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140°

Face-Off: Sleeping Dogs [ Digital Foundry ]

On Microsoft's system, Sleeping Dogs adopts a native 1200x720 presentation, with an 80-pixel horizontal upscale to 720p, while on the PS3 we're looking at a much lower 1152x640, which has more severe implications with regards to overall image quality. Anti-aliasing on both consoles is a post-process, most likely provided by NVIDIA's popular FXAA solution, although we find that the PS3 uses a more aggressive edge-detect algorithm in order to smooth over the additional jaggies created by the heavy upscale.

While the 360 game gives a passable impression of a native 720p presentation, it looks significantly blurrier on the PS3: the combination of the much heavier upscaling and a stronger FXAA solution covering the final image in a veil of softness. Finer texture details that are visible on both platforms are smoothed over and edges feature a distinct softness that is regularly apparent with anti-aliased sub-HD games. Specular highlights are also subdued on the PS3 due to the stronger edge-detection being employed, although this doesn't come across as a particular downside given that the characters can look a little too shiny in some scenes on the 360.

Aside from the obvious resolution differences, it is clear that the PS3 version is missing some of the more intricate texture details found on the 360, a situation not helped by the more aggressive FXAA implementation. Additionally, we also find that normal maps feature less distinctive bumps and ripples, leading to the affected surfaces looking a touch blockier in nature. The reason for this is that lower resolution artwork is used on many objects throughout the game, thus resulting in visible detail loss, while normal maps appear to be using a different, more lossy compression scheme which creates artifacts on surfaces which use the effect - the Xenos GPU has access to improved texture compression technology compared to RSX, which may explain this.

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eurogamer.net
stonecold35040d ago

wow square dropped the ball on this version i think i might give it a miss and due to lazy port i was going to get it but its not worth supporting a company just give ps3 half a$$ ports and not spending the time resources in the ps3 version ?

Anon19745040d ago (Edited 5040d ago )

I wouldn't worry about it. "Overall Sleeping Dogs is worthy of consideration on both console platforms"

I remember despite the strong reviews, you'd think the Orange Box back in the day was unplayable on the PS3 given the way people were talking about it. I skipped it but ended up saying "What the hell" and picked it up eventually on my PS3 for $15, and it was awesome! Same thing happened with Ghostbusters. Everyone was harping on how terrible the PS3 version was, but I tried it and had a blast.

These articles might make a difference to you if you have both a PS3 and 360 but I can't see the use in them. Watching that comparison video, if they weren't telling me what was different between the two, I'd never be able to tell you. In one scene, I guy fell through a glass pane and there was added blood particles on the PS3 version that wasn't there on the 360 version. That was the only thing I could tell you was different about the two versions.

I'd hardly call this a half assed port, and that doesn't seem to be the conclusion DF came to either. Anyway, I pity the gamer that would skip playing a game based on these type of pixel counting articles. If it really mattered to you, you'd be playing on a high end gaming PC anyway.

Bathyj5040d ago

Playing PS3 version right now. Its great.

Remember, a man who never eats pork bun is never a whole man.

Wintersun6165040d ago

It's the game that matters, not the graphics. I would NEVER miss on a good game just because the other version looks better.

TBM5040d ago

i have ps3 version and its playing just fine. can't believe people still care about comparisons. i just keep it for the console i felt most comfortable with.

just like i bought darksiders 2 for 360.

i could have easily bought both for the opposite, or both for the same consoles. pointless comparisons lead to stupid fights.

StrawberryDiesel4205040d ago

Well, I don't buy games that have screen tearing, period. It's the sign of lazy developing skills and if the devs don't give a shit, neither do I and I won't purchase the game. I love these comparisons, keep up the good work Digital Foundry! Next up should be the Darksiders 2 comparison.

specialguest5040d ago (Edited 5040d ago )

You're like a spoiled brat in the gaming world. Had there not been a comparison image or video of this game, you might have just enjoyed the game at its purest form for what it is. Seriously, is your entire gaming world that fragile to where a slight difference in graphical details (details you would've never known about) would shatter your chance to play a game you looked forward to playing?? That's really pathetic.

That's like a child who crave pizza, but because his slice had one less pepperoni than the other kids, he tosses it back in childish protest, crosses his arms and pouts.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5040d ago
fossilfern5040d ago

I really wish people would stop using FXAA its a terrible form of AA. Can they not use SMAA atleast ?

yewles15040d ago

Still using a more taxing solution on the PS3 GPU than letting the SPE's handle it? No wonder MM is helping out on LBP Karting...

JellyJelly5040d ago

I'll be getting the 360 version. Anyone know how the PC version fares?

T3MPL3TON 5040d ago

It's the best version of the game. Played the 360 version fr a bit it's fine but the PC version seems to have gotten the most attention.. which is odd seeing as this is really a console game.

vikingland15040d ago

Digital Foundry says the PC version is the best of the 3. But I only have a PS3 and Xbox 360 no gaming PC. So it looks like the 360 version for me.

pr0digyZA5040d ago

PC has ended up the best they included a bunch of new features, plus a 4 gig high res texture pack for free, and there has been 4 patches. Probably one of the best ports.

stuntman_mike5040d ago

The PC is definitely the best version. Plays better than the console versions.

iistuii5040d ago

The pc version of EVERY game is better. Just because its running at a higher resolution. so even if the game is a complete console port, it'll look better because the resolution irons out lots of jaggies.

RyuStrife5040d ago

no. fifa is still a little behind. they've improved it, but still lacking some features. Sure, you get full hd 60fps but it still isnt as good as the hd console versions.

neoMAXMLC5040d ago

Game keeps crashing back to my desktop. =|
My GTX 260 isn't exactly a powerhouse but it's nice having a pretty high frame rate even if it means playing this game on medium settings...

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5040d ago
kevnb5040d ago

If people really care get it for PC, its a huge difference there in this game.

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130°

Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings

Jason Dietz: "We reveal the past year's best and worst video game publishers (based on their 2025 releases) in the 16th edition of our annual Game Publisher Rankings."

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metacritic.com
Christopher73d ago

Take note, Sony, you're falling behind by a lot.

-Foxtrot73d ago (Edited 73d ago )

I was just going to say this, their biggest and top rated game here is TLOU2 for PC….it’s embarrassing.

Even Ubisoft and EA are ahead

Kind of surprised Nintendo is pretty low aswell, their biggest game is also a rerelease with the Switch 2 version of TotK.

StoneColdCrazy72d ago

That’s what happens when you start shutting down your own studios and forget what actually made you matter in the industry in the first place. Sony used to set the standard — now it feels like they’ve lost that identity. And if they decide to walk away from the PC market too, that’s going to be another huge mistake — that platform is only growing, and ignoring it now would just put them even further behind.

1Victor73d ago

@christopher:” Take note, Sony, you're falling behind by a lot.”
.
Why single out Sony? Microsoft didn’t do any better than the year before 5th same as Sony 9th and they have acquired activision and other mayor titles that have boosted their score massively from a 9th and Sony a 4th the year before the acquisitions.
Sony does need to do better without a doubt and I do hope they do take note but not the note of buying publishers is the way to succeed.

Christopher73d ago

1. Microsoft didn't get worse.
2. Sony got way worse.
3. Because Sony needs the criticism the most considering their publishing output this generation has been propped up by last gen ports and third-party developers for the most part.

73d ago
thesoftware73073d ago

1Victor,

I don't wanna speak for Christopher, but like most of us we recognize that Sony's output this Gen has been way below their own standards.

Also Sony did buy a fair amount of Devs, I know you will say they were not publishers, and don't compare in size, but they had their fair share of Aquisitions, including the very well established Bungie.

The overall point is with their stellar first party track record of the past, they should not be going down, they are singled out because they are some of the best videogame devs/publisher on the planet...no matter what reasons we attribute to the situation, they are moving in the wrong direction... period.

73d ago
KyRo72d ago

Its widely accept that Sony this generation has been underwhelming. We've had more peripheral releases, controller variants, PS5 accessories than games it feels like. The exclusives were also PS4 and what little output they have put exclusively on PS5 is nowhere near as memorable as what came in every generation before that.

This isn't a Sony hate post but anyone who's older and has been around for a long time gaming will agree that PS5 is by far Sony's worst generation. As much as Xbox is in the gutter, I pray the do bounce back in the hope we get Sony to wake up again.

darthv7272d ago (Edited 72d ago )

If you want to critique MS... you are doing so towards their management. The games output and their hardware have been much better than PS this gen. Sadly... people still hold a grudge against XB because of MS. Thankfully i am not that petty... I've been enjoying their games output in the drought of PS. And add in some NS1/2 games as well to balance things out. Things will change for me once Wolverine hits, and I start using my 5 more. That one I'm looking forward to. And the Marvel fighter... I'm not a GTA player so that has no bearing on my view of things.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 72d ago
Profchaos73d ago

Big part of that has been the live service push resulting in cancellation or flop after flop but when they put out the games their fans want we get amazing stuff like astro bot

Leadership really screwed the pooch trend chasing

1Victor73d ago (Edited 73d ago )

https://www.metacritic.com/...

https://www.metacritic.com/...
Well I apologize I was wrong about not doing worse but my statement of Microsoft getting a boost still stand 🤷🏿

73d ago
1Victor72d ago

Well OBSCURED unlike you I’m honorable enough to recognize when I’m wrong and apologize.
.
@ The software you know there’s no comparison between what Microsoft acquired and what Sony acquired that’s why you tried to get ahead of the conversation, yes we all know Sony can do better than what they have done this gen but they inhaled the poison GAS they thought would bring money for years but we make sure they got the message and quite a few games got cancelled you know as well a hit like that take years to be corrected and by now they hopefully will have taken steps away from the GAS and slowed their approach to them.

bsingle4072d ago

You will say anything when you are in denial that your hardware is dead and nobody wants your platform. Good luck with Helix because nobody will buy it.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 72d ago
SimulationDaily73d ago

But... but... the garbage-mongers always tell us that Square Enix is in trouble! 😂

Christopher73d ago

Square doesn't help that it fear mongers itself with ridiculous 'goals' that they can't reach and then they proclaim failure if they don't reach it. They're quite freaking profitable and people act like they're dying.

SimulationDaily73d ago (Edited 73d ago )

Keep in mind that these "proclamations" are usually third-hand bad translations from somedude who was at the investor conference, posted on Twitter, and picked up by press and youtubers like they were gold, and then when the official translation comes out, they're much softer statements, but at that point, the damage is done.

gold_drake73d ago

to be very fair

being number one on these things does not indicate how "well" their games do selling wise.

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40°

Square Enix Reports Lower Sales but Growing Profits in Financial Results

Square Enix announced its financial results for the first nine months of the fiscal year, related to the period between April and December 2025.

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simulationdaily.com
100°

Shareholder denounces Square Enix's 'sluggish' revenue and profit

3D Investment Partners, a major shareholder of Square Enix, issued a 112-page presentation criticizing the company's 'sluggish' revenue and profit margins.

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gamedeveloper.com
178d ago
SimpleDad178d ago

Basically, their presentation says: Go Woke, Go broke.
Sorry fellow N4gamers.

Alos88177d ago

Or, alternatively, don't cut Switch and Steam out of your biggest releases day one.

360ICE177d ago

If your response to a 112 page presentation from a profit-maximizing investment fund about the need for corporate restructuring (i.e. layoffs), integrating non-gaming (i.e. sell merch or build a theme park) and other corporate initiatives, is that it's about "go woke, go broke", then it's because you've lost the ability to think in any terms. Awful way to live your life. Private equity is destroying the games industry while you obsess that Square made a cringe game everyone thinks is cringe in 2023. Time to move on.

gold_drake178d ago

i mean .. we've been saying this for years.

franwex178d ago

Oh darn. Maybe games with NFTs can fixed that!

Soy178d ago

Waaah waaah our profits aren't big enough! I mean, they're still growing and all, but we want it faster and NOW! Waaaah!

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