With Stalker 2’s revelation, I’m compelled to reassess my earlier stance on Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 becoming the industry standard for the next decade, and wonder if it was a misstep to rely so heavily on this technology.
While GSC Sport World’s massive comeback FPS/survival game is a “worst-case scenario” for an Unreal Engine 5-powered title plagued by issues at launch, my experience playing UE5 games four years into this generation suggests that Epic’s engine may not be as universally well-suited as initially touted after those early demos and The Matrix Awakens.
Given the preceding context, my lack of knowledge about the intricacies of game engines, programming, and 3D modeling poses significant limitations in my understanding. I revisited Bethesda’s Creation Engine just once more within a 24-hour period, and then I stopped there. As someone who has never demonstrated a keen interest in experimenting with software and professional tools beyond a basic user level. Despite obvious reasons, I find myself deeply curious about the intricacies involved in crafting various forms of digital entertainment, from video games to immersive experiences.
As someone with a penchant for playing far too many video games throughout the year, I’ve found that this hobby provides a unique opportunity to uncover both positive and negative trends. By combining self-taught knowledge of hardware and operating systems with the perspective of a discerning consumer, individuals can develop a nuanced understanding of performance metrics, transcending simplistic assessments like “it runs like butter” or seeking refunds without justification.
In any case, did you know that Epic Games conducted a significant update in late 2022, migrating the entire Fortnite platform to Unreal Engine 5.1 to leverage advancements in Nanite, Lumen, and other cutting-edge technologies? After years of building anticipation around its new engine, Epic finally delivered on the promise of a transformative technological leap. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the cutting-edge visual features in Unreal Engine 5, as showcased in a fully functional AAA online game.
Unfortunately, the outcome did not unfold exactly as planned. For seasoned Fortnite professionals, utilizing the most basic settings for years had been a successful strategy to optimize their K/D ratio, with those of us equipped with robust hardware taking the leap only to discover a significant stuttering issue compared to UE4’s later versions and an overall performance hit that wasn’t worth the trouble. Despite the passage of time, the situation remains largely unchanged. Initially launching Fortnite directly following updates to drivers or the game itself can be detrimental, since shaders require a full reload each time, and this taxing process occurs in real-time during gameplay. Not ideally suited.
For those unaware: The fundamental concept surrounding shaders is that every hardware configuration should optimize them for rapid loading during standard gameplay, which explains why consoles are less affected by these issues and why modern gaming on PC can be challenging at times, at least until your PC has familiarized itself with the latest AAA title. Diverse engine manufacturers employ varying approaches to address this issue. In the context of Unreal Engine 5, the phenomenon known as “stutter battling” becomes a very real issue, especially when navigating vast worlds or traversing long distances, with the added complication of inadequate shader compilation at launch in certain titles exacerbating the problem.
Even with proper usage of UE5, as seen in Remnant 2, where Lumen and Nanite bring unprecedented lighting and detail to scenes, the performance hit, even on high-end PCs, is not justified for casual gamers seeking seamless experiences, especially when playing fast-paced and demanding titles?
Will the solution surpassing Unity Engine 5’s speed in capturing market share? Cutting-edge AI-driven upscaling and biomechanical innovations. AMD and Nvidia are pitted against each other, with the latter restricting access to its proprietary technology behind its 40-series products and above. As developers increasingly leverage their ability to conjure high-quality graphics from thin air, a widening gap appears to be emerging between the pace of graphical advancements and the development of the underlying hardware required to efficiently render these visuals, with ray tracing’s complexity being a significant contributor to this disparity. The ultimate consequence? Large game studios are currently emulating Crytek’s pioneering spirit of 2007, striving for breathtaking visual fidelity that might only be achieved through the judicious use of technologies like DLSS, FSR, and other performance-enhancing tools, which enable high-quality visuals at smooth framerates on today’s hardware.
And you realize what? I think technology functions seamlessly and continues to demonstrate remarkable advancements each year. I’m thrilled to see your GPU in action, effortlessly rendering stunning visuals at lightning speed! Despite offering numerous candy boosts, some video games persist in being a stuttering, uneven mess, leaving me disappointed to report that UE5 remains the most egregious offender. In a stark reminder of the importance of post-launch support, the 2023 release “Immortals of Aveum” serves as a cautionary tale. Despite numerous patches, the game remains marred by significant technical issues that have persisted to this day. Despite FSR3 and DLSS 3 assistance, the game remains a frustratingly unstable experience prone to crashes. The issue with stuttering and freezing persists in several 2023 video games, including the unexpectedly decent Lords of the Fallen reboot, which has garnered a devoted fan base despite its propensity for sudden, inexplicable freezes regardless of system settings, particularly on console platforms.
These are just a few examples; however, you’re possibly able to view the sample right here. If you fail to consider my perspective, allow the esteemed experts at Digital Foundry to enlighten you with their unparalleled insight and meticulous research, surpassing any attempt I might make to provide it. If you’re an avid gamer, test this checklist for the current video games you’ve played and been frustrated with regarding performance. While my area of specialization is marked by anomalies, Hellblade 2 stands out as an exception in terms of its exceptional performance, particularly considering Ninja Theory’s considerable investment in audiovisual aspects versus other elements. Despite boasting an open-world setting, Hellblade 2 actually unfolds as a relatively linear experience, leaving the outcome uncertain.
As the release horizon for UE5-powered behemoths like The Witcher, Mass Impact, and Star Wars Jedi draws near, I find myself increasingly uneasy about the major studios that have abandoned their own tech in favor of Epic Games’ engine, which, thus far, has proven underwhelming in practical application beyond wild tech demos and projects where ample time and resources are devoted to ironing out its flaws.
Stalker 2 may have been the tipping point, and while we can’t solely blame GSC Sport World for rushing its release, it’s impossible to ignore how effortlessly BioWare has delivered Dragon Age: The Veilguard across a broad range of hardware, all while harnessing the power of the Frostbite engine – once deemed unsuitable for anything but fast-paced shooters. Have we fallen for Epic’s tricks yet again? Uh-oh…
