So... What Exactly ARE the PS3 Limitations

[Kosmos992k]

All too often, people throw out the excuse of "PS3 limitations" when asked why certain features don't exist in the game or why changes can't be made. Examples include:

- We can't have more inventory because of PS3 limitations
- We can't wear two hats because of PS3 limitations
- Balmung exists because of PS3 limitations
- PS3 limitations are the reason we can't seperate Balmung into it's own server away from everyone else

So, has the developer given a list of any actual PS3 limitations? Has anything been confirmed to be missing/unchangeable due to PS3 limitation that aren't heresay?

EDIT: Rephrasing to clarify. What I'm asking is what total game additions/changes cannot be made due to the PS3 being the limiting factor. In other words, what are PC/PS4 players missing out on because the PS3 flat-out couldn't handle it?

Very large zones might be an issue due to memory limitations. Solo PS3 games resolve this by streaming data overlays as players move around to give the impression of a larger field. In an MMORPG there are many external data factors due to the online interactive nature of the game that make that more difficult.

Large scale battles are a problem on PS3 because it cannot render the same number of players, NPCs and monsters, as well as other objects as PCs/Mac or PS4. This would be the largest limitation I can think of in fact. The game is client server after all, so the client can scale to the platform.

Hmmm. Well first and foremost we can start with High Definition textures. These will take up more RAM for the game to process visually along with character models etc. .

That is not a PS3 limitation, that is an SE decision. they could easily create a high definition texture pack for high end PCs and even have the textures scale depending on platform, and have the PS3 continue to use the existing textures as the default base resolution. It's pretty well false to call this a PS3 limitation.

[MugenMugetsu]

That is not a PS3 limitation, that is an SE decision. they could easily create a high definition texture pack for high end PCs and even have the textures scale depending on platform, and have the PS3 continue to use the existing textures as the default base resolution. It's pretty well false to call this a PS3 limitation.

Ok. My bad. I was implying that the HD textures would be provided for all platforms, and because the PS3 would not be able to handle the addition of an HD texture pack, the PS3 is limiting/holding back the game because like I stated, SE wants all players to have a similar experience, and this could very well be the reason why SE has decided to not provide us with an HD texture pack. Therefore, PS3 limitation.

[Annah]

That is not a PS3 limitation, that is an SE decision. It's pretty well false to call this a PS3 limitation.

That's still a PS3 Limitation.

The question wasn't: "why hasn't SE upgraded the graphics in this game?" It was based on PS3 limitations. It's def a PS3 limitation

[Niwashi]

That's still a PS3 Limitation.

The question wasn't: "why hasn't SE upgraded the graphics in this game?" It was based on PS3 limitations. It's def a PS3 limitation

Though it's limited on PS3, it's equally limited on a lot of PCs. Not all PCs are high-end gaming rigs that can handle all the high-def extras. So even if it were to be added, it would have to be an optional feature, where you could run either PC with high def or PC without high def. That definitely falls into the category of features they could leave out of the PS3 version without affecting PS4 or PC.

It's a PS3 limitation only in the sense that the option wouldn't be available on that system (or other low-end systems, either). But it's not a PS3 limitation in the sense that it makes PS3 hold the rest of the game back, because it doesn't.

[Chessala]

Guys ... Do NOT equate "dropping PS3 support" with " removing PS3 as an option to play the game". [SNIP]
Removing PS3 as a client for previously-existing content will not come for YEARS after they stop bringing the new content to PS3 - if it even comes before they shut FFXIV down.

Yes, the old content will still be available for PS3 still BUT SE would be free to make changes to it like improving the graphics, UI etc. and would not need to give any heed if PS3 players can still play. Alas, they like hiding incompetence behind "limitations" so they will delay it as much as possible.

Though it's limited on PS3, it's equally limited on a lot of PCs. Not all PCs are high-end gaming rigs that can handle all the high-def extras. So even if it were to be added, it would have to be an optional feature, where you could run either PC with high def or PC without high def. That definitely falls into the category of features they could leave out of the PS3 version without affecting PS4 or PC.

It's a PS3 limitation only in the sense that the option wouldn't be available on that system (or other low-end systems, either). But it's not a PS3 limitation in the sense that it makes PS3 hold the rest of the game back, because it doesn't.

The beauty of PCs is that they are in many cases easy to upgrade. Need more RAM? Get some for cheap for example. Also, as you mentioned, PCs are flexible, they can run a game at different quality points. Does your PC not hold the uber graphics? Simply drop some aspect of the graphic quality and you are back in game. These options not being available IS a limitation of the console as it was not designed for people to customize their graphic settings.

[Riardon]

Let's not forget they will have to support PS4 Pro, XBOX One (if the talks with MS will be successful) and the upcoming XBOX project Scorpio (if FFXIV comes to XBOX). PS3 support drop will mean they will be free to develop and provide for us better graphics and better gameplay (more effects, more complex and larger scale battles, larger areas etc).

[Blackcanary]

Let's not forget they will have to support PS4 Pro, XBOX One (if the talks with MS will be successful) and the upcoming XBOX project Scorpio (if FFXIV comes to XBOX). PS3 support drop will mean they will be free to develop and provide for us better graphics and better gameplay (more effects, more complex and larger scale battles, larger areas etc).

PS4 Pro won't be a problem because all PS4 games will continue to play on it. So supporting it won't be an issue.

[Riardon]

PS4 Pro won't be a problem because all PS4 games will continue to play on it. So supporting it won't be an issue.

Yeah it's not much of an issue PS4 Pro belongs to PS4 generation I guess Scorpio will be the same. The game will run as it is on Pro but from what I saw companies will push patches to allow better framerate and resolution in order to get the extra candy from Pro. So it the future there will be small patches to tweak the PS4 Pro version.