The Feb. 4 Bloomberg article "Sony expected to beef up PlayStation 4 to keep consoles in the game" describes Sony's new console as capable of rendering games at 240 frames per second (fps). Current-generation games typically render at 30 or 60 fps.
However, the PlayStation 3 was actually capable of reaching a maximum 120 fps. I don't expect next-generation games to run at 30 to 60 fps, nor do I expect them to run at 240 fps. I expect no less than 60 to 120 fps.
My question is, how much of a beneficial impact, if any, on game development is a greater fps supposed to have at this point?
As video and audio technology improve in the next couple of years, I believe that increased fps will be considered very normal as processing power increases.
Fps development suggests that the maximum perception of the human eye is a little over 100 fps, which must mean that anything higher is technically unnecessary.
The ability to render at 240 fps may sound impressive and all, but I think that in another couple of years, this will not mean much — just as PlayStations of past generations are now less amazing.
In my opinion, a PlayStation 4 capable of reaching a maximum 240 fps is another step up, but a rather tiny one if the human eye is unable to notice such a difference.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.