Path Tracing Archives

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

First Version of BioShock RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod Released

A demo for the RTX Remix Mod for the original BioShock game has been released by modders ‘skurtyyskirts’ and ‘watbulb’. This mod introduces real-time Path Tracing to enhance the game's graphics, utilizing improved materials through physically-based rendering (PBR) assets. The mod includes a custom compatibility wrapper to facilitate communication between BioShock, which operates on Unreal Engine 2.5, and RTX Remix. The demo features hundreds of newly crafted textures and assets, with updated lighting effects. The demo is available for download, but users may encounter visual inconsistencies and bugs. Additionally, various RTX Remix Mods for other games are in development, including titles like Tomb Raider 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Demos for Path Tracing Mods have also been released for games such as Deus Ex and Call of Duty 4.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast RTX Remix Demo Released

A new Path Tracing Mod for Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, originally released in 2002, has been developed by modder ArjaanAuinger using the QindieGL wrapper, marking the first RTX Remix Mod for an OpenGL-based game. Currently a tech demo, it enhances one level of the game with Path Tracing capabilities, but is not fully polished and has visual issues, performing around 50 FPS at 1080p on an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070. The mod is available for download, and videos showcasing its capabilities have been released. In 2024, several RTX Remix Mods have been announced for various titles, including Tomb Raider 2 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The modding community has also released Path Tracing Mods for older games like Deus Ex and Call of Duty 4, with ongoing innovations in RTX Remix Mods for other titles.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

An unofficial PC port of Mario Kart 64 is now available for download

The NES emulator, 3dSen, was fully released today, and a fan-driven project called SpaghettiKart, a PC version of Mario Kart 64, has also been unveiled. SpaghettiKart is created through reverse engineering and features clean code without any lines from the original game, allowing for public sharing. It requires players to generate the O2R from their own ROMs and currently supports only the US version of Mario Kart 64. Compatibility with Mario Kart 64 HD is uncertain, and while future enhancements like Path Tracing effects and an HD Texture Pack are hoped for, they have not been confirmed. SpaghettiKart includes unique PC-only features such as a Track Editor, Custom Track Importer, Crystal Clear Audio, Harder CPUs, and Freecam. It is available for download with an installation guide.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

F1 25 – Ray Tracing & Path Tracing Benchmarks

EA has made F1 25 available to players who purchased its Iconic Version, utilizing the EGO Engine with Ray Tracing and Path Tracing support. The game was benchmarked on a system with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090. In benchmarks on the Singapore track, F1 25 achieved a minimum of 173FPS and an average of 189FPS at Native 4K without Ray Tracing. With Ray Tracing enabled, it maintained over 70FPS at Native 4K. Activating DLSS 4 Quality Mode increased frame rates to 90-100FPS, and Multi-Frame Generation X4 reached up to 300FPS. Path Tracing resulted in a minimum of 29FPS and an average of 35FPS at Native 4K, with DLSS 4 Performance Mode recommended for better performance. Visual comparisons show significant differences between Ray Tracing and Path Tracing, with some visual issues reported, including problems with rain effects and flickering during motion. The recommended optimal experience is using Ray Tracing effects without Ray Reconstruction.