Game Performance
Ongoing coverage on Game Performance.
Latest coverage
Forza Horizon 6 is out, Valve update Proton Hotfix for Linux - initial thoughts
Forza Horizon 6 has launched on PC and is playable on Linux via Valve's Proton Hotfix, which has been updated to address initial issues. While the game runs well on high settings on desktop PCs, Linux users on Steam Deck experience performance drops and stuttering, requiring significant setting adjustments for a smoother experience. Despite some visual glitches and AI concerns, the game is stable and visually impressive on Linux.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Switch 2 is further proof that Nintendo's latest can tackle the biggest…
The Nintendo Switch 2 is proving capable of handling major third-party releases, with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle being a recent impressive port. Despite lower resolution targets and graphical settings compared to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game's visual fidelity and performance are well-preserved thanks to the id Tech 7 engine and DLSS capabilities. MachineGames has effectively navigated the console's limitations, offering a strong experience that plays to its strengths.
Phasmophobia – Player Character Update Overview
The recent Phasmophobia Player Character Update by Kinetic Games has received mixed reactions, with many players expressing disappointment. While the update introduced higher quality character models, a wider array of cosmetics, and new animations, it also brought issues such as glitchy textures, awkward character movements, and limited customization options. The author notes that the update prioritized animations over general performance, negatively impacting the gameplay experience.
Sony Aims to “Improve the Performance” of Marathon by Focusing on Content, Player Acquisition
Sony aims to improve the performance of its extraction shooter Marathon by focusing on content updates, gameplay system enhancements, and expanding its player base. Despite reporting significant financial losses related to the Bungie acquisition, Sony remains committed to Marathon, citing its strong critical reception and positive player engagement metrics. The company plans to introduce additional content and ensure all story content remains accessible to new players to foster continued engagement.
Windrose's Latest Patch Finally Gives Your SSD A Break (So It Doesn't Break)
Kraken Express has released a new update for their pirate simulation game Windrose to address issues with excessive SSD usage. The patch reduces disk activity during gameplay, which was causing concerns about drive longevity. Additional updates have also improved save file management and cloud synchronization.
Pirate survival game Windrose was accidentally killing your SSD
The pirate survival game Windrose was found to be causing excessive read/write operations on players' SSDs, potentially leading to hardware wear. Developer Kraken Express has released a patch to address these issues, reducing disk usage and CPU load. Despite this problem, the game has achieved significant sales success since its early access launch.
Choosing Better Gaming Platforms for Today’s Players
Modern gaming platforms are evaluated based on player-centric factors like usability, performance, and social features, rather than just technical specifications. Players prioritize seamless experiences, quick loading times, and intuitive interfaces across various devices including PC, consoles, and mobile. The article emphasizes that simplicity and reliability are key to player retention, with social connectivity and cross-device play becoming increasingly important expectations.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
A recent patch for the pirate RPG Sea of Thieves aims to improve performance and address issues with excessive disk writing that were impacting SSD lifespan. The update promises smoother gameplay for players.
Starfield PS5 Update Fails to Fix Crashes, Players Still Struggling
A recent update for Starfield on PlayStation 5, version 1.000.004, aimed to fix persistent crashing issues but has failed to resolve the problem for many players. Reports indicate that the same frustrating crashes continue to occur during gameplay, leading to player frustration and questions about Bethesda's testing and optimization processes for the platform.
Saros Tech Analysis – The Evolution Of A Near-Perfect Formula
Saros, an upcoming title from Housemarque, is presented as a technical showcase for the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, building upon the formula of Returnal. The game features a refined "bullet ballet" combat system where projectiles are a resource, enhanced visual fidelity, and a more character-driven narrative. Both the base PS5 and the PS5 Pro deliver a solid 60fps experience, with the Pro offering improved image quality, upscaling, and reflections.
Bethesda "lectured" Fallout New Vegas designer for saying the RPG would run at 30 FPS: "'Why do you have a f***ing engine that can't run 30 frames per second?'"
Fallout: New Vegas senior designer Chris Avellone shared an anecdote where Bethesda executives lectured him about promising the game would run at 30 frames per second. Despite the game's known performance issues due to the Gamebryo engine, Avellone stated that a game not running at 30 FPS was inexcusable. This discussion highlights internal awareness of the game's technical limitations prior to launch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
