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Xbox‘s New tech Dramatically Cuts Game Load times, Boosts Portable Play
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MADRID – Microsoft is poised to revolutionize the gaming experience with a groundbreaking technology designed to substantially reduce game load times, particularly on portable consoles. The innovation, unveiled at Gamescom, centers around preloading shadow data, potentially slashing load times by as much as 85%.
The Shadow Problem: A Bottleneck in Gaming Performance
For years, lengthy loading screens have been a persistent frustration for gamers. A key contributor to this delay is the compilation of graphic shadows – the elements responsible for realistic lighting, textures, and physics. Traditionally, this process occurs during gameplay, leading to interruptions and increased strain on system resources.
Microsoft’s Directx team has tackled this challenge head-on with a new method for collecting and packaging shading data into a standardized format called the State Object Database (SODB). This allows us to distribute pre-compiled data alongside the game download, resulting in faster startup times, smoother performance, and reduced battery consumption,
explains Microsoft on its developer blog.
Avowed: A Real-World Test Case
The benefits of this advanced shader delivery technology are already being demonstrated. Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming RPG, Avowed, has served as a key test case.Microsoft reports observing an notable reduction of up to 85% in launch times when utilizing the new system. This translates to players spending less time waiting and more time immersed in the game.
ROG Xbox Ally and a New Era of Portable Gaming
The timing of this proclamation coincides with the upcoming release of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X portable consoles, developed in collaboration with Asus. These devices are slated to hit shelves on October 16th. Microsoft is also launching a new program aimed at assisting game developers in optimizing their PC titles for seamless compatibility with portable gaming devices.
To help players identify optimized experiences, Microsoft will implement a labeling system. Games labeled Optimized for portable Devices
will be guaranteed to run flawlessly out of the box. Titles marked Mostly Compatible
may require minor configuration adjustments to achieve optimal performance on the consoles.
This initiative signals Microsoft’s commitment to expanding the Xbox ecosystem beyond conventional consoles and PCs, embracing the growing popularity of handheld gaming. By streamlining the gaming experience and ensuring compatibility across platforms, Microsoft aims to deliver a more accessible and enjoyable experience for players everywhere.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Shader Delivery This technology represents a important step forward in game optimization. Expect to see wider adoption of SODB and similar techniques as developers prioritize faster load times and improved performance, particularly as cloud gaming and portable devices become increasingly prevalent. the trend towards pre-compilation and efficient data delivery is highly likely to continue, driven by the demands of a rapidly evolving gaming landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will this technology work with all games? Currently, it requires developer integration. Microsoft is actively encouraging studios to adopt the new system.
- What are the system requirements for benefiting from this technology? The primary benefit is seen on devices with limited processing power, such as portable consoles, but all compatible systems will experience faster load times.
- How will I know if a game is optimized for the ROG Xbox Ally? Look for the
Optimized for Portable Devices
label on the game’s store page.
