690°

Call Of Duty: Ghosts Mark Rubin interview – ‘there are things that we’re not allowed to talk about’

GameCentral talks to the executive producer of the new Call Of Duty about sequels, 3D multiplayer, and why the PS4 version of Ghosts looks the best…

Thantalas3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

An excellent interview. David Jenkins from Metro deserves a lot of respect for this.

So many writers on video game websites and magazines think it is their job to sit on the fence and never ask difficult questions because they fear a developer or publisher will stop further access. But Jenkins asked Mark Rubin some tough questions about performance whilst always maintaining a professional and friendly tone. He asked questions that real gamers want to know the truth about including why is there a disparity with the next-gen versions of Call of Duty Ghosts?

Rubin avoided answering but he did give away some significant information, that Infinity Ward and Activision are under strict Non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from talking about the performance difference. This reveals a new shady side of the industry where console manufacturer/s use contracts to stop gamers knowing pertinent information which is relevant for making an informed purchasing decision.

No-doubt both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will have some fantastic games but many consumers want to know facts about the hardware and this won't happened if video game 'personalities' reverse their previous opinions and start claiming that specifications are not important - they are important, gamers do want better that's why there are new console cycles every 5 or 6 years. If there wasn't we would still be playing Pong and Space Invaders. Of course beautiful graphics make a game, nobody is saying that. But we want to know that there are real improvements in the next generation.

For many video game websites and magazines they walk a delicate tightrope of sharing news with the public and keeping publishers happy with their editorial stance but if they don't speak up the real issues then there will be no facts in the industry just spin. I hope journalist can learn from this and represent gamers by asking the questions that need to be asked.

Pintheshadows3871d ago

Yeah, he didn't pull any punches. He asked Mark awkward questions and not just a couple either.

Angels37853871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

People need to see this part

"GC: So the obvious assumption from all this is that the PlayStation 4 is definitely more powerful than the Xbox One, is that true?

MR: [acting very embarrassed] I can’t answer that.

GC: You can’t answer it on a technical level or because you’re being diplomatic?

MR: Can’t answer that.

GC: You can’t say whether you’re avoiding the question for diplomatic reasons?

MR: [embarrassed] I just can’t say anything…"

I wonder which company is trying to keep them quiet...../s

WeAreLegion3871d ago

Haha. It sounds like Jenkins was trying to get an Airplane joke in there.

Enemy3871d ago

Microsoft: Conceal the facts HURRY

aCasualGamer3871d ago

@angels3785

This whole part is more interesting.

"GC: So, just finally, I have to ask: why does the PlayStation 4 version look so much better than the Xbox One? Is the resolution really the only difference?

MR: [laughs] Yep, it’s the only difference. The TVs are different on some of them, but… they both have their different rendering engines but they’re as close as possible. It really comes down to resolution. Xbox is upscaled 720, it’s outputting at 1080p but it’s upscaled from 720. Whereas PlayStation 4 is native 1080p. So that’s really the only graphical difference. But it is enough. Some people here are saying they don’t really notice a difference…

GC: Was that the guy with the white stick?

MR: [laugh] But yeah, the PS4 looks really good.

GC: Is the PC version still better?

MR: There’s actually some features that we’ve added to the PC that are definitively not on any other generation. We worked with Nvidia a lot with this, but we have a different form of anti-aliasing that’s really new and advanced – that isn’t on current or next gen. We have a fur shader on the dog and on the wolves, they actually have a moving fur shader that works really well, for PC. And the third one, which I think is one of the coolest ones, is we’re using Nvidia’s APEX Turbulence tech to have smoke that actually wisps and waves and moves out of the way of objects.

GC: So is that something the new consoles can’t do or you just didn’t have time to implement it?

MR: No, it’s… well, you can do almost anything, almost. Tessellation can’t be done on current gen for the most part, because it’s a DirectX 11 feature, but we could still do it but you’d get a frame rate of 2. So that really becomes the reason we do everything: the reason the Xbox One is 720, the reason the PlayStation 4 is 1080 is we’re trying to make the game look as good as it possible can and making sure we maintain our 60 frames per second.

We maintain the latency and the speed and the things that people actually care about. Even if they won’t admit it, the thing that makes Call Of Duty popular is how it feels, because of those priorities.

GC: So the obvious assumption from all this is that the PlayStation 4 is definitely more powerful than the Xbox One, is that true?

MR: [acting very embarrassed] I can’t answer that.

GC: You can’t answer it on a technical level or because you’re being diplomatic?

MR: Can’t answer that.

GC: You can’t say whether you’re avoiding the question for diplomatic reasons?

aCasualGamer3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

... sorry if the post is too long, but it's important for people to read this.

MR: [embarrassed] I just can’t say anything…

[Even the attending PR guy is looking embarrassed by this point]

PR guy: It’s very hard for us to be…

GC: Are the console manufacturers leaning on you to avoid these sort of questions?

MR: [unsure - speaking to PR guy] I don’t know if that…

MR: [even more embarrassed to us] Yeah, there’s things that we… We sign NDAs with the first parties [i.e. Microsoft and Sony - GC] and there are things that we’re not allowed to talk about.

GC: So when John Carmack and Shinji Mikami say the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are almost identical, is that something you could agree with?

MR: Hmm… I would say that’s a bit inaccurate but I wouldn’t be able to tell you any detail of why that’s inaccurate.

GC: For diplomatic reasons?

MR: Yes.

GC: Okay, that’s fine. I think we can all read between those lines. But that’s absurd, how can they not except any journalist, any reasonable journalist, not to ask that question? It’s what everyone wants to know.

MR: [still feeling very awkward] The key thing is we try to focus people away from that sort of thing and try to focus them on the fact that the game is fun no matter what platform it’s on.

GC: Do you think with the next game you make there will there be such an obvious disparity between the two formats?

MR: Unknown… But over time… If you look at Call Of Duty 2 compared to COD 4 there’s a massive graphic difference, they look very different. So I think we’ll get better, yes.

GC: But will that same proportional gap always be there?

MR: Don’t know. Until we get there I honestly don’t know. To be not diplomatic or anything [laughs] we really don’t know. We’ve done as much as we can in the time we have to get where we’re at. Will they close the gap? Will they go off in the opposite direction? Who knows? But for this game it is what it is.

GC: Do you think everyone else will have these same problems? All these other cross-generational games that are out at launch?

MR: Well, I think they’ve already said they are haven’t they? Battlefield 4 is 720 on Xbox One and I think 900 on PS4? Titanfall has said they’re 720… So we’re not the first to say we’re 720 on the Xbox One.

GC: No, no. So they’re all obviously hitting the same wall.

MR: Yeah, so you’re reading that correctly in that it’s not specifically us doing something villainous. It’s a thing where all of us have to work at getting better at developing for both consoles. And that’s the fun part. I always use the analogy that the first game on a new console is always like an awkward first date, but once you know a lot more about each other it’s a lot better.

GC: Okay that’s great, thanks very much for your time.

MR: Not at all, that was interesting."

fenome3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

It's not just about the resolution, it's not just about the number 720p or 1080. It's about admitting the FACT that they hit a bottleneck and had to compromise. I hear so much "oh, most people won't notice" blah, blah. It's not about that, it's the FACT that they had to gimp it down on the Xbox One version to get the same frame-rate as the PS4. Yet, they still won't admit it, they'll just continue to try to justify it or overlook it completely or change the subject.

The Xbox One is technically gimped because they put so much effort into kinect. PERIOD. If you like Kinect and that's the reason you're getting an Xbox One, cool, I'm not bashing. To each their own, but stop claiming secret sauce is going to make it 10 times more powerful. Please! It's utter nonsense, have some self-dignity

EDIT:
This is just for the trolls. If you genuinely like the Xbox One, cool, do your thing. I'm not trying to be a hater or anything. Some of the delusional trolls on here are just totally ridiculous. And yes, I know there are annoying fanboys on all sides, and they are all equally annoying.

Oh, and my proof is in this paragraph. They could've made it 1080p, but then they wouldn't have hit their 60fps goal. While I do agree that in a game like this 60fps is more important than resolution, they were able to do both on the PS4. So yes, there was a compromise on the X1 version:

MR: No, it’s… well, you can do almost anything, almost. Tessellation can’t be done on current gen for the most part, because it’s a DirectX 11 feature, but we could still do it but you’d get a frame rate of 2. So that really becomes the reason we do everything: the reason the Xbox One is 720, the reason the PlayStation 4 is 1080 is we’re trying to make the game look as good as it possible can and making sure we maintain our 60 frames per second.

3871d ago
Maddens Raiders3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

The real answers are what Mark Rubin didn't say, when he wasn't saying it.

This is probably the most informative, and direct interview I've seen on N4G all year. It was so refreshing not to hear the same old spin and buzzwords and to see a real reporter ask the tough and uncomfortable questions that thinking people want to know. Bravo to metro.co.uk!

HammadTheBeast3871d ago

These interviews are funny, but awkward.

Computersaysno3870d ago

Its like A Few Good Men all over!

Major Nelson: Can't wait for the truth to come out!

Mark Rubin: The Truth? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

Which is why you forced everyone to not say it with NDAs and contracts......isn't it Microsoft

irepbtown3870d ago

I actually respect Mark Rubin for what he did here. He tried his best to answer David's questions, without breaking whatever he agreed with Microsoft/Sony. He didn't get angry or attempt to halt these very awkward question (though they are great questions for us).

And great great great journalism by David, some extremely awkward questions for Mark but these are the questions we (gamers) want answered. Brilliant!

r1sh123870d ago

Read this story before we start bashing MS and SOny.. (it could be activision who could not get 1080p on Xbone)..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/t...

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3870d ago
Sci0n3871d ago

indeed that is a very shady practice and it should make gamers who want the best out of there experience dig deeper to find the truth.

3871d ago
Thantalas3871d ago

The word 'don't' got left out of my original post! Here is the amended sentence.

"Of course beautiful graphics don't make a game, nobody is saying that. But we want to know that there are real improvements in the next generation."

allformats3871d ago

How ironic it is that a publication not dedicated to games journalism gives the best videogames interview in months!

Shame on this freaking industry!!

Sevir3871d ago

Amen!!! This is how Gaming journalism should be, whether the news is positive or negative it should be covered and interviews should be just like this, stern pulling no punches. Expertly given and very professional, no bias, just platform agnostic straight to the facts questions.

Indeed this was the best Article/Interview and best demonstration of Journalism on display all year!

1OddWorld3871d ago

@Thantalas - Great summation. I am in 100% agreement with you. Great Interviewer.

You sir get a (bubble)for Intelligence.

MorePowerOfGreen3871d ago

Sounds like Rubin is but hurt over MSFT and EA/Dice's dealings.

DoesUs3871d ago

Er, no! You on the otherhand...

Bathyj3871d ago

Oh Im definitely detecting butthurt, but its not coming from Mark Rubin.

NarooN3870d ago

Pretty sure Mark Rubin isn't the one that's butthurt...

5eriously3870d ago

I have to, I just have to waste a bubble. I smell a green troll that will be without power on the 22nd November when he receives his "prized" and pricey order.

I wasted enough of my time and a bubble now, Back to important facts and matters!

Very good article. Very good questions and very good answers. I just cannot believe the ordasity of M$ trying their utmost best to hide the truth, be it good or bad. I wish a class lawsuit action develops from this as obviously it seems that consumers are deliberately kept in the dark about the specifications and functionality on what they are getting for their pre-ordered goods.

It's a travesty and I just cannot contemplate that people still trust in M$ after their RROD and now this resolution gate saga!

KwietStorm_BLM3870d ago

Not sure if stupid or incredibly stupid...

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3870d ago
nukeitall3871d ago

@Thantalas:

Actually, I think most gamers just care about games, the features, and well what else it can do.

The vast majority don't care if it has 1.4 or 1.45 flop this flop that.

Personally, what consumers should care about is what is pertinent. Pertinent things are what would you like to do with your console, what games you play and how do you like to play them!

All this other nonsense is for fangirls to wage their war.

rainslacker3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

I think most gamers care about what games they would like to play, and I also believe that most gamers are attracted to the shiniest and best graphics they can get regardless of game play. A fun game can make up for that, but there is a reason the biggest AAA titles are also the ones with the best graphics. Graphics sell, and to get those graphics you need power.

Specs play an important part in that, and while it's not the end all of what makes a good game, there is no denying that a great many do care about specs, even if not directly.

G20WLY3871d ago

"All this other nonsense is for fangirls to wage their war."

...And here you are, right on cue, fighting it.

:P

KwietStorm_BLM3870d ago

So if a game clearly looks and/or runs better on one platform, but a certain platform holder is purposefully stopping this information from reaching the consumer, i.e you and me, you don't think that's pertinent information? Were you making such statements early in the PS3's life, when it suffered through the multiplatforn situation, and certain people around here made that very well known amongst the community?

You don't actually have to answer those questions.

iHEARTboobs3871d ago

Why in the world would developers and publishers talk about disparities between console versions. They're in the business of selling their product. Making one version seem not up to par is not what they want.

Lior3871d ago

so what he is basically saying microsoft made them sign NDA and not to talk or compare their console in terms of power to the competitors

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 3870d ago
Metfanant3871d ago

pretty easy to read between the lines on this one IMO

1OddWorld3871d ago

There are some popcorn eating Mofo's around N4G.

majiebeast3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

"GC: So the obvious assumption from all this is that the PlayStation 4 is definitely more powerful than the Xbox One, is that true?

MR: [acting very embarrassed] I can’t answer that.

GC: You can’t answer it on a technical level or because you’re being diplomatic?

MR: Can’t answer that.

GC: You can’t say whether you’re avoiding the question for diplomatic reasons?

MR: [embarrassed] I just can’t say anything…"

Wow... Its not like the consumers need to know this or anything...
Kudo's to David Jenkins for actually being a journalist instead of being affraid he will lose his freebies and swagbags. Something other "journalists" dont dare and who only ask soft ball questions. Game "journalist" are more PR mouth pieces then they are Journalist.

Offtopic
Cal Robbins from Godisageek.com cant talk about the embargo of Xbone cod because there is a embargo on the embargo. Microsoft really wants to keep this underwraps for as long as possible.

MasterCornholio3871d ago

It pretty much confirms it.

Nexus 7 2013

GarrusVakarian3871d ago

Everyone and their dog knows the PS4 is more powerful, regardless if this guy says it. Its just fact, i don't see why we need to even bring it up any more.

Sci0n3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

If they where absolutely the same or very similar like some devs have been saying and this guy truly believed that he would have said it and not plead the fifth.

mistertwoturbo3871d ago

^Lukas

While everyone does know, there are still those in denial and even go as far as saying 720p is better than 1080p.

TheFallenAngel3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

Freebies and swagbags hahahaha that made laugh so hard lol. Bubbles.

Belking3871d ago

It's the xbox-one that is more powerful. If it was the ps4 he would of said it because that's certain devs have already stated it before, so why would he be so reluctant. Watch and see. The xbox-one is more powerful and MS has a NDA in place for devs not to say anything. Even Dice has stated that xb1 hardware is still under NDA. They will be dropping the bomb really soon. You guys will see.

majiebeast3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

WHAT!

Go back to reddit with those delusions.

EXVirtual3871d ago

We've seen the spec sheets for months, we've seen the very accurate report from EDGE and now, we have a HUGE multiplats that is confirmed to be running at a higher resolution on the PS4 than the XBO.
What more do you need to see?

SpinnerM3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

@ Belking. Everything you said reminds me of Linus from "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown". Anyone else get the reference? You,sir, are delusional! But you go ahead and buy your Xbox.

boneso823871d ago

No wonder your down to one bubble. Crazy, delusional comments like that. Do you really think that if the Xbox One was more powerful that the games would be running at lower resolutions? That's insane amounts of fanboy denial right there!

Pintheshadows3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

Hahaha. Oh Belking, you poor deluded fool. That is one of the funniest comments I have ever seen on N4G and that is saying a LOT.

Are you expecting them to reveal a hidden Titan in that featureless black box? I'll admit, it is big enough to contain one. Maybe that is why the NDA was drawn up. Or maybe it features alien technology that MS can't let us know about. Or maybe each X1 has a Green Lantern Corps power rings at its heart.

I'm actually giving you a bubble for funny. At least you put a little effort into your incessant trolling.

Holeran3871d ago

Ya and after the NDA drops COD Ghosts is going to get patched and run at 4k. hehehehehe

MRMagoo1233871d ago

Yeh the xbone is the most powerful lol thats why COD ghosts looks like a current gen game on it and still drops more frames than an epileptic window fitter /s

Look at the cod vid for xbone lol the guy cant even turn around without the frames dropping to sub 20, its like a slide show, the games running at 720p imagine if they got it to 1080p, instead of playing the game it would be a book where you had to turn the pages.

ps4lifesucka3871d ago

your logic is flawless sir

jmac533871d ago

Hey Lukas_Japonicus, this is the guy you were talking about a few posts up. Pure delusions.

rainslacker3871d ago

I am not convinced that you troll for fun, not because you actually believe the stuff you say. Even the most delusional fan boy would not say this when all the known facts go against everything you just said.

Also, the ones that compare the two systems generally either downplay the difference, or say they're "about equal". This guy avoided the question. Those that talk exclusively about the PS4 say it's a very powerful machine(no comparison), those that talk about the X1 say it's a powerful machine(again no comparison). They aren't lying, there is just no frame of reference for the statement.

gamer20133870d ago

If Xb1 hardware is more powerful why the lower res upscale instead of 1080p native?

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3870d ago
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70°

XDefiant dev confirms release date for upcoming sniper nerf patch

Following a wave of community complaints, XDefiant executive producer Mark Rubin has confirmed when players can expect the sniper nerf patch to arrive.

70°

XDefiant dev promises fix to frustrating hit reg issues, though players remain skeptical

Mark Rubin, XDefiant’s executive producer, responded to an X/Twitter post that fixes to hit reg “are something [they] are working on.” Unfortunately, it’s unclear when it will arrive, as neither Rubin nor the development team have yet to provide an actual time frame.

just_looken17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Ha man what is this the 8th time they are working on this issue?

SO the game is using division one maps/assets with some divison 2 thrown in with that we can say they never really made the maps so what have they been doing for there 6 to perhaps 8 years of dev time? must be alot of hookers/blow/parties.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Notellin16d ago

It's astounding how much money they blow and this is the results. Gaming development is out of control.

just_looken16d ago

Right even when ubisoft cancelled division heartland as a beta player that game was a far better state then they push with this trash of a game that is still in a beta state after 3 years of delay's.

we are so starved of any decent fps/3rd person shooters out there it seems we will take anything even though some ps2 fps games were more fun then this game in my old opinion.

FPS_D3TH16d ago

Skeptical because it was an issue with ALL the betas and still hasn’t been fixed

just_looken16d ago

Its like they are using division one servers but they caught fire then were put together with barry/carols help from the janitors wing or some shit. Three years they still can not make it so the gun goes boom the guy gets hit then damage is applied.

60°

Call Of Duty On Game Pass Is A Big Risk Big Reward Gamble

Discover the impact of Microsoft's decision to include Call Of Duty in Game Pass. Explore the pros and cons and speculate about future changes.

Read Full Story >>
gamersocialclub.ca
Elda23d ago

Most folks that have a Gamepass subscription will not spend the $70, they will use Gamepass instead to play COD. MS will most likely make their money from some solely PC players & some solely PS5 owners. Even some PC players may opt to use Gamepass instead of spending $70. I would think MS would want to make every dime they could from retail sales. As long as they put new releases of COD day one on Gamepass, MS will lose out on some sales of COD.

porkChop23d ago

COD makes truck loads of money on microtransactions. That's likely the play. Get more people in the door through Game Pass and sell more microtransactions. Have a steady stream of events to keep people interested so they keep their sub, and then just the sub alone would double the revenue from that player each year.

Elda23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

Buying the game at $70 a pop including the deluxe versions is much better than people subs for a dollar to $15 a month. Die hard fans that usually buy the game also buy into the transactions. Again putting any new COD day one on Gamepass is definitely a sure loss of making some retail money for every copy of COD. With the last iteration of COD being bad most likely people are going to sub to Gamepass to play COD basically saving themselves $70, that is a loss of retail sales.

Kakashi Hatake23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

Most that don't have Gamepass will just buy the game and he done with it. People that do will just result in a retail sale being lost. Some will buy the subscription for the month then be done. This is lose lose. Casuals aren't going to pay almost 300 dollars a year for COD.

ApocalypseShadow23d ago

The reality is that Microsoft already knows the answer as stated by them in their documents. PlayStation gamers have built up an ecosystem of games and they aren't migrating over and dropping what they have to buy an Xbox to play one game in a service you have to pay monthly for. Cheaper to just buy the game. And, I'd bet many casual COD players don't know or care about the acquisition.

Which is why Jim Ryan pushed to make sure that that one game continues to be sold as usual on Sony's platform to keep the status quo. Every other IP owned by Activision are worthless. And Activision has shown they don't care about other IP like Tony Hawk by cancelling them.

Sales WILL be lost on Xbox. That's for certain. Microsoft can only hope that Xbox gamers continue to buy up those micro transactions to make up for those lost sales. Only positive for Microsoft is that they get to dip into PlayStation game sales that we all know from history and NPD, that Sony's console sells more games. But increase subs from Sony fans for game pass? Not happening in any way that matters.

Sony, on the other hand, can have their cake and eat it too. They get COD and they can continue dropping more content for their fastest selling GaaS game which is Hell Divers 2. As the game passes 12 million sales and doesn't beat you over the head with micro transactions, Sony has a win win situation and can support the game getting more content to keep players engaged.

As a side note, COD is probably going to turn into some version of Sea of Fortnite Duty. Games as a service sitting in game pass being milked dry with micro transactions and constant updates making you feel you're playing an unfinished game that keeps going and going with no soul.

Tedakin23d ago

I'm not sure why everyone is acting like COD is a surprise. That was always the plan. They said in court during the FTC case they were doing this. They have said repeatedly and recently all first party games are going to Gamepass.

badboyz0922d ago

gamepass like PS Plus are rental services. Games like COD you buy not rent. So in my case unless I plan on keeping gamepass for 2yrs minimum than the benefit of adding cod is pointless.