Sony is "probably going to reject" PlayStation VR games below 60 fps
SCEA senior dev support engineer Chris Norden stresses the importance of framerate for PlayStation VR.
At the PlayStation VR talk at GDC, SCEA senior dev support engineer Chris Norden highlighted the importance of frame rate for potential developers interested in creating titles for the platform.
"Frame rate is really important; you cannot drop below 60 frames per second, ever," Norden stressed. "If you submit a game to us and it drops to 55, or 51...we're probably going to reject it. I know I’m going to get flak for this, but there’s no excuse for not hitting frame rate."
"It’s really hard, and I’m not going to lie to and say it’s extremely easy...it’s really difficult," he continued, before confirming, "60hz is the minimum acceptable framerate. Everybody drill that into your heads."
He also took the opportunity to address the issues of the media's coverage of the PSVR's breakout box, which has been more than a little off the mark. "I see a lot of media misreporting what that little black box does, and it’s driving me crazy," Norden said, before going on to explain that it hasn't been designed for developers to access at all.
It's purpose is to deal with object-based 3D audio processing and the PSVR's social screens, as well as the PS4 interface in PSVR's cinematic mode.
Sony will also be launching VR consultation service for developers with the aim of providing feedback on "technical correctness." according to gamasutra.
Talking about the service, Norden said, "We’re not going to beta test your title or anything, but we’re going to provide you kind of a report of ‘oh, this is a possible nausea trigger. Oh, here you’re dropping frame rate.’"
While we take it for granted that games should just roll out at a smooth 60 fps these days, it's great to see Sony taking a firm stance on having devs adhere to these standards when it comes to PSVR. The platform won't succeed if the games let it down, so it's in everyone's best interest to lay out a set of minimum requirements.
PlayStation VR will release in October for £350, although finding a retailer with any left in stock after the slew of pre-orders is no cake walk.