460°

Should you install The Witcher 3's day one patch?

After a weekend of testing The Witcher 3 on Xbox One, it's fair to say installing its day one patch (version 1.01) is something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the 588MB file improves frame-rates slightly during play, while fixing minor bugs scattered across the game. In many ways it's a more polished experience with the patch - notably we have less geometry pop-in during cut-scenes, fewer instances of flickering shadows, and a great many more tweaks elsewhere.

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Genuine-User3324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

DF:

"The Witcher 3 is predominantly a 900p game, and the only scenes we've found to run at a full 1080p are the in-engine rendered title screen, and the video cut-scenes. Even reducing the GPU load by looking directly up to the sky shows the game is still rendering at a native 900p. We do notice some indoors scenes rendering at what seems to be a higher resolution than 900p, but even here, it is clearly not a full, native 1080p output."

Transistor3324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

"The only scenes we've found to run at a full 1080p are the in-engine rendered title screen, and the video cut-scenes."

It's the title screen and video cut scenes are all that is actually hitting 1080p.

The game is generally 900p, it's not much of a dynamic resolution.

xHeavYx3324d ago

Not good news for Xbox fans. It seems that all 1080p dynamic whatever was just a PR stunt.

Transistor3324d ago

Yeah, it's pretty much 1080pr.

They should really be more upfront about this, regardless of "debates and stuff".

3324d ago
zidane13413324d ago

@shloob: idk man, I got the day one patch like the day after I preloaded W3 on my Xbox one.

u got owned3324d ago

So there it is, 1080pr at its fullest. Patch does improves frame rate though it comes with some cons. For the most part frame-rate varies between 30-40fps, with v-sync engaged to avoid tearing. They should do another patch and cap it at 30fps. I don't see the point of having it unlocked.

The vs analysis will be interesting, PS4 its native 1080p but early reports based on review code suggest that Sony's hardware frame-rate is an issue. Probably something that will be fixed with the patch.

Christopher3324d ago

The whole dynamic resolution thing is just their way of getting around not saying their game runs in 900p. The game can run 1080p for 5m of the 200 hour game and they can still claim "dynamic 1080p resolution."

Perjoss3324d ago

I hope MS learns from this generation and starts off the next gen with some powerful hardware or simply give up and go back to PC.

This is not simply fanboy rubbish as it has been shown in the past that the weaker systems hold back other systems and advancements in gaming in general.

3324d ago
BeefCurtains3324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

@Porsche:

LOL, you mean, "stay in school", you know, since we are all grammar police now.

CDPR should have never claimed dynamic resolution with the results we are seeing. This will surely cause more PR lash back than if they had simply called it 900p from the get go.

The game still looks like a blast.

Mr Pumblechook3323d ago

With no tangible benefit to game performance It sounds like dynamic scaling was used so that Microsoft could say claim 1080p as a bullet point, so the XBO version is listed the same as other versions but this performance actually makes it seem dishonest.

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dantesparda3324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

I know I'll get hated for saying this but the game's panning looks choppy. And here are your "devs know best", and "their artistic vision" at work. Instead of locking it down to 30fps and making sure there is no frame pacing, for a smooth experience, no, they instead leave it unlocked with all sorts of frame pacing issues. And their optimization patch actually lowers the AF and the AO. Yeah, sounds like devs really know best. When everybody and their mother has been saying for years now to make the frame rates stable with no frame pacing on these games. Yet none of these devs seem to get it.

And this is definitely another case of the game being 1080PR on the X1. CODAW is another game that mainly runs at the lower res (like 95% of the time). But now people will think and claim its 1080p.

nX3324d ago

Well it's a freaking huge game with technology that I've not seen anywhere else yet (unfortunately I can't find the video where they show that only objects within camera range are being rendered by the engine) so I'd assume that their ambition was just too high for current-gen consoles. I'd be curious to see some benchmarks of high end graphics cards running the game on max settings - that way you could tell how bad it really is.

kevnb3324d ago

Did you think the frame pacing of God of war 3 was bad? Locking the framerate at 30 fps isn't really a solution, God of war 3 would of been much less fluid.

ninsigma3323d ago

@Bloodborn

only rendering what's in the camera isn't new tech. It's called occlusion culling, meaning anything not see by the camera angle, including half objects (if half of an object is hidden behind another object) are not rendered. It's used a lot and something I've implemented myself for projects at college.

Bigpappy3324d ago

Ok, nothing new or note worthy from where I stand. I already knew it wasn't 1080p, already knew the patch slightly improves the frame rate. DF didn't give much useful information in this analysis that wasn't already disclosed.

Transistor3324d ago

Just so you know, this comes off as denial.

Whatever though, don't let it stop you from enjoying the W3 on Xbox One.

FullmetalRoyale3324d ago

They aren't in the business of giving YOU different facts, they are in the business of giving you facts.

sigfredod3324d ago Show
MasterCornholio3324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

The heck?

I thought the dynamic resolution would apply to all parts of the game. Not just the title screen and prerendered cutscenes.

This really isn't funny at all because I find it quite deceptive. They did promise dynamic 1080P for the whole game. Limiting it to just the title screen and the prerendered cutscenes is insulting in my opinion.

Anyways with that said the game still looks and plays great on the XB1. I'm sure they will fix the minor frame pacing issues soon.

Volkama3324d ago

"Dynamic 1080p" wouldn't really make much sense. What they said was "dynamic scaling from 900p to 1080p".

I wouldn't say it's insulting or even deceitful. The resolution is dynamic, and those are the upper and lower limits.

Maybe some people were hoping it'd be weighted more towards the high end of that, but... meh. Sounds like the stuttering frame delivery is a bigger issue in the visual presentation of the game.

Christopher3324d ago

***I wouldn't say it's insulting or even deceitful. ***

Completely disagree with that. It's obvious that the whole thing said it would be in "certain" instances when the reality it's for "almost the entirety of the game". To be honest, no one really cares about 1080p cut scenes when the rest of the game runs in 900p.

This is just MS' way to refer to their game as anything but being 900p. Now people can run off and spout that the game scales dynamically, which doesn't at all change the reality that it's a 900p game with 1080p cut scenes.

Does that make it a worse game? Nope. But it is pretty dishonest of them to try and sell the game as anything but 900p. Same way how KZ2 multiplayer wasn't native 1080p, but software generated 1080p.

MasterCornholio3324d ago

@Christopher

Glad you understood my point.

When developers mention something like "dynamic resolution" everyone expects that to be the whole game not certain parts of it. Which is why its dishonest of them in my opinion.

I agree with you that Microsoft is probably behind the whole thing since they really dont want 900P associated with the XB1 version of the game especially with the marketing deal that they have behind it.

But like you said that doesn't mean that XB1 version is terrible. It only means that the developers were a little not dishonest that's all.

Kind of like when Guerilla claimed that all of killzone was 1080P when it was only the single player that was.

Volkama3323d ago

But it isn't 900p for all the gameplay. The digital foundry article says quite plainly that the resolution seems to increase a bit on indoor sections.

900p isn't technically accurate.
1080p isn't technically accurate.
Dynamic resolution between 900p and 1080p is technically accurate.

I can understand why you might say it was misleading as perhaps CDPR spun it as a positive, when in fact it's not particularly beneficial. But to call them deceitful and insulting is just too strong when they didn't lie or insult anyone.

Christopher3323d ago

***I can understand why you might say it was misleading as perhaps CDPR spun it as a positive, when in fact it's not particularly beneficial. But to call them deceitful and insulting is just too strong when they didn't lie or insult anyone.***

Wait... you can understand why we say it's misleading but not deceitful?

Deceitful: guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others.

*confused Jackie Chan image here*

Volkama3323d ago

What a pedandic counter that is.

The game is not 900p, and CDPR have not said anything that is a lie. Microsoft afaik haven't even commented at all. Your argument falls totally flat, and wreaks of concern-trolling. Which is a fine example for a mod to set.

Christopher3322d ago (Edited 3322d ago )

1. Pedantic. And if you think me bringing up that you don't understand the definition of a word primary to your argument is pedantic, then we've got major problems here with your inability to understand how debates work.

2. You don't have to lie to be deceitful or misleading. You just not have to tell the whole truth. Guess what, that's exactly what they've done.

3. *roll eyes at calling me a troll because you disagree with me and don't know the definition of deceptive*

Volkama3322d ago (Edited 3322d ago )

Look at the context of the way I used "deceitful" and it's quite clear that I don't share that view myself. I don't feel CDPR were deceitful. You are bringing up a dictionary definition of the word to counter an argument I'm not even trying to make. Yes, that's pedantic.

I called you a "concern troll", because you are feigning concern. You have no intention of buying the Xbox version of the game and never did, so you have not been mislead. Or have I got that wrong? Honestly?

:rolls eyes even harder than you did:

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RocketScienceLvlStuf3324d ago ShowReplies(2)
starrman19853324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

And almost instantly this is turned into a debate about the Xbox One's resolution rather than the issue at hand here which is should you, or shouldn't you install the day one patch...

personally I'd take smoother overall gameplay at the sacrifice of choppy pre-rendered cut scenes. It's a shame we can't have both though!

MK24ever3324d ago

Those two things are directly related, so why not mention it? This patch should have made the game playable in 1080p at some points, the only points it displays at 1080P is when you're NOT playing the game, but watching instead.

Transistor3324d ago

It's not about the resolution of the game, it's about how deceiving it was talking about dynamic resolution when it basically breaks down to menus, video cut scenes and minor fluctuations indoor.

It never hits 1080p during gameplay.

starrman19853324d ago

I'm not denying that the 1080p comments aren't related. I just find it rather sad that 90% of the comments are just bashing the resolution debate once more!

Volkama3324d ago Show
3324d ago
Christopher3324d ago

They are all related in the news. It's not like DF themselves didn't bring up resolution as a major element in their own video.

And are we really kidding ourselves that the majority of the talk wouldn't be about the resolution? I think everyone agrees that it would be best to have the benefits of the initial and the day 1 patch, but the reality is only a handful of people won't install the day 1 patch. Especially considering it will be required for the next patch that will improve other aspects of the game.

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Dario_DC3324d ago

Just got the game for the PS4 waiting for the patch to download :)
I think the frame rate issues come from the game being unlock... Should be 30FPS locked, frame pacing issues looks like the game's dropping to low 20s when its not at all

Christopher3324d ago

Yeah, surprised they didn't go for 30fps locked. But, I think this is because it probably still dips below 30fps on both at certain times. Not massively, but probably at least by 1-2 fps.

kevnb3324d ago (Edited 3324d ago )

Locking the framerate doesn't fix frame pacing issues, the reason for a 30 fps lock usually have to do with vsync. The fix on pc games is to enable dynamic vsync or better yet, gsync/ free sync.

MK24ever3324d ago ShowReplies(5)
Julion07153324d ago

Dnt feel bad for us we knew what it was when we bought it and guess what we love it for what it is

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110°

The 7 Best Western RPGs: Immersive Adventures

RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.

SimpleSlave79d ago

"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!

How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera

And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

DustMan79d ago

Loved Alpha Protocol in all it's glorious jank. Great game.

SimpleSlave79d ago (Edited 79d ago )

Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.

Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.

Pity.

230°

All the Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Given the medium's wild diversity, this primer of the essential video games everyone should try is a good place to start.

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thorstein103d ago

.... from the 2000s (mostly).

shinoff2183103d ago

I can't fk with this list. They missed on alot of games probably before the writers times. Also I know people loved some portal but I was never a fan.

Cacabunga103d ago

Tomb Raider 1
Driver 1
Abe’s Odyssey
FF6
King of Fighters 94
Mortal Kombat OG
LINK 2 the past
Street Fighter 2
Resident Evil 1

Inverno103d ago

Infinite but not the first two games? Witcher 3 but not the first two games?? GTA V but not literally any of the games before it??? Portal 2 but not the first? Also if you're going to play Shadow of The Colossus play the remaster and not the remake. Can't say I disagree with the list but my man it's all over the place.

Name Last Name103d ago

I mean some sequels are objectively better and you don’t need to play the whole series.

Inverno103d ago

But most of these games have a story to follow, sure you can catch up with a YouTube vid but where's the fun in that?

LucasRuinedChildhood103d ago (Edited 103d ago )

A list like this isn't telling you not to play the previous games if you want to. It's just giving you legendary games to play.

But tbh, you don't always have to force yourself to play every entry in a franchise to get to the better ones.

- The vast majority of Witcher 3 players never played the first 2 and had a great time. The first 2 games aren't in the same league.
- The GTA games are self-contained with the odd fun reference. You can easily jump into any of them.
- The Shadow Of The Colossus remake looks and controls better than the original (plus it has a 60fps option while the remaster is just 30fps). New players will enjoy it more.
- Portal 2 is a lot better than Portal 1 and takes the concept much further gameplay-wise. Storywise, Portal 1 is fairly light too. Not that you shouldn't play it but realistically ... you'd love Portal 2 whether you play it or not (at lot of Portal 2 players have never played 1).

Bioshock 1 is the only one I agree with you on simply because it's one the best games of all time and arguably better than Infinite. No other setting like Rapture.

Looking at the list, I'd recommend playing Uncharted 1 before 2 but no doubt, 2 is the legendary one you have to play.

Inverno102d ago

I get it, but that's just my opinion on his opinion. I just think that before you play a sequel you should still play what came before it. Maybe it's just me but i find it fascinating playing through the first game in a series and seeing how it has evolved through its sequels. Like I said I don't disagree with the list, other than SoTC which I strongly believe the remaster of the original should be played above the remake.

AuraAbjure102d ago

Awesome list! Hot take on Fear (and it's hard af expansion Persaus Mandate!) Bioshock Infinite is stellar, so is the Witcher 3 and you nailed it by having Ocarina of Time. So many fantastic games! Gotta play 'em all! Next one on my list is Prey after I beat Dead Space 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction.

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80°

The Best Video Game Romances of All Time

Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.

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