NFS:PS Booster pack: 30fps limit?!?

[HangTime]

This weekend I installed Need for Speed: Pro Street. As I always do when putting a new game on, I hunted down the latest patch (1.1).

I then fired it up, configured options etc. Had Fraps running and FPS seemed fine when cranking up the graphical detail. When I actually went to do a race however, I'm notice that I've got 30fps even on the race setup screen. Started the race, still 30fps solid.

OK, so maybe it's a stressful game. Back into the menus, turn settings down. Kick off another race. Still locked on 30fps. WTF. Even tried it on 640x480 low settings, still exactly 30fps.

After a bit of googling, I discovered that the booster pack (included in v1.1 patch) was responsible for this 30fps limit. So I've now gone through the hassle of uninstalling and then reinstalling the game to get it back to v1.0. Unlimited fps, that's more like it.

It begs the question though - what knob-jockey came up with the idea of imposing a 30fps cap on singleplayer, and then having the cheek to include it in a so-called "booster" pack? What's next, maybe disable turning left on the controls?

 

[Proc]

I'm sure the booster pack contains more cars, or there's a pack coming out. But yeah does seem rather strange to limit the fps.

 

[carrot1401]

EA did this with Command and Conquer 3, limiting the framerate to 30FPS. This is perfectly fine on a strategy game, as it allowed the game to play smoothly without the graphics card to be wasting its time making it go at 1000000fps, so in turn you could turn the settings up a tad.

However, I get the slightest idea that 30fps is going to be different 150mph

 

[Robert]

EA did this with Command and Conquer 3, limiting the framerate to 30FPS. This is perfectly fine on a strategy game, as it allowed the game to play smoothly without the graphics card to be wasting its time making it go at 1000000fps, so in turn you could turn the settings up a tad.

However, I get the slightest idea that 30fps is going to be different 150mph

I don't quite think it works like that.

I may be wrong...

 

[OzZie]

The concept has been implemented in a few games.

UT3 for example has a smooth framerate button which limits the FPS to 60 (or 65 can't remember) so that your GPU isn't working as hard to get higher frames, so instead you can crank up the level of detail and still maintain 60FPS which means that the game feels smooth all of the time, because there is less fluctuation.

FS2004/FSX has a similar function with the CPU power distribution. If you limit the FPS to say 25 then as soon as it gets to 25fps, it allows the processor to do other tasks like rendering scenery quicker so that everything feels smooth, hopefully without you noticing that the game is running slower than before.

In my opinion, more games should allow for this, but should ultimately let you choose if you want your fps capped or not.

 

[HangTime]

Even allowing for what has been said above, I still think they have done the wrong think because:

1) Why choose an arbitrary number like 30? Why not 10? Why not 100? At the very least you should be able to specify your own framerate cap.

2) Why introduce it in a patch, there was nothing wrong with how it was to start with. They've made me miss out on the patch content because there's no way I'm gonna play at a jerky 30fps. This idea about it appearing smooth because of the consistent framerate is all well and good, but it doesn't work if you pick such a low value. I'd much rather have 45-75fps than constant 30.

 

[Allattar]

30 is hardly a random number.

Physically 30 is around about the limit of what the Human eye can distinguish, although if you ask any FPS gamer they will tell you they can clearly see the difference between40 and 50 .

60 and above you wont notice any difference, you will notice if the fps drops below 30 though.

 

[bobert50]

30 is hardly a random number.

Physically 30 is around about the limit of what the Human eye can distinguish, although if you ask any FPS gamer they will tell you they can clearly see the difference between40 and 50 .

60 and above you wont notice any difference, you will notice if the fps drops below 30 though.

Of course you can tell the difference well over 60fps.

30fps cap is absolute madness tbh on any game other than, say for example a real time strategy game but even then it could do to be a little higher to improve general smothness of fast moving things (like scrin's air stuff etc).

 

[Viper²]

Of course you can tell the difference well over 60fps.

30fps cap is absolute madness tbh on any game other than, say for example a real time strategy game but even then it could do to be a little higher to improve general smothness of fast moving things (like scrin's air stuff etc).

Rockstar limit a lot of their games to 25fps. GTA for example.

I'm not saying it works, but there doesn't seem a problem with it.

 

[Allattar]

Of course you can tell the difference well over 60fps.

30fps cap is absolute madness tbh on any game other than, say for example a real time strategy game but even then it could do to be a little higher to improve general smothness of fast moving things (like scrin's air stuff etc).

Unless you have upgraded your eyes somewhere I dont think it is even physically possible to notice a difference above 60 FPS.

Someone look for a medical journal on it

 

[HangTime]

You can disable the framelimiter in GTA though. As far as I can see, there's no easy way to do that for NFSS.

Also, the framelimit in GTA was actually there for a reason. The game speed was directly linked to the framerate, so for example 60fps would make the game run twice as fast as 30fps. With modern game engines that shouldn't be an issue, as renderering and game tics are independent.

 

[HangTime]

Unless you have upgraded your eyes somewhere I dont think it is even physically possible to notice a difference above 60 FPS.

Someone look for a medical journal on it

I can easily notice the difference between say 60fps/60hz and 125fps/125hz. I haven't tested, but it would surprise me if some people can tell the difference between 125fps and 200fps (I've never had a monitor capable of over 160hz so haven't tested myself). This 60fps limit thing is just a myth, I've never seen any basis in fact to support it being a realistic limit. Very strange how it is exactly a nice round decimal number, and the same refresh rate as many monitors too... Also the idea that all humans are built the same. Just because I can tell the difference above 60fps, doesn't mean that everyone else can, and vice-versa.

Have a read of these two articles: http://amo.net/NT/02-21-01FPS.html

 

[Allattar]

I stand corrected then

 

[Inazuma]

30 is hardly a random number.

Physically 30 is around about the limit of what the Human eye can distinguish, although if you ask any FPS gamer they will tell you they can clearly see the difference between40 and 50 .

60 and above you wont notice any difference, you will notice if the fps drops below 30 though.

I may not be able to distinguish between 40 and 50 FPS, but I can certainly distinguish something like 20-30 and 30-50 even if I'm not thinking about framerate. Above 60 is where I don't really notice.
The 30FPS cap in the patch is a bit stupid tbh

 

[dovey]

60 is smooth but i found shooters such as cod 2 and 4 feel much better at 80+

I uninstalled pro street after this pack, felt to wrong with the 30 fps cap it was painfull to play!