Assassin's Creed Shadows: Ray Tracing and Performance on Older Hardware
Ray Tracing Support
Assassin's Creed Shadows will support ray tracing, but for older GPUs without hardware ray tracing, the game offers a proprietary software-based solution. This solution, developed specifically for pre-RTX GPUs, aims to provide competent performance even on outdated hardware.
Selective Ray Tracing
For users with limited ray tracing capabilities, the game features a "Selective Raytracing" mode. This mode enables ray tracing only in the Hideout portion of the game, allowing for extensive customization while maintaining performance in other areas.
Frame Gen and Upscaling
Shadows will allow players to mix and match frame generation and upscaling solutions, such as DLSS and FSR. This flexibility empowers users with mid-range GPUs to enhance performance.
Dynamic Resolution Scaling
The game also employs dynamic resolution scaling and upscaling to target a specific framerate. The game automatically adjusts resolution to achieve the desired FPS.
Micropolygons System
Assassin's Creed Shadows utilizes Ubisoft's "Micropolygons system," a geometry system that enables the rendering of more polygons with increased detail continuity. The system features scalable presets, allowing for reduced polygon counts on lower-end hardware.
Performance Expectations
According to the game's technology director, Assassin's Creed Shadows will "look stunning even on the lowest settings." The game is expected to perform well on older hardware, providing an enjoyable experience for all players.
Conclusion
With its ray tracing solution, selective ray tracing mode, frame gen/upscaling flexibility, and scalable Micropolygons system, Assassin's Creed Shadows aims to deliver a visually impressive experience even on older hardware. The game's imminent launch will reveal the effectiveness of these performance-enhancing features.