Game Performance
Ongoing coverage on Game Performance.
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We haven't needed motion blur in games for a long time, so I wish it would stop being the default
This article argues that motion blur in video games, particularly in titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved, is an outdated and often detrimental default setting. While acknowledging its historical purpose in masking low frame rates and mimicking film, the author contends that modern hardware and techniques like upscaling make it unnecessary. The piece advocates for motion blur to be an opt-in feature rather than the default, allowing players to experience games in their purest form first.
Path of Exile 2 declares victory over long-standing shader issues thanks to a new Nvidia patch
Grinding Gear Games has announced that long-standing shader issues and "device removed" errors in Path of Exile 2 have been resolved, primarily through a new Nvidia driver patch. Players are advised to update their Nvidia drivers to version 610.88 and allow the game to rebuild its shader cache for improved performance. While this addresses issues for Nvidia users, AMD players experiencing similar problems are still awaiting a solution.
Path of Exile 2 finally has a fix for two of its longest-lasting, and most frustrating, technical problems
Grinding Gear Games has released a patch for Path of Exile 2 that, in conjunction with a new Nvidia driver, addresses long-standing issues with shaders and device removal crashes. Director Jonathan Rogers explained that these problems, which caused game freezes and poor performance, were impacted by Nvidia drivers. The developer worked with Nvidia to resolve these issues, which had been frustrating players for over a year.
Oblivion Remastered's lengthy patch drought could end with its Switch 2 release, which Bethesda say includes "optimisations" they hope to bring to PC
Bethesda has indicated that optimizations for the upcoming Nintendo Switch version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered may eventually be brought to PC. This comes after a lengthy period without major updates for the game, which has resulted in mixed reviews on Steam due to persistent issues. The studio also commented on a shift in their communication strategy, suggesting it was planned independently of recent industry changes.
Path of Exile 2 players broke the game by summoning 2,000 skeletons and then lured unsuspecting players into the…
Players in Path of Exile 2 have pushed the game's limits by summoning approximately 2,000 skeletons, causing severe performance issues and frame rate drops. Streamer Empyriangaming and friends experimented with minion builds to test the game's capacity, leading to unplayable lag and even using the chaos to lure players into a trap in their hideout.
Once Human is Coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S on August 25th
Starry Studio and NetEase Games announced that the survival shooter Once Human will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on August 25th. The console release will feature cross-platform multiplayer and progression, with options for Quality (4K/60 FPS) and Performance (120 FPS) modes. Pre-orders for starter and radiance gift packages are now available.
PS5's latest firmware update just started rolling out, here's what you need to know
Sony has begun rolling out a new PlayStation 5 system software update, version 26.04-13.42.00, which focuses on improving system performance and stability. Separately, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is confirmed to release on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 11th, with its physical version containing the full game on cartridge and targeting 900p/30fps handheld and 1080p/30fps docked.
Payday 2's next update is "a massive undertaking" to modernize the FPS, stop crashes, and cut its install size by 60%
Sidetrack Games is preparing a massive overhaul for Payday 2, including a move to a 64-bit engine called Diesel 3.0. This update aims to stop crashes, improve general performance, and reduce the game's install size by 63%, from 86 GB to 32 GB. An open beta for the engine upgrade is scheduled to begin on June 30.
"We have our own list of features that we wanted to add": Valve say the Steam Machine's update support will be similar to the Steam Deck's
Valve hardware designer Lawrence Yang stated that the Steam Machine will receive software support and feature updates comparable to the Steam Deck. Valve plans to continuously ship updates and improvements, incorporating user feedback and their own internal feature wishlist, similar to how the Steam Deck evolved post-launch with new features and performance enhancements.
Sorry, Xbox fans: GTA 6 "will play best on PS5," Sony declares, but with no PC version in sight, I can't…
Sony Interactive Entertainment is promoting Grand Theft Auto 6 as performing best on the PlayStation 5, highlighting the DualSense controller's features and 3D audio. This marketing push comes as pre-orders open and details about the game's price and editions are revealed by Rockstar Games. The article notes the absence of a PC version at launch and speculates on the PS5's hardware advantage over other consoles.
Steam Machine: the big tech questions answered
This article addresses key hardware questions surrounding the Steam Machine, collaborating with RPS for expert insights. It discusses value for money compared to building a PC, performance longevity, 4K gaming expectations, and customizability options. The piece also touches on modding capabilities, Windows installation, and thermal performance, concluding that the Steam Machine offers a quiet and safe living room PC experience.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for Switch 2 is a portable journey best played at home
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has been ported to the Nintendo Switch 2, offering the same JRPG adventure but with significant compromises in visual fidelity and performance, especially in handheld mode. While the core gameplay remains strong and combat is fluid, the port suffers from blurry visuals, long load times, and simplified assets, making the docked mode the only recommended way to play. Despite its technical shortcomings, the game's ambitious nature and the fact that it runs on the device at all are noted as impressive achievements by Square Enix.
Monster Hunter Wilds is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, and we're all hoping this goes better than the PC port
Capcom has announced that Monster Hunter Wilds is in development for the Nintendo Switch 2, with hopes that its performance will be better than the game's troubled PC launch. The announcement follows the reveal of the game's first major expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendence, slated for 2027. Despite recent sales milestones, Monster Hunter Wilds has faced optimization issues and has been outsold by its predecessor, Monster Hunter Rise.
Brand new direct-feed Elden Ring Nintendo Switch 2 footage released
FromSoftware has released new direct-feed gameplay footage for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2, following its release date announcement. The port, originally planned for 2025, has been delayed to August 28, 2026, to ensure more stable performance. The footage showcases the game's visuals and appears to run without major issues.
Rayman Legends Retold Runs at 60 FPS on Nintendo Switch 2, 4K Resolution When Docked
Ubisoft Montpellier's technical director Thibaut Assandri discussed Rayman Legends Retold's performance targets for the Nintendo Switch 2, aiming for 60 FPS and 4K resolution when docked. The game will utilize Nvidia's DLSS technology for upscaling, allowing it to achieve visual fidelity comparable to the Xbox Series S. Assandri also detailed optimizations made to the Snow Drop engine to meet the 60 FPS goal across all platforms, including high-end PCs and PlayStation 5.
Metal Gear Solid 4's Master Collection gets an impressive new showing, confirming 60fps, shorter load times, and…
Konami has revealed gameplay of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2, showcasing improvements such as 60fps performance and shorter load times. The collection confirms the return of licensed content, including the in-game iPod, and features from the original PS3 release, though some elements like the Assassin's Creed crossover and Hideo Kojima's blog link have been altered or removed.
Forza Horizon 6 proves modern games can both look and run well—and all the UE 5 obsessors need to take note
The article argues that Forza Horizon 6 demonstrates that modern games can achieve both high visual fidelity and smooth performance, suggesting that developers should not solely focus on advanced engines like Unreal Engine 5. It highlights the game's ability to look good while running well, serving as a counterpoint to trends that prioritize graphical power over optimization.
A Forza Horizon 6 Sound Effect Might Just Trigger Some Awful Memories For You
Forza Horizon 6 features a car horn sound effect that mimics the Microsoft Teams notification, a callback to its publisher, Microsoft. This sound effect, also present in Forza Horizon 5, has elicited humorous and sometimes negative reactions from players. The game has also set new player count records on Steam and is currently available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 release planned for later this year.
Lord of the Rings Online takes action to reduce lag in raids
Standing Stone Games is implementing changes to Lord of the Rings Online's load balancer to address severe lag issues experienced in raids. These adjustments aim to reduce performance impacts caused by multiple groups sharing server instances. The studio plans to release these changes this week and gather player feedback.
'It's a Clear Upgrade': Why 007 First Light Will Look and Play Best on PS5 Pro
IO Interactive has confirmed that 007 First Light will leverage PlayStation 5 Pro's PSSR2 upscaling technology for a significant visual upgrade, offering denser details and improved character models. Technical Director Henrik Schlichter stated that the implementation was surprisingly quick, taking only about a day. While base PlayStation 5 owners will still benefit from FSR 3.1.5, the optimal console experience will be on the more expensive PlayStation 5 Pro.
