(Archive) Journal: Finding Ways to Fix Performance

[MicroKnightmare]

This is going to be a small little topic that will journal my current trials to figure out a way (prior to the huge performance patch and planned title updates) in order to fix framerate issues without using the in-game upscaler, lowering the resolution to 720p, or setting the framecap to 30fps. So far, I am loving the game, and it's a great change of pace from other games in this subgenre. That is why I'm going to figure out a universal method to see if a lot of the problems plaguing the game can be fixed without immediate developer intervention.

I am running on an ASUS ROG laptop, these are my specs:
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
CPU: Intel Corel i7-10750H @ 2.6GHz (12 cores)
RAM: 16GB + (Page files: an additional 32GB)
DirectX capability: DirectX 12
(This game's) Storage: SK Hynix NVMe SSD
OS: Windows 11

First trial: Convert DirectX to Vulkan
Tools used: HxD Hex Editor, DXVK, vkd3d-proton
Result: Failure.

Notes: I remembered that certain games often ran better on Vulkan, so it was worth a shot to try and convert the game's native DirectX API to the Vulkan API. To my surprise, the game launched after adding the necessary DLL files to the game's .exe directory! However, it wound up causing WAY WORSE performance, which is probably due to the game's internal logic. This is likely an issue pertaining to the fact the game is set to run on DX12, but actually converts to DX12 from DX11. You CANNOT run the game off of the DX12 DLL file alone. I found that to be the case from dissecting the game in hex. Also note that because of this, the game requires both DXVK AND vkd3d, which is the DX12 port of DXVK (as DXVK only supports up to DX11) in order to convert to Vulkan.

Additional remark: Knowing this, it could very likely be a reason why Steam Deck performance is potentially utterly horrible for anyone trying to play it on a Steam Deck, as the handheld uses Valve's Proton API for Linux to run Windows games.
Context: Steam Deck uses SteamOS with the new Big Picture Mode auto enabled. SteamOS has always been a Linux distro, and the only way Linux devices can play native Windows games is with either Wine or Proton. Proton incorporates DXVK and vkd3d to allow handling of DirectX only games, as DirectX is a proprietary software of Microsoft.

To be continued...

[EvilDeadSanta]

So intresting post. Subscribed
Goodluck in ur investigation

[MicroKnightmare]

Second trial: First trial + Removing unnecessary loose files
Tools used: Windows Explorer
Result: Failure.

Notes: I noticed there was a loose game archive, with the extension ".arc" in one of the folders containing all of the startup data. The file was called "cmn_dx12.arc." I thought, "maybe if I deleted this file, the game wouldn't redirect into DX12?" It did launch, but ultimately hung at a black screen after the first loading screen. Worth a shot, if nothing else than to sate my curiosity.
Context: The game has 2 loading screens on startup. One that launches the game (which I theorize is a result of the multi-DRM with Steam and Origin, on this release), and another that loads the game. First screen launches and loads without a hitch. Second screen hangs.

[Steelkaiser]

Is it possible to force the game to run DX11? I know some games perform better in DX11 than 12 like microsoft flight simulator. At least for many people with lower end video cards.

[MicroKnightmare]

Originally posted by Steelkaiser:

Is it possible to force the game to run DX11? I know some games perform better in DX11 than 12 like microsoft flight simulator. At least for many people with lower end video cards.

Not that I know, of... yet. Just got back home, gonna test more now.

[MicroKnightmare]

Third trial: First trial via manually compiling latest vkd3d-proton commit
Tools used: VSCode, Git GUI, mingw64, glslang compiler
Result: Failure.

Notes: Wanted to see if manually compiling the D3D12 DLL file would make any difference. No major changes from the very much horrid 15FPS from first the trial, unfortunately.

Fourth trial: Deleting unnecessary loose game files from the second trial without Vulkan API conversion
Tools used: Windows Explorer.
Result: Failure (situational success)

Notes: You can delete certain loose files so long as they don't have any data that can be considered game-breaking. The game launches and loads into Minato just fine. However the goal of these tests are to figure out how to get the game running better WITHOUT needing any developer assistance. And it doesn't look like deleting the "cmn_dx12.arc" file actually does anything to "revert" the game to DX11. At this rate, it does look like concessions must happen...

Additional remark: Aside from deleting "cmn_dx12.arc" file, I also had to delete the cmn_dx12 folder (which appears to contain movie files), in order for the game to fully load. Probably the tutorial videos.

[MicroKnightmare]

Off-topic PSA: There actually IS a way to make the game run smooth, but it will require sacrifice. Suck up your pride and cap the frames at 30fps. I'm running a 3 year old gaming laptop with a "budget" RTX GPU, and it actually runs consistently at 30fps on a 2560x1440 resolution. Granted, I had to apply all of the other fixes mentioned by everyone else AND I run it at the lowest graphical preset, but it beats not playing an otherwise refreshing take on this subgenre.

Additional remark: There is another thing I must mention about this. Omega Force is known for games like Dynasty Warriors, which practically invented the Musou subgenre of hack and slash games, but this isn't their first foray into experimental games. Toukiden 1, Toukiden Kiwami, and Toukiden 2 were their prior games in this Hunting Action Game style, and let me tell you... they were ROUGH. They ran as well as Dynasty Warrior 5 on PlayStation 2! Yet they were originally released for PSVita and PS4! This is because most PS4 games and even some PS5 games DON'T run native 60fps. The PS4 Pro was Sony's answer, as well as forcing studios to develop an "action" mode, to fix that issue! So Omega Force still prioritizes 30fps as the core target frame limit.

Critique: It's stupid that it's a thing, but frankly, it's probably endemic to the parent company as a whole. Team Ninja's release of the Ninja Gaiden Collection had problems with optimization too (though their intent and overall execution is very likely different matter). I am mildly concerned for Team Ninja's next game, Wo Long/"Nioh 3 Kingdoms," if nothing else.

Conclusion: I know this isn't going to dissuade anyone from their animosity or vitriol as it is, but the game really is fun. If you hate it, then ignore it, review bomb it and/or refund it. If you genuinely like it, then let me tell you, 30fps isn't as rough as you'd think it is. I will guarantee you it will be a consistent and smooth experience, because that's just how Omega Force builds their games... as stupid a way as it is.

P.S.: Omega Force, if you're listening, FIX DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 EMPIRES NOT ACTUALLY RECOGNIZING ANY CONTROLLERS! YOU PUT OUT THE ENGLISH PATCH, RELEASE A COUPLE OF DLC, YET BREAK CONTROLLER SUPPORT?! WTF! I TRIED PS4, PS5, SWITCH PRO, AND EVEN MY RAZER FIGHTSTICK. NOTHING WORKS!

[Pea]

I noticed that most of the time I lose FPS and get shuttering is when i'm looking in certain direction of the maps.
I think the problem might come from the fact the game still display tones of assets when you look to somewhere even if its behind huge cliff front of.
Or there is just some assets on the maps that totally screw up stability.

So may be if we could find a way to reduce distance of views of assets or make LOD works properly we could increase perfomance a lot.

[Laughing kookaburra]

try turning off steam overlay

[MicroKnightmare]

Originally posted by Laughing kookaburra:

try turning off steam overlay

I have it default turned off in Steam > Settings > Enable the Steam Overlay (un-ticked). No changes, at least for the Vulkan API.

Unfortunately, I must conclude this topic for now. I am cirremtly out of town for two days, on a beach trip with family, and I don't want to start any necros other than this final post on the matter. Hopefully Omega Force can fix the issue in the major performance patch, because I certainly won't be able to do anything until at least Monday.

[BOT_09]

Made any more advancements or discoveries? If it's on a unity fork, can it be harmony modded?

[geologyrox]

Thanks for the investigation. We need more collaborative threads like this where we gather useful data in order to identify where the problem lies, and how to solve it, even if there is a workaround.

Also, Wo Long definitely had its performance issues on launch. I believe performance is still lackluster for the game, but they are slowly improving it. I'm saddened to see how long it's taking the devs to address performance considering Wild Hearts has been available for over a month, yet the game is still plagued with problems.

[Richard]

Originally posted by MicroKnightmare:

Off-topic PSA: There actually IS a way to make the game run smooth, but it will require sacrifice. Suck up your pride and cap the frames at 30fps. I'm running a 3 year old gaming laptop with a "budget" RTX GPU, and it actually runs consistently at 30fps on a 2560x1440 resolution. Granted, I had to apply all of the other fixes mentioned by everyone else AND I run it at the lowest graphical preset, but it beats not playing an otherwise refreshing take on this subgenre.

Additional remark: There is another thing I must mention about this. Omega Force is known for games like Dynasty Warriors, which practically invented the Musou subgenre of hack and slash games, but this isn't their first foray into experimental games. Toukiden 1, Toukiden Kiwami, and Toukiden 2 were their prior games in this Hunting Action Game style, and let me tell you... they were ROUGH. They ran as well as Dynasty Warrior 5 on PlayStation 2! Yet they were originally released for PSVita and PS4! This is because most PS4 games and even some PS5 games DON'T run native 60fps. The PS4 Pro was Sony's answer, as well as forcing studios to develop an "action" mode, to fix that issue! So Omega Force still prioritizes 30fps as the core target frame limit.

Critique: It's stupid that it's a thing, but frankly, it's probably endemic to the parent company as a whole. Team Ninja's release of the Ninja Gaiden Collection had problems with optimization too (though their intent and overall execution is very likely different matter). I am mildly concerned for Team Ninja's next game, Wo Long/"Nioh 3 Kingdoms," if nothing else.

Conclusion: I know this isn't going to dissuade anyone from their animosity or vitriol as it is, but the game really is fun. If you hate it, then ignore it, review bomb it and/or refund it. If you genuinely like it, then let me tell you, 30fps isn't as rough as you'd think it is. I will guarantee you it will be a consistent and smooth experience, because that's just how Omega Force builds their games... as stupid a way as it is.

P.S.: Omega Force, if you're listening, FIX DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 EMPIRES NOT ACTUALLY RECOGNIZING ANY CONTROLLERS! YOU PUT OUT THE ENGLISH PATCH, RELEASE A COUPLE OF DLC, YET BREAK CONTROLLER SUPPORT?! WTF! I TRIED PS4, PS5, SWITCH PRO, AND EVEN MY RAZER FIGHTSTICK. NOTHING WORKS!

i love dwe, toikiden, and nioh. but their ports/games are always iffy on how they run in general and gameplay. so no surprise there. also heard wo lon runs badly sadly. but i heard nioh 2 did too back in the day. so there hope.

Originally posted by geologyrox:

Thanks for the investigation. We need more collaborative threads like this where we gather useful data in order to identify where the problem lies, and how to solve it, even if there is a workaround.

Also, Wo Long definitely had its performance issues on launch. I believe performance is still lackluster for the game, but they are slowly improving it. I'm saddened to see how long it's taking the devs to address performance considering Wild Hearts has been available for over a month, yet the game is still plagued with problems.

that 99% of games for 10+ years now sadly.