Battlefield 3 on Xbox 360: "Standard Definition" Without Hi-Res Texture Pack
DICE explains workaround.
DICE is offering Xbox 360 users an optional hi-res texture installation package on the second disc of Battlefield 3 - and has likened the practice to offering a "standard definition" version of the game to users without an Xbox 360 hard drive.
Executive producer Patrick Bach told Gamerzines that the reason for the hi-res texture package is to offer as much content as possible on five-year old console hardware. He explained the difficulties of the Xbox 360 hardware and its texture pack workaround, noting that it does make a noticeable difference to the game.
"The thing with the 360 is that you need to be able to give consumers a game where you don't have to install it on a hard drive, because there are 360s without a hard drive. So we need to give you the option of installing it, rather than just demanding it. You could call it a 'standard-def' version for the 360 if you don't have a hard-drive.
"I think the controversy about this is that we actually let you do it on 360 for once. So what it does is it gives you the same abilities, kind of, as the PC and PS3. You can actually stream information from the hard drive. That's new for Xbox 360, but it's not a new idea for the gaming industry as a whole."
SPOnG spoke to producer Patrick Liu, who also admitted that the studio was trying to "exploit the hardware as much as we can."
It seems that the ambitions of the Frostbite 2 engine is having a major impact on what can be stored and handled on disc. The Xbox 360's second disc offers players the chance to install a collection of hi-res graphical textures and features onto a hard drive, that can be streamed into the game during play.
Bach believes that DICE's "standard definition game" offer is the right path for the studio to take. "Some (developers) just do it like, if it doesn't fit into memory we just make a lesser game. We don't do that. For us, it's about how we can give you the most game ever even though the hardware is over five years old."
Executive producer Patrick Bach told Gamerzines that the reason for the hi-res texture package is to offer as much content as possible on five-year old console hardware. He explained the difficulties of the Xbox 360 hardware and its texture pack workaround, noting that it does make a noticeable difference to the game.
"The thing with the 360 is that you need to be able to give consumers a game where you don't have to install it on a hard drive, because there are 360s without a hard drive. So we need to give you the option of installing it, rather than just demanding it. You could call it a 'standard-def' version for the 360 if you don't have a hard-drive.
"I think the controversy about this is that we actually let you do it on 360 for once. So what it does is it gives you the same abilities, kind of, as the PC and PS3. You can actually stream information from the hard drive. That's new for Xbox 360, but it's not a new idea for the gaming industry as a whole."
SPOnG spoke to producer Patrick Liu, who also admitted that the studio was trying to "exploit the hardware as much as we can."
It seems that the ambitions of the Frostbite 2 engine is having a major impact on what can be stored and handled on disc. The Xbox 360's second disc offers players the chance to install a collection of hi-res graphical textures and features onto a hard drive, that can be streamed into the game during play.
Bach believes that DICE's "standard definition game" offer is the right path for the studio to take. "Some (developers) just do it like, if it doesn't fit into memory we just make a lesser game. We don't do that. For us, it's about how we can give you the most game ever even though the hardware is over five years old."
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Comments
Dreamcast 20 Oct 2011 12:23
1/5
nice job DICE. that took some balls. the CORE or Arcade unit users can hit up Zellers and pick up a USB for 10 bucks. However instead of a second disk DICE why not a pre loaded USB.
ghoti 20 Oct 2011 13:47
2/5
I think the only reason they might have any trouble with this is that they're underselling it by calling it standard definition. Sure, it will be using lower resolution textures, but it's presumably still rendering out at 720p or so. That means you're not getting a standard definition image. I bet the hud, 's higher res and of course polygon edges, etc. will not look the same as if it was rendered at eg. 480p.
I wonder if there's any framerate advantage to be had by sticking with the lower resolution textures and not installing the higher quality ones.
I wonder if there's any framerate advantage to be had by sticking with the lower resolution textures and not installing the higher quality ones.
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lovesomuch 21 Oct 2011 03:27
3/5
Love it so much…do you like dating a sexy mature woman online ? R u a cougar who is seeking a nice cub , or want to meet a younger man ?
[21 Oct 2011, 11:33: Message edited by 'TimSpong'] SPAM
[21 Oct 2011, 11:33: Message edited by 'TimSpong'] SPAM
shatnerzbassoon 21 Oct 2011 06:39
4/5
@lovesomuch
There was only ever one Cougar for me and none of your husseys could ever replace her. May Betty Driver and her perfectly trimmed suculent hot pot rest in peace.
Regarding the textures and stuff... will I get even higher resolutions if I hard wire a Fisher Price Speak and Spell to the 360's USB and run a dynamo from an exercise bike to the power inlet?
There was only ever one Cougar for me and none of your husseys could ever replace her. May Betty Driver and her perfectly trimmed suculent hot pot rest in peace.
Regarding the textures and stuff... will I get even higher resolutions if I hard wire a Fisher Price Speak and Spell to the 360's USB and run a dynamo from an exercise bike to the power inlet?
DrakeWayne 13 Apr 2012 02:42
5/5
I love this game! Best one yet. My most favorite part is the guns! I found this cool place to find all the guns from the game, check it out http://www.airsplat.com/airsoft-video-games.htm Just got my M4 from there and I love it!