It is hard to deny how useful frame generation is as a feature. Since it was introduced, toolsets such as Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR have utilised frame generation powered by machine learning to improve the FPS of many games. However, some analysts are players have become concerned about an over-reliance on this technology within the gaming industry. This debate has been reignited by news that Ark: Survival Ascended forces frame generation to be turned on for those using AMD graphics cards.

YouTuber zWORMz was exploring Ark: Survival Ascended, which is still in early access. The developers behind the title claim that the environments and mechanics that players are familiar with from other games in the series have been completely reimagined for the latest version of Unreal Engine 5. However, zWORMz discovered that frame generation is forced on when using an AMD Radeon graphics card, with no in-game option to disable it.

Further examination showed that it was possible to disable the frame generation using console commands, but this caused an immediate and obvious performance drop. YouTubers noted that when the frame generation was disabled, the framerate dropped from around 70 FPS to just 35 FPS on an RX 9070 graphics card. However, if you’re curious, this console command can be used to toggle it off:

r.fidelityfx.fi.enabled 0

It could be an oversight

Though AMD does not require developers to include an option to disable frame generation, AMD guidelines recommend that FSR Frame Generation should not be used in games that cannot maintain 60 FPS natively. Ark: Survival Ascended appears unable to meet this guideline even on decent (and modern) hardware.

Curiously, the option to disable frame generation is available to Nvidia users. The absence of the option for AMD users may be merely an oversight, especially since Ark: Survival Ascended is still in Early Access. However, this development has only amplified concerns that developers are beginning to use tools such as FSR and DLSS to cover up for deficiencies in game optimization.

About the Author

Rebecca Hills-Duty

Writing and journalism experience at VRFocus, UploadVR, The Escapist, HTC, PC Gamer, Tech Radar+ and Dexerto. Can sometimes be found playing with retro tech.