Microsoft runs a tight ship and demands a certain level of quality in its 360 games. Considering the quality of the 360 itself, that's quite ironic, but nevertheless there are standards that software developers must adhere to. One of those standards have always been a minimum resolution of 1280x720 (720p). However, that is no longer the case.
Black Rock Studio's David Jefferies has confirmed that Microsoft recently dropped the requirement, meaning that future Xbox 360 games no longer need to be in high definition. Previously, the only studio allowed to do this was Bungie, for which the requirement was apparently "waived" for Halo 3.
"Now we are free to make the trade-off between resolution and image quality as we see fit," says Jefferies, explaining how this is a good thing and how anti-aliasing can now be a more primary concern for developers.
It's interesting that Microsoft has dropped the requirement, especially with so many developers acting like HDTVs are in every single American home, which simply isn't the case. Things like Dead Rising's notoriously tiny text are perfect examples of how bullheaded the industry's been over HD, despite the fact that many gamers still have standard-definition televisions. This downgrade at first sounds strange, but is quite logical when you think about it.
Besides which, Halo 3 still looked pretty damn good.
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Contest:
8:40 AM on 09.03.2009
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I had to say that the PS3 and Xbox360 both decided on what by PC standards is ancient cards to begin with. I'm surprised they squeeze as much as they do out of them. Though I just have to poke fun at the Xbox360 for giving up on standards :) .
Xbox360 is now officially the SD console.
Wait, I don't have a 360, and it's a 13 in screen...damnit...
XP
This restriction lifting probably only applies in practice to the 'clock or masturbatory aid' segment known as community games, so they can churn out junk that looks like double-junk on HD screens without stressing themselves overmuch.
I wasn't aware Halo was lower than 720p, possibly because all I saw was a white screen because of the oh god bloom it burns.
But from what I understand hdtv sales have been on the rise, this might end up biting them in the ass, if they were gonna do this last year seemed like a better time.
It's a concession to the people that somehow can afford $300 consoles, but can't afford an HDTV. I saved my money and bought a good output device so I didn't have to have peasantvision in my TV and games.
The console industry tried to follow the PC gaming industry by making games that *required* upgrades to enjoy at their best.
@PhazonYoshi It was 632 or something like that. Stretched to 720p. Call of Duty games are like this also. Though I think 680 something.
It's noticeable. Maybe not to someone who's use to SD but it's definitely noticeable. They usually turn it down to add other effects like bloom and all that. These old cards in these consoles just can't handle it.
Also just to point out to everyone, since I notice the cluelessness. They will all still be 720p either software/hardware upscaled.
I'm sure that virtually all of the games coming out will still support 720p resolution, but I'll be pissed if I pick up a 360 game and it's 480p. I bought 360/PS3 and my HDTV for a reason.
Google Modern Warfare 2 600p
Take your pick of articles.
Are you kidding me? Good HDTVs are not $300.
Besides which, that text in Dead Rising was TOO small. Even on an HDTV, it's tiny.
But it will also allow them to release even more visual drek like Spectral Souls--
"Spectral Force 3 also failed to engage visually. While graphical flair may be less important in a strategy RPG title, I couldn't help but think this looked like a game on the one of the previous generation of consoles. Think of a higher-resolution Gamecube title and you'll be on the right page."
http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-spectral-force-3-98769.phtml
But it will also allow them to release even more visual drek like Spectral Souls--
"Spectral Force 3 also failed to engage visually. While graphical flair may be less important in a strategy RPG title, I couldn't help but think this looked like a game on the one of the previous generation of consoles. Think of a higher-resolution Gamecube title and you'll be on the right page."
http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-spectral-force-3-98769.phtml
I think you can actually go lower than $300 for a good HDTV. If your straight replacing what you have already which is probably going to be 32" TV for a 720p you can easily hit $300 or even under.
The fact is that this will change very little for quality games/developers. It's not like the devs for 'AAA' titles are suddenly jumping for joy thinking 'Finally, we don't have to look GOOD anymore!'
There is still going to be demand for games that look pretty and developers are going to cater to that demand, not even because it's a demand, but because they want to release a quality of product.
People still play COD4 on both systems and neither of them ran natively at 720p.
There are a few big name (and some not-so-big-name) titles that ran natively in Sub-HD on the 360:
Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty 4, Conan, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fifa 2006, Fifa 2007, Ninja Gaiden 2, Project Gotham Racing 3 and Tomb Raider Legend.
GTAIV ran sub-HD on the PS3 as I'm sure a variety of other games did.
It doesn't make a difference to me.
$300 will get you a console that you know is the top of its generation. It's still a lot of money to spend on a TV that you know isn't up to scratch.
Are you kidding? You must be blind, or you weren't looking at HD content on a HDTV.
Once you go HD you never go back.
It's incredibly cheap, and fairly easy.
Or better yet, Got a HDMI compatible monitor? Just plug the consoles into your monitor.
It still baffles me that more people aren't doing this.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9230708&type=product&id=1218063831450
You were saying? And I don't really see how 720p is near-obsolete when you have all these people saying that most current games render at less than that. Besides, 720p on a screen that small is just fine. If you're going 40" or 50", then you want a 1080p set.. but otherwise, most people won't be able to see the difference.
Fact: This isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I understand not everyone has the money to get a tv like that, or even an interest...but really that's what the Wii and PSPs and DS' are for. Go play those...use your computer... pirate or something while the rest of us build this juggernaut of awesome into something that will continue to grow and offer us the awe inspiring moments that we all kinda need from day to day hahaha
Ahhhhh we're all fat losers aren't we?...k maybe just me... :)
I think the idea here is that if you're getting an HDTV, most people want to do it right, and get a nice, big, fuck-off TV. The main point I'm trying to address is the argument that if you can afford a 360, you can afford an HDTV. While technically true, as shown by the evidence provided here, I think many people would rather hold out for the bigger, more expensive TVs than hook their monitor up or somesuch. I just think it's churlish to claim that if you can get a console, you can easily pluck up another wad of cash for a television.
Also, it's not graphics are going back to the N64 era so everyone should just calm down and remember that graphics are not everything.
@Milo128
A marority of Wii developers don't really give a fuck and will release any thing they churn out. On the other hand this is just people complaining about SD which still looks better than half the shit on the Wii.
and 300-600 will get you a very nice HDTV. The base model Sony and Samsung LCD TVs are made of the same parts and made in the same plants in china as the vizios and westinghouses, they just charge you for the prestige. Off brand LCD HDTVs have come a long way. A month ago, I got a 37" Sceptre for 450 after tax and shipping. Sceptre is in the monitor business, and they tried their hands at HDTVs. The two are nearly identical, and I love my sceptre monitor and my sceptre hdtv.
Some poorly known brands that get good customer reviews and good professional reviews are olevia, westinghouse, and sceptre. but with a little research, you shouldnt fear off brand names, because many of them are as good as the big boys, but much cheaper.
vizio started off as a no name, but built up a reputation as a good middle of the road brand. now they charge middle of the road prices, but the quality of the tvs was always good. vizios quality didnt improve, their brand recognition did, and is reflected in the price.
I managed to get through Mass Effect later, but things like Timeshift and Assassin's Creed were unplayable because I simply could not read the tiny, tiny text instructions. Eventually I picked up an HDTV, and found out some of those games that had been collecting dust for a year were alright. Some of them still sucked though.
So this is great news, can't believe it took them this long to figure it out.
also, thank you for reminding me of the horrors of dead rising's text...that game pissed me off to no end.
Sure, maybe everyone doesn't have an HDTV yet, but they're infinitely more affordable--about the price of an SDTV just four years ago for a 22".
Don't let them off the hook. It's downgrading something that doesn't need to be.
so true. haha, loves the microsoft bias.
and if sony did this... TITLE: OMG SONY SUCKZ, THEY DON"T EVEN REQUIRE HD on GAMEZ!LAMEZ!