Better Graphics and performance for all

[ICEBREAKER]

Update is out:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2685325469

[xKiCkx]

Nice work OP, one thing to note is that you do need to have a bit more beefy PC to run the game with this configuration.

[ICEBREAKER]

I have now added a second version below that really 100% fixes all the game's graphic bugs.

[Marky]

Sorry, but it doesn't make sense to me. In the folder windowsnoeditor there is a file called Engine.ini Is that what you are referring to? But if we need to add it there, that file does not contain any configuration information, so not sure if that is the file you want us to edit. Please elaborate a bit further on the guides. Thanks

[ICEBREAKER]

Yes this is the correct file. With the addition of the second guide, I unfortunately no longer have space for explanations and had to delete it. Just copy it into the engine.ini below.

[ICEBREAKER]

But I will briefly explain the difference between the 2 versions. The upper one contains the shadows and clouds. Both cause problems in scum. The contact shadows create grid. Here I could improve it with some things, but not fix it 100%. I would say the shadows are 70% better. By removing the contact shadows I was able to fix the problem, and with a few small optimizations I was able to reduce the resolution, which brought more performance compared to the first version. The grid shadows are completely gone.

The second is the clouds that cause some bugs. A maldden dlss and fsr white bar on the right, trees flicker with clouds in the background but also power lines. And then there are the pixels on the horizon.

Through various optimizations (clouds, bloom, increase scaling, sharpening, etc.) I was able to improve it so that it wasn't so bad anymore, but I couldn't fix it. The magic word here is volumetric clouds, deactivating them, as well as the cloud shadows, etc., fixes all, really all, graphic errors to 100%. Unfortunately the game doesn't have static clouds as assat, otherwise I would have activated them. The only downside: rain and snowfall with a cloudless sky. But it plays much better with dlss/fsr, the textures also look much better in the second version. I definitely recommend the error-free second version. Performance should be much better for everyone.

And since dlss and fsr are now running without errors... more fps for everyone with this option, it also looks good now.

[Marky]

Thanks! Helped a lot and makes sense now. Applied the changes and looks much better.

[ICEBREAKER]

In the end the developers would only have to do 2 things: Disable the contact shadows (this also solves the problem with the liquid shadows DFAO) and simply increase the normal shadow removal a bit. And throw out the volumetric clouds and replace them with static ones. That would be an easy solution.

Or this:
https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/clouds-skies/questions

https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/cloudscape-volumetric-cloud-library

[ICEBREAKER]

Originally posted by Marky:

Thanks! Helped a lot and makes sense now. Applied the changes and looks much better.

Second version?

[Marky]

I have not tried the second. I applied the first as we have similar build so thought that would fit better for me.

[ICEBREAKER]

I'm playing with version 2 now. To be honest, I prefer it that way. A bit unusual because of the clouds, but at least without errors, and really fast with dlss and now also pretty. But leave both versions inside, everyone can decide for themselves. But only version 2 fixes everything, version 1 makes it more bearable.

[Marky]

I am trying the second version now. Are you running in DX12 mode or normal?

[ICEBREAKER]

dx 11. runs smoother (i9 10850k). When come i7 13700k next week i test dx 12.

[Kizm]

It's interesting but since running dx 11 I have had more crashing and freezing than dx 12. Vulkan just runs like ass full stop.

The volumetric clouds really set the scene though. Removing them would greatly diminish the effect from light passing through them in real time and watching a storm roll in. Granted, I am playing on a fairly serious rig and I realise not everyone has that luxury, I havn't had much issue with performance at all. DLSS on and everything maxed at 3440x1440p getting 130+ fps. For the level of detail this game has, I feel like it runs fairly well given that it's still in EA. Had plenty of other games run like ♥♥♥♥ in comparison.

[the krafti ʳᵒᶜᵏᵉʳ]

Nice, thank you.

[Shift]

Indeed the lack of clouds solve most, if not all graphical issues I've had in the past (in special with the shadows), but also make the scenery at large so bland and devoid of life.

Hope devs can fix this issue.