The added power of the PlayStation 4 Pro allows developers to increase the resolution and frame-rate of their games, but according to Naughty Dog Lead Programmer Christian Gyrling, the frame-rate when you’re playing multiplayer will be the same, regardless of your PS4:
The main thing that we’re making sure of is that the frame-rates are the same; there’s definitely no frame-rate advantage. You can’t run one at 60 and one at 30. You want to make sure the updates are exactly the same. Today, users have a variation of 720p and 1080p TVs, so this is like one more of those. Even if you have a mix of someone with a PS4 Pro on a 1080p TV, you would still get the perceived detail even though there are not more pixels. I do believe we’re trying to make it so the community as a whole stays coherent and we’re not favoring the high resolution for the PS4 Pro.
Gyrling’s answer came as part of a roundtable attended by Game Informer, where he added that the PS4 Pro adds “a few pixels and details” for games, “but we don’t perceive that as being a huge advantage.”
During the PlayStation Livecast following the PlayStation Meeting, Gyrling offered up a similar comment about frame-rates on PS4 and PS4 Pro:
Everyone is trying to be really cognizant that the game will not run faster, like, higher frame-rates, unless you’re playing a single-player style of game.
But if you’re playing multiplayer games, it will be the same playing field. Base PS4 users, PS4 Pro users, you’re still running the same frame-rate. Yes, you’re running at a higher resolution, you might be seeing it in HDR, but overall it’s a level playing field. We’re not benefiting the PS4 Pro users and skewing the community.
Over on his Twitter account, Gyrling pointed out how Uncharted 4’s multiplayer is 60fps (single-player is 30fps) and anything higher on PS4 Pro would give players an advantage:
“U4 MP is already 60 fps. Higher fps for PS4 Pro would mean disadvantage for PS4 owners.”
“Yes [the graphics in multiplayer will be enhanced], all extra power is to increase resolution, fidelity and smoother fps (not higher) in MP.”
In the official PS4 Pro FAQ, Sony said, “Generally, no,” when asked if PS4 Pro owners will have a performance advantage over standard PS4 players. They added, “Play-testing and balancing is up to each game developer, and while it’s true that PS4 Pro’s more powerful hardware can drive smoother or more stable frame-rates in supported titles, developers have many tools and processes they can use to prevent imbalances.”
[Source: PS Blog, PlayStation (YouTube), Game Informer, Christian Gyrling (1), (2) via VideoGamer]
