Game Optimization Archives

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

What does ‘good performance’ really mean in the context of PC gaming?

Performance in gaming is a complex topic, with debates on the importance of frame rates and visual fidelity. Some gamers prefer a steady 30 FPS, while others aim for 120 FPS or more. Newer games do not always guarantee better performance, as advanced rendering techniques can be resource-intensive. Frame rate alone is an inadequate measure of performance; both frame rate and frame time data should be considered. A flat frame-time graph is crucial for good performance, as spikes indicate stutters. Achieving a stable frame rate, such as 60 FPS on a 120 Hz display, is preferable to fluctuating rates. Performance targets should align with the monitor's refresh rate, and tools like G-Sync and RivaTuner can help optimize gaming experiences.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds PC players make Steam reviews their 15th weapon as Capcom’s RE Engine delivers another Dragon’s Dogma 2-sized disaster: “Very immersive game. You can cook a well-done steak on your GPU”

Monster Hunter Wilds has received a mixed rating on Steam, with players expressing significant frustration over its performance issues. Many reviews highlight the game's optimization problems, with players noting that achieving 60fps requires frame generation, which should not be necessary. Capcom has offered tips to improve the gaming experience but has not alleviated player concerns. The game is built on the RE Engine, which has performed well in other titles, but struggles in open-world settings like Monster Hunter Wilds. The critical feedback primarily focuses on the game's performance, indicating a pressing need for improvements.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Intel unleashes XeSS 2 for Arc GPUs with huge changes to speed up PC games, borrowing a few pages from Nvidia’s DLSS playbook

Intel has introduced XeSS 2, an advanced graphics technology aimed at competing with Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR. It features two main components: XeSS Frame Generation for adding frames to enhance gameplay smoothness, and XeSS Super Resolution. Additionally, Intel has launched Xe Low Latency to reduce input lag, similar to Nvidia's Reflex. XeSS 2 is exclusive to Intel's Alchemist and Battlemage GPUs, requiring developers to integrate support for these technologies into their games. Intel has also released a new control panel called 'Intel Graphics Software' for its Arc GPUs, which centralizes driver updates, game optimization, and performance monitoring. The new XeSS 2 technology is designed to work only with Intel hardware, marking a shift from previous compatibility with AMD and Nvidia GPUs.

AppWizard

October 20, 2024

I entered the Den of Wolves to learn about Unity 6 | Digital Trends

Unity announced the cancellation of its controversial runtime fee and introduced Unity 6, its first major update in nearly a decade. The new version aims to improve relationships with developers and features advancements in game optimization and generative AI integration. 10 Chambers Collective, known for their work on GTFO, has embraced Unity 6 for their upcoming project, Den of Wolves. Co-founder Hjalmar Vikström noted that players were surprised to learn GTFO was built on Unity, which is often overshadowed by Unreal Engine. He highlighted Unity's speed and flexibility as advantages, despite previous challenges with physics optimizations. Unity 6 includes enhancements like the High Definition Rendering Pipeline (HDRP) with advanced shaders and ray tracing, as well as a GPU resident drawer for better CPU performance. Vikström emphasized the importance of dedicated optimization efforts for diverse hardware configurations. Both Vikström and Unity's VP of Product, Ryan Ellis, acknowledged the role of generative AI in game development while stressing the need for human creativity.

AppWizard

August 20, 2024

Final Fantasy 16 Director Thinks Future Games Will Get Day One Release on PC

Final Fantasy XVI will be released on PC on September 17th, over a year after its PlayStation 5 launch. Director Hiroshi Takai expressed optimism about the possibility of simultaneous releases for future titles on both PC and console platforms, although he noted that each development team decides its own policy. Square Enix has shifted its strategy away from timed exclusives for PlayStation 5, aiming for multiplatform releases to reach a broader audience. Takai emphasized the desire to expedite the PC version's release and the importance of optimizing the game for that platform. The company is considering simultaneous releases to maintain interest among PC gamers, who typically wait longer for console-exclusive titles.