Why PS3 Battlefield 3 is 720p and 30fps

On console, Battlefield 3 produces a 720p resolution at 30 frames per second.

The specs were confirmed by developer DICE following the first console demonstration of Battlefield 3 on US chat show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where PlayStation 3 code was shown.

DICE rendering architect Johan Andersson fielded questions about the demo on Twitter. He answered queries of why the frame-rate and resolution weren't higher, and why the console version of Battlefield 3 looked inferior to the game on PC.

"We think huge levels, lots of players, great effects, destruction, vehicles & varied gameplay are more important than 1080p," said Andersson.

"How is that a shame? Name a single FPS game that runs at 1080p on any of the consoles? [We] would have to do huge gameplay cuts.

"Modern Warfare 2 runs at 1024x600 on PS3 with 2x MSAA. And I didn't do any digs at COD, just explained our trade-offs."

The Call of Duty series prides itself on offering a smooth 60fps experience. Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3's target, will run at 60fps.

Andersson went on to mention a "special lighting solution" for the Xbox 360 version of Battlefield 3 that is "pretty awesome". He added that BF3 will run Edge MLAA code "with some tweaks of our own".

How key the frame-rate factor turns out to be in the battle between Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 - and indeed the war between the Call of Duty and Battlefield series - remains to seen. Does it matter to you?

Here's that Fallon footage.