Why Can't Destiny 2 Run at 60 FPS on PS4 Pro?

Shortly after Destiny 2 was revealed and we got our first look at gameplay, it was revealed that the PC version would be capable of running in 4K with uncapped framerates exceeding 60 FPS. The console version of the game, however, would remain locked at 30 FPS like the original Destiny. But what about the PS4 Pro version? Surely with double the GPU power Sony's upgraded powerhouse could run the game at 60 FPS, right? Even if we have to stick to 1080p? Unfortunately not, and this new video from Digital Foundry explains why. We'll have a summary below for those of you who can't watch:

If you know tech, then you already know why the PS4 Pro won't be pushing this game at 60 FPS. It comes down to three little letters: CPU. As soon as we saw the PS4 Pro's specs we knew that the CPU would continue to present bottlenecking challenges for developers, and while some games would see significant performance bumps or resolution bumps thanks to the beefier GPU, there simply isn't enough processing power to guarantee significant bumps for all engines.

Bungie confirmed as much during a recent interview with IGN. Bungie's Luke Smith said, "The console, the PS4 Pro is super powerful, but it couldn't run out game at 60. Our game's this rich physics simulation where collision of players, networking, etc., and like, it wouldn't run. There's not enouguh horsepower there."

Bungie's Mark Noseworthy goes on to point out the CPU's shortcomings more directly: "But there's tons of GPU power in the PS4 Pro. That's why we're doing 4K right? It's on the CPU side. Destiny's simulation, like we have more AI, more monsters in an environment with physically simulated vehicles and characters and projectiles, and then you add like five, six, seven other players in a public event... This is incredibly intensive for hardware."

There's also the issue of multiplayer parity. When the PS4 Pro launched, Sony promised that there would be absolute parity between the normal PS4 and Pro performance in multiplayer games. Faster frame rates give competitors a distinct advantage in multiplayer shooters, since the controller input latency tends to be much lower. Destiny 2 is a multiplayer shooter through and through, competitively and cooperatively, and the player-base can't be divided into those who have a distinct frame advantage and those who don't.

In other words, it makes perfect sense, really, and in all likelihood Destiny 2 won't run at 60 FPS on Project Scorpio either. For those looking to play the prettiest, most impressive version of Destiny 2 will definitely want to opt for the PC version, even if that means waiting for a later launch (which is yet to be confirmed).

Stay tuned to WWG for more on Destiny 2.