This is how a game’s PC port should be done: no reliance on upscaling or frame gen
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Durante, a renowned modder and CTO of PC port development studio PH3 Games, has showcased the performance gains achieved through several meticulous optimization techniques. In a recent demonstration, Durante took a demanding scene from RPG Ys X: Nordics and increased its frame rate from 106 FPS to 314 FPS without resorting to frame generation or smoothing/upscaling techniques.
Durante, best known for his work on the “DSfix” mod for the original Dark Souls PC port, has a wealth of experience in optimizing games for PC platforms. By using his understanding of game development and his access to the source code of Ys X: Nordics, Durante was able to identify and address numerous performance bottlenecks.
How it was done
The optimization process began with a pre-Version 0.1 PC port of Ys X: Nordics that suffered from poor performance on AMD GPUs due to DirectX 11 memory issues. Durante and his team successfully resolved these issues, laying the groundwork for further optimizations. Over the course of several updates, Durante implemented a series of refinements that gradually improved the game’s performance.
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By focusing on CPU-intensive scenes and making targeted optimizations, he was able to achieve a significant boost in frame rates without sacrificing visual quality. One notable optimization involved removing a console-specific feature that lowered the animation FPS of distant characters. This change not only improved performance but also enhanced the overall fluidity of the game.
Durante emphasized the importance of a methodical approach to optimization. He explained that as the software becomes more optimized, it becomes increasingly difficult to make further gains. By prioritizing optimizations and addressing low-hanging fruit first, Durante was able to achieve better improvements throughout the development process.
Outcomes and the future
The final release of Ys X: Nordics demonstrates the effectiveness of Durante’s optimization techniques. The game runs smoothly and efficiently on various PC configurations, providing a satisfying gaming experience.
The success of Ys X: Nordics serves as a reminder to other game developers that with careful attention to detail and a commitment to optimization, it is possible to deliver exceptional PC ports. Unfortunately, not all studios follow these best practices. Games like Final Fantasy XVI, which has suffered from poor performance on PC, highlight the need for more rigorous optimization efforts.
Another couple of recent examples include Monster Hunter Wilds and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, both games that have been using upscaling (or even frame generation) techniques for their system requirement targets.
While the modding community has often stepped in to address performance issues in poorly optimized PC ports, it is essential to remember that developers have a responsibility to deliver a quality experience to their customers. As we’ve said before, frame generation shouldn’t exist to reach 60 FPS.
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