Thanks to a recent graphics controversy, Halo: Infinite is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The game isn’t the next-gen spectacle we all expected, nor does it seem like a system-selling game. But a closer look at 343i’s new engine and lighting systems reveals the reason the game looks decided last-gen.
Why does Halo: Infinite’s gameplay look so bland? Why does it look like a last-gen game? It all has to do with the game’s new dynamic lighting system. Halo: Infinite is a huge open-world game now, and it has a fluctuating lighting system that blankets the entire world. There’s no tightly-designed linear levels, meaning the lighting system isn’t fine-tuned, but more spread across a bigger area.
A new deep dive from Digital Foundry uncovers some of Infinite’s issues, challenges, and advantages with its new dynamic lighting system.
The lighting shifts on objects like environments, weapons, armor, and enemies depending on where you are in the map, and how high up you are. A lot of the gameplay took place in shadows cast by huge overhanging buildings, which of course made the visuals look rather unimpressive. The reality is 343i’s screen-space reflections and ambient occlusion tricks just aren’t enough for a huge open area like Infinite.
The general gist is that Halo: Infinite uses dynamic lighting, which is a lot harder to make look nice than the static lighting used in amazingly high-detailed games like The Last of Us 2. The difference is static lighting is, well, stuck in the same spot and environments use textures with lighting illusions/effects built right in. But static lighting takes forever to develop considering each texture is typically adjusted to meet the scene.
VIEW GALLERY – 4 IMAGES
Halo: Infinite’s models actually have high-def textures, but they need lighting to show off the detail. Ray tracing could help illuminate these models even when scenes are cast in shadows.
Dynamic lighting also has its advantages.
Objects are illuminated in real-time, but the lack of bounce lighting textures typically less detail. Dynamic lighting also allows day-to-night cycles and significantly reduces development time, which is important for 343 Industries because they’re also making the new Slipspace Engine alongside the game. As Valve, BioWare, and countless other devs can attest, making a new game alongside a brand new engine can be a nightmare in the best of times. The recent pandemic adds another layer of complexity to iteration.
In this image, grunts are obscured by shadow and therefore lose a lot of their model/texture definition.
The main reason the game looks so awkward in shadowy areas is because the light is obscured by other things. A ship, a building, trees, or outcroppings can absorb the light and cause the specific scene to look rather last-gen. So things like guns, enemies, and environments look less detailed and rather flat in shadow.
343i’s lighting system uses screen-space lighting techniques like SSAO to emulate static lighting techniques and advantages. The lighting probes will pop in and more definition will be shown, but only as you get closer to the object or environment. SSAO also means there’s more artifacts and obscuring of shadows of far-away areas, scenes, and objects. This technique was actually used in older games like Far Cry 3, which was released in 2013.
This Elite likewise loses all of his definition because he’s stuck in the shadows.
As Digital Foundry explains, games textures used to have lighting built right in. Artists would design textures already made with lighting features. There were two major textures that devs would use to showcase lighting in scenes to ensure models look appropriately well-lit even in shadowy areas:
Diffuse Texture –The harder contrast textures that showed details like hard shadows, damage/scuff marks, and reflections. These details were seen regardless of the scene lighting, but doesn’t respond to real-time lighting sequences, e.g. when the sun or light sources are overhead vs. when they’re setting.
These days games use Albedo textures that use a special gloss texture layer that reacts to real-time lighting. But these textures lose lots of detail when not in direct light. They need light sources to make them pop.
Specular Texture – Determines light intensity of a specific model.
For some reason, 343i chose to showcase their big next-gen hit during scenes that take place primarily in shadow, which made all the graphics, environments, and weapons look unfinished.
Look at the bulkhead’s lack of definition on the left, or even the log. That’s a direct result of the new dynamic lighting system when the textures simply aren’t getting any light.
So what can be done?
Digital Foundry’s Alex Battalgia notes that tracing could fix the lighting, whether it’s hardware-based ray tracing or in-engine software global illumination found in new software like Unreal Engine 5 or the latest CryEngine tech.
Ray tracing would trade the shadows and add another layer of lighting to the textures, thus illuminating and revealing the higher-end models that 343i has made for the game. The result would be less flat-looking graphics and gameplay even in shadows all while preserving the reactive reflections from the dynamic lighting system.
That’s why ray tracing is so revolutionary when it comes to visuals–and it’s doubly so for games with dynamic lighting.
Sadly this might not happen. We could be stuck with Halo: Infinite’s current shadows and illumination. There’s been no talk of ray tracing in Halo: Infinite, just the usual claims of 4K 60FPS. Ray tracing typically takes a big hit on both resolution and frame rates so if Halo: Infinite does get ray tracing, it could drop to 1080p 60FPS max on the Xbox Series X or PC.
4K 60FPS is a big thing for the Xbox Series X, and we could see a variable mode tossed in, but that would undermine the big 4K60 buzzword PR bulletpoint. I’m not sure if gamers would rather to play 4K60FPS with bad lighting/wonky textures or variable 1080p-1440p at 60FPS with ray-traced visuals to expose high-end models.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
