Before releasing the Xbox One and PS4, Microsoft and Sony both announced plans to continue supporting the Xbox 360 and PS3, to many fans’ appeasement. However, when each console launched and cross-gen games released, many fans of the Xbox One and PS4 started expressing distaste at the parity that comes with developers supporting multiple generations simultaneously.
The main problem that Xbox One and PS4 owners have is that their versions of cross-gen games are ‘gimped’. Whenever developers design games that operate on consoles from both generations, they often have to sacrifice certain aspects of their games to account for the lowest common denominator. These sacrifices can include anything from content to graphics – basically anything that would lessen the previous gen’s performance needs trimming.
Think of running away from a pack of zombies in a group. Assuming you aren’t the type of person to abandon your friends in a tight situation, you’d slow down to help those slower than you. If everyone in the group adheres to the same logic, then the group itself is only as fast as its slowest runner. Games that operate cross-gen work the same way – the improved hardware in the Xbox One and PS4 lies somewhat dormant because they have to slow down for the Xbox 360 and PS3 to keep up.
There are a number of problems that developers face with situations such as these. For example, they have to first decide on which generation to support. Do they make a game exclusive to next-gen, taking advantage of its power, but only broadcasting to around 15 million people? Or, do they create for multiple generations, and hundreds of millions of people, but take away their access to better hardware?
It’s in this dilemma that developers have to deal with at the start of every new generation – unfortunately, the difference in the outcome is noticeable. Fans were incredibly happy heading into this gen with the knowledge that both Microsoft and Sony are continuing support for the previous consoles. The realization that supporting last gen also means giving this gen a limp hit gamers hard, and they almost suffer because of it.
Take a look at Battlefield 4. The game itself is quite visually impressive, but no doubt hindered by the fact that DICE rushed to release it across multiple generations. An example in this difference is that the Xbox 360 and PS3 player limits cap at 32, whilst the Xbox One and PS4 allow for 64. Exclusive titles such as Infamous: Second Son, however, look and play amazingly simply because the developers don’t have to sacrifice elements of the advanced hardware (compared to the PS3).
Another example of companies taking into account differences in power is the upcoming port of Grand Theft Auto V to the Xbox One and PS4 – it took so long because Rockstar wants to squeeze the most they can (at the moment) out of the hardware, rather than slap together a port over a month or so. Other upcoming titles, such as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare also take advantage of next-gen hardware, with Sledgehammer Games developing for the Xbox One and PS4 while a co-developer handles the remaining versions.
Given the mixed feelings many gamers have on this situation – what do you think should happen? Should developers continue to support the Xbox 360 and PS3 simply to sell to a larger audience, which in turn gives them more money to continue making games? Or should they focus solely on the Xbox One and PS4, which offers them better hardware and more resources to create games that go above and beyond?
One thing is for sure: it’s going to be a long transition, but one we need. Our gaming future depends on letting go of the past.
Note: Featured image sourced from DualShockers.