Despite having more graphical options available, Ubisoft deliberately keeps the graphical envelope for the PC version of The Division 'in check' so that it remains comparable to the console versions.

After the beta for Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's The Division finished last week, a lot of attention has been focused on the game's graphics and performance. While The Division's render of a rundown virus-stricken New York City was stunning to behold, it was pretty clear that the PC version of the game was graphically superior compared to its console counterparts. Today, Ubisoft revealed that they deliberately didn't push the graphical envelope for the PC version of the game so that it can remain comparable to the console versions.

In an interview with Team Epiphany, Ubisoft stated that pushing the graphics for the PC version of The Division too far would've been "unfair" to console gamers.

“One good thing about The Division is we’ve always considered the PC as a separate platform. We do have to keep it in check with the consoles; it would be kind of unfair to push it so far away from them. But it’s been good having a dedicated PC build for this game.”

"I'm really happy that we're pushing the PC build as much as we are; there's a lot more customized options than the console.”

This statement essentially confirms that the PC version of the game will have numerous graphical options as seen in last month's batch of leaked alpha gameplay videos. Despite Ubisoft's intention of keeping all the versions of The Division on the same page performance-wise, Digital Foundry's graphics comparison of the PC and PlayStation 4 versions of the game revealed that the PC version features better graphics and improved performance than its console counterpart. While it's noteworthy that Ubisoft intends to have a level-playing field in terms of performance and graphics for each version of The Division, there is very little doubt that the PC version of the game remains superior to the console versions.

For gamers who intend on buying the console version of The Division, there are ways to improve the game's performance. Several graphical options are available and can be adjusted in order to improve the game's overall frame rate.

Despite the downtuning of the game's graphics on the PC, Ubisoft's focus on making a dedicated PC version of the The Division as good as it can be should still keep every gamer happy. Regardless of the platform, the spate of visuals that have been revealed in The Division's beta has been nothing short of breathtaking. While the game's visuals won't ever be comparable to its stunning E3 2013 reveal trailer, the positive reception to the beta and Ubisoft's support for the game has so far put The Division as an early front-runner for Game of the Year.

Tom Clancy's The Division will be launched on March 8 2016 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Source: Destructoid