KING Art Games is about to release the Action RPG The Dwarves. Originally funded via Kickstarter with $310,091 in pledges in October 2015, the game is based on the best-selling novels written by German author Markus Heitz.
We've interviewed the developers ahead of the upcoming launch, starting with some tech questions on the console frame rate/resolution and PlayStation 4 Pro support.
Can you tell us the target resolution and frame rate for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One?
The resolution is full HD, 1080p. We aim for 30 frames per second on both platforms.
What's your opinion on the PlayStation 4 Pro? Is it powerful enough to render games at 4K resolution or should developers focus on other enhancements like frame rate, image quality through supersampling, etc.?
The new Sony PlayStation 4 Pro is a powerful device, and we have a solid performance increase on “The Dwarves”, so if you get a “Pro”, the game will run smoother. .Since even high-powered computers struggle with a solid frame rate at 4K resolution in 3D games, you shouldn’t expect better graphics (better shadows, etc.) and 4K.
Are you going to support PS4 Pro for The Dwarves and if so, in which ways?
Yes. We support the PS4 Pro with a focus on performance improvements; frame rate will be higher, but the native resolution will stay at 1080P.
Both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S now have an expanding library of HDR compatible games and even PC got the first two (Shadow Warrior 2, Obduction). Do you intend to support HDR technology for the game at some point?
HDR is a technology which was introduced to us very late in the development of “The Dwarves”. At this point, we decided not to implement it and use our time to improve the game itself.
Indeed, PlayStation 4 Pro isn't powerful enough to deliver both a resolution increase and improved graphics effects such as better shadows, textures et cetera; in fact, games that run at 4K or 1800P native resolution usually don't have any other graphics enhancements. On the other hand, when played on HDTV at 1080P most PS4 Pro games receive various improvements to image quality and graphic effects. It's one or the other, really.
Check back tomorrow for our full interview on The Dwarves, including more details on its story and gameplay.