Poll: Constant 30FPS or Variable 60FPS

[Elvis Starburst]

As I have recently learned, the new MH title Monster Hunter Generations will run at a constant 30FPS, rather than the unlocked framerate in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The reason for this was due to the improved lighting, particle effects and improved monster textures. There's also a hint of anti-aliasing as well, which is something the previous title lacked. But, the decision has been bringing scorn among fans of the unlocked frame rate.

People say MH4U had a constant 60FPS on the New 3DS XL. As someone who's sunk 330 hours in the title on the New 3DS system, I can say this is a flat lie, as the game drops below 60FPS when a large enough monster or more than 1 hunter is involved in the hunt. Maybe I'm just a stickler for details, but I have been picky with frame rates that constantly change, so others don't tend to notice.

For me personally, I'm content with added effects/details and a constant 30FPS. I can deal with a constant frame rate much better than one that flip-flops from smooth and speedy to slower and janky. To me, it's easier to adjust to a constant lower frame rate rather than adjust to a faster one and see it fluctuate constantly.

How about you guys?

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I'm sure there's going to be a crowd of WHY NOT BOTH, but in principle quality (constant FPS) rules over quantity (high FPS).

 

[TheMysteriousGX]

I'm hard-pressed to tell the difference between a stable 30 and a stable 60, even if directly comparing the two side by side, but I sure as hell can tell if it's changing on me.

I'll go with a lower but stable 30 over a higher-with-dips, even if the 60 frame game only dips to 45 or so.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

I'd say anything 30 frames or above is acceptable.

Some games, like GTAIV for me hovers around 40-60. Yes I see that it's better looking when it's 60, but it doesn't bother me much when it's below that because its still playable.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Generally, the importance list goes...

1. Frame Rate Stability
2. Frame Quality
3. Frame Quantity

Of course, with how hardware works, that's not how it usually works.

 

[Elfgore]

Screw the long explanation, just give me a constant 30 and I'm golden.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

Screw the long explanation, just give me a constant 30 and I'm golden.

How harsh, I'm rather proud of my long explanations!
I did it all for you guys ;3;

But nah, I agree with you. Fluctuations in FPS are easier to notice than a constant lower FPS I find

 

[Cette]

As long as it doesn't drop below 45 I prefer variable. And if it does then I crank shit down til it doesn't.

 

[laggyteabag]

I think I would prefer a stable 30. I locked The Witcher 3 to 30 when I played it on my old rig, because nothing was more annoying to me than the framerate constantly flying all over the place.

 

[The Lunatic]

Depends how variable.

But, as long as the FPS stays above 30, it's preferable.

However, I have a G-sync monitor, so, I don't run into the issues of refresh rate that you do with fixed refresh rate monitors.

 

[tippy2k2]

As a console gamer, I don't have a choice! So take that! #ConsoleMasterRace

I've said it in other threads and I'll say it here; does the game run smoothly? If the answer is yes, I will take that FPS. While I'm not one to say that I can't tell the difference between 30 and 60, I am perfectly fine saying that it really doesn't matter all that much to me as long as the game runs fine. While 60 would be nice, I'm not going to throw a fit because my game is running at 30 as long as the game runs smoothly.

 

[Evil Moo]

I'd take variable 60 as long as it actually is around 60 most of the time, sometimes dropping below that. If it is actually mostly closer to 30, sometimes going as high as 60, I would call that a variable 30 and a constant 30 would likely be preferable to that.

A frame rate as low as 30 just feels bad to me in a lot of games though, particularly anything with camera rotation or fast linear movement (especially mouse movement; there's nothing worse than going from the desktop, where the mouse moves smoothly, to a game where the cursor lags). A constant 45 or so I could probably be happy with, but 30 would have me going through the graphics settings every 5 minutes trying to figure out why the game isn't running properly (in fact I experienced exactly this with GTA V until I realised that for some reason having v-sync on was locking me to 30). Given the choice I will lower the settings until I get a near constant 60.

 

[Beliyal]

I prefer constant 30. It really annoys me when the fps counter jumps all over the place or has major dips. I'd rather play at a constant 30. And I'm a weirdo who prefers lower fps rate due to having issues with motion sickness (higher fps tends to give me headaches).

 

[Drops a Sweet Katana]

I don't know. I'd say variable 60 as long as the dips weren't enormous (like sub-30 enormous) since between 30 and 60 is comfortably playable for me thanks to me having pretty weak computers for so long. Consistency is ideal, but is rarely ever the case without sacrificing higher frame rates which, going from 30fps, are a godsend.

 

[TotalerKrieger]

I would prefer variable 60, so long as the FPS doesn't drop below 40. Within the range of 45-60 FPS is can be difficult to perceive much difference expect during those magical moments when the monitor's refresh rate perfectly matches the frames being rendered...4K Freesync monitor, you shall be mine one day.

 

[Dizchu]

Well, think of it this way. If you gave me two sets of 10 cans of Coke, in the first set all of them were flat and in the second some were flat and others were fizzy, I'd go for the second. While I'd much prefer 10 fizzy cans of Coke it's better to have some greatness and some mediocrity over just mediocrity.

 

[Erttheking]

Stability is what I want. If the framerate is going to be constantly rising and dropping then it's going to throw me off. I got used to playing 60 FPS on Dark Souls II Scholar of the First Sin, so I was thrown off when the PS4 version of Dark Souls 3 had 30 FPS...for five minutes. After awhile I just adjusted to it and went on my way. I would've been constantly reliving those awkward five minutes if the frame rate was constantly rising and dropping.

 

[Zeras]

I'll echo the consistent 30 for the same reasons others have: if the game is stable and runs smoothly on 30 FrPS I'll take that over an inconsistent framerate that jumps all over the place.

NOTE: I am a console user, though I have played my fair share of PC titles (mainly RTS).

 

[deadish]

Depends ...

On my current setup, playing FFXIV, 50-60fps looks OK but below that you start to notice the choppiness.

That said, 30fps gameplay videos on YouTube look fine ...

Also I used to play WoW on a Macbook Pro @ 20-30fps ... it looks fine ...

I don't get it either. Maybe it's the monitor.

 

[Yan007]

After playing so much on PC, I really can't see myself go back to sub-60 fps unless for very specific cases:

-Old games locked below 60 fps.
-Turn based RPGs and strategy games where it won't matter.