Skip to Content

AOL Games

Armored Core 4 trailer comparison results and analysis

A while ago, IGN uploaded a pair of direct-feed trailers for the next-gen title Armored Core 4, one trailer running on PS3 hardware, the other on the Xbox 360. Without revealing which one ran on which console, we asked our readers to take a blind taste test and compare the two side by side and tell us which one struck you as having the graphical upper hand. The results are in, and so, as judged by Joystiq readers, which Armored Core trailer is graphically superior?
Joystiq Poll

As you can see, 39% of those polled found the second trailer to be more impressive than the first. And which console did the second trailer belong to? Perhaps suprisingly, it was the Xbox 360. Of course, as many of you were keen to point out, these were pre-rendered trailers; they don't imply anything about the graphical prowess of either system. Instead, let's change tack and take a look at what this means from a game developer's standpoint.

By all accounts, the PlayStation 3 absolutely should have more graphical horsepower than the Xbox 360. It's been in development longer, is being released several months later, features a next-gen optical drive, and will cost approximately two limbs and a virgin princess. If that's the case, then why doesn't the PS3's copy of the trailer reflect the benefit of its hardware? We've already seen gorgeous real-time renditions of Unreal and Metal Gear Solid 4, so we know it has the capacity to blow us away, at the very least.

However, weve also heard varying reports that the PS3 will be notoriously difficult to program for. This makes little difference for exclusive titles such as Metal Gear and Killzone, but could mean everything for games spanning multiple consoles. How many developers will be willing to spend the time and effortspeak nothing of the resourcesof taking a game built for the Xbox 360 and bringing it to fully realize its potential on the PS3? And lets not forget Nintendo, who are reportedly making ease of development one of their top priorities. If this is true, then whats to stop developers from initially creating a title for the Revolution and merely porting it to the 360 and PS3 with some minor tweaks, enhanced textures, and an improved framerate? We all know that the PS3 has potential, but just how many developers will be bold enough to turn that potential into reality?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Joystiq Features





Featured Galleries

Ivy the Kiwi (Windows Mobile)

Ivy the Kiwi (Windows Mobile)

Firefighter 360 (iPhone 3GS)

Firefighter 360 (iPhone 3GS)

Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights (iPhone)

Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights (iPhone)

Monster Rancher DS (11/10/09)

Monster Rancher DS (11/10/09)

Again (DS) (11/10/09)

Again (DS) (11/10/09)

Deadly Premonition (Xbox 360)

Deadly Premonition (Xbox 360)

Dawn of Heroes (DS)

Dawn of Heroes (DS)

ToeJam & Earl 4 concept art/pitch

ToeJam & Earl 4 concept art/pitch

Comet Crash

Comet Crash

 


Team Joystiq

 
Chris Grant
Editor-in-Chief, Email
James Ransom-Wiley
Managing Editor, Email
Ludwig Kietzmann
Senior Editor, Email
Andrew Yoon
East Coast Editor, Email
Randy Nelson
West Coast Editor, Email
Justin McElroy
Reviews Editor, Email
Justin Glow
Developer, Email

Joystiq Podcast

New episodes every Friday! Now playing: Joystiq Podcast 115, for Friday, Oct., 30.



Archive | RSS | iTunes