Game Performance
Ongoing coverage on Game Performance.
Latest coverage
Death Stranding 2 patch 1.4 should make it look better on lower settings
Nixxes and KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS have released patch 1.4 for the PC version of Death Stranding 2, introducing several improvements to graphics and stability. The update enhances image quality for textures on lower settings, expands sharpness control for upscaling, and fixes various bugs, including issues with water appearance and vignetting in Frame Generation.
Firaxis reveal Civilization 7's not good enough at building attack maths, tanking its late-game performance - a patch/tutor is here
Firaxis Games has released Update 1.3.2 for Civilization 7, addressing late-game performance issues caused by inefficient calculations in game logic. The patch also introduces 2K's teen accounts, allowing parents to restrict online play, chat, and microtransaction access for players under 18. The developer also confirmed work continues on the 'Test of Time' update.
New Starfield hotfix takes aim at those PS5 crashes that happened when players were using Enhanced settings
Bethesda has released a hotfix for Starfield on PlayStation 5 to address crashing issues that occurred when using Enhanced settings. While this specific problem is resolved, further fixes are planned for other PS5 crashes and freezes, targeting release next week. The article also notes a potential Nintendo Switch release for the game following its debut on Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Starfield's 'Unplayable' PS5 Crashing Issues Prompt Sony to Refund Players
Players are reporting frequent crashing issues with Starfield on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, leading Sony to issue refunds in some cases. Despite the widespread reports and the author's own experience with the game freezing, Bethesda has not yet commented on the situation. Technical analysis suggests the crashes are not tied to specific graphics settings or modes, and they were not present on the Xbox Series X version.
Bethesda Now Aware of Starfield PS5 Crashing Issues, Aiming for a Fix This Week
Bethesda is aware of Starfield's crashing issues on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro and aims to release a patch by the end of the week. Reports indicate that Sony is also processing refunds for affected players. The developer is investigating the causes of the instability, which has been observed across various graphics settings and modes.
Homura Hime Could Be Perfect After a Few More Patches
Homura Hime presents a compelling concept with engaging combat reminiscent of Devil May Cry and NieR, but is currently hampered by performance issues like frame rate drops and crashes, particularly on handheld devices. While the game shows potential and the developer is releasing patches, further stability improvements are needed for the full experience.
'We Released a Game With Flaws for a Number of Reasons' — Samson Dev Promises Improvements Amid 'Mixed' Reception
The creative director of Samson has acknowledged the game's 'Mixed' reception on Steam, citing performance and optimization issues. The development team is committed to improving the game and promises future updates to address player concerns.
Crimson Desert is finally running on Intel Arc GPUs after early snub
A new Intel graphics driver has resolved an issue preventing Crimson Desert from launching on Intel Arc GPUs. While this update allows players to access the game for the first time, persistent bugs and crashes indicate that optimization for Intel hardware is still incomplete. Further updates are expected to improve the overall experience.
Pokemon Champions is off to a rough start – here’s why
Pokemon Champions has launched with significant performance issues and a lack of content, disappointing fans despite some quality-of-life improvements. The game suffers from choppy frame rates, clunky menus, a limited roster, and restrictive gameplay options, raising concerns about its future and monetization model.
This new Steam feature could soon make buying games a lot easier — and it’ll be a great addition for the…
Valve is reportedly developing a new 'Framerate Estimator' feature for Steam that will provide users with projected frame rates based on data from other players. This feature, discovered in the latest Steam client update, aims to help users make informed purchasing decisions and is expected to launch alongside the Steam Machine, also benefiting the Steam Deck and other handheld PCs.
'This Really Feels Like a Beta Test' — Fans Criticize Free-to-Play Pokémon Champions, With Complaints Over Missing Features, Switch 2 Performance Issues and Its Limited Roster
Fans are criticizing the free-to-play game Pokémon Champions for its lack of features and performance issues, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. Complaints also highlight the limited roster of available Pokémon.
RuneScape’s early April patch targets game performance, OSRS activates mobile character switcher
Jagex has released a patch for RuneScape that addresses frame drops and improves overall game performance, particularly in the new Havenhythe zone. Additionally, Old School RuneScape has activated a mobile character switcher, allowing players to switch between Jagex Account-linked characters directly from their mobile login screen.
Nintendo Details The Benefits Of Playing Tomodachi Life On Switch 2
Nintendo has detailed the benefits of playing Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. While the game content remains the same, players can expect faster load times, higher resolution (1080p) in handheld mode, and GameChat support for Nintendo Switch Online members. However, the game does not support the Switch 2's Handheld Mode Boost feature or Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.
Evening Tech Bits
Nvidia has introduced a new 'Auto Shader Compilation' beta feature for its Nvidia App, designed to improve game load times by recompiling shaders in the background. The article also briefly mentions Nvidia's declining market share in China.
Onchain Heroes Unveils Worlds Eve, Primora and Maze React
Onchain Heroes has launched the World's Eve phase, introducing Primora as its first playable zone in OCH World, with the Maze of Gains integrated into this new area. The game has transitioned to a hybrid on/offchain architecture to improve performance and scalability, reducing data indexing times significantly. This update also introduces an in-game marketplace and moves away from seasonal resets for persistent gameplay.
Marathon's developers say they are "in it for the long haul" amidst fears the game has underperformed in this live service hell
Bungie developers have stated they are committed to the long-term development of their extraction shooter, Marathon, amidst concerns about its initial sales performance. The team is focusing on improving CPU performance and overall game quality based on player feedback. Initial sales estimates suggest PC was the primary platform, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Darwin’s Paradox review – A charming puzzle-platformer but with slippery performance
Darwin's Paradox is a charming puzzle-platformer where players control an octopus named Darwin escaping a seafood factory. While the game features innovative mechanics and a delightful aesthetic reminiscent of Pixar, its technical performance, including frequent frame drops and stutters, mars the experience across PC, Steam Deck, and ASUS TUF Gaming A16. Despite these issues, the game offers around 10 hours of engaging gameplay with rewarding exploration.
Crimson Desert Optimization: Ray Tracing + Ray Reconstruction Deep Dive | Best PC Settings
Pearl Abyss is investigating a Nintendo Switch port for Crimson Desert, despite current technical issues on platforms like the PlayStation 5. CEO Heo Jin-Young stated that R&D has begun, acknowledging that some features would need to be scaled back due to the Switch's lower specifications.
DLSS 5 Isn't Anywhere Near As Impressive As V-Rally 3 on the Game Boy Advance
The article criticizes Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology, comparing its AI-generated enhancements unfavorably to the capabilities of the Game Boy Advance and its game V-Rally 3. It suggests that older, less powerful hardware might offer a more satisfying experience than current AI-driven graphical techniques, using Starfield as an example of a game potentially harmed by such technology.
Crimson Desert Graphics Comparison Highlights PS5 Pro Advantages and Stable Console Performance
A comparison of Crimson Desert's graphics highlights the advantages of the PlayStation 5 Pro and notes stable console performance. While praised for exploration, the game's story is criticized as weak and disjointed, serving primarily as a vehicle for boss fights and travel.
