Carmack: Next-gen games will still target 30 fps

Games developed for the next-generation of consoles will still target a performance of 30 frames per second, claims id Software co-founder John Carmack.

Taking to Twitter, the industry veteran said he could “pretty much guarantee” developers would target the standard, rather than aiming for anything as high as 60 fps.

ID Software games such as Rage and the Call of Duty series both hit up to 60 fps, but many titles in the current generation fall short such as the likes of Battlefield 3, which runs at 30 fps on consoles.

“Unfortunately, I can pretty much guarantee that a lot of next gen games will still target 30 fps,” said Carmack.

Targeting a typical frame rate of 30 frames per second could also mean many displays of future console games will also come in at a resolution of 720p.

DICE rendering architect Johan Andersson last year defended the developer’s decision to run Battlefield 3 at 30 fps and 720p on the PS3 and Xbox 360, as the developer would not be able to create the game’s “huge levels” if it aimed for 60 fps.

“We think huge levels, lots of players, great effects, destruction, vehicles and varied gameplay is more important than 1080p,” he said.

“We always do 30 frames per second on consoles, otherwise it wouldn’t be possible to fit in vehicles, effects, scale and all players.”