PC Port of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Encounters Performance Issues Due to DirectStorage Utilization
The recently launched PC version of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has faced performance challenges since its release. Investigations reveal that DirectStorage, a Microsoft API intended to enhance transfer efficiency, is exacerbating the situation.
According to tech channel Compusemble, the issue stems from Spider-Man 2's use of the GPU decompression option within DirectStorage. This feature, which is enabled by default, tasks the graphics processor with decompressing game assets, a job typically handled by the CPU.
However, when the GPU is already burdened with graphical processing, the decompression process can hinder performance. Compusemble observes that disabling GDeflate, the GPU decompression system, significantly improves performance in Spider-Man 2.
Nixxes Software, responsible for the PC port, has a strong track record with Sony game conversions, including Marvel's Spider-Man, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon Forbidden West. However, the utilization of GPU decompression in Spider-Man 2, which was not necessary in Ghost of Tsushima, has raised concerns.
Speculations suggest that Nixxes Software may be facing resource constraints due to their multiple porting projects, which could have impacted the quality of the Spider-Man 2 conversion.
While a fix for the DirectStorage issue is expected, the question remains whether Nixxes Software's workload is stretching their capacity. Sony's push to bring major PS5 titles to PC as soon as possible may warrant a reassessment of the studio's project commitments to ensure optimal quality.