Dev On Xbox One's eSRAM Issues: It Could Help In Texture Streaming But Will Need To See It In Action

"The Xbox One's eSRAM has been a source of contention for developers since even before the console had launched. While some claim it limits the console's output resolution in comparison to the PS4, thus ensuring something less than 1080p, others claim it isn't a bottleneck at all and that it will be some time before studios can fully utilize the same."

[jackanderson1985]

moving away from the ESRAM issues (not a technologically gifted guy so i'll let the men and women who make games deal with that)... i'm glad they're integrating the kinect and touchpad into games... even if they're relatively simple things (using kinect for doing subs in Fifa 14 for example on xbox one or use of the touchpad in KZ for the drone on PS4)they can add to the game in a different way without affecting overall performance of the game

[iamnsuperman]

I don't know really. I can't speak of the Kinect (though I would feel awkward talking to my console anyway) but I feel the touch pad doesn't need to be in games. I would like to see it used in apps or there web browser as the thing is a kind of track pad.

[BX81]

@superman
I hear I didn't like it when playing uncharted on the vita at first. But when I was making scratching a of artifacts it felt great. There are uses for it as long as it's not forced. I do like the kinect head tracking while in a chopper in bf4 as well.

[Volkama]

Don't worry, none of the people that come here talking about ESRAM issues are "technologically gifted" :) I'm sure you can regurgitate information as well as the next guy if you want to.

On-topic, a lot if made of the ESRAM making it impossible to render 1080p60 images with 32bit pixel depth. I'm sure someone smart has done some maths to back that up, and it's probably true.

The conversation is boring because we retread the same fanboy drivel over and over again. We've gone over that so many times. I want to read about theoretical workarounds, that's more interesting.

Does ESRAM need to hold the entirety of the rendered image? Is the bandwidth on DDR3 too slow to do the same job? What would be the consequence of DDR3 holding the render? You can still buy (low-end) graphics cards that use DDR3, and they can output an image. APUs can render a good image, and they don't have ESRAM or GDDR5 available. AMDs latest APUs come with BF4, and while I haven't checked I am assuming it runs admirably.

If DDR3 is capable of doing the job then maybe the ESRAM will become a conduit for loading megatextures, which seems to be the purpose it's most fit for.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Seriously Esram issues are too pro dominant. Maybe there something wrong perhaps

[DragonKnight]

Who is this dev? I've never heard of him, or his game.

[KakashiHotake]

Seems like resolution and esram appear to be the two biggest things slowing Xbox One down. I'm not much of a fan of Microsoft but some things just can't be helped. They need to work to their strengths because their just not going to beat PS4 in a battle of games. PS4 was built to be a gaming machine and Xbox One was built to be a media device that plays games. Therefore Xbox One's best bet is to show the strengths of their media services, they need to show how Kinect makes entertainment better, So far they have yet to justify the extra $100 and it's only a matter of time before things start to blow up. This is not a fanboy rant, it's just my opinion on what I think could help improve Xbox One's situation. I've always been a PlayStation fan but I rather not see a monopoly. Competition keeps you on your toes so I have my fingers crossed Xbox One can turn it around and keep the console business competitive.

[redwin]

I totally agree with you. I've seen the difference, the pre Microsoft and now. Now is definitely better, we have more choices in games. I remember when we had just a bunch of platforms and maybe 3 role playing games in the system cycle. Now, we have lots of shooters, platforms, roleplaying, racing games, adventures . We have games that have different influences, Eastern, western and European . This is really a good time for gaming.

[AaronMK]

I think on the RAM end, it is DDR3 main memory that slows XBox One down compared to the GDDR5 on the PS4, not the ESRAM. That ESRAM is faster than the GDDR5, but there is just such a miniscule amount of it.

ESRAM may be slowing the XBox One down in terms of it taking longer for developers to make the most of it, and thus show what the system can do, but it does not slow down the system.

Very much agree that they need to focus on other strengths and really need wow with Kinect, and that competition is good.

[Boltshocker]

I like the ps4 just as much as the xbox one but considering for what is the xbox one price is worth you would think it would be good as the ps4 let's just hope the xbox one do something soon otherwise i'm switching to ps4

[imt558]

@Dev

PS4 can do this

XBone could do this

That's the difference.

[Boltshocker]

They both as good as each other just depends what people prefer more and what games they looking forward to more no harm in owning both

[stuna1]

Just as good is not cutting it with a $100 more price tag! regardless if Kinects is inluded, because without it, it would be even less capable than it already is!

[STANK08]

Well the PS4 is basically PS3.5 when you put it in perspective. It's a slightly prettier PS3 thats bout it.

[stuna1]

If you really believe that, you as well as many others have fell for the hype! That statement is such a misconception it's unbelievable, just like the misconception that developers tools and updated SDK is somehow magically close the gap in obvious hardware differences! The Xbox1 is a less capable machine get over it.

Those saying they see no differences, are saying it to mask the fact that they belived what Microsoft has been spewing not only the last generation, but they already are starting to believe it this generation as well! Sure people are entitled to prefer titles of a specific platform, but stop acting the differences are minimal when there are 50% performance differences shown, not speculated the key word is shown! 720p to 1080p shows double the pixel density, just 30fps to 60fps is a 50% increase in frame rate.

But if you want to live in your little world where those things don't matter, I'll just live in my little world where they do matter.

[Jdoki]

Yawn

Lets move on. This ESRAM horse is dead and can only stand so much flogging.

Yes, we know ESRAM is gimping the XB1.
No, nothing can be done about it.
Yes, the SDK and other tools will improve over time
Yes, other optimisations will be found, such as freeing up GPU cycles from Kinect.
No, ESRAM limitations don't stop fun games being fun.
Yes, it will likely mean that for the entire generation PS4 multiplats will look a bit better.
No, MS 1st party devs can not match the graphical prowess of Sony 1st party devs
Yes, MS appear to be once again relying on timed exclusivity, Fable, Forza, Halo and Gears

Can we draw a line under it and move on.

[n4rc]

I was actually agreeing with you until the last 2 points

Past history means squat.. You haven't even seen most of the 1st party stuff for either yet..

And yeah.. Killzone, infamous, uncharted and gow are suddenly exempt from your point?

[MegaRay]

I dont care about UN and killzone but infamous has only two games and upcoming one

[n4rc]

I dont care for gears either.. But that's not the point

Both rely on their proven franchises.. He's using it as a knock against ms when sony does the exact same thing

I'm not saying its bad.. But cmon, let's be fair here.. Lol

[Boltshocker]

Yeah i agree with you there Jdoki some of the articles are becoming same old same old......Yawn

[Smootherkuzz]

What every floats your boat. Beyond getting old.

[ABizzel1]

I could have sworn someone said the eSRAM would most likely be used for Texture Streaming a long time ago, considering it's speed / bandwidth. The only thing to worry about was the size of the eSRAM.

Oh that's right it was me.

The eSRAM isn't a bottleneck; however, it would have been better to have more GPU cores than eSRAM taking up space on the APU which would have meant higher resolutions. The real bottle neck is the DDR3 RAM. It's a solid option for most APUs considering it's speed, but it's not good enough for high quality next-gen gaming, especially with a weaker GPU.

They should have went with split RAM instead in this situation. 4GB DDR3 for console, 4GB GDDR5 for games, or even 6GB DDR3 and 2GB of GDDR5 for games would have done so much more for them than having a system full of slow RAM (gaming wise) and a bandaid (eSRAM) to patch up an open wound.

[FLYINGDOG]

What we need, is a Xbox one elite.

[corvusmd]

Hmmm...potentially positive XB1 news...sweep this under the rug.