The next generation of Xbox hardware won't be quite as barn-storming an upgrade as Xbox 360 was over the original Xbox, BioWare's director of art and animation Neil Thompson has told OXM. It'll still be "quite a big leap", mind.
Speaking to OXM in our latest issue - on sale Friday, in the hands of subscribers now - the BioWare veteran promised more innovation in videogame art next gen, providing developers can overcome the associated rise in costs.
"Clearly we still hammer up against the limitations of the hardware on a daily basis and if you push those parameters back, as I'm sure the next-gen will do, we'll hit them again," he began. "I think the main thing is that the industry doesn't get itself into a corner where it becomes economically unviable to make a game.
"The last technology iteration caught folks by surprise - especially the number of people you needed and the skillset jump to do the work that people expected. In the last generation the perception was that it was going to be a ten times improvement over the previous generation. "
"For the next generation there will be quite a big leap, but it won't be as obvious," Thompson revealed. "People will do things in a cleverer fashion - and I have to be careful here as there are non-disclosure agreements involved! I think they'll be better prepared, shall we say - but we can't see a ten-fold team increase again as the budgets would just be ridiculous.
"You'd have to sell 20-30 million copies before you broke even."
We've already pondered the cost of the generational transition on the site this week. Middleware outfits like Epic, id Software and Crytek are jostling for control of the emerging next gen development scene, a war that's predicted to double budgets.
The next Xbox is rumoured to launch in November, for $350-400 in the US. Besides predictable new features like a beefier processer, expanded Kinect functions and more RAM, it's tipped to utilise Microsoft's game-changing Xbox Illumiroom technology.
Don't miss our full interview with Thompson. It ventures well beyond the question of unannounced hardware, encompassing such topics as what to expect from the next Mass Effect, the death of racing games (he created art for Blur and Quantum Redshift, don't you know) and how BioWare has changed (and not changed) post-Muzyka and Zeschuk.
All that's in the context of a massive Bioshock Infinite hands-on and exclusive look at Injustice: Gods Among Us. Remember - out on Friday.
15 comments so far...
ipsofacto on 16 Jan '13 said:
Graphically, there just isn't as far to go. I think overall, with Illumiroom and other fancy new tech (like if it shipped with Kinect v2.0), the overall package would be just as much of a leap forward as last time.
I personally can't wait for a quiet cooling fan on mine. My current Xbox is so loud
Bezza89 on 16 Jan '13 said:
I think that's what we're after, graphics are pretty special as they are, all they need is a higher resolution, better textures, better framerate and then we add all the AI routines and bits that make the worlds seem more real.
trapster on 16 Jan '13 said:
mmm you say a higher resolution but how is that possible as a full HD tv can only display 1920x1080 max some pc monitors are way beyond that so i really dont get how the resolution is going to be more unless they are expecting everyone to go and get a 4k tv ?
msbhvn on 16 Jan '13 said:
The Xbox 360 doesn't render in 1080p. When you set it to 1080p, it's actually 720p upscaled. So true 1080p console gaming would be a leap forward.
xXPiperAlphaXx on 16 Jan '13 said:
Most games are rendered in 720p, with some even lower (Call Of Duty runs at 1024x600). This is down to the hardware and developers having to make sacrifices to keep the frame rate up.
More power=larger and higher resolution textures, better particle effects, depth of field effects, smoother framerates and all at a resolution twice what we have now.
Yes please!
Dawarka mystery on 16 Jan '13 said:
I disagree. Next gen will be mind boggling.
Pompey78 on 16 Jan '13 said:
I expect the next gen to be visually stunning but that it won't grab and hook me like this generation did over the previous. I think we will be getting to the point of close to CGI in some (lower end) films once the next gen matures, or at least I hope we will.
What I hope the next gen will bring to WOW me is better game immersion, better AI and a number of new ideas or products that will hook me and make it my new all in one box under the TV, assuming it is going to be a product that fits under the TV?
I hope that there are functions for the next xbox or playstation that I haven't even thought of yet....
3d game projection..
wireless charging ala some smartphones
ability to pause a game and transfer it to another device where you can pick it up again (sorry that's the Wii U)
some kind of deep social media integration where you don't have to come out of a game to post an update.
a 'dashboard' or interface that with kinect 2.0 recognises me and asks me what I want to play....
oh, just thought... how about NFC tech (is that the right term) in the device control pad or main console that detects that the game I brought and have already installed to hard drive is still in my possession (say it can detect the game within 20 square meters) and so I don't have to keep putting the disc in the tray to verify I still have it to play a game I own. Coupled with the intelligent interface that will ask me if I want to resume my last game of Halo 5 and I say yes and then it's on instantly with no need to put the disc in and say only a 3-5sec load if that
quite pleased with that one
and finally to be able to do something like in back to the future 2 where I can say bring up channels ITV1, SKY News, gamespot and COD live game stream channel and it then fits them all on the TV screen with selected audio from one of those. Oh and I think with more immersive games I think we will see more mainstream pro gamer leagues next gen and a return to good TV programmes covering the next gen game consoles and big competitve tournaments
Bedsidelee on 17 Jan '13 said:
I already purchased a wii u but i don't think i will be buying the new Xbox 720 or the Ps4 , i will be giving this new gen a miss subsequently not as huge a leap that i might have anticipated !
SilentDark on 17 Jan '13 said:
Create a compelling story with great characters and good gameplay and the graphics won't matter.
The one of the worst Eastern RPG of this generation was Final Fantasy XIII, nice HD graphics but a nonsensical story and linear gameplay, it was blown out of the water by Bioware's Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
The best Eastern RPG was Xenoblade Chronicles on the humble Wii, very nice looking for the Wii (probably better looking that some Xbox games, but I'm not going to start an argument about that) but certainly not up to the standard of graphics on anything decent on the 360 or PS3
Xenoblade had better characters, a better story, heck, even better voice acting, one of the last great games on the Wii. But my point is, nice graphics are nice, just don't let it overwhelm everything else and put out a pretty but substandard game.
I suppose that is stating the obvious but just thought I'd say it anyway.
CunningSmile on 17 Jan '13 said:
I like this guy, can we keep him? I promise to feed him
FishyGinger on 17 Jan '13 said:
Not after midnight.
He'll probably just break your heart, they all do.
xXPiperAlphaXx on 17 Jan '13 said:
In the words of Queen "I want it all! (and I want it now!)"
Great graphics can go hand in hand with great gameplay. Just look at Dragon's Lair (1983). Oh actually.......don't.
What I want from the next gen is for the console's capabilities to allow us to play games that aren't possible now. Loads more interactive people/environments/destructible environments/better physics in general. Not just prettier, shinier things but new possibilities because of more processing grunt.
FishyGinger on 17 Jan '13 said:
I just can't see it happening. I reckon costs would get too high at a time when developers are already going out of business.
SilentDark on 17 Jan '13 said:
You make my point with Dragon`s Lair. Pretty but ultimately dull. Let me bring up FMV games. Cutting edge technology at the time, new and exciting for the developers but they focused so much time and effort on the FMV sequences that the quality of the games suffered. While Mass Effect and Dragon Age are great franchises they still don`t hold a candle to Baldur`s Gate. The second one in particular gets everything just right, wonderful characters I really care about, an epic story and compelling gameplay all of which has me still playing the game to this day. Great graphics are all well and good but a well crafted game can overcome graphical limitations and stand the test of time.
wane on 18 Jan '13 said:
The headline of this article is different to what the Dragon Age artist had said...