nothing else... If they had made a proper analysis they would know that the beta runs with a dynamic resolution but DF keeps saying 1600x900 the whole article.
It's not only that, just watch NX Gamer's analysis and you'll see what I mean. IMO NX Gamer is way better at these analysis.

[Bigpappy]

900p is plenty for shooting at any distance. That is a stupid assertion. It may seem blurry because he need his glasses. The ones he is wearing are his wife's.

I would take the 900p the better and more solid frame rate or the less stable 1080p. Thanks.

[Genuine-User]

Dario_DC

Yeah I'm not sure why he only mentions a single shot. He would have been better of calling it dynamic sub-900p resolution.

@Bigpappy

You probably won't believe me but I honestly got a headache trying to pull of a few long shot. I don't wear or need glasses

DF:

"Given a relatively minor inconsistency in frame-rates as opposed to a constant resolution deficit, we'd take the former, putting the Sony platform in pole position."

[Kribwalker]

@genuine user

If you almost got a headache trying to do a long shot at 900p what did you do last gen when COD was being rendered in the 600p range? Smh

[Gazondaily]

Played on both the PS4 and Xbox One and I didn't notice any noticeable disparity. The X1 beta was more unstable booting up the game mind you.

Long shots weren't a problem for me? Maybe something wrong with your tv, settings or eye sight?

[Genuine-User]

@Kribwalker

I was used to it and also less informed.

@Septic

I have played on both too. The difference is noticeable almost instantly. My TV is custom calibrated with the best possible picture for playing games. And I have had my eyes checked a few months ago; nothing wrong there.

I have snapped a few screenshots from the comparison on DF to show you guys what I mean.

http://i.imgur.com/m62NR9N....
http://i.imgur.com/DwRdDRK....
http://i.imgur.com/iJNawup....

Now imagine that blur throughout your screen with a sub-900 resolution.

[Sevir]

How on earth did you manage to play these COD games on PS3/XB360 when they were rendered sub 720p natively...?

Not that I care about these games because I stopped Playing COD after MW2, but why would you get a headache now with sub 900p but be ok all those years at sub 720p? Unless you played them on PC?

[butchertroll]

Well, it's weird dynamic sub900p res on Xbone ( from 1360x900 to 1600x900). But that's only multyplayer. Maybe singleplayer campaign will have higher res.

[Genuine-User]

@Servir

I have already answered that question. I was used to it and also less informed.

I haven't played any game on either PS3 or 360 for quite some time. Especially not a first person shooter.

@butchertroll

We will see come launch.

[APexGamer45]

Digital Foundry has been the most reputable source by far.

I love how some people now say it isn't because it doesnt suit their preference any more. Same people claim they can never see the difference.

Really? Evidence from Genuine user actually proves otherwise.

http://i.imgur.com/DwRdDRK....

Edit-

As far as "Dynamic" resolution goes, you guys do know that is mostly PR... That usually means menu, cutscenes are 1080P while actual gameplay still is 900P.

It is just desperate at this point to mask 900P as "1360 X1080" or "dynamic.

[NewMonday]

@Genuine-User

the blur on X1 is painful, not up to the standards of the new generation at all

the same thing you say is confirmed by MLG players who played the BETA on both PS4/X1

[yarbie1000]

You mean the guy who said Rise of the Tomb Raider was 900P and didn't actually test it but was just going off what he read on the net? The developer had to step in and correct him and inform him it was actually 1080P

edit: Yeah, looked him up. It was that guy https://www.youtube.com/wat...

https://twitter.com/BrianHo...

[Dario_DC]

An error he admitid and corrected it and as you said, he didn't tested it, it's what it looked like from the video he got. Unfortunatly I'm sure DF gets way more full videos/previews and beta test than NX Gamer.
Now DF tests COD, counts pixels and still it's 1600x900 except that picture at that moment.

I find that NX Gamer brings a deeper and more comprehensive analysis than DF but that's me.

BTW this is NOT an attack on Xbox one at all, I think the game is going to be a great performer on all platforms, I just feel that DF Analysis are lacking that's all.

[OldDude]

It doesn't matter on N4G if someone has credibility or even flat out lies so long as he says the PS4 is better. Whoever sings the highest praises for Sony is going to be the "Go To" guy for people here.

[WalterWJR]

Delete

[AstroCyborg]

DF always downplay the xb1 version of any game

[dantesparda]

@shloob

What kills me is a an obviously hateful and angry fanboy like yourself acting like the X1 version has any AF or better filtering advantage over the PS4 ver. when it doesn't and is the same thing except at an even lower res that can drop to as low as 1360x900 and therefore is even worst! While also tearing and dropping frames albeit a teeny, tiny, itty bitty little bit less often than the PS4 ver. while still having worst pop-in. So have fun being angry at the facts. And speaking of which, Sony doesn't force resolution, MS does. FACT!

And I have both and the X1 version is definitely blurrier and buggier! I could barely get into a match without it crashing like crazy while I had no problems with the PS4 ver. And guess what? I couldn't notice a framerate difference but I could definitely notice a sharpness difference.

[gfk342]

I totally agree with you.

There is also a new channel on YouTube that makes comparisons and fps analysis - it's called VG Tech.

https://youtu.be/Nj-QA2Q8Wb...

VG Tech is a very professional YouTube channel! It was the first one that mentioned the dynamic resolution on X1.

The resolution and other graphic details can be found in description.

[alabtrosMyster]

I think this give and take between those two, they both make mistakes... DF made some adjustments to their methodologies as well, NX does notice a lot of details and he sounds a lot like a regular fan (DF try to sound like some authority, and for the longest time they were the only game in town for serious analysis).

[NotAFanboyyy]

@Genuine-User

So because you were less informed last gen you didn't get headaches but now that you are more informed you suddenly get headaches? LOL

[EmperorDalek]

Haha yeah was just about to point that out... This isn't the first article he's been complaining about it either

[Genuine-User]

@AFanboyyy

Was I not clear enough. Did you by any chance miss the 'I was used to it' part of my sentence?

@EmperorDalek

Point your lack of basic reading comprehension? If voicing my experience is complaining for some, than so be it.

[Kingdomcome247]

@GenuineUser- Sorry, but you didn't get headaches because you were, "Less informed?" Now that you are informed regarding pixel counts you, "Get headaches trying to pull off long shots?"

[yewles1]

Ouch, my teeth, the gap must be widening again... *runs*

[shiva1]

Ask your dentist to take that 4th tooth out and throw it away before it causes more damage and infects your eyes. Thats the only advise that i have from your description.

Also if possible get rid of that wisdom tooth.... might as well.

[TheGreatGamer]

Noticeably cripser image on the PS4 having played quite a bit on both systems, will like to see how much they can optimize it with the months left to launch

[GusBricker]

I was too busy killing and getting killed to notice anything else honestly. The gameplay is so damn fast.

[b3ast]

This beta got me hyped

[81BX]

Been playing on xb1 when i can get in past the constant dash crashing but the image quality does kind of have this overall fuzziness to it. Kind of a shame because bf4 visually is better imo. Does anyone notice this on the pc or ps4 versions? I do like the gameplay though. Just glad the jumping isn't like aw.

[GNCFLYER]

The code can stay the same on PS4 as far as I'm concerned(I didn't see any bugs anyway).

Just please give us a smooth multiplayer experience when it comes out please. The limited servers they had up got bombed during the beta.

[raggy-rocket]

Why do people do technical analyses on unfinished products on betas. Everyone yesterday was mocking PC for almost no difference to other versions despite that version having the high detail textures not present in the beta. Then they do technical analyses of game show demos and booths. Is it for hits? Just I don't really see the point of testing it when it is unfinished

OT: Looks like the PS4 version is slightly crisper, I wonder how much they'll improve/optimize the Xbox version before release. I know optimisation for AW was poor. I find it curious how a visually unimpressive (albeit improved from last year's) with no noticeably great effects/physics can have a lower resolution than some much higher quality games

[Xbonewone32015]

Clicks.

[MyDietEqualsGames]

"Why do people do technical analyses on unfinished products on betas."

Why do we analyze anything?

[DLConspiracy]

Well it is a sort of insight into what the game might be with the final product. So it's not all for clicks. It's also possible it could change so it does give us an idea about where it will be or how much work they have done.

I sort of agree though even still. Probably seems worse because fanboys use it to argue over. They know people will talk about it in the comments and get more clicks in the long run. Especially when resolution articles almost always hit the top articles in N4G.

[wakeNbake]

It was working fine yesterday,now today it crashes every single time I join a match.
Getting the PS4 version for sure.

[meche334]

its beta code. they didnt have a crash dump so they cant find out why it crashes until they put one in. these are vonderhaars words
"Freezes are nasty because we don't have a crash dump. We can get it to happen, but don't have 100% repro steps."

[DLConspiracy]

I don't care which console you buy it for but just to give you an idea PS4 was also having issues too with crashes and freezes.

This is just one link I cared to look for, but the forums for the beta had people complaining about the same thing on PS4. It has to do with the code they did for the game.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bl...

I actually went online and found out that I had to actually lower my friends list on XBL down below 100 and it helped significantly. I was getting crashes where I couldn't finish 1 match. That fixed it, but.. It still does crash in the lobby sometimes when I backed out of a lobby with friends.

[Xbonewone32015]

Xbox one - slightly worse resolution than ps4, slightly better frames per second than ps4.

Exactly the same as most situations.

[gfk342]

Sorry buy "slightly" is a funny word to describe the difference between the two version.

Slightly better fps in favour of X1 means 1-3 fps on a very rarely occasions. Around 2-4% advantage, and I repeat, on very rarely occasions.

Slightly better resolution on PS4 means constantly 633,600 more pixels. Around 44% advantage, and I repeat, this advantage is constantly/ permanently.

So slightly is a totally different thing for the two consoles.

[StrayaKNT]

You're living in a delusional world if you think ANY ps game looks 44% better lmfao I bet a thousand bucks you won't tell the difference if they were side by side, but then again what's the media's job if they don't brainwash people like you. Anyways id prefer the version with the better framerates and that's why I'll be getting xbox one version.

[sammarshall102]

I bet you can't point those pixels out LOL

[Satyre28]

Is it just me or does it seem like the X1 holds a pretty much rock solid 60 FPS and the PS4 version i see dipping to 53-54 ish at times? Is losing performance (FPS) in a shooter really worth the extra P's that nobody can even notice?

As a PS4 owner idk i really hope they can get that 60FPS locked, ill take the 900P at a locked 60FPS all day over 1080P and fluctuating FPS.

[playstation4epic]

Its not even 900p on the Xbox One tho

[gfk342]

Could you tell us where in DF's video, the PS4 version drop to 53-54 fps?

The worst drop that I saw was at 56 fps, at it was for no more than 1 second.

So I don't know what you trying to do by making such incorrect afirmation, but if you are bothered by those 4 fps drop (from 60 fps) you should find yourself another hobby.

[PistolsAtDawn]

I did notice that it was slightly less defined than the PS4 version, but no where near as drastic as this article makes it seem...and I've NEVER had a problem noticing someone at range. However, the part about stability I noticed quite easily, the X1 version is definitely more stable. Either way, gamers will be happy. I'm going with the X1 version because I prefer stability and the X1 controller. The res difference is slightly noticeable, but no where close to a big deal. Ironically the place where it's the most noticeable is the very first log in screen.

It's clear to me that the X1 version is the way to go, I noticed Pop-in issues on both versions, but those were worse on the PS4 version for me and I definitely noticed the FPS dips on the PS4 version...and both of those combined got annoying. I didn't have even the slightest problem noticing someone at range no mater how still they were...so I'm not getting that issue...unless they were playing on a tiny tv or something...it almost sounds like they made that up to justify saying it was lower res.

Side note, I did notice on the first day of the X1 that it seemed softer...coming straight from the PS4 version....however it may sound weird, but the more I played it...either it got to a point that it was no longer an issue or server side updates solidified the res a bit (I did notice that the BETA version changed a couple times)...like esp on "Hunted" when you go through the tunnel behind the waterfall. On the first day, that looked noticeably different, yesterday it looked much clearer.

[gfk342]

Are you telling us that you haven't been bothered by the difference in clarity (44% more clarity on PS4), but you have been bothered by the 1-3 fps drop on some very rare occasions?

Wow!

Are you telling us that you can get used to the blurriness of 900p (and even lower), but you cannot get used to with the very rare drops of 1-3 fps from 60fps.

Common...please be sincere because we can see your Xbox love from miles.

P.S. 1-3 fps can easily be fixed through a patch, but 633,600 pixels (the difference between 900p and 1080p) it's almost impossible to be added.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Your issue seems to be that you've been bitten by the marketing bug. You're clearly caught up in numbers. I don't need a lesson in percentages and numbers of pixels, I get it...I've seen them for years. What makes my decision is real world applications. The truth is that the 44% figure on paper doesn't translate to LOOKING 44% better...if so, that'd be HUGE...and we wouldn't even have comparison videos. The fact is both are 1080p, one is just upscaled from 900p and the other isn't. The pixels are so small and so fine that it's like comparing sand on a beach at this point....HOWEVER, a stutter in FPS DOES make a noticeable difference (I love how you were VERY literal with the stats supporting your opinion, then downplayed the ones that don't), and since they happen due to strain based on firefights and explosions...that means they happen most when it matters most...so yes, a stutter during a gunfight is worse than finding someone sitting still across the length of the map.

Your willingness to call and label me a fanboy shows more about how YOU think than how I think. I have and always will give all the consoles a fair shot every gen...despite what you want to believe I do love them all....but in the end I take into account the WHOLE situation, not just paper specs when I make my final decision as to which version I prefer. It just so happens that right now X1 version is the best IMO.

Also your notion of adding res through a patch is incorrect. Not saying it will or will not happen here, but often, games actually have textures with the ability to show at a higher res already in the game, and it could simply be a matter of a tweak here or there that fixes that...who knows....Just because the difference on paper between 1080p and 900p is 44% DOES NOT mean that the X1 version is running at 44% less power...it COULD be that they were right under running the game at 1080p but it created too many other FPS issues, so they downgraded the res because it matters less....eventhough this game wasn't built with DX12 in mind, that MAY be enough to bridge that gap.

There are plenty of other more demanding games running at 1080p 60FPS on X1.

...NO patch will "fix" controller preference, and in this case it won't trump using a better UI, and if it wasn't for a 3rd party deal the X1 version would also potentially be on a MUCH MUCH MUCH better set of servers. Enjoy your 44% paper specs, I suggest not getting caught up in paper specs. It's a very fanboy approach to gaming, and you'll miss out on great games.

[MetroidFREAK21]

And I still don't care about resolution... The main core aspect of CoD is the 60 FPS... and I'm glad that still holds true. I have no issues spoting enemies from a distance and I have enjoyed the beta. Can't wait for the full release

[B1uBurneR]

Another pretty picture vs Smooth gameplay article. I'll take smooth thank you.

[OB1Biker]

' smooth frame-rates that adhered closely to the desired 60fps target' ?

Anyway its all Beta and nothing definitive there

[Max-Zorin]

Like it matter, no matter the platform, you will run into some of the most disrespectful COD players ever. Especially on Search and Destroy.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Better FPS (esp under strain), Less Pop Ins, Better controller vs slightly less refined/softer resolution mainly noticeable at range when someone isn't moving. Clear X1 win for me on this one, not even a comparison really. Gameplay will ALWAYS trump aesthetics.

Not to mention other issues like skill level being higher among X1 gamers (you know, "the COD console" for the last decade). This game went from "SP Only" for me to "I'll play MP after this holiday season dies down" ...it's definitely shaping up to be my favorite COD ever.

[gfk342]

So, the 1-3 fps drop from 60 fps (on very rare occasions) is a deal breaker for you, but the blurriness is perfectly fine to have it constantly....

OK...

[DrumBeat]

Utter ridiculousness in here.

You can always tell who's a fanboy of a given camp. Talk of negligible frame drops, pop-in, etc, with such fervor that you'd think it was hugely significant, when it isn't, at all.

The most consistently, constantly noticeable difference, that never fluxuates, never changes, is the resolution, which is curiously blurry on the Xbox One. 900p isn't that blurry, so I'm not sure exactly what the issue is.

[Fro_xoxo]

emphasis on --> Beta

[RomanPSX]

I played the beta on both systems. Yes the ps4 looks a little better just a little. But the xbox version runs so much smoother and wayy less lag. Xbox version for me.

[mochachino]

I'd prefer take 57-60FPS @ 1080p (with 60fps most of the time) than 60FPS and 900p imo

[DarXyde]

If this is indicative of the final release, I would say the Xbox One version might be the better buy. Now it looks like competitive Call of Duty scene moving to PlayStation 4 may not be a great decision.

When we talk about EVO and Street Fighter IV, there was a slight frame rate advantage on the Xbox 360 that apparently made a big difference. Does it matter? Maybe competitively speaking. The same principle may apply here.

In either case, to someone like myself who does not play Call of Duty, the resolution advantage is perhaps as negligible as the frame rate advantage. It doesn't look like you can miss with either if these games are your cup of tea, but yeah, I would say to lock the frame rate at 60fps any way that you can, even if you have to lose 20-30 progressive lines.

[RedTfox]

Played both and liked the two versions.
But for my taste, i go with Xbox one, because i prefer good and stable FPS and the kids that play on PSN are very annoying sometimes (i have more friends on LIVE too).
But Star Wars Battlefront, that one is PS4 for me, no matter what.

[StrayaKNT]

Atleast I found matches straight away that werent so laggy and easy to win. Xbox one version for me, there's no way in the world I would choose any other controller.

[a411411]

I don't know about you guys but i'm a sniper. Visual Clarity means a lot to me especially since i camp and snipe long distances.
If the game was running 30fps and dropped to 27fps i would probably miss but because the game was built in mind to run at 60fps but drops down to like 57, I still have a way better chance of sniping my target at long distances with a head shot at 1080p rather than 900p.
A dip in 2 or 3 frames is not a issue when predicting another players movement while i'm sniping, however blurry vision from long distance will determine whether i get a head shot or hit the upper torso.

[fulnattybrah]

Lag was same ole' cod, but fps was great on the x1, only wish they use those azure servers and then we'll be in business

[aquaticDonut]

It doesn't matter what you think about the rest of the game, CoD has always had kickass performance and many, MANY more devs need to learn from them in this respect.

[RondoMachete]

I played the Beta and I'm sorry to say but it's pure same old COD. Boring multiplayer just the same as the last and the ones before that. I was really hoping for something new but no... I've brought every single one since Cod 4 but this year I'm going Battlefront. That may be similar but it's Star Wars so I'm there!