One of the main tasks in game development and programming in general is optimization without significant loss of quality. Therefore, a variety of codecs for audio and video were developed that ensured compression while maintaining acceptable performance levels. Now, Microsoft has introduced its own solution of a similar nature for games.
At the Game Developers Conference 2019, the Redmond corporation announced the implementation of Variable Rate Shading technology, which is part of the DirectX 12 API. This technology is a functional equivalent of NVIDIA Adaptive Shading and is designed to conserve GPU resources. It allows for reduced load when rendering peripheral objects and areas. At the same time, the technology increases detail where necessary.
As a result, this technology enhances game performance without noticeable loss of image quality. During the presentation, the company demonstrated the technology in the game Civilization VI. It was noted that the frame rate on the left side of the image was 14% higher than on the right at the same quality.
A number of companies, including Turn 10 Studios, Ubisoft, Massive Entertainment, 343 Industries, Stardock, IO Interactive, Activision, and Epic Games, have already announced that they will implement Variable Rate Shading in their projects. Furthermore, it was stated that the technology is supported by NVIDIA cards on the Turing architecture and the upcoming Intel Gen11 family. It is also possible that future discrete Intel graphics cards will support VRS, although this has not been explicitly stated yet. Previously, there were rumors about support for the technology in Navi generation GPUs and next-gen gaming consoles.
As a result, the technology will allow for the creation of graphically superior games with relatively low requirements for the graphics card.
Source: 3dnews.ru
