Developer Interview: Ninja Theory's Marco Salvi Discusses Heavenly Sword's High Dynamic Range Lighting

Ninja Theory's exotic NAO32 rendering method gets explained by one of the minds that developed it.

"information we need to represent the amount of light that passes through every pixel of our picture, so that we can capture a scene in all its color and luminance-range richness. Unfortunately, current low-cost display technologies (common LCDs, CRTs, etc..) can't properly display an HDR image, so we need to go through a process called 'tone mapping' to remap our image to an LDR (Low Dynamic Range) image in order to display it on a screen.

Tone mapping can also be used to simulate the way our eyes slowly adapt to different light conditions. In the end it means a better visual experience for gamers, although it will take time for the industry to get it right."

[THAMMER1]

I have seen some early game play footage and it looks like it will be fun to play. But how will they work in the motion-sensing joystick. That is the question.

[Bhai]

"NAO32 on Xenos would cost developers shading power relative to FP10, however, and they would lose the ability to use the eDRAM for blending as well. So at this time, I believe something like NAO32 makes more sense on RSX than on Xenos."

...Damn I knew for only 100$ more, PS3 is the THING...Blu-ray, Motion sensing, free basic online were just hardware and packages, but now its known that the software rendering techniques also go ways further than 360. Waiting for Next-Gen, when it starts in Nov.

[andy capps]

I saw this article last week, but it should be noted that he didn't say that the RSX was SO much better than the Xenos (even though in the article he does think that the RSX is better). He's just stating that NAO32 is more suited for RSX than Xenos.

[Droidbro]

#2. That's about goddamned it.

[richie007bond]

what u talking about man,software rendering techniques also go ways further than 360,wake up man the 360 gpu is more powerfull than the rsx that much has been proved,the 360 is just as capable as the ps3,look man its me your talking to not some sony drone.they might believe ur mince but the rest of us know better.......

[achira]

hahaaa rsx is powerfuller than the xenos. you cant face the truth looooooooooser.

[Droidbro]

yeah hes right, xenos most powerful on market

[shoota33]

Stfu rsx is more powerful shut your fanboy mouth up.they have not proved nothing this, stop talking out of your ass.

[lilgringo]

Wow when you put it like that I have no choice but to believe you, I mean your're obviously not biased toward any of the systems and you seem very intelligent. YOU'RE MY HERO! *SMILE*

[WOW]

I don't think you guys understand how you look when you make comments like that. I think honestly from everything I read the 360 and ps3 will be very close. It will come down to price and games. Thats it. Stop making us sony fans look stupid PLEASE. I don't think either one of you are developers are programmers. So neither one of you should make statements like that. Its stupid and childish. Come November even with both systems out. Some will enjoy both systems and some will enjoy one. But Fanboys will always think their system is better. I never bought an xbox but I knew that it was better than my ps2. I coudn't even lie to you. I'm not going to lie and say I got my ps2 for the games. I got my ps2 because i loved the original playstation. But my favorite games for the ps2 were Gods of war and GTA games. And yes I have played Halo 2 at my friends house and yes its cool. I wouldn't lie and say its not. But I just can't affort two consoles.

[Guttersnype]

NAO32 was built for RSX. So of course would work better for that than Xenos. Had it been built for Xenos the opposite would have been said.

[360theAssasinsCreed]

I think they are mad that MS dropped this game when it was offered to them, so that's their way of getting back at MS. Regardless this game looks sweet and hope it will have gameplay that is up to par with the graphics.

[The Real Deal]

XBOX 360 / PLAYSTATION 3 PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

SUMMARY
Now that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 specifications have been announced, it is possible to do a real world performance comparison of the two systems.

There are three critical performance aspects of a console:

Central Processing Unit (CPU) performance.

The Xbox 360 CPU architecture has three times the general purpose processing power of the Cell.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) performance

The Xbox 360 GPU design is more flexible and it has more processing power than the PS3 GPU.

Memory System Bandwidth

The memory system bandwidth in Xbox 360 exceeds the PS3's by five times.

The Xbox 360's CPU has more general purpose processing power because it has three general purpose cores, and Cell has just one.

Cell's claimed advantage is on streaming floating point work which is done on its seven DSP processors.

The Xbox 360 GPU has more processing power than the PS3's. In addition, its innovated features contribute to overall rendering performance.

Xbox 360 has 278.4 GB/s of memory system bandwidth. The PS3 has less than one-fifth of Xbox 360's (48 GB/s) of total memory system bandwidth.

CONCLUSION
When you break down the numbers, Xbox 360 has provably more performance than PS3. Keep in mind that Sony has a track record of over promising and under delivering on technical performance. The truth is that both systems pack a lot of power for high definition games and entertainment.

However, hardware performance, while important, is only a third of the puzzle. Xbox 360 is a fusion of hardware, software and services. Without the software and services to power it, even the most powerful hardware becomes inconsequential. Xbox 360 games—by leveraging cutting-edge hardware, software, and services—will outperform the PlayStation 3.

[achira]

stop posting this advertisment, we know that you are an employeer of microsoft. the specs of the ps3 are not out yet, so you cant compare anything. but even if you would compare the specs you use, the ps3 is better (but you must compare it right). every point you make is pure bull sh!t. the bandwidth of the ps3 exeeds the bandwidth of the xbox360. you cant use the numbers for the EDRAM. what a fool. how can someone be so ignorant ??? the cell is developed by IBM and SONY and is the successor of the XBOX360 CPU, it was developed for multimedia and gaming. only such fools like you say its weaker than the xbox360 CPU. go play your boring xbox360... looser.

[Droidbro]

this is where ms employees spend all their freetime????

[The Real Deal]

Facts are Facts...
What the Developers Say

Who could be better judges of hardware than the game developers themselves?

"It's a wonderful machine to work with. I never lied about my impression of the hardware. It's definitely software-friendly hardware. From a developer's perspective, it's exactly the kind of hardware you want to work with."

—Tomonobu Itagaki, leader of Team Ninja and creator of Ninja Gaiden® and the Dead or Alive® series, quoted at E3 2006.

"It's the best development environment I've seen on a console."

—id Software's John Carmack on Xbox 360, quoted at QuakeCon 2005 (reported on GameSpy).

"The advantage of the Xbox 360 is that it's designed to run our game, period. You know if you have a 360 it will look as good as it can possibly look no matter what system you choose."

—Pete Hines from developer Bethesda, quoted on 1up.com.

"I can't speak much for Sony right now—yeah, we're working on stuff for the PS3 but honestly I'm so busy with Gears [of War] that it's all I'm seeing and I can tell you—Microsoft is giving you a hell of a system. This thing is a BEAST and is capable of MUCH GREATNESS."

—Cliff "Cliffy B" Bleszinski, creator of the Xbox 360 shooter Gears of War™, on his 1up.com blog.

That Indefinable Quality
Talk about numbers all day—and without a doubt, the numbers on Xbox 360 show how powerful the new console is. But beyond simple numbers, there's the power of having one system that serves as the center of your entertainment lifestyle.

Xbox 360 isn't just about swinging its stats around like a club, it's about bringing you into the club. The Media Center Extender, wireless adaptability, an endless variety of USB-compatible hardware, and of course the greatest games in the world make the power of Xbox 360 crystal clear.

Welcome to the next generation of gaming with Xbox 360.

[achira]

whats your point. we all knew that ms can make good development kits. my favorite programming environment is visual c++ 6.0 from microsoft. it does not mean that the xbox360 is the best console. but sony can make better hardware. in the end the ps3 will be better. period. you cant face the truth, ps3 is better than the xbox360. ohhhh... go make suicide...

[Droidbro]

actually it does mean the 360 is the best console

[WOW]

I'm not going to lie. Xbox 360 is cool. I don't have one but my best friend does. It is definately next gen so I don't know why my sony friends say its not. It makes us look stupid. I am not stupid and I wish achira and some of the others would stop acting like that. I can't afford to get the 360 and the ps3 so I am going to get the ps3. I'm going to be honest again....I am worried about whether the ps3 will be able to compete with 360 on the gaming front. It just seems that Microsoft is building more and more steam as time goes by. All my friends at brag so much about their 360's. And if I could afford it I would get both. If ps3 under performs I will be soooooooo MAD. And all my friends will laugh at me. I have stood by sony this long. I just wish they would have made it without the blu ray drive. Gosh.....

[The Real Deal]

See, I can repect that. But I think you should really try to get an xbox 360. 300 dollars gets you in the door. IGN ps3 tells its sony readers they would be missing out on some exclusive content if they don't. But I respect your allegance to sony. I will get a ps3 too. But like you...I'm not excited about it. Blu ray was a bad move by sony. I wish other sony fanboys had common sense and just didn't bash for the sake of bashing. lol....

[achira]

dont listen to this idiot above me, wait till the launch of the ps3. and when the ps3 is not good enough you can buy everything you want.

[WOW]

Achira why do you do that. I have read quite a few of his posts. And yes it seems like he works for microsoft. But I believe he is just being informative. I have never heard him say " SONY SUCKS" or "HE'S AN IDIOT"...I can respect what he is trying to do. Inform the masses. But I still will get a ps3. I play my friends 360 all the time. And to be honest if the ps3 doesn't impress me after I spend 600 dollars I most likely will get an xbox brand product for the first time when Microsoft has its first price drop. But thats ONLY if ps3 underperforms. I know what next gen is, from my friends 360. So ps3 better live up to my expectations this time around.

[Droidbro]

1. achira is still a f4ggot
2. kairbu is a new f4ggot
3. shake is pretty cool. do you like cheese?

[DrunKao]

I swear, you must be the best sony fan ever.

[WOW]

Thanks? I'm comfortable with sony thus far. Just a tad concerned with the ps3/blu ray choice.

[OutLaw]

It is refreshing to see a fan of your respect for games. I hope you could find room for both systems. I myself have a 360 and love it. But if Sony could pull it off I will also purchase a PS3. Especially Heavenly Sword. But the verdict is still out.

[no_more_heroes]

Hopefully I can end up getting both. I was trying to hold off on getting a 360 but I can't anymore. I saw my friend's own and now I really want one. In the PS3's case, I will wait until it gets down to $400 at least because all I really want for it right now is Heavenly Sword and Resistance: Fall of Man and thats over $700 right there (Heavenly Sword isn't even for launch anymore) and I really should NOT be spending that much on a a videogame console.

I'm looking forward to GoW, Enchanted Arms, Ninety Nine Nights and Test Drive Unlimited on the 360 right now. Lost Planet and Halo 3 early next year.(Notice the games I like there is actual in-game footage of except for Halo 3 which was a "real-time" trailer even though they haven't lied about that kind of thing before?) I wish I had the 360 now. It would have been an awesome birthday present.

[Unknownunknown]

The Xenos is clearly superior to the rsx no question about it and he's talking about framebuffer techniques? Yea.. lets ignore the fact that the 360 has more than 5 times the framebuffer bandwidth of the ps3.
Lets also ignore the 360's 48 shader units that can be dedicated to pixel or vertex shading compared to the rsx's 24 for pixel and and 8 for vertex. Lets also ignore 512MB of unified memory for the 360 and 256MB max at any given time in a ps3 game due to its split memory banks. Hey how about forgetting the fact that the 360 totally whipped up on the ps3 at E3 in the graphics department with real games. Where was the much hyped Killzone at? Wanna bet Halo 3 massacres Killzone in every sense of the word? Why did Lost Planet outdo everything playable for the ps3 at E3? Why did Mass Effect a game developers thought was unfit for showing on the showfloor look better than everything shown for the ps3? Why exactly was sony showing off Gran Turismo 4 only in high definition? If thats forza 2's competition be prepared to see Gran Turismo put to shame.
Did anyone know there has been recent updates to the 360's API which now allows capabilities that weren't achievable before? Meaning we've yet to see the true power of the console? Hell in a nutshell EVERY 360 title that didn't start development march 2006 will likely not be taking advantage of this. The 360 has much mileage left in the tank just be prepared to be blown away.
The 360 gpu's 16 Gigasamples per second fillrate when 4XMSAA is enabled can't be touched by the ps3's gpu. The ps3 will be a great console and there will be games that show it off properly, but in terms of real world games I think the 360 is the superior console that doesn't mean I wont purchase a ps3 anyway for the games I really want to play.

The 360 gpu has many beyond Shader Model 3.0 capabilities that the ps3 gpu can't touch its only a matter of time folks. You best believe the console with the superior gpu is without a doubt the 360.

[shoota33]

your a fanboy PERIOD.Get the hell out of ps3 news.go play xbox 1.5 if its so good.Everyone knows ps3 is more powerful moron.

[WOW]

why do you do that? No everyone doesn't know. I'm a sony fanboy but even I don't know if it will be more powerful. I hope its at least as good or I will be pissed. I thought I was getting one the beginning of 2006 from wat Sony announced last year. And now I'm waiting for November. But stop saying everyone knows ps3 is more powerful and then call people names. You give sony fanboys like myself a bad name and you sound really ignorant. We hope. We don't know. Unless you are a developer and have a game 95 percent done....then you can speak on it. Otherwise be respectful of other gamers. Xbox 360 is awesome. I don't have one but I have played my friends. I just hope the ps3 is at least as awesome. But what microsoft has done is make their console attractive. Gears of War, Halo 3, Mass Effect. As a gamer you can't tell me your a tad curious about those titles. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. And when my friend buys them, I know I will be anxious to play them. But I can only afford one system right now and I have always liked Sony. But stop with your nonsense.

[Droidbro]

i though it was called xbox 360

[WOW]

The xbox 360 fanboys are only repeating info that developers have been saying. I have read a lot of what these guys post. Its not like they are saying " 360 is more powerful and everyone knows that" They are actually stating numbers and facts to back their opinions. Numbers and facts provided by Sony at E3 and the dev kits they have out now. So its only natural that people give real world comparissons. I don't take offense to that. Why do you? I have the wait and see out look. But it all may be true. But hopefully Sony will surprise people. If they do. I'm sure all gamers will want one. I just think they messed up with blu ray. Thats my opinion. I want games. I want ps3 games. I don't want blu ray movies. I know many sony fans agree. So why should I have to pay for the blu ray portion of the console? I wish they would have had two sku's. One with blu ray and one without blu ray. Same hardware...just the option on blu ray. Because thats the only reason why its so much more expensive than the competition. But thats my thoughts. Coming from a sony fan myself.

[achira]

i am not sure if you a sony fan. it seems you a xbox360 fan. can it be that you pretend to be a sony fan ?

[Karibu]

Luvfossony is a xbox360 fanboy. Every time someone makes lame BS comment about X360, he/she's on that persons throat. But when someone makes lame BS comment about PS3... he/she shuts up.

[Shake]

hump

[WOW]

You guys are a joke. Now telling me I'm not a Sony Fan. I have never owned a Microsoft game console. I only have Sony Game consoles. I truly love Sony. But that doesn't mean I have to call people names or that I have to not use my head when people are debating their opinions. Achira, karibu... You two are a disgrace to all true sony fans. Sony fan doesn't mean you bash anyone who thinks differently. You guys are immature by the comments you make about xbox 1.5. Why? It makes no sense to me. So if being a sony fan in your book means bash others who think differently then I guess in YOUR book I'm not. But Sony thusfar has recieved all my money from Playstaion to the ps2. I mean I even when I go buy a tv only buy sony. Same with cam corders, sterio equipment, ect. So i'm a real sony fan. You guys are just jerks who disguise as sony fans.

[Karibu]

Oh really, show me one coment where I dissed or wrote BS about X360. And you are odd person too, at one point none of your friend have x360, then some of them does and then only your best friend , make up your mind.

You repeat too much "I'm not lying", that's really suspicious. Like I said, you are ready to prove BS comments about X360 wrong, but the same doesnt happen with BS comments about PS3.

[The Real Deal]

Sony fans fighting with eachother. When I play basketball against a group of 5 other guys and the guys on the opposing team start arguing amongst eachother....thats when we know they are loosing and frustrated. Thats when my team really puts the burners on them and blow them out. LuvforSony.....you have got to be Sony's number one fan. I bet you even have sony underware. lol...Naw just messing with you. Like I told you before...Jump in. Its not a big hit on your pockets. 300 dollars gets you in the next generation.
P.S. did you see the vid comparisson of Sonic on the ps3 and the 360? Check it out. More reason to Jump in now and not wait on your beloved Sony. Then buy the ps3 when you see a game out that impresses you. Just my thoughts.

[Droidbro]

were so stupid...

[The Real Deal]

No you are just frustrated with how sony is handling things this time around. Its ok. Take a deep breath. Go to your local Best Buy or Walmart and Jump In. Next Gen is now, and not too expensive. Gamers Unite for one cause. Play next gen games.