Witcher 3 Dev says Nvidia HairWorks unoptimizable for AMD GPUs

[WYP]

Witcher 3 Dev says Nvidia HairWorks tech is unoptimizable for AMD GPUs, encouraging Radeon users to disable the feature for higher performance. Is Nvidia's GameWorks Tech anti-competitive?

Read more on HairWorks being unoptimizable on AMD GPUs here.

 

[BoldarBlood]

How is this anti-competitive? If nVidia created something that is desirable to a developer (ie. makes their product better), why should it be expected to be used to help nVidia's competition?

The solution to simply disable a feature if you don't have the hardware for it seems prefectly reasonable.

 

[Thelosouvlakia]

Oh for f sake. AMD released TressFX and told everyone. "hey guys should you need it we can figure out how we can show you how to do it" NVIDIA: "F you"
This is all bad for the gaming comunity

 

[Dicehunter]

Both sides need to have exclusives features to stay competitive with eachother, AMD need to learn from this so they become more competitive.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Both sides need to have exclusives features to stay competitive with eachother, AMD need to learn from this so they become more competitive.

Ya lets start an AMD vs Nvidia exlusive gameworks. AMD titles that are gameworks only run well with AMD hardware. Nvidia titles will be the same.. all AAA jump onto the wagon simply because they are being paid. Meaning you can only get some games now because the other one you want won't run well. It will divide the consumer base and AMD will lose along with consumers getting the worst end of the stick. They aren't in a position to challenge them on that front. That's why they are open source and honestly is why I am more apt to go AMD than Nvidia ever again. I won't support their ways.. it's becoming similar to Apple tbh.

 

[Dicehunter]

Ya lets start an AMD vs Nvidia exlusive gameworks. AMD titles that are gameworks only run well with AMD hardware. Nvidia titles will be the same.. all AAA jump onto the wagon simply because they are being paid. Meaning you can only get some games now because the other one you want won't run well. It will divide the consumer base and AMD will lose along with consumers getting the worst end of the stick. They aren't in a position to challenge them on that front. That's why they are open source and honestly is why I am more apt to go AMD than Nvidia ever again. I won't support their ways.. it's becoming similar to Apple tbh.

I don't want this to turn into a you said he said BS but it's because AMD are open source that they are in the mess they are in, Open source is good but it can backfire.
Nvidia cards are more popular because they appeal to the "Gaming demographic" which is evident even if you just go by the Steam GPU stats.

 

[WYP]

It is the fact that Nvidia do not supply AMD with source code for any of GameWorks' components, preventing them from being able to fix issues with their drivers.

Nvidia is really using their dominant position in an irresponsible way and are not promoting competition.

Say what you will about AMD branded games, but they always end up playing equally well on both sides. I can't think of any recent AMD branded game that can be labeled as a bad port. Remember that Tomb Raiders issues were fixed by Nvidia with new drivers, SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO SOURCE CODE!!!

 

[Dicehunter]

It is the fact that Nvidia do not supply AMD with source code for any of GameWorks' components, preventing them from being able to fix issues with their drivers.

Nvidia is really using their dominant position in an irresponsible way and are not promoting competition.

Say what you will about AMD branded games, but they always end up playing equally well on both sides. I can't think of any recent AMD branded game that can be labeled as a bad port. Remember that Tomb Raiders issues were fixed by Nvidia with new drivers, SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO SOURCE CODE!!!

Very true but Nvidia are a business that want to stay ahead and you do not get ahead in business by being the nice guy, Unfortunately.

 

[WYP]

Very true but Nvidia are a business that want to stay ahead and you do not get ahead in business by being the nice guy, Unfortunately.

Nvidia have already got enough of an advantage, they don't need to push it in such an underhanded fashion.

They already have G-Sync, Physx and the best GPUs on the market, both in terms of perf/watt and full on performance. At least until AMD launch something better.

Nvidia are no doubt winning right now, but they do not need try to maintain it by deliberately undermining the competition.

TBH after the GTX 970 antics I don't think I'll be buying an Nvidia GPU with my own money, at least for the next generation.

 

[BoldarBlood]

It is the fact that Nvidia do not supply AMD with source code for any of GameWorks' components, preventing them from being able to fix issues with their drivers.

Nvidia is really using their dominant position in an irresponsible way and are not promoting competition.

Say what you will about AMD branded games, but they always end up playing equally well on both sides. I can't think of any recent AMD branded game that can be labeled as a bad port. Remember that Tomb Raiders issues were fixed by Nvidia with new drivers, SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO SOURCE CODE!!!

Ok I kinda get it then. AMD wouldn't be taking nVidia's tech, they would jsut be adjusting their own drivers to work with the tech.

But isn't showing the code kind of like giving up the Colonel's secret herbs and spices? See how its done, do it yourself? Change it just enough to avoid a patent lawsuit?

 

[Dicehunter]

Nvidia have already got enough of an advantage, they don't need to push it in such an underhanded fashion.

They already have G-Sync, Physx and the best GPUs on the market, both in terms of perf/watt and full on performance. At least until AMD launch something better.

Nvidia are no doubt winning right now, but they do not need try to maintain it by deliberately undermining the competition.

TBH after the GTX 970 antics I don't think I'll be buying an Nvidia GPU with my own money, at least for the next generation.

Nvidia are undermining them because they can and because they want to get further ahead, It's just good business.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Nvidia are undermining them because they can and because they want to get further ahead, It's just good business.

While yes in a business sense they are doing the correct thing, look at Intel. It could be said they were doing good business but we later found out that they were indeed undermining the competition which was AMD. This could turn into that in the future if any evidence arises.

 

[Dicehunter]

A PS4-PC comparison video was taken down by CDPR as it made the PC version look pretty bad in comparison to the PS4.

Not sure if this is just early code on the PC side or yet another downgrade like with Watch_Dogs but I've learned never to trust developers.

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/45188...vs-ps4-comparison-videos-witcher-3/index.html

AND an "insider" leaked info stating the reason for the large list of downgrades is due to the consoles which to be honest I can see being the case considering they can't even hit 1080P 60FPS in 99% of all games.

RedGamingTech, These guys do some pretty in detail analysis of games etc... -

 

[Tripp]

A PS4-PC comparison video was taken down by CDPR as it made the PC version look pretty bad in comparison to the PS4.

Not sure if this is just early code on the PC side or yet another downgrade like with Watch_Dogs but I've learned never to trust developers.

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/45188...vs-ps4-comparison-videos-witcher-3/index.html

AND an "insider" leaked info stating the reason for the large list of downgrades is due to the consoles which to be honest I can see being the case considering they can't even hit 1080P 60FPS in 99% of all games.

RedGamingTech, These guys do some pretty in detail analysis of games etc... -

any links to the insider thing?

 

[Dicehunter]

any links to the insider thing?

Only what's mentioned in the video.

Although thinking of it logically would you really want your name plastered across the net so the developers can sue the ass off you ? Or would you like to remain anonymous ? Personally I'd remain anonymous.

 

[Tripp]

Only what's mentioned in the video.

Although thinking of it logically would you really want your name plastered across the net so the developers can sue the ass off you ? Or would you like to remain anonymous ? Personally I'd remain anonymous.

Yeah agreed mate

 

[ShaunB-91]

It better not be downgraded. It looks so friggin awesome. PLEASE don't be downgraded.

 

[Dicehunter]

It better not be downgraded. It looks so friggin awesome. PLEASE don't be downgraded.

The German publication GameStar did an in depth look at the original E3 in game trailer and the current PC build they have access to.

Sadly it does look like CDPR downgraded it slightly, Most notably downgraded/reduced was the following -

1. Real-Time Reflections in reflective surfaces such as water, Marble, Mirrors, Glass etc...

2. Level of Horizon Detail

3. Ambient Occlusion

4. Foliage/Tree Density

5. Flexible Water Simulation and water blood spatter

6. Ground/Building Tessellation

7. Forward Lit Soft Particles i.e fire, Smoke, Fog etc...

8. Crowd/Population sizes.


Still looks good but it's a shame game companies do this.

 

[Tripp]

The German publication GameStar did an in depth look at the original E3 in game trailer and the current PC build they have access to.

Sadly it does look like CDPR downgraded it slightly, Most notably downgraded/reduced was the following -

1. Real-Time Reflections in reflective surfaces such as water, Marble, Mirrors, Glass etc...

2. Level of Horizon Detail

3. Ambient Occlusion

4. Foliage/Tree Density

5. Flexible Water Simulation and water blood spatter

6. Ground/Building Tessellation

7. Forward Lit Soft Particles i.e fire, Smoke, Fog etc...

8. Crowd/Population sizes.


Still looks good but it's a shame game companies do this.

i hope to god this is just a roumor

 

[Dicehunter]

i hope to god this is just a roumor

Well the above picture was done by GameStar so you can rule that out of the rumour category sadly