720°

Killzone Shadow Fall - smoke and mirrors, common techniques

A look at the Killzone Shadow Fall imagery and how soft focus effects, light bloom and depth of field are used in conjunction with artistic direction to create cinematic appearances. Drawing comparisons with other games which use similar effects.

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RaidensRising4494d ago

No matter what way you try to spin it folks. Killzone looks awesome. Why are people so insecure about that beats me. Why cant we all just enjoy great games regardless of power and platform.

ThatXboxGuy4494d ago ShowReplies(24)
LOGICWINS4494d ago

Insecure about what exactly? The guy said the game looked fantastic in the first MINUTE of the video.

Nitrowolf24494d ago

I guess it's the title that makes it sound otherwise.

These are all common techniques as it suggests, and in fact is very accurate in how we see. If you talking to someone or something is in front of you your focus is on that and everything else is blurred up (lack of focus).

kenshiro1004494d ago

Maybe the person who titled this video and article shouldn't have made it look like flamebait.

LOGICWINS4494d ago

^^Maybe people should actually go beyond a title when they give their opinion on a story. The title isn't flaimbait at all. EVERY developer uses smoke and mirror techniques to make their game look as real as possible. Take draw distances in games like Batman: Arkham City for example. Although you can SEE Gotham City, you can't actually enter it.

TheRealSpy4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

actually, that's not what he says. what he says is that they are using common tricks to make it look good, but many other games use the same tricks. and in some cases, a lot better.

"Maybe the person who titled this video and article shouldn't have made it look like flamebait."

maybe YOU should stop taking any minor criticism of PS so damn seriously.

kenshiro1004494d ago

Who's taking what seriously? The title sounded like flamebait and I pointed it out.

Ju4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

The comments were pretty unqualified. TBH. Yes, he has praise for the game, but then he mixes up cityscapes of different game which look like day and night and he puts them all in one pot. How can he be taken seriously? That's not an analysis at all. Comparing city skyboxes with actual polygons and failing to see the difference doesn't qualify this guy of being an expert, sorry. I did finish the video; tbh. But from what I saw, he failed to point out any details - in any game, not just KZ.

IcarusOne4494d ago

That requires the fanboys to read. Who wants to do that when it's easier to just jump in and flame on.

TheGamerDood4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

So the latest rumor making the rounds claims that KZ:SF was only using 1.5GB of VRAM. The fact that they were able to put all that on screen with what seems like such little ram is unfreakin' believable. I can only imagine what PS4 games will look like in a couple of years when they're able to tap all that ram. O.O

I wonder what kind of impact this will have on the final version of the game and if there will be a delay as a result.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

SilentNegotiator4494d ago

"Maybe people should actually go beyond a title when they give their opinion on a story. The title isn't flaimbait at all. EVERY developer uses smoke and mirror techniques to make their game look as real as possible. Take draw distances in games like Batman: Arkham City for example. Although you can SEE Gotham City, you can't actually enter it"

1) No one should need to give an article a hit with a title like that.

2) Yes it is flamebait.

3) You need to adjust your definition of "smoke and mirrors" if you think the horizon of a game being uninteractive is "smoke and mirrors"

MysticStrummer4494d ago

"Maybe the person who titled this video and article shouldn't have made it look like flamebait."

Why? Flamebait is the bread and butter of N4G. It doesn't work on everyone though. When I see a flamebait title I refuse to read the article.

Hicken4494d ago

It's all well and good that he says the game looks great, but let's not be stupid enough to pretend that the title isn't a slight. It's a pretty obvious insult.

Either the author meant it that way, or he's an idiot.

WarThunder4493d ago

First misleading title.
Second this this guy tries really hard to downplay Killzone shadow fall.

There one game that looks as good as KZ:SF its Crysis 3 on PC...

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 4493d ago
trancefreak4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

Firstly I thought this video was lame. Of course they are going to save resources to put them in areas where you are going to look. Inside of the dome of Crysis 3 if you go to the end of the map and jump up it looks like a carpet rug of grass out there. This is such a weak argument.

Next; I know there are not any final specs of yet on the new NextBox but aren't the specs going to be fairly similar?

Easy to develop for with the same type of chips despite the memory type/os architect structure and allocations.

I think the only thing to be concerned with is how exciting the days ahead are going to be with new tech.

And who knows how far this new Killzone S.F. has been being worked on. I thought it looked amazing and the devs have plenty of time to keep working on the game.

I don't know if this a day 1 launch title but high profile games usually take a back seat until there is an install base. Perhaps Killzone will be that one big launch game but we will see. I just can't wait to play it.

I think both Sony and Microsoft fans will be happy of their perspective new systems.

Thatguy-3104494d ago

Title is misleading lol But on topic this game looks really impressive. Was amazed how it was actual game play when I saw it on the Jimmy Fallon show. Even Infamous second son looks impressive. It was said game play was used in some parts of the trailer and if you see where Deslin swings his chain you can tell that's game play base off what we saw in Infamous 2.

adorie4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

Games creation in itself, especially in it's current state is smoke and mirrors anyway.

Just more crap being flung by the monkies who couldn't write valid news articles or opinions without bias.

Game is not even finished yet. I remember reading how Killzone 2 looked bland and was missing details.. when the game in it's final state was revealed, it blew some minds and fanboys went straight to work trying to discredit it for what it was.

You won't catch me in a Microsoft article trying to downplay their games or their upcoming consoles.

I wish both companies the best and the fight for our dollar go to the one who deserves it most.

popup4494d ago

OMG,it's like a shopping channel salesman trying to sound like he knows what he is talking about!

This is gold.

ZBlacktt4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

So this, games not even out yet and they want to try and tear it down. Wait until the PS4 and the game is out in our hands before you judge. But this story is misleading in many ways. Plus the guy kind of rambles on. Then comes back to say KZ is done very well.

JC_Denton4494d ago

This guy's using images from the wrong games at times. . .

DivineAssault 4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

because haters are mad that Sony made a great machine.. The specs speak for themselves so i dont care what people say about what they see now (in early dev stages too).. Just wait until a year or 2 into PS4s life.. The games will be mind blowing.. & its not all about the graphics either.. A small bump in todays graphic engines in 1080/60 can be easily achieved.. Nx gen engines may not be 60fps but with that 8GB GDDR5 RAM, im sure they will run at a locked 30 w/o screen tears & slow down..

Playing all the newest games wont only look better, the experience will be better too.. The PS app (facebook esque) will make playing games really fun.. sharing platinum trophy hunts with your friends & or really rare moments can be edited, saved, & shared with others.. This machine is awesome & it doesnt matter what ppl nit pick about in the graphics..

Tell u one thing, the rumor about ps3 having 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, 8 cores, & running 1.8 tflops was true.. That same exact rumor source stated 720 was going to be similar except use weaker ddr3 ram (still 8GB), have 8 cores, & run 1.2 tflops.. So if theres problems w PS4 games, there will be problems w 720 games.. Im not even going to bother wasting my time mentioning what wii u has..

If companies like Blizzard (& possibly others @ E3 XD) partner with sony uniting PC & PS4 players together, its going to be an awesome generation.. I will continue supporting sony more than ever now.. The PS3 was their worst selling console with many mishaps n problems & still was a smash hit.. This doesnt seem to have anything im concerned with.. Especially since they ditched the complex proprietary hardware..

insomnium24494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

I don't get it. Is using depth of field using smoke and mirrors? I mean it's quite natural to see something near you in great detail and all other things in the background go all blurry. That's how normal human eyes work right?

I'm really not sure what this guy is trying to say. He's pointing out the obvious imo. They are using depth of field and that's exactly why it all looks so impressive and real lifelike. That's my opinion anyway. Using it doesn't take away anything. The console still has 8 Gigs of good ram and devs are going to make wonders happen with it.

To think if first gen PS4 titles look like this what are games 5 years down the road going to look like?

LightofDarkness4493d ago (Edited 4493d ago )

DOF, as seen in games, is more of a camera lens effect. Your eyes already apply DOF when you examine any objects in detail on the screen, there is no need to blur out everything except what game is "expecting" you to focus on. It's just redundant, unnecessary and is really just to make something look more like the movies than real-life, like lens flare. It may also be used to hide detail in some instances (like the distant canopies in Dark Souls around Fire Link Shrine).

SugarSoSweet4493d ago

I don't think Killzone looks all that great it's not bad but not great

GuyThatPlaysGames4493d ago

This game looks amazing. Somehow the jackass commenting throughout the video can judge the whole game from a few minutes of early gameplay. Seems like the new way to get hits on this site is by bashing everything new that comes out.

BlmThug4493d ago

This site is by far the worst gaming site i've ever come across. To have such delusional love for a piece of machine that literally any human can buy staggers me. I am no fanboy of any console and I have a life outside of gaming so maybe I can't understand the life of these logicless fanboys

nosferatuzodd4493d ago

Its just that some company not going to call any name coughmscough paying trolls to talk smack just like they did with the scroogle add about Google or apple we all know there schemes cant beat em spread propaganda.

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4493d ago
ShadesMoolah4494d ago

Looks awesome, especially if this is to be a launch title.

PR_FROM_OHIO4494d ago

Damn The PS4 an Killzone Shadowfall got a lot of folks scared an butthurt LMFAO!!!!!!!! Shit is hilarious!!

pandaboy4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

Nobody is scared, we are just pissed that it is a last gen game masked as next gen. I'm extremely underwhelmed by the killzone demo. It relies on the pre half life 2 corridor shooter style gameplay and the graphics are just meh since it is so blurry all the time.

Tundra4494d ago

Last gen couldn't even do 1080p all that often. This is a launch game with native 1080p. There's certainly nothing "last gen" about it.

gta28004494d ago

You're so full of shit my friend lol.

r214494d ago

Blurry? Were you watching a 240p. If you want, I can get you 720p and 1080p links from the conference and Jimmy Fallon show.

kenshiro1004494d ago

Killzone: SF had me stunned the minute it was announced. I can't wait to play it.

trancefreak4494d ago

Hell ya! I was watching the twitter feed on my home from work. People said it was amazing that were there watching first hand.

ape0074494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

while KZ ps4 look unbelievablly amazing i think that the gap between the 360\ps3 and next gen is not as big as ps2 to ps3 i see that bioshock Infinite, GTA V and MGS GZ hold up very well against PS4 gfx, they still look Damn Good IMO, 360\ps3 gfx are nowhere near as outdated against ps4 gfx as (let's say) san andreas to GTA V

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

in the end we want creative sp games, old school feel, games like RESI 4, like shadow man, timesplitters, turok etc, now with incredible graphical fidelity of the ps4 and hopefully nextbox, dreams can come true, don't get me wrong im a huge military shooter fan but I fed up

ape0074494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

opps , fixed, thanks

MasterCornholio4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

What you say is true however at least the gap is noticeable unlike the Wii U when compared to the PS3 or the 360.

BTW I'm not trashing the Wii U by calling it a last gen console. I know that the controller is the main selling point of the console but I prefer a more traditional controller design which is why I will probably get a PS4 or a new XBOX.

Motorola RAZR i

LiViNgLeGaCY4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

I think the reason why we won't see a huge leap in next gen, as much as we did this gen, is because we don't have that jump to HD.

Like what I mean is, games are already in HD, and the HD isn't any better, just the tech in these new consoles. Where as last gen, there was the awesome new tech, PLUS the jump to HD.

sak5004494d ago

You're right but jump from 720p to 1080p is still considerable, i have movies which are 720 and others 1080p and on all of my 42" and above tvs (3 tvs) i notice much sharper image. Also would like to see more normal mapping (bump mapping) and higher rez textures in coming gen consoles. We still see lots of blurred or washed out textures in games due to just few hundred MB ram in current consoles.

Qrphe4494d ago

The leap between PS2, PS3 and PS4 titles is about the same
http://imageshack.us/a/img6...

Games like Resistance and Perfect Dark Zero didn't look significantly better besides resolution than games like Black on PS2.

shivvy244493d ago

oh GOD i miss Rfom ! didnt have pro graphics but damn i had so much fun !

imt5584494d ago

One small info from Beyond3D :

KZ : Shadow Fall is developed on devkits with only 1.5GB GDDR5 RAM. Look picture several times on link below and try to imagine how it will look with 8GB GDDR5 RAM available in final devkits. Guerilla Games FTW!!!:)

Check this screenshot :

http://www.imagetoo.com/ima...

Reverent4494d ago (Edited 4494d ago )

Real time reflections for actors other than the player... Very, very impressive. I cannot wait to get my hands on a PS4 and this game. It would be so awesome if they bundled them together at launch.

Kurt Russell4493d ago

Bring on the Bruce Lee hall of mirrors death match level!

SugarSoSweet4493d ago

y the fuck r ppl disagreeing with this guy he's right the gap between ps3 and ps4 isn't as big as ps2 to ps3

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170°

15 Last-Gen Games That Still Compete with Current-Gen Graphics

GB: "Say what you will about the state of the industry, but even as games evolve, their graphics remain a key aspect. Even some of the biggest flops this year sport some gorgeous visuals, as publishers and developers push the boundaries of what’s possible, pouring years of time and money into their work."

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darthv72228d ago

Quantum Break and Ryse are two that I was really surprised did not get an FPS boost option when played on the Series X|S. when i started playing both on the XBO, I thought they are both good, but after playing them also on my steam deck (in 60fps) I just cant go back and play the base games on XB. They really benefit from that faster frame rate.

Driveclub is another i wished had a HFR mode on PS5.

MatrixxGT228d ago

Most games this gen are the exact same except now we get faster loading through SSD and a res and fps bump. Graphically not much has improved, hell most last gen games are being relabeled and resold as “remastered” with the aforementioned updates.
I haven’t seen or played anything on either platform that couldn’t be run on last gen. Guess the law of diminishing returns is really showing itself these days.

127maXimus227d ago

Most games from 20 years ago are basically the same as today, with resolution and fps upgrades. The AI is still just as braindead as it always has been, worlds are full of static, boring characters that do the same thing over and over.

Demetrius227d ago

Smh another reason why graphics haven't improved that much is because most devs too caught up on cross gen. Ps4 was/still a dope console but time has moved on we're halfway close to a ps6 reveal and devs still will be making games on last gen in 2025. Then theres Microsoft purposely got the Xbox series s that causes more devs to try to pull strings as much as they can smh. It's a mixed bag of stuff, the only ones I see pushing hardware is sonys studios and even some indie games look better

227d ago
130°

Why Guerrilla Games Shouldn't Abandon the Killzone Series

Hugely disappointingly, it seems that Guerrilla Games, developers of the Killzone and Horizon series, may be done with Killzone for good.

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thenerdstash.com
IAMRealHooman235d ago

1 was fine, overhyped as a " halo" killer
2 was a graphical beast at the time, and felt heavy
3 was good a refinement of 2 but not much else. weird audio issues environment were to quiet
shadow fall was pretty but bland

OtterX235d ago (Edited 235d ago )

Shadowfall had great Multiplayer though. Too bad the campaign was meh at best. It did have the occasional great moment sprinkled in.

TheNamelessOne235d ago (Edited 235d ago )

I played through 2/3 multiple times. I played through the original once, but it felt pretty lukewarm for me. I couldn't be bothered to beat Shadow Fall. I got a couple hours in and just went "I'm done". Never touched it again. It was awesome on the tech side, being a launch title, but it didn't even match up to the first game when it came to actually having fun playing it.

Rude-ro235d ago

3 in 3d was an amazing experience to be had.
Although not many experienced it as intended for good reasons.

just_looken235d ago

You forgot the ai advancements on the playstation 2 killzone one you could have a full team of bots doing everything even playing the objective that was a big thing.

In killzone 2 they always flanked you and when available used the high ground.

Playing killzone 2 no hud 5.1 audio was/is awesome

MDTunkown235d ago

They should finish Horizon story first

darthv72235d ago

I dont mind if someone else takes up the mantle for the KZ franchise. We are several years removed from the first game. It certainly could use a remake to gauge interest in the rest of the series. I know it has its fans... Im thinking of how a proper reboot can rekindle that old dormant flame and bring in a new generation of fans in the process.

just_looken235d ago

You forgot killzone mercenaries on the ps vita but it was the worst selling sony game for awhile there.

Yui_Suzumiya234d ago

Yeah, a remake would be pretty awesome

anast235d ago

They should let it go or sell it. No use spending millions on this project.

LucasRuinedChildhood235d ago

Would like a new IP before Horizon 3. Just because games take so long to make these days.

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400°

Killzone After a Decade in Hibernation

It's been 10 years since Killzone: Shadow Fall arrived for PlayStation 4 early adopters, and there's no sign of another sequel.

Obscure_Observer578d ago

Sadly it was dumped by Guerrilla to focus on Horizon games only. Mainline, VR and Multiplayer.

Vengeance1138578d ago

lmao sadly? Are you pretending to have actually played the series lol Sorry bud, no Killzone on Xbox.

Cacabunga577d ago

With the downfall of COD and BF, Killzone def. has a chance to make a groundbreaking comeback

577d ago
Notellin577d ago (Edited 577d ago )

What a low-functioning reply here typical of the fanboy N4G community.

Rimeskeem578d ago

“Dumped”

I think it’s called moving on.

Barlos577d ago (Edited 577d ago )

They brought out 4 main games and 2 spin offs: one on PSP and one on Vita. That's a decent run for any series. I also understand that Shadow Fall wasn't a success commercially despite it coming out at PS4 launch, and as a big Killzone fan even I couldn't get into it, so I think Sony/Guerrilla could see it was time to move on.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love another Killzone game in the vein of KZ2 but it's just not happening. Hell, I'd even take a remake or remaster of the first 3 games.

I'd hardly say it was "dumped" though, it spanned 3 console generations and 2 handheld generations.

1Victor577d ago

@obscured:”Sadly it was dumped by Guerrilla to focus on Horizon games only. Mainline, VR and Multiplayer”

Happily it was dumped by Guerrilla to focus on Horizon games only. Mainline, VR and Multiplayer( edited to reflect the writer true feelings and allegiance)
Kill zone was a FPS far ahead of its glitched competitors with nauseating bad camera angles, 10 years old screaming curses like a drunk sailor and bot aiming assist.

ChasterMies577d ago

“Sadly”?

The Horizon games were among the best games of all time. Killzone Shadowfail wasn’t.

Shane Kim577d ago

True, but damn the memories of KZ2 multiplayer. Still no MP as fun as that to this date.

Mr_cheese577d ago

Dumped and shelved are two different things

Tacoboto577d ago

And Sony as a whole dumped the FPS genre so they wouldn't have products competing with COD and (until purchase) Destiny.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 577d ago
GoodGuy09578d ago

I loved the KZ2+3 campaigns and MP in 2. There could be so much more done with the franchise. Horizon although good, I wish they'd go back to this wonderful IP. Take a break from Horizon please.

Flawlessmic577d ago

Agreed dude, I would absolutely love a reboot of the series, one can only hope that either resistance or killzone makes a return.

Have nothing but great memories, especially of the first 3 games, but all 4 were show stoppers graphically.

blackbeld577d ago

To making it a successful reboot they have to change that buttons layout! Make it playable like the cod button layout. Otherwise I’ll skipping it again.

Rynxie577d ago

And that's the reason why many fps games failed. Instead of being original and catering to it's fans, they tried to make it like cod. No, kz doesn't need cod button layout. It needs to be like it was on kz2 or balanced liked kz3.

Lightning77578d ago

I think Kill Zone would do great in Sony's LS push. As well as MAG reboot and bring back Resistance into LS.

Sharky231576d ago

@Lightning77

I think WarHawk would have been a great Live service game.

thorstein577d ago

Killzone games were so polished. The gameplay was just simple joy. MP was one of the best experiences.

I remember KZ3, just staring at how awesome they animated the water and then getting wasted because of it.

P_Bomb577d ago

It’s been a decade? Now I’m sad.

LiViNgLeGaCY576d ago

I hear ya bud. We're due for a revival.

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