The Division on Xbox One uses dynamic resolution scaling
We had some interesting feedback to our initial article on The Division
beta, which concluded earlier today. Pixel-counts pegged the Xbox One version
of the game on par with the PS4 offering at full 1080p, yet many noted that
image quality seemed noticeably softer in motion, even when both versions were
set to the same image sharpness setting. Ubisoft's decision to extend the beta
for a further 24 hours gave us a chance to revisit the game and after further
analysis, what seems clear is that a dynamic resolution scaler is in effect on
the Microsoft platform.
The idea here is straightforward: to maintain 30fps, the game lowers
resolution in complex areas - typically on New York's ruined streets. This
manifests as text appearing blurrier on distant signs, along with sub-pixel
break-up on fine detail. Tellingly, this doesn't appear to be an issue at all
on PlayStation 4 or PC versions of the game in matching shots.
Using the PC version as a comparison point, we explored various options:
first of all, we cycled through all SMAA anti-aliasing variants available,
including stabilisation and super-sampling temporal AA options. We even
disabled SMAA completely, and used the Nvidia control panel to force FXAA,
thinking that perhaps Ubisoft Massive applied a less expensive anti-aliasing
technique to help maintain the Xbox One's creditable performance level.
But after a long process of deduction, the actual answer is rather simple -
and discernible in the opening area of the beta, as soon as control is handed
over to the player. It's clear from this viewpoint that Xbox One utilises a
dynamic resolution scaler in order to sustain its target frame-rate, much like
Halo 5 and Wolfenstein: The New Order. Essentially, this means that the game
adjusts its resolution on the fly, dependent on GPU load in any given scene.
How The Division's resolution shifts occur - Tom Morgan takes a look at
Xbox One image quality in depth.
Wherever you see heavy volumetric effects and lots of geometry on-screen,
there's a strong possibility that The Division's frame buffer is switching to a
lower pixel count on Xbox One. It's a clever trick - and the exact moment of
the switch can be hard to catch by eye. In practise, it does start to blur
spots in the image in direct comparison to PS4 and PC, particularly across long
distances.
So what exactly is the resolution? Well, the short answer is, it varies
depending on the rendering scenario. In the opening shot, Xbox One drops to
1792x1008 as we look at the recovery camp ahead, as especially noticeable on a
rooftop structure to its right side. This is still much higher than the 900p
output we see in other titles, and it ultimately sits around 87 per cent of a
full HD image overall. In other words, it isn't always a vast difference, but
it's notable in explaining why we see certain details losing some definition.
The logic behind this dynamic resolution is easy to explain too.
Inevitably, looking up to the sky in the same initial area - even slightly - to
force the demanding elements of this scene out of view, the Snowdrop engine
switches itself to a full 1080p. But as you'd expect, lowering the camera again
(bringing all objects and fog effects into view) gets us back to 1792x1008.
The end result is an occasional softening of the image, and tends to occur
around outdoor scenes as opposed to interior traversal and combat. In terms of
the actual breadth of resolution changes, we've not had time to assess the full
range utilised by the Xbox One beta - though the lowest figure we've logged
comes in at 1728x972 (or 81 per cent of a full HD resolution).
Our original look at console performance in The Division beta - where Xbox
One's dynamic scaler helps the console hold at 30fps, albeit with occasional
drops.
For Xbox One owners, dynamic resolution adjustments may not be the best
news, but the tech isn't unduly detrimental to the overall experience. In all,
if a slight hit to visual quality helps to sustain the target 30fps frame-rate,
clearly it's beneficial to the overall feel of the gameplay. During our tests,
we found only a couple of pockets of dropped frames - and by and large the
experience still runs at a level on par with the PS4 beta. Plus, of course,
it's worth stressing this is unfinished code - and optimisations in remaining
development time could lessen the necessity of this scaling.
As for PS4, it may be the case this scaling method is implemented on Sony's
machine too. However, so far our tests reveal no performance drops whatsoever
from the full 1920x1080 (or 30fps), and we'll have to judge this point on the
final release. Meanwhile we'd love to see this technology deployed on PC in
some fashion, where our GTX 970 and R9 390 tests show gameplay frame-rates can
vary dramatically. A dynamic resolution could be a good back-up solution for
those struggling to get by on their current GPUs on high settings - and also
for PS4, should there be any issues in maintaining 30fps later on.
We'll have more coverage on The Division soon, specifically on the PC
version of the beta. We'll be covering off image quality enhancements over the
console editions, along with initial analysis on what it takes to run the game
at 1080p60.
