Johan Andersson, rendering architect at Battlefield developer DICE, has warned that users will need to ensure they are running a 64-bit operating system for future versions of the Frostbite engine.
While not directly naming the Battlefield series, Andersson took to microblogging service Twitter earlier this week to declare 64-bit a requirement for his company's future games.
'We'll have Frostbite-powered games in 2013 that will require a 64-bit OS,' Andersson told his followers (his emphasis.) 'If you are on 32-bit, [it's a] great opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8.'
Responding to the barrage of questions that followed, Andersson explained that Windows 8 wouldn't be a requirement - merely a version of Windows which can run 64-bit software, including previous releases Windows 7 and Windows Vista 64-bit editions.
The company's current flagship title, Battlefield 3, has no 64-bit support - a decision Andersson defends. 'There's no need for [64-bit support] in [Battlefield 3,]' he told followers. 'Just running on a 64-bit OS gets you 4GB which is plenty enough for it.'
Asked for performance details regarding the decision to go 64-bit only in future Frostbite releases, Andersson was somewhat quiet. '[We] don't have any perf[ormance] data to share at this time, but the main drivers [for a move to 64-bit] are larger VA-space [Virtual Address space] and access to RAM.'
A move to 64-bit will, in theory, allow DICE to vastly improve an already impressive game engine - but a move to 64-bit exclusivity is a surprise. Previously, games companies have released 64-bit and 32-bit versions of their titles simultaneously, or added 64-bit support in a later patch following a 32-bit only launch.
In recent years, it has become common to see PCs sold with a 64-bit build of Windows - but prior to that the 32-bit version ruled the roost. Making a game engine 64-bit only has the potential to exclude a not-inconsiderable number of gamers on older hardware.
DICE itself has yet to comment on Andersson's revelation.
While not directly naming the Battlefield series, Andersson took to microblogging service Twitter earlier this week to declare 64-bit a requirement for his company's future games.
'We'll have Frostbite-powered games in 2013 that will require a 64-bit OS,' Andersson told his followers (his emphasis.) 'If you are on 32-bit, [it's a] great opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8.'
Responding to the barrage of questions that followed, Andersson explained that Windows 8 wouldn't be a requirement - merely a version of Windows which can run 64-bit software, including previous releases Windows 7 and Windows Vista 64-bit editions.
The company's current flagship title, Battlefield 3, has no 64-bit support - a decision Andersson defends. 'There's no need for [64-bit support] in [Battlefield 3,]' he told followers. 'Just running on a 64-bit OS gets you 4GB which is plenty enough for it.'
Asked for performance details regarding the decision to go 64-bit only in future Frostbite releases, Andersson was somewhat quiet. '[We] don't have any perf[ormance] data to share at this time, but the main drivers [for a move to 64-bit] are larger VA-space [Virtual Address space] and access to RAM.'
A move to 64-bit will, in theory, allow DICE to vastly improve an already impressive game engine - but a move to 64-bit exclusivity is a surprise. Previously, games companies have released 64-bit and 32-bit versions of their titles simultaneously, or added 64-bit support in a later patch following a 32-bit only launch.
In recent years, it has become common to see PCs sold with a 64-bit build of Windows - but prior to that the 32-bit version ruled the roost. Making a game engine 64-bit only has the potential to exclude a not-inconsiderable number of gamers on older hardware.
DICE itself has yet to comment on Andersson's revelation.
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