Directional / volumetric lighting glitch

[Viper ]X[]

I've played through this game twice on different PCs, both had the same glitch with volumetric lighting / god rays coming through walls. Most noticeable in fall and winter, very distracting.
I've searched online and can't find any other mentions of this other than an issue thread on github for vkd3d, where it was claimed it is a bug in the shader code but didn't cause any issues on windows, which it does.
Changing "Directional Shadow Distance" to low corrects the issue but looks substantially worse.

https://imgur.com/a/HJdhnze

[animal_PLANET]

What are the specs of those PCs?

Since the issue is being repeated on both PC's. Its most likely due from the same software running on both that is causing the issue. Or its a driver issue.

Have you tried running DDU and do a clean boot?

Running DDU will remove previous driver completely and ensure a clean install of newest display driver. Like its being done for the first time on a newly installed OS.

Here is link to DDU. Make sure to read/follow guide if unfamiliar. https://www.wagnardsoft.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4876

A clean boot will remove any potential conflicts with other software running in background. Disable all non essential services, programs and tasks from starting with PC. So use services (services app or system configuration app), tasks (task scheduler app), and startup items (task manager) to disable them. Check all 3 areas. If anyone is enabled that software will run and could be causing conflicts with games. This will also help free up system resources in general.

[Viper ]X[]

Both systems are Ryzen/Radeon.

5800x3d
MSI x570 Tomahawk
7900XTX
32GB@3733
Creative SB AE5
1440@144hz screen(LG 27GL850)

5800X
MSI B550 Gaming Plus
6700XT
16GB@3733
1080@60 Samsung TV(circa 2013)

The system with the XTX I played through the game in August I think, but issue still exists with latest drivers. I used DDU a couple times to remove AFMF preview drivers along the way. Pretty sure it isn't something that would be fixed with DDU.

Played again on the second system in January with 24.1.1

No background applications to speak of, I keep my systems clean, not even steam is set to run at start up.
Both systems are powered down when not in use, windows fast start up disabled.

I expect it is a driver bug but also figured there would be more mention of it.

[animal_PLANET]

Now that you posted specs and Im looking at the SS again. I believe this was an AMD BIOS issue with CPU setting. Since you have 5800x series for both. That might be it. I saw similar issue for AW remaster. https://steamcommunity.com/app/108710/discussions/0/3873718133750476486/?l=thai#c3873718133750497256

I feel like what the setting was is on the tip of my tongue but cant remember right now. Try doing a little bit of googling to see if you can find something definitive for this. It could be a voltage or clock issue. Are you at stock?

But that may not be it at all. Since you said it changes with Directional Shadow Distance setting. So it could be AMD Adrenalin settings/driver.

I know you said you used it previously but run DDU again or AMD driver cleanup utility. Than install 24.2.1. Make sure all default settings and make sure nothing fancy that AMD offers is enabled. Anti lag, Freesync, driver scaling (RSR), image sharpening, frame rate target control, radeon boost, etc. Keep only basic driver setting to default and let the game handle it. See what happens and to rule that out of equation.

Do you have any peripherals connected and have that software running?

Are you using Win 10 or 11? If 11, did you do a clean install or upgrade process? If upgrade, you may want to try a clean install.

If you have previously installed DXVK along with VKD3D for DX12. I would make sure that is fully uninstalled and deleted. In case its causing a conflict somehow.

[Viper ]X[]

I'll try to check into the bios thing. Both systems have negative CO offset and both are running b-die memory xmp3600 14-14-14 overclocked to 3733, fabric 1867 with fully tuned timings and SOC/vddg etc manually set to support that.

I guess I'll try a DDU on the x3d system, I think it is still running the 24.2.1 preview driver anyway.
Stuff like antilag, RSR, boost etc was off. Freesync was on and possibly RIS but I don't recall. SAM was disabled due to a performance issue with the game with it enabled.

Peripherals, just the Logitech software for the mouse and only on the x3d system. The other system doesn't have any peripheral software installed.

Both are running windows 11 clean installed with TPM disabled and forced local account.

No dxvk/vkd3d installed.

[aufkrawall]

Have the same issue with 7800 XT on Windows D3D12. I wonder if some game or driver update has broken a driver workaround. Haven't yet tested with version 1.1.3.

[santana]

RX 6800XT R5 5600 here and same issue, bunch of lazy ass devs

[Viper ]X[]

If it doesn't happen on Nvidia cards we should likely submit bug reports to AMD

[StratCW]

I have the exact the same issue with my rig.
Running:
5800x3D
7900 XT
32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM

Tried everything from a clean install of the game, to clean installing GPU drivers

[animal_PLANET]

Originally posted by Viper X:

I'll try to check into the bios thing. Both systems have negative CO offset and both are running b-die memory xmp3600 14-14-14 overclocked to 3733, fabric 1867 with fully tuned timings and SOC/vddg etc manually set to support that.

I guess I'll try a DDU on the x3d system, I think it is still running the 24.2.1 preview driver anyway.
Stuff like antilag, RSR, boost etc was off. Freesync was on and possibly RIS but I don't recall. SAM was disabled due to a performance issue with the game with it enabled.

Peripherals, just the Logitech software for the mouse and only on the x3d system. The other system doesn't have any peripheral software installed.

Both are running windows 11 clean installed with TPM disabled and forced local account.

No dxvk/vkd3d installed.

Ok, yea run defaults and see if that helps any. If this is an issue that affects AMD hardware with the 5800 series CPU. I would than try contacting AMD themselves or make a new thread on their support forums.

Since now more people have reported same issue. It would be good to do that. As well as open a ticket up directly with ND.

[Young Hot Buns]

this update broke performance via the god ray bug

[Cryiox]

I've seen the wacky through the walls god rays at various sections of the game. It's mostly rare and harmless IMO. They aren't present on screen for long.

This on 5700 XT and 7900 XTX on various drivers. I'd assume it's the game itself.

One happens right as you drop on the street on the way to the Capitol Building, final section with Tess, right before going through the water.

[PORTALX3]

Substituting amd_ags_x64 doesn't solve the problem in any way?
In the game folder is version 6.1.0.0 - put version 6.2.0.0 and test.
amd_ags - AMD GPU Services library. I even found a description of what changing the version does - I'll quote it:

"What's new in AGS 6.1 since version 6.0
AGS 6.1 includes the following updates:
* RDNA3 detection"

"What's new in AGS 6.2 since version 6.1
AGS 6.2 includes the following updates:
* Shader clock intrinsics
* Minor improvements and fixes"

If it's worse or the game won't run at all, change it back.

[Viper ]X[]

Originally posted by P⭕RTALX3:

Substituting amd_ags_x64 doesn't solve the problem in any way?
In the game folder is version 6.1.0.0 - put version 6.2.0.0 and test.
amd_ags - AMD GPU Services library. I even found a description of what changing the version does - I'll quote it:

"What's new in AGS 6.1 since version 6.0
AGS 6.1 includes the following updates:
* RDNA3 detection"

"What's new in AGS 6.2 since version 6.1
AGS 6.2 includes the following updates:
* Shader clock intrinsics
* Minor improvements and fixes"

If it's worse or the game won't run at all, change it back.

Breaks the game

[Viper ]X[]

Originally posted by Cryiox:

I've seen the wacky through the walls god rays at various sections of the game. It's mostly rare and harmless IMO. They aren't present on screen for long.

This on 5700 XT and 7900 XTX on various drivers. I'd assume it's the game itself.

One happens right as you drop on the street on the way to the Capitol Building, final section with Tess, right before going through the water.

Yeah it's harmless but it wasn't rare and is quite annoying.

Based on the issue thread for vkd3d it definitely sounds like it is an issue with the game, interestingly they claim the godray fix used for vkd3d also corrects the issues with shadow banding/pixelation in some areas(since they applied the fix to every shader).

Thing is if it can be fixed through vkd3d then AMD should also be able to fix it in the driver if they cared to.

[vlad_8011]

I also have this problem. I don't remember it on previous story beating.