Alien Isolation is due for release this October for the seventh gen and eighth gen consoles (as well as for PC). The game is still being worked on and optimized for each series of platforms, this could mean that the Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game could target and hit 1080p at 60 frames per second.
Gaming Bolt managed to get in word with Alien Isolation's lead designer, Gary Napper. The Creative Assembly developer briefly mentioned about where they stand with getting the game to run at 1080p and 60fps on the new generation consoles, saying...
“We are still in the final stages of development on the game so, so we’d definitely be aiming as high and as fast as we can.”
I think we can safely assume that it's a “no” for now.
The likelihood is that the game might end up being 1080p on both the PS4 and Xbox One, but will likely end up at 30 frames per second instead of 60. Then again, the game is still in development and anything could happen between now and October.
As for whether or not there are any hurdles standing in the way of the development team's goals, Napper stated that...
“We haven’t really had any version specific issues because we’ve developed the game as a central version first. I think mostly what we care about is the gameplay feeling right, that’s not costing anything depending on what platform. We are also making it for PS3 and Xbox 360, so we have to make sure that the previous-gen is still supported and it’s still the same essential core game there.”
This is a very similar thing to what Bungie mentioned about Destiny running on the Xbox One and PS4 – that the inclusion of the seventh generation home consoles worked as a technical ceiling for what they could do and how far they could go with the game.
Trying to maintain parity between the Xbox One and PS4 is one thing, but trying to bridge the gameplay mechanics in similitude from the PS3 and Xbox 360 over into the newer consoles has become it's very own roadblock. So far, the only game that seems to transcend that limitation if Kojima Productions' upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
For now, though, we won't know exactly what sort of limitations the seventh gen consoles are imposing on the eighth gen consoles until Alien Isolation launches. But maintaining cross-gen parity (as far as engine mechanics go) is something gamers will have to deal with for just a while longer until the install bases for both the PS4 and Xbox One grow a lot larger than where they are at the moment.
As for whether or not the Xbox One's eSRAM is causing any hang-ups in the team achieving 1080p or 60fps with Alien Isolation, Napper simply stated...
“Not that I am aware, no (laughs). No I mean, I don’t wanna jinx it, but so far it’s been pretty good.”
Well that's a good sign.
Alien Isolation is due for release on October 7th for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 and PC.
