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[WITHE1982]

Is no one else bothered by the annoying acceleration when you are looking around??

It's driving me absolutely nuts!!

Yeah was the first thing I noticed and it bugged the shit out of me. After a couple of hours I just got used to it and didn't notice it at all after that.

Performance wise I've had one freeze when loading day

Spoiler

33

and a couple of very minor stutters but it's not really affected my enjoyment so far (4 hours in). The one thing I did notice quite often is the large amounts of pop in. Trees and bushes just appearing in the distance kinda ruined the immersion for me somewhat.

Also this game is perfect for screenshots but my God please let us turn off the reticle to take them.

 

[Summer Haze]

Is no one else bothered by the annoying acceleration when you are looking around??

It's driving me absolutely nuts!!

Yeah, I mentioned it in the OP. The controls are the worst part of the game for me. Remove the acceleration and include a simple sensitivity slider and it would be fine.

 

[MaLDo]

About why devs use Unity Engine, there is a game I would love to play, Subnautica.

I can't because is a Unity Engine. Here a dev explains why they use it

http://forums.unknownworlds.com/dis...bnautica-using-unity-and-not-the-spark-engine

This one from one of the devs is really awesome

There's no real, definitive reason, honestly. It probably would've worked out either way. Unity is really great for prototyping, so Charlie and I started prototyping with it, and we really liked it so we stuck with it. It's just one of those gut-feeling things.

Ok, these are some threads on steam community

Stutter!
stutters
stutter and pop-in
why the stutter
stutter is an issue
Framerate Stutter?
Stuttering/Lags
Just Purchased - Excessive Stuttering
Frame rate stutter
Does running SSD eliminate the stutters? <--- obviously not!
Any kind of tweak to remove loading stuttering ?

and so on....

 

[saunderez]

PC version has the same hitching so bit rich for the developers to say they need Unity and Sony to help them fix it. My PC is ridiculously ovrrspecced compared to a PS4 so it's looking to me like their middleware is the problem. Had no such problems with The Witness which is a graphically similar game.

I'm not going to blame Unity like some people here because I have no problems with Homeworld Deserts of Kharak or The Golf Club or Spintires, all of which use the same engine. The problem is specific to this game.

 

[Ambitious]

The certification process doesn't exist to ensure games run smoothly. Basically, as long as a game supports required features (e.g. trophies) and doesn't brick systems, it's going to get through. Attempting to mandate a minimum resolution/average framerate would be an absolutely terrible decision and only lead to less games releasing on the PS4.

I disagree with respect to the framerate. From a consumer standpoint, it would be a great decision. If you can't manage to make your game run at the minimum acceptable level, Sony's certification guys should simply reject your game. If that's what it takes to stop developers from releasing broken games or games with serious performances issues and then maybe partially fix it later or not, so be it.

But you're right: In reality, developers would simply move to other platforms instead of fixing their games. This would only work if all platform holders agreed to enforce the same set of quality standards, which won't ever happen.

 

[GinoFelino]

Yeah, I mentioned it in the OP. The controls are the worst part of the game for me. Remove the acceleration and include a simple sensitivity slider and it would be fine.

The framerate can't keep up with fast camera movement, so it would definitely help!

Very strange they've decided to add the acceleration when it makes the poor performance that much more obvious/frequent.

 

[Dictator93]

About why devs use Unity Engine, there is a game I would love to play, Subnautica.

I can't because is a Unity Engine. Here a dev explains why they use it

http://forums.unknownworlds.com/dis...bnautica-using-unity-and-not-the-spark-engine

This one from one of the devs is really awesome




Ok, these are some threads on steam community

Stutter!
stutters
stutter and pop-in
why the stutter
stutter is an issue
Framerate Stutter?
Stuttering/Lags
Just Purchased - Excessive Stuttering
Frame rate stutter
Does running SSD eliminate the stutters? <--- obviously not!
Any kind of tweak to remove loading stuttering ?

and so on....

Terrifying. Subnatuica looks fantastic and I am a huge UWE fanboy. The fact that those problems could perhaps always be there no matter what is extremely sad. I do want to support them and get the game eventually :/

 

[Deleted member 30609]

Had no such problems with The Witness which is a graphically similar game.

The Witness was built over the course of six years on an engine explicitly built to play one game: The Witness.

Spoiler

(well, it was initially designed to play Braid, but the point stands)

 

[perk1n]

So yay or nay?

I'm sick at home and need sth to play on my PS4.

 

[neonille]

About why devs use Unity Engine, there is a game I would love to play, Subnautica.

I can't because is a Unity Engine. Here a dev explains why they use it

http://forums.unknownworlds.com/dis...bnautica-using-unity-and-not-the-spark-engine

This one from one of the devs is really awesome




Ok, these are some threads on steam community

Stutter!
stutters
stutter and pop-in
why the stutter
stutter is an issue
Framerate Stutter?
Stuttering/Lags
Just Purchased - Excessive Stuttering
Frame rate stutter
Does running SSD eliminate the stutters? <--- obviously not!
Any kind of tweak to remove loading stuttering ?

and so on....

Except if you read some of them, the developer responded by saying thats because the game is loading all the assets dynamically. That's not the engines fault...

 

[saunderez]

The Witness was built over the course of six years on an engine explicitly built to play one game: The Witness.

Spoiler

(well, it was initially designed to play Braid, but the point stands)

I know that but as I said I've played multiple Unity games lately that do not have this problem. It's something unique to this game, I'm almost willing to bet it's the streaming middleware designed by the developers themselves.

Except if you read some of them, the developer responded by saying thats because the game is loading all the assets dynamically. That's not the engines fault...

It's also an Early Access game which means it's basically pre Alpha and performance issues should be ignored.

 

[Tizoc]

it is 2016 and small games like this could still run like arse?

 

[Quasar]

Game seems fine to me on PS4? Maybe a couple of hiccups here and there but otherwise fine.

Thats my experience from my couple of hours of play. Maybe it gets worse further in.

 

[saunderez]

it is 2016 and small games like this could still run like arse?

Anything can run like ass with poor optimisation. You want me to make a Hello World with 100% CPU usage? I can totally do that.

 

[Jinjo]

Sometimes you wonder if they actually playtest these things on real PS4 units.

 

[paperspace]

PC version has the same hitching so bit rich for the developers to say they need Unity and Sony to help them fix it. My PC is ridiculously ovrrspecced compared to a PS4 so it's looking to me like their middleware is the problem. Had no such problems with The Witness which is a graphically similar game.

I'm not going to blame Unity like some people here because I have no problems with Homeworld Deserts of Kharak or The Golf Club or Spintires, all of which use the same engine. The problem is specific to this game.

And probably specific to certain hardware. Having no issues at all on i7 6700K + 970 SLI + 32GB + SSD

 

[neonille]

Sometimes you wonder if they actually playtest these things on real PS4 units.

The developer tweeted he had finished it many times on ps4 and he wasn't bothered by the performance, but he also said that he wasn't a "pc-gamer"

 

[Jinjo]

The developer tweeted he had finished it many times on ps4 and he wasn't bothered by the performance, but he also said that he wasn't a "pc-gamer"

Well, even to non-PC gamers it looks stuttery as hell. Framedrops can happen, but a game choking at times is just weird.

 

[GinoFelino]

The developer tweeted he had finished it many times on ps4 and he wasn't bothered by the performance, but he also said that he wasn't a "pc-gamer"

This game makes me wish I was a "pc-gamer", so I could have an acceptable framerate

And probably specific to certain hardware. Having no issues at all on i7 6700K + 970 SLI + 32GB + SSD

Imagine having performance issues on a rig like that! :O

 

[neonille]

Sometimes you wonder if they actually playtest these things on real PS4 units.

And probably specific to certain hardware. Having no issues at all on i7 6700K + 970 SLI + 32GB + SSD

Umm...yeah....Of course it runs great on a $2000 computer.

 

[kriskrosbbk]

The developer tweeted he had finished it many times on ps4 and he wasn't bothered by the performance, but he also said that he wasn't a "pc-gamer"

I dont think I played worse game on my PS4. Performance wise. Come on you developer.

 

[saunderez]

And probably specific to certain hardware. Having no issues at all on i7 6700K + 970 SLI + 32GB + SSD

A FX-8320 @ 4.2ghz with a 4GB OC R9 290 & 8GB RAM massively outspecs the PS4 so given what's happening I expect better (especially considering far better performance on far more intensive games). I should try moving the game to the SSD though perhaps that is the issue. Maybe they're streaming assets last minute and the HDD isn't quite keeping up. Even if it is its still a pretty major problem considering not everyone has a SSD (especially PS4 owners).

 

[paperspace]

Umm...yeah....Of course it runs great on a $2000 computer.

Umm, it's not a $2000 computer, but yeah, that's not the point. The post I replied to implied the game was performing universally bad which I didn't agree with.

 

[saunderez]

Umm, it's not a $2000 computer, but yeah, that's not the point. The post I replied to implied the game was performing universally bad which I didn't agree with.

I never said universally bad. But it is hitching enough to be noticeable. A framerate drop I could easily ignore but it's hard to ignore hitching. Maybe it is the HDD not keeping up but a SSD isn't an option for a large portion of gamers.

 

[neonille]

I dont think I played worse game on my PS4. Performance wise. Come on you developer.

Agree, it's ridiculous.

 

[GHG]

Sounds to me like this game should have been delayed.

Out of interest what engine does no mans sky use?

 

[neonille]

Umm, it's not a $2000 computer, but yeah, that's not the point. The post I replied to implied the game was performing universally bad which I didn't agree with.

Lets just agree on it's not the average computer most people have, or can afford.

 

[Alienous]

Sounds to me like this game should have been delayed.

Out of interest what engine does no mans sky use?

Something proprietary, I think. I believe the studio built it themselves.

 

[saunderez]

Something proprietary, I think. I believe the studio built it themselves.

Correct, would have been a lot of work to modify an existing engine to do what they needed to do so probably the right call there.

 

[Cyborg]

I think I'll be fine tonight. I rarely take GAF performance impressions seriously after things like The Witcher 3 and Fallout 4 being described as "unplayable" and Bloodborne as having "shit" framerates on here.

My man! I can always count on Shinobi.

 

[MaLDo]

Except if you read some of them, the developer responded by saying thats because the game is loading all the assets dynamically. That's not the engines fault...

Welcome to 2016? Most games load assets dynamically.

 

[OléGunner]

Heh, I'm just asking myself how bad these frame rate issues will be for myself.

I remember parts of Gaf labelling Witcher 3 on PS4 borderline unplayable late last year but I found it fine with all the patches included admittedly.

Anyways, I've bought the game and if the frame rate is truly horrendous I'll wait it out for an update.

Sounds to me like this game should have been delayed.

Out of interest what engine does no mans sky use?

I think its proprietary tech, doubt their procedural generation would work with a middleware solution.

 

[saunderez]

Welcome to 2016? Most games load assets dynamically.

It's still an Early Access game though. So it should be treated like the pre-alpha it actually is rather as an example of why Unity is unfit for purpose. Plenty of Unity games do not suffer such problems.

 

[GinoFelino]

My man! I can always count on Shinobi.

For....?

GAF is the boy who cried wolf when it comes to performance issues, but that shouldn't invalidate every complaint about games with bad performance.

At least, try to educate yourself on the issue somewhat before passing judgement.

 

[Always-honest]

100% no buy unless they somehow fix this.

 

[Ludens]

Why the game was released in first place?
If your game is a technical mess, take your time, fix it and than release it.
Apologize after releasing a broken product it's awful, no matter how quickly you hope to release a fix.
Expecially if the game looks like an alpha in this case, I wonder if QA still exist (but on PSN we saw games like Ether One which are still broken at the moment, even if a lot of patches released, so I think there's no QA at all, honestly).

 

[GHG]

Something proprietary, I think. I believe the studio built it themselves.

I think its proprietary tech, doubt their procedural generation would work with a middleware solution.

Thank goodness for that then. Looks like unity has some serious persistent issues.

 

[Liamc723]

Yup, the PS4 performance is atrocious. The amount of frame rate problems and texture pop-in in this game is absolutely unacceptable.

 

[GlamFM]

Yup, the PS4 performance is atrocious. The amount of frame rate problems and texture pop-in in this game is absolutely unacceptable.

After just finishing The Witness it´s an absolute nightmare.

 

[Hanmik]

this thread is so strange..

some people have massive problems with the performance, then people come here and say they are just exaggerating a small problem.

and some people say they have (almost) no problems with the performance, then people come here and say that is just what they wanted to hear, and that this is "real" talk.

it feels like people really don't want to hear about bad performance in games, I get that some posters on Neogaf are overly sensitive when it comes to performance. But people are reporting hard locks, crashes, game saves that are fubar, fps fluctuation and stuttering in general.

I haven't tried it myself, but it really looks like this game has some technical problems, even people who had no problems with games that Neogaf bashed hard for performance, have big problems in Firewatch.

 

[JetSetRadio]

Too much noise in this thread, bummer.

 

[itxaka]

At least you didnt play it on Linux.

Had to ask for a refund, here its how my "try to play a paid game" went yesterday.

- Game launch link tries to launch a different binary (Case sensitivity is with us since 2001, come on). Have to change the name of the binary manually
- Game picks the width resolution of both monitors summed
- Cant see the menu because the mentioned issue, no way of changing resolution
- Have to modify the preferences file manually to change fullscreen and resolution
- Game does not launch anymore
- Update is released, supposedly fixes the binary name
- It doesnt
- Rename binary again
- Redo the preferences (they got override with the update??)
- Game still doesnt launch, cant find Data directory
- Rename Firewatch_Data directory to Data
- Game launches!!!
- Game launches in wrong monitor, even when display-0 is my main one and every other game launches there
- Modify prefs, force monitor-0 as the main one
- Game launches in the proper monitor!!!!
- Artifacts in-game
- Try different types of graphics settings, artifacts do not go away.
- Try different games in case my card was dying, car is ok
- Contemplate life and how I spend 2 hours trying to make this work to be able to play for 9 minutes
- Request refund


Im ok with a game not coming for a platform if you dont have the resources to test it there. Just take your time, release it on platforms that you know it works and then concentrate on making it work in the others.


But this....

Seriously, data folder and binary naming issues....feels like the game was not even tested to work.
Just because Unity has a button that says "Export game to Linux" it does not mean that you should use it.

 

[GinoFelino]

this thread is so strange..

some people have massive problems with the performance, then people come here and say they are just exaggerating a small problem.

and some people say they have (almost) no problems with the performance, then people come here and say that is just what they wanted to hear, and that this is "real" talk.

it feels like people really don't want to hear about bad performance in games, I get that some posters on Neogaf are overly sensitive when it comes to performance. But people are reporting hard locks, crashes, game saves that are fubar, fps fluctuation and stuttering in general.

I haven't tried it myself, but it really looks like this game has some technical problems, even people who had no problems with games that Neogaf bashed hardly for performance, have big problems in Firewatch.

Yes, thank you! That's 'real talk'

 

[TheChillyAcademic]

What's upsetting is that the developers KNEW there were issues and decided they weren't a big enough issue to THEM to perhaps hold out and fix things, regardless of how it would delay their product.

 

[Vaga]

What's upsetting is that the developers KNEW there were issues and decided they weren't a big enough issue to THEM to perhaps hold out and fix things, regardless of how it would delay their product.

This is the real fucked up thing. That developers, even small ones knowingly keep releasing broken games. Was really hyped for this game but after seeing how many issues surfaced I'm gonna hold till it gets at least 50% discount.

 

[Manny Calavera]

Yes it's bad, but doesn't prevent me enjoying the game. Really loving it after the first two days.

 

[CircleOfFire]

At least you didnt play it on Linux.

...<snip>...

Just because Unity has a button that says "Export game to Linux" it does not mean that you should use it.

As a long time Linux user this makes me so grumpy, it closes the loop on the "People don't play games on Linux." line. Well of course they wont if you do a crappy job!

 

[Shadous]

Playing on PS4, and though there's definitely some performance issues, nothing's been game breaking and I'm still really enjoying it.

 

[Barry Burton]

Played about 3-4 hours last night. The performance is indeed pretty bad (constant fluctuating framerate and occasionally intense stuttering, especially when climbing/rappelling to a new area). By now, though, I've gotten use to this and the wonky camera controls and it hasn't really hurt my enjoyment of the narrative experience I was looking for.

It's just unfortunate because it should be much better. There's really no excuse, and the game would obviously benefit a lot from a stable framerate. I wouldn't call it "unplayable" by any stretch, but that's just how I see it. If you have a lower tolerance for these sorts of performance problems, Firewatch is legitimately and consistently rough enough to the point where I wouldn't blame anyone for avoiding this version.

It's legit bad from a performance standpoint, but not bad enough to where I can't deal with it.

 

[GinoFelino]

Playing on PS4, and though there's definitely some performance issues, nothing's been game breaking and I'm still really enjoying it.

We don't take kindly to your type 'round here...

Spoiler

Good for you