Xbox head Phil Spencer prefers higher frame rates than resolution

While Microsoft won't dictate what developers will optimise for on the Xbox Series X, Xbox head Phil Spencer said he'd prefer to play games with higher frame rates over those with a larger resolution.

[Jin_Sakai]

Well at least we agree on something. I much prefer framerate to resolution.

[chrisx]

Framerate > Resolution any day any time

[UltraNova]

Give us 4K at 60fps and focus on physics, lighting and animations.

[blackbeld]

WTF! I got 8k tv so I prefer at least 4k with 60fps. Less then 4k then its no use getting next gen console period!

[mikeslemonade]

I prefer having both on PC.

[KillBill]

I disagree... there is a point in many games where frame rate need no longer reach a higher state while resolution could still be optimized.

For sure frame rate needs to hit certain standards but when the point of standard is met the inclusion of resolution improvement over additional frame rate is subjective.

[Rodney25]

@ultranova although I agree, I do believe that's a very tall order.

[Obscure_Observer]

60fps has been the focus for Xbox One first party games for the entire generation.

Phil already said that the Series X would have an extra focus on CPU to ensure more games running on 60fps.

Great work, Phil!

[Atticus_finch]

Hahahahahaha hahahahahaha.
Sorry that's funny.

[chiefJohn117]

Not sure why you got down votes.

[PsychoCrusher]

He should of concentrated on growing a plethora of first party studios like Sony has, thats the killer element that Microsoft doesn’t have. They just churn out the same 3 games & we all know what they are!!

They should never of let Bungie go!

[Nasdac]

2017 Phil Spencer: 60fps doesn't matter
2020 Phil Spencer: FPS > Resolution
Xbots : 60fps has been the focus for Xbox One first party games for the entire generation.

[UnholyLight]

So this next gen might turn out a lot like last gen did....the jump from 1080p to 4k or 4k checkerboard later in the gen. Of course 4k-8k is a much bigger leap I assume in technological advancement given where 8k is right now (not consumer viable yet??)...but I guess what I am saying is this time around 4k with better framerates we will probably be happy for most of the gen until 8k with better framerates becomes a reality.

[UnbreakableAlex]

I’d really like to have a 1080p120 mode on the new Xbox. That would be awesome.
So like:
1080p120
1080p60 with better graphic effects
4K60
4k30 with better graphic effects.

[Dabigsiebowski]

Yeahh...No. Just give us 4k 60 and focus on building a better game around that

[dumahim]

So you just want 4k/60 rather than allowing for options that inclues 4k/60? o_O

[King_Noctis]

120fps is good but is abit overkill on console. I would settle for a stable 1080p60fps any day.

[RangerWalk267]

No more 1080. We are in the 4k era. If people don't have a 4k display... It's time to set it up and get one this coming generation

[umair_s51]

Most tvs won't support 120

[DerekFlint007]

Your right, most don't support it. However, many of the big brand TV makers are incorporating HDMI 2.1 into many of their 2020 sets releasing circa April - May. I'm lucky enough to have it with the LG Oled 65 C9 which I sold my liver & a kidney for.

[RangerWalk267]

Won't? Mine already does.

[PixelOmen]

Mine does and g-ync/vrr too. I currently play PC games at 1440p/120fps with g-sync on it. I think the new consoles will be be able to as well if the rumored specs are true.

It's an LG C9 in case you're curious.

[mkis007]

I hope devs use checkerboarding or Temporal Injection instead of trying to get native 2160p. The power savings on just going to 1800p would be immense. I'm fine with 1440p and up.

[GamerRN]

Having seen both in effect, and having an 82 inch 4k screen, I have to disagree. The blurriness of checkerboard rendering is noticeable on larger screens and I would hate to see that becone the norm as TVs are increasing in size.

[fathertime4464]

I totally agree with you gamer! With the specks that are floating around I want native 4k 60 minimum on every title! If they don't do that than what's the point of upgrading from a pro or an x that already does 4k 60 or fake 4k 60. There wouldn't be any point in upgrading

[mkis007]

So given the choice you would rather have native 4k with frame drops/uneven frame timing? Spiderman, Ratchet and Clank, God of War, and Horizon Zero Dawn all point to other methods being more worth it.

[TommyVercetti88]

My Sony ZG9 98inch 8k screen is bigger.

[ABizzel1]

Looks at comments asking for 4K@60fps minimum.

Looks at $500 - $1,000 GPUs not being able to do 4K@60fps in all current-gen games on max settings.

Looks at same people asking for a $399 console, capable of this...maybe $499.

Walks away from the conversation.

[XBox4eva69]

I'd much rather have full rendering at whatever resolution they need to hit 60 fps than anything more with checkerboarding.

[justsomeoffdude]

Correct guy

[Tapani]

Yeah he is super correct, huh! Why does he put 8K chip pics on Twitter and prefer higher frame rates at the same time?

He is contradicting himself. Basically he is just trying to market for everyone with all means necessary.

[akbennyewu]

His preferences can exist in the same space as industry trends and advancements. He has been very consistent in his arguing for frame rate focus since taking over Xbox, I think you are looking for controversy where there is none.

[Tapani]

I think he is sales / marketing guy who sees the high level only and is trying to copy other players in the markets without success too late. To an extent, I feel he might push an agenda at that point in time that makes the most sense to get the best coverage. More like a quantitative guy compared to quality.

Nothing personal against him, he is probably a nice guy and good at his job, but I just think his thinking is on rails and it is very easy to predict what he is trying to do.

Which is why I think he doesn’t care if it’s 8K or 120fps at 1440p, as long as he gets coverage. In the process he might contradict himself and is probably fine with it himself as well.

Just my two cents!

[Tyrant 8 RDFL]

I would be very excited if I can get 1440p at 120 FPS.

[nitus10]

Great, but do you have a display (TV or monitor) that can support 2160p (ie. 4K) or better, as well as a 120Hz or better refresh rate?

It must be noted that TVs normally don't support a resolution of 1440p which is more applicable to some monitors. Actually, you can now get monitors that do support 4K or 8k (very expensive so far) with refresh rates better than 60Hz. It is relatively common now to get monitors with 120Hz and up although with the higher refresh rate you do pay more.

HDR or High Dynamic Range should also be a consideration as well.

[PixelOmen]

I think TVs that have games in mind will support 1440p signal, my new TV does, and at 120hz as well (LG C9), it also supports g-sync/vrr. I agree with you if you're just referring to upscaling to UHD (4K), might as well. But if you're referring to native 4K@120hz, that'll never happen on any big budget game. You will need a TV to support HDMI 2.1 and the new Ultra High Speed HDMI cables for 4K@120hz though.

[MasterCornholio]

I have a 4K monitor with my PC. I choose to game at 1440P instead of 4K because I get a rock solid 60FPS in most games. Hopefully next gen 1440P is an option with a higher frame rate.

But I don't mind 30FPS as long as it's solid with no screen tearing.

What I learned from building my gaming PC is that im free to choose whatever graphic settings that I want. Which is huge when compared to consoles limited visual options.

[bluefox755]

Agreed. 1440p is plenty, especially for my comparatively small 27" monitor that I'm sitting like a foot away from. I can't imagine ever choosing resolution over 60fps, but with that said, I don't mind 30fps if it's done well, just would prefer 60.

[MasterCornholio]

Same here. If I was to game on a 60inch TV it might be different. But since I'm sitting really close to my monitor (same size as yours I believe) I don't really notice the extra resolution.

[RazzerRedux]

I usually start at 4K and modify my resolution scaler down, if the game has that capability, which most do except for a few (looking at you Jedi: Fallen Order). Typically 90% for intensive games will yield a rock solid 60 FPS for my PC at 4K. And I'll usually bump down quality from Ultra to High. I really can't tell the difference at all in most cases.

[MasterCornholio]

I don't really notice 4K on my monitor so I just start at 1440P and I tweak the settings for a solid 60FPS.

[ReadyPlayer22]

Well let's hope we leave the 30 fps with last gen. Playing Xbox first party multiplayer games at 60 fps and then switching to games like Destiny, that play at 30 fps almost hurts my eyes.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Balance

[Neonridr]

Me too, I will take high framerates @ 1440p vs playing at like 30fps @ 4K.

[spirited]

I prefer frame rate as well.4k tvs do very good job in up scaling 1080p games.I hope if not native, we could see checkerboard 4k 60fps or 1080p 60fps as an option for all nexgen games

[timotim]

It always help when the guy running it is also a gamer. I'm sure SX will be well equipped to handle both high fidelity visuals with at least 60 FPS.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Resolution is nothing more than just image quality. It says nothing about actual graphics of a game. Bad graphics but it's 4k, or 8k nobody cares then. It's about time both Sony and MS are looking beyond just higher resolution output and start doing more with frames, AI etc.

[timotim]

I have no idea why you said any of that. I know exactly what graphics and resolution is...my comment wouldn't change. Im sure SX will be well equipped to handle both high fidelity with at least 60 FPS...

[mrmikew2018]

Same here Phil.

[GordyNYC]

Agreed.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Correct choice Phil

[Applejack]

Apparently it’s not the correct choice?

[RangerWalk267]

If the Xbox One X can push out 4k. Then we'll be getting that with ease on the Series X and PS5.

But I certainly agree with Spencer

[ocelot07]

A fair amount of 2019 TV's (LG/Samsung) support freesync and 2020 TV's (LG) support gsync as well at I believe 1440p/120hz. So I would love if next gen gives us options on games. Like 4K 60/30 or 1440p 90/120 or 1080p 120.

[Italiano1234567]

This after he has already been quoted in the past saying nobody cares about fps lol. But it always should be fps 1st. Resolution dont mean shit

[alb1899]

You are right Sir!

[Max_Eckhardt]

4K minimum for next gen. And no more! No 8K or any of that nonsense.

[Father__Merrin]

I hope new console essentially just lock to 60 as that's all what's needed for any game.

[rtndeep9]

60fps is more than enough. They could use the rest of the CPU power to increase the graphics of the game. The only games where more 60fps are advantageous are competitive multiplayer. So I would rather have 4k 60fps and awesome graphics.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

It does not absolutely have to be a competitive multiplayer game to take advantage of higher than 60fps. If console makers would let us scale our games instead of holding everyone's hands crossing the street, then we could all get the performance we want, and everyone would be happy.

[Tazzy]

I agree with him pretty graphics aren't everything look at Switch it outsold Xbox One within 3 years of being out and games on it are toned downed but people are buying them. I remember when I first got my original Xbox One when it launched Battlefield 4 had slowdown when buildings crumbled I really don't see how Xbox Series X and PS5 are going to get 8k there's no way not on console you'll get 15fps.

[Elda]

Blurry games in 2020 is a no.

[Shikoku]

Then he should just fine playing most games 680x680 as long as he can hit 120fps

[FanboysKiller]

When corporate figure understands common sense, thats pretty rare.

[Artemidorus]

Definitely no good having 8K with 30fps.

[Donnie81]

I prefer both

[ajax17]

It'd be so amazing if there were *no* games capped at 30 fps on next gen consoles

[gamer7804]

60 would be a max, but I honestly prefer there be more detail, physics and effects than resolution , especially beyond 4k.

[jdaboss]

He should be focusing on A.I. Its unforgivable that Halo from 20 years ago rivals the AI in some of these newer games.

[Cyb3r]

Take it from me 1080p looks blurry and also pixelated on both the 4K and 8K TVs I know this because I bought two 4K TVs and one Samsung 8K TV with AI Upscaling all of them are high end sets and every and 1080p game I play on the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro look terrible in 1080p they dont even look that good with the 8K Upscaling on the Samsung TV I hope that 1080p is finished with for next gen and if they choose have 1080p in some games they should only add that resolution as an option.

[TheHateTheyGive]

Sure you do and i own land on the moon i can sell to you. On the internet you can say you have anything you wish because you don't have to show any proof.

[strayanalog]

I typically don't care, but for the sake of the argument.

30fps to 60fps = midnight to noon

1080p to 4K = 2:20PM to 2:21PM

[Saijahn]

If games not pushing a stable 60 with these new consoles that’s going to be on the devs now. Always bothered me seeing games run at a higher frame rate on Pc while the console versions are gimped

[Thundercat77]

I prefer good games and both resolution and framerate.

[bloodymeatballz]

I recon he prefers speed over feeling during sex too

[Gameplayer1]

Good for those who is fixed with framerates. But art direction and gameplay is one million times more important that framrates,and as long as the framrate is 30fps steady ,no problem! You don't make a great games out of framrates only! Sometimes it sounds like you "framrate believers" prefer a shitty game as long as it has better frame rates?????? Lord.

[Battlestar23]

So native 4K doesn't matter anymore.....got it.

[zugdar]

Agree 100%. I usually use the "framerate" setting when games offer a resolution to frame rate option. The amount for computing power for having a higher resolution seems like a bad trade off to more effects and steady frame rates IMO.

[contra157]

Still nothing about gameplay hahaha Xbox so lame

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

i think 4k at 60fps is more than reasonable for next gen, and should be the mark that every game hits. i don’t even have a 4k tv yet, and have been playing on my older model that doesn’t even give a smooth 60fps with movies lol i’m panning on doing a slight upgrade to my tv soon, so 4k at 60 would be all that i would want.

[Xx_Pistol_xX]

Call me crazy but I'm more of a resolution guy. As long as the frames are solid. Like I would rather 1080p 30 than 720 60 if I had to choose. But then I think I would rather 1440p 60 than 4k 30. I guess it depends.

[tontontam0]

base xbox one users claims that they can't even see the framerate dips everyone was talking about.

[Silly gameAr]

The Spencer talk is starting up again. Sony must be announcing something soon. Not trying to troll, but usually when Sony is about to announce something, the "Phil Says" articles start up in full force.

[Kiwi66]

Thats more on gamingbolt etc for splitting a few comments into several articles though

[Pyronaut]

I'd prefer 1080p/60 with more photorealistic graphics rather than sacrificing visual quality chasing higher resolutions that are mainly just for marketing.
I never look at movies on 1080p Blu-rays and think this is not high enough resolution, but I always see unrealistic graphics and video games but could be better.

[chiefJohn117]

Depends on the game for me. FPS, fighters and high pace platformers, 60fps. Action adventure, open world RPGs 4k

[OB1Biker]

I agree. It's nice to see a reasonable take. Extreme positions are rarely right.

[BrainSyphoned]

Which is why Forza is played on PC and Castle Crashers on X1.

[aftershock]

So much agree. 30fps needs to be left in the past.

[jznrpg]

I prefer good games

[OCEANGROWNKUSH]

cool story bro

[AK91]

4K 60fps is the way to go with next gen.

[Passerotto]

obviously, if you have to develop on the old ge, in the new one, improve the framerate, not the graphics

[Rimeskeem]

Then why was the X touted for its 4K capabilities rather then frame rate capabilities?

[OB1Biker]

Well it says 60fps on the Scarlet chip he uses as avatar...wait...

[GameStallion]

I agree with his opinion. Now he just needs make all his developers make it a priority & encourage 3rd parties to do so as well.

[NonPartisanGamer]

Thank you! I laughed when the talk of “8k” consoles started.

That said, frame rate and res are up to the individual developer.

[Firebird360]

I sure hope everything is 60fps. We've been stuck with 30fps far too long.

[william_cade]

Phil says stuff.

[spdarksky]

Playing PC Games for many years and i can safely say I agree with Mr Phil here. Prefer 1080p 60fps with all graphical features cranked up to 11 over 4K/8K any day. Better 1080p 60+fps all the time than dips to 30fps in 4K/8K.

[jivah]

We need new protocols that deal with advanced modelling and tessellation. And maybe an intense physics engine that can handle realistic processes that exist in life and less based in particle physics and showing me lots of shiny stuff for a Michael Bay explosion. As well as textures that needs to be upped as well since usually the first things that get improved are res and fps. So if res and fps can remain the same long enough to improve the other stuff i'd be elated.

But in this case. Frames over Res any day

[Tross]

Do...I actually agree with Phil Spencer on something? Is the world ending?

[wheresmymonkey]

I really don't care about 4k it just feels like a buzzword, and considering the last-gen could barely pull of 1080 60 half the time I'd rather have a focus on a stable 60 than anything else.

[Plagasx]

*PC Elitists have entered the chat*

[terstomp]

A Playstation user here, and totally agree with him. I expect 1080p @ 60fps absolute min for every game. The rest of the effort and tech I would like to see go to in advancing and innovating game engines, graphic effects, controllers, VR, etc

[Imortus_san]

The total opposite of Sony that just concentrates on putting 30fps games with frame drops all the time.

[SugarSoSweet]

It's not down to Phil Spencer it's down to the developer....