FF14 possibly coming to XBox-1!?

[Chessala]

The Xbox One is only slightly less powerful than the PS4, both of which are far more powerful than the lowest spec PC that can run this game. Once PS3 is removed, it'll actually be low and mid-end PCs that will keep the game back. Also, the limitations of the PS3 were mostly due to the 512MB of RAM. Both the Xbox One and PS4 have 8GB, so it becomes a non-issue.

Thing is, they won't care about low-end PCs as it does not require them to make a completely different version of the game. They already do not care about low-end PCs, which is just fine. If you can not run the game on your PC, it is your responsibility to upgrade. If you can't, well that is tough luck for you, upgrade your machine. However, you don't really have possibilities to effectively upgrade a console. Consoles are very static in their specs and therefore add extreme limitations to the game. I am only referring to the PS3 here as we all know the PS4 is decent enough, at least until the next PS comes out.

In either case, low-end PCs will never hold back the game as much as the PS3 currently does. However, for the devs the PS3 is a convenient excuse to not step up their game.

[Niwashi]

Thing is, they won't care about low-end PCs as it does not require them to make a completely different version of the game. They already do not care about low-end PCs, which is just fine.

They certainly do care about low-end PCs. Memory constraints are generally about PS3, but it's low end PCs without a separate GPU that have trouble keeping up with graphics processing. In fact, some of the so-called PS3 limitations are only an issue because SE designs systems to save on graphics processing even at the cost of using extra memory. They do that for the sake of PCs (where processing is the biggest issue), but then it causes problems in PS3 (where memory is the biggest issue). PS3 itself would be able to handle a lot more if SE wasn't designing to their real lowest common denominator, the PC.

[Colorful]

They certainly do care about low-end PCs. Memory constraints are generally about PS3, but it's low end PCs without a separate GPU that have trouble keeping up with graphics processing. In fact, some of the so-called PS3 limitations are only an issue because SE designs systems to save on graphics processing even at the cost of using extra memory. They do that for the sake of PCs (where processing is the biggest issue), but then it causes problems in PS3 (where memory is the biggest issue). PS3 itself would be able to handle a lot more if SE wasn't designing to their real lowest common denominator, the PC.

While you raise decent points, you're blowing it far out of proportion. The PS3 wouldn't be able to handle far more due to its incredibly limited RAM and VRAM (256 for each I believe). While SE could offload some elements elsewhere (CPU perhaps?) it would cause major performance issues in areas with a lot of characters and I hear that's bad enough as is, let's remember that the PS3's hardware is almost 10 years old now. Both low end PCs and the PS3 are huge limiting factors, but they aren't going to suddenly cater development to high end rigs as that both cut into their subscriber numbers significantly, and increase costs.

You can check out other MMORPGs that tried having "decent" visuals while having decent performance, such as the newly released Black Desert. The amount of pop in is ridiculous. You thought Assassin's Creed Unity was bad? Think again, the grass reshapes itself around you even at walking speed and even then I struggle to get over 50 FPS with everything maxed out including high-end mode.

[Chessala]

They certainly do care about low-end PCs. Memory constraints are generally about PS3, but it's low end PCs without a separate GPU that have trouble keeping up with graphics processing. In fact, some of the so-called PS3 limitations are only an issue because SE designs systems to save on graphics processing even at the cost of using extra memory. They do that for the sake of PCs (where processing is the biggest issue), but then it causes problems in PS3 (where memory is the biggest issue). PS3 itself would be able to handle a lot more if SE wasn't designing to their real lowest common denominator, the PC.

This is not supposed to end in a PC vs Console battle. I had a look at the PS3 stats and comparing them with the minium requirements for PC, I'd say it would still erradicate a lot of limitations. Also take into consideration that a PC can be upgraded for less than buying a new console usually. This makes the system way more flexible