Concerns of PS3 and lag?

[PozerWolf]

Essentially, it's a topic I'd like to reassure in order to determined if any of the BlazBlue titles will suffer from enormous lag or slowdown during play. During the CT and CS1 days, coming off from Arcade to PS3 gave no issues in readjusting, even during long sets of play. However, as CP is right around the corner, I've been noticing and hearing a lot of issues in regards of PS3 lag for some time, and wondering if it has to do with specific model of the console, how the game is made, or whatever. And since BlazBlue is going to be Sony exclusive, I feel like now is a good time to touch light on this topic.

Capcom games suffer immensely from slowdowns on the PS3 due to hardware compatibilities (games just not fully designed onto the PS3). Where as 3D fighters, people normally prefer the PS3 in order to obtain optimal performance. Now with that said, and from my previous statement, I've never had an issue when it comes to slowdown with the previous BlazBlue titles... however...

It's come to my attention that the recent models of the PS3 tend to over heat quiet easily. The "Slim, Slim" PS3s (I forget the name) tends to have poor performances even for 3D fighters, as I notice Tekken players complain about slowdowns during bound combos or stage transitions. Of course, these slow down issues effect non-fighting games as well. Aside from poor reputation on dull gameplay, I've also bear witness the poor performance Injustice has on the slim, slim PS3s, making it almost impossible to punish certain moves due to heavy input delay. Capcom games are a given, as games like Marvel vs Capcom 3 tend to slowdown as time goes on, however, it's been noted that some models of the PS3 tend to be worst than others; most and foremost, the slim, slim.

It's became a concern to me, as I'd like I avoid anything that can dispute gameplay flow, but I guess my question would be:

How bad are the "slim, slim" PS3s? And are they viable for tournament play?

I guess we won't know this for sure until CP's release date, but any feedback from previous experiences on the slim, slim PS3 from other people here would be great. Share your story if possible, and shed to light onto the issue here.

[DSveno]

You meant the super slim? From what I saw from my friend's one, I had no problem playing BBCSEX and DOA5 so I don't think you have to worry. However I also heard that the paste on the super slim's CPU will be dry after around 2 or more years of usage, and could lead to potential overheating issue, while the slim one is said to be much more reliable than super slim as time passes.

[Kurushii]

News to me. I never seen someone bring the newer super slim to a tournament. I mainly see the first slim model more commonly used. I know the fat ps3 has been very well known to overheat easily. I can use my first slim model for very long periods of time with no issues. Only times I notice lag in games is in scenes where too much shit is going on at once like Unlimited Mode BB matches, or games not coded well like having a full party running in town on UNS3. If this is a first investment in a ps3 i'd recommend buying a used first slim ps3 over a new super slim model. Overall build of the product just looks much better.

[Celerity]

I play on a super slim, and I've never had any problems except when playing Marvel. I've done frame testing in Injustice specifically and there was no slowdown at 720p, but granted I haven't tested it under extreme heat conditions. My assumption is that BlazBlue is simply not demanding enough to cause the same levels of stress as games with 3D graphics, and I don't see why BBCP would be any different in that department.

[PozerWolf]

Just to prevent confusion, yeah, this is the PS3 I'm talking about.

http://www.cromaretail.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/PS38001374977_a2826448ed_k.jpg

[7thFonon]

The lag could be one of many reasons though (and may not be because of the console or whatever).

I'm assuming that people talking about lag on the PS3 were playing BBCP at TGS or some other event? If so, was it confirmed that the TV's / Monitors at TGS (or whatever event) were sub 12 ms of lag? Were the PS3's set to 720p (not allowing the PS3 to downscale from 1080p)? Were the monitors set to “game mode” or whatever the option is called for that specific device?

I say this because it's not uncommon for large events to mess things up in terms of setups, no matter how great the event actually is in other aspects (anyone remember that 2010 Tekken 6BR World Tournament?).

[Kurushii]

I think you misunderstood. There wasn't any complaints for TGS or other events. He's speaking in general.

[7thFonon]

TGS was just an example. I was asking if peoples' opinions on BBCP lagging were coming from their experience at actual events (not playing the game from their own PS3 / monitor). If this was the case, the lag is probably an issue caused by the setup provided by TGS (or whoever) rather than ASW messing up the port.

Not saying that ASW couldn't screw it up, but I'm more likely to believe the former is a fault here.... At least until we get our hands on the game.

EDIT : Also Pozerwolf, my experience is the same as Celerity's. I haven't had any problems playing on the newest slim model of the PS3. Granted, I don't own one, so I can't say for sure of what the system's limits are in terms of handling games.

Edited October 18, 2013 by 7thFonon

[RifleAvenger]

I've had no problem with sprite based fighters on my super slim, including BBCSEX. Unless CP is somehow going to be much more demanding, I doubt there will be an issue.

Though, given what I've been hearing about the shelf life of the super slim, I'm really regretting not getting a regular slim...

Edited October 18, 2013 by RifleAvenger

[Dreiko]

I've not heard of anything regarding ps3-lag for games that I play and I don't know what marvel or SF is like but BB runs fine. I do have the old 80 gig fat model ps3 but I've played in various other models too and it all feels the same exactly. From a technological standpoint, it's AlWAYS an issue of the game code being stupid when there's lag on one system. If there's hardware that works differently, you're suppopsed to alter the code and make up for it lol. Not just put your hands up and go "welp, this one lags a bit, ah well" lol.

[mAc Chaos]

As far as lag goes, I know three things for sure:

1) PS3 does lag in game sometimes. For instance, I remember tons of times at tournaments, seeing the game itself totally slow down when Tager was landing a 720.

2) The game itself runs a bit slower on PS3 than 360. About 2 frames slower.

3) As far as lag online goes it is inconclusive, but the fact that more people use wireless means you will have worse connections at least.

[Kenrou.Horo]

It also lags when Ragna does his AH, but it's not like it matters then anyway. Can't remember if there was any lag on 360.

[TAI-X]

CP has no 360 version, so any concerns over input lag are moot.

[Zouf]

2) The game itself runs a bit slower on PS3 than 360. About 2 frames slower.

I'm curious about this. Can you give us a comparative video?

[Airk]

2) The game itself runs a bit slower on PS3 than 360. About 2 frames slower.

I don't actually understand what you mean when you say this.

"About two frames slower"? So.. the match starts up an everything is two frames behind? Or two frames get added every second? Or every X frames? Or you just have two frames of input lag on everything?

[Celerity]

I don't actually understand what you mean when you say this.

"About two frames slower"? So.. the match starts up an everything is two frames behind? Or two frames get added every second? Or every X frames? Or you just have two frames of input lag on everything?

The implication I guess is that it runs at 58fps instead of 60fps, so it's 3% slower overall. This wouldn't really matter as long as the fps loss is somewhat constant and there are no skipped frames. I'd like to see a video or some kind of evidence that it occurs on all models of the PS3, though I guess I could test it myself...

I've had no problem with sprite based fighters on my super slim, including BBCSEX. Unless CP is somehow going to be much more demanding, I doubt there will be an issue.

Though, given what I've been hearing about the shelf life of the super slim, I'm really regretting not getting a regular slim...

If it's just the thermal paste going bad after a year or two, you can open up your PS3 and reapply it. I suppose this is what I plan to do if it ever happens to me.

CP has no 360 version, so any concerns over input lag are moot.

He's asking about different models of the PS3 causing lag, not PS3 vs 360.

Edited October 19, 2013 by Celerity

[Airk]

The implication I guess is that it runs at 58fps instead of 60fps, so it's 3% slower overall. This wouldn't really matter as long as the fps loss is somewhat constant and there are no skipped frames. I'd like to see a video or some kind of evidence that it occurs on all models of the PS3, though I guess I could test it myself...

Ah, that makes sense, though I'm amazed that anyone can tell.

[Errol]

the usual story is that the xbox runs at 61 or 62, and the ps3 at 60.

[Ctrlaltwtf]

I can definitely tell the difference between 360/PS3, especially with links like Tager's AC>AC whiff>6C

Pretty sure the 360 version is faster than 60 though, with PS3 being 60FPS

[Tong]

Interesting.

When I play BBCT on PC, for some reason the game can't keep the frames at 60, instead, it stays at 61. But that happens on displays that have higher refresh rates (usually, 120hz/144hz which is my case).

If I configure my display to refresh at 60hz, the game will then work normally again at 60 fps.

Now, the funny thing is when the game is running at 61fps, it gets noticeably faster and the timing for anything gets weird (specially for midcombo dashes).

Then I remembered that I had experienced the same thing when playing BBCT on the 360. To picture what I'm trying to say, on both versions I had little time to buffer a dash after Ragna's Gauntlet Hades combos, for example. I know my timings, and they're identical on that case.

So it's not far fetched to say that the game in fact runs "faster" on the 360.

I could even try to record some combos of the same game running at different speeds (60fps vs 61fps) to maybe try to show I'm not full of shit.

But meh, everyone's gonna have to play CP on PS3 anyways so...

[7thFonon]

Though people are saying the PS3 version of the game lags compared to the Arcade version of CP (not the xbox360 version, since there is none to compare to)..

Perhaps PS3 BB has always had this lag, but the reason no one complained about the it til now was because BB was a much slower game before? Hitstop has been reduced 2 frames across the board in CP, so just that change alone can really make a difference on how much that bit of lag/delay may affect people.

[PozerWolf]

I'm more concern as to which PS3s would be best to play on.

Seems like the fat and the first version of the slim are alright (sometimes? I've seen them have their bad days as well).

What kinda confuses me is that the Super Slim is $100 less than the first Slim. I guess Sony knows how bad the Super Slim is as well? I dunno.

[SolxBaiken]

What kinda confuses me is that the Super Slim is $100 less than the first Slim. I guess Sony knows how bad the Super Slim is as well? I dunno.

Are you talking about the completely pointless 12 GB units?

[RifleAvenger]

I'm more concern as to which PS3s would be best to play on.

Seems like the fat and the first version of the slim are alright (sometimes? I've seen them have their bad days as well).

What kinda confuses me is that the Super Slim is $100 less than the first Slim. I guess Sony knows how bad the Super Slim is as well? I dunno.

The Super Slim probably is cheaper to make than the Slim, but also remember that the PS3 is an aging system. It's not going to sell for the prices it used to, and it may drop further still when the PS4 is released.

If you truly feel you cannot trust the Super Slim, getting a lightly used (or never used) regular slim is your best bet. It's got the best quality of the three variants. Some runs of the old fat models are actually pretty sketchy, so I'd avoid getting one of those.

Are you talking about the completely pointless 12 GB units?

Probably, since a new 500 GB Super Slim tends to sell for about $250 (having bought one recently myself), the 12 GB ones sell for $200, and the price for the original slims when they were still in production was $300. I don't know why those 12 GB models exist either. $50 isn't such a high price to pay for forty times the memory capacity.

[TAI-X]

The 12 GB models exist for two groups of people:

- People who want a high-end Blu-ray player/streaming media box with the added bonus of being able to play PS3 games.

- People who want to play GTA V and nothing else.