re: Reviewers not getting PC Far Cry 4 code until release

Thanks to my video cards purchase I guess I will get this game "free"

No issues with Far Cry 4 having framerate issues or anything as you alluded to, on PS4 at least. Digital Foundry is praising the game very highly. Apparently Ubisoft Montreal has brought forward a lot of new tech that future games will use on the new consoles.

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Through a rapid pixel-count, it's easy to see the PS4 absolutely delivers on this full 1920x1080 promise - with none of the frame-rate problems seen in its Ubisoft stablemate. For every pixel we a get new line of visual information, letting us soak in every detail of Ubisoft Montreal's ice-peaked terrain from afar. However, by nature Far Cry 4 also boasts a eclectic mix of visual elements; from rock geometry and dangling flag-lines, to broad swathes of foliage and fur shaders. While a 1080p base image is a powerful starting position, image treatment tailored to the each game's visual style is still crucial, and Far Cry 4 deserves extra credit in this department.

Ubisoft delivers a unique solution here. To tackle all of these elements as best it can, a new Hybrid Reconstruction Anti-Aliasing (HRAA) system is in place for the game. As gleaned from developer Michal Drobot's SIggraph 2014 presentation, this takes common wisdom from the best post-processing methods available, matching SMAA for image clarity in static moments, while also attempting to iron out any shimmer artefacts owing to a lack of temporal sampling.

In practise on PS4, HRAA very successfully attacks Far Cry 4's jagged edges while avoiding residual blur to texture-work - a shortcoming pinned on lower-quality presets of the popular FXAA. Geometric aliasing is tricky to catch indeed, and in dealing with the final rasterizsd target, sub-pixel elements are also thoroughly treated. In static shots, the game still retains its sharpness in all the right places.

But the secondary goal is in improving how this AA works in motion. High contrast elements, such as gaps between tree leaves and mesh patterns - the typical culprits for temporal flicker - now benefit from the blending of current and former frames to reduce visual noise. The net result is very little shimmer to these elements as we pan around, calling to mind the existing TXAA method used on PC.

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As a hybrid approach it works surprisingly well, and to top it off, it targets a minute render budget of around 1ms when working with a 1080p image. In all, this is a swift turnaround comparable to other post-process methods. The only stone unturned, to our eyes, is on the game's fur shaders, with wildlife up close still producing a visible pixel crawl. Even so, it tackles many of the bizarre curve-balls Far Cry 4 has to throw, and makes a promising case for its use in other future open-world games.

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More technical details here

Looks like AC:U got about the D team from Ubi, and FC4 got the A team. Can't wait for Tues.

Direct PS4 "tech" screenshots:

Exactamundo.

Anything with a review embargo should be hammered appropriately.

Almost every game has an embargo now. It doesn't mean the game had problems unless the timing is off like unity did.

I think there is a way to do it. There were some writers the other day saying that it's original intent was good. They wanted to discourage reviewers from rushing through a game to be the first site to post a review. In theory, they should give you plenty of time to play it so no one just throws crap out there. Unfortunately some abuse it, ubisoft... Nintendo lifts theirs too soon imo. By the time the game releases you forget it was reviewed already.

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Just saw the commercial on twd..game looks pretty sweet

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Haven't you learned to be wary when it comes to Ubisoft and their commercials yet?

Was it a gameplay commercial?

Say what you want about their games but Ubisoft marketing is top notch.