Eurogamer regular Digital Foundry has set the cat amongst the pigeons with his detailed, in-depth look at both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. In the report, everything is analysed in the closest of details, from the framerate to the resolution, and there’s some surprising results, even though the Xbox 360 version comes out on top as the clear winner.
First off, both versions are “sub-HD”, with the developers opting to reduce the resolution to ensure the framerate stays as high as possible. The Xbox 360 version comes in at 1040 x 608 with 2x MSAA whilst the PS3 version offers a 960 x 544 resolution, with the same anti-aliasing. The former, according to the report, has “a slightly cleaner look to it” but both versions look just fine.
Digital Foundry then looks at the framerate (during one of the game’s cutscenes) – on the Xbox 360 the framerate’s locked at 60fps, but on the PS3 it drops as low as 40fps during one particular section – there’s also some screen tearing on the PS3 version not present on the Microsoft platform, even though it’s largely invisible. The same sort of framerate divide appears to occur during the game itself, too.
Page 2 of the report discusses the texture differences (there’s some lower resolution textures on the PS3 version) and the shadow detail, which, again, is much better on the 360. There’s some debate on the 3D merits, too, which suggests that the developers opted to halve the frame-rate on both consoles to get the dual-outputs down the cables. “The 3D version of Black Ops on PS3 really isn’t very satisfying at all,” it says.
We’ll have our own review of the game very soon, where hopefully we’ll set the record straight on the actual game. In the meantime, if you’re considering which version to get, it’s probably well worth reading the full report and making your own mind up.
tactical20
It’s the PS3 version that’s sold out everywhere in Kent.
You could still get an Xbox copy for £25 at Tesco on Tuesday evening.
I’ve only just played the first level of the PS3 version, and I’m a bit underwhelmed tbh.
Daywalker
Really? Underwhelmed? Did you like the other COD titles, because the start of this game is more intense than any level in them. Bar the Captain Price sniper missions in 4. That was awesome.
djhsecondnature
I thought the opening few levels were pretty underwhelming as well. Especially after everyone was raving about them on Twitter. After that it picked up though.
Quinlank
Call of Duty falling short in the quality stakes again I see. Quelle surprise.
Haven’t played it, don’t want to, but had to sit watching while my nephew played through some of the Vietnam level earlier this evening on his 360 and at some bit where he was having to fire rockets at some attacking tanks there was some pretty clear framerate dipping going on. So much for “locked” at 60fps, eh?
tactical20
Does anyone know where it shows the difficulty you’ve completed levels at?
Sir_Jay
I purchased black ops and tbh i feel like I have wasted my money. Game runs terribly online, graphics are shocking for a 2010 game multiplatform or not a developer should be ashamed of the type of graphics that have been produced in this game. I wasn’t impressed with the 3D aspect of the game as it caused more fps/lag issues than running the game in 2D. I doubt this game took 2 years to make more like a few lunch times with the old W@W engine. There as so many things that are wrong with this game that it just isn’t funny. (I have the PS3 version)
PriceKitty
I think Microsoft just gave them extra money to make it that way on xbox over Ps3.
Besides, that’s all they advertised it for anyway.
No one can look at Killzone 3 and Uncharted 2 and tell me that the Ps3 wouldn’t be able to handle a slightly higher resolution and steady fps.
Danny-c-2k9
Lol that’s what I think
Danny-c-2k9
I bet Microsoft payed them to make it a little better than ps3, that’s what Microsoft are like
Danny-c-2k9
Black ops is made to make money for modern warfare 3, same as world at war then came modern warfare 2. Black ops is good but it will be forgotten about in a few weeks
SpikeyMikey23
I found that every COD since COD4 has been a let down compared. It was my first COD, it blew me away, everything about it! since then, every version has failed to have the same effect, or anywhere near it! Its all too samey. Ive spent a got few hours on the multiplayer already (dont care for zombies) and although ive enjoyed it, i can see myself becoming bored of it sooner rather than later…until a map pack is released
Moakesice
I could have told you this, its the same story everytime
monkeyspoon
The audio is much better on PS3. 7.1 channels of uncompressed sound compared to basic DD on 360.
SpikeyMikey23
The online part doesnt look as polished as MW2 imo, the single player looks and plays great, im not bothered about if its better on the xbox, i dont own one and even if i did, i wouldnt run them side by side to compare them. Couldnt give a shit about it -the same problems red dead redemption had also and it never affected my gameplay or enjoyment of the game.