[Special K] Framerate Unlock + HDR10 Goodies + Perf. Fixes

[Kaldaien]

Introduction (to Coloring)

For players using HDR display devices, the game uses HDR10 without metadata.

This means the signal covers 0 - 10,000 cd.m^-2 luminance and Steam does not understand the encoded luminance range, the color space (Rec. 2020) or even the gamma (SMPTE 2084) necessary to correctly draw its own overlay or take a screenshot.

Any HDR screenshot taken without Special K will appear greyscale!

Special K XDR—"Making HDR actually work since 2018."

• Luminance control for Steam overlay (refer to the HDR menu atop the control panel)
  
• Fix the Steam overlay to run in Rec 709 instead of Rec 2020 (LSD colors)
  
• HDR->SDR tonemapping prevents captured screenshots from being washed out
  
• Support for preserving HDR screenshots (JPEG-XR)

What HDR10 Screenshots are Supposed to Look Like (in SDR)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1695342392https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1695348420https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1695437213

NOTE:
The game uses proprietary driver APIs to enable HDR; Special K only has codepaths for NVIDIA's driver-based HDR and the much preferred DXGI-based HDR.
AMD GPU owners with HDR displays will not see any benefits.

Download and Install --- []

Grab the latest version[github.com] and extract it to your game's install directory (default=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Sekiro)

All features of the mod can be configured in-game by pressing:

⌨	Ctrl + Shift + Backspace
🎮 🎮	Xbox / Steam Back + Start PlayStation Select + Start

Most Popular Features

1. HDR Engages w/o Alt-Tab at Startup
   
2. Fixes Multi-Monitor Performance (optional)
   
3. Fixes Netcode Performance
   
4. Fixes Input Performance (gamepad / mouse)
   
5. Unlocks Framerate + Refresh Rate Configuration
   
6. Adds Advanced Framerate Limiter (lower stutter / input latency)
   
7. Costs $0.00

Misc. Useful Features

1. HUDless screenshots
   Ctrl + Shift + 8
2. HUD Toggle
   Alt + Shift + H
3. Functional HDR Steam Overlay / Screenshots
   
4. Texture / Shader modding

Source Code

I am in the middle of preparing Special K v 0.10.0 for release, so the GitLab source repository is not up-to-date at the moment. I have opted to publish the plug-in's source code on GitHub temporarily:

https://gist.github.com/Kaldaien/104cee045671e2b65a8b003ffd9bfa33

Frequently Asked Questions

1. The mouse cursor is visible constantly
   
   
   • Refer to Input Management | Enable / Disable Devices and disable Mouse Input to the game
   
   
2. The Steam Overlay is not working
   
   
   • Refer to Steam Enhancements | Compatibility and check "Load Steam Overlay Early"

TL;DR Suggested Settings for Best Framepacing

Uncap the framerate, turn fixed timestep mode on and then set Special K's framerate limiter to whatever (i.e. set it back to 60 if you want).

[Helghast Trooper]

Originally posted by cridus:

Now I'd like to have the PS4 buttons in the UI instead of the Xbox ones >_> but I guess we need to wait for someone to extract the asset from the PS4 version of the game.
Or not?

https://www.nexusmods.com/sekiro/mods/7 here you go

[Kaldaien]

There's also a version that works using Special K's texture injection, if you search this thread you should find it.


EDIT: That was harder than I thought to find :P Here, this will save you a lot of frustration:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/814380/discussions/0/1771511442678518064/?ctp=14#c1771511442692169373

[cridus]

wow thank you!
I think it's worth putting it in the first post!

[GReeeeN]

Originally posted by =(VR)= blindfold:

Ok, its done, DS4 buttons prompts:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1698973695

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1698974251

Since this mod uses the Special k mod tools to inyect the new textures I see no need to open a new thread so I´ll drop this here.

DS4modfiles[drive.google.com]

Just drop the texture files in the inyection folder and that´s it, no extra tools or files or anything.

Where can I find the “inyectuon” folder. Confirming I just download this file, paste the files into this folder and my promos should be DS4?

[Kaldaien]

SK_Res\inject\textures\

You can put it any sub-directory of that you want, the only thing that matters is the ....dds filenames.

[Webs]

Hi where is the manual/guide on how to use this program?

[Arekksu-]

I'm not able to get gysnc working with this mod. Is this supposed to be the case or am I doing something wrong?

[Kaldaien]

Originally posted by Gainsly Harriot:

Hi where is the manual/guide on how to use this program?

Everything you need to know is in the title post. I don't have time to document every feature; if something is useful eventually that works itself out and leaves me time to waste on stuff that is not useful :)

I'll be happy to answer any questions or assist you with any problems though. That's proven to be a better use of time than pumping out documentation believe it or not.

[Kaldaien]

Originally posted by Arekksu-:

I'm not able to get gysnc working with this mod. Is this supposed to be the case or am I doing something wrong?

G-Sync doesn't work in windowed mode, so if you're going by the G-Sync indicator in the control panel that is normal. If it says G-Sync is inactive and you're running in fullscreen exclusive mode, that's not normal.

[Ashen]

Do I need to disable V-sync in my Nvidia settings to use 144hz refresh rate like with the other FPS Unlocker on Nexus Mods?

[Kaldaien]

Originally posted by Mangaman1001:

Do I need to disable V-sync in my Nvidia settings to use 144hz refresh rate like with the other FPS Unlocker on Nexus Mods?

Why on Earth would you need to do that?


EDIT: Nevermind, I forget not everyone's a graphics programmer sometimes :P

No, my solution doesn't require this, it has the option to override the game's refresh rate built-in.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1704816408

[Ashen]

Originally posted by Kaldaien:

EDIT: Nevermind, I forget not everyone's a graphics programmer sometimes :P

No, my solution doesn't require this, it has the option to override the game's refresh rate built-in.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1704816408

Okay, thanks ^^

I asked because the other mod requires you to play in Borderless fullscreen/Windowed mode if you want to use anything over 60Hz, unless you disable V-sync in your Nvidia settings before using it since the game apparently forces 60Hz in fullscreen. I just assumed it was a limitation and that you required it too xD

https://www.nexusmods.com/sekiro/mods/13

[samDLIVE]

Hey Kaldaien, can you test why anything over 60 fps makes certain enemies whiff first attacks if you deflect? There's no deflect sound or hit, they just whiff through you completely.

You can test this on the practice dummy guy by using the deflect training mode, just keep trying to parry really close to him with 120fps+ and he'll occasionally just whiff through you.

I absolutely love playing at more than 60, but this bug prevents me from enjoying the the benefits of the higher fps. Anyway, amazing work as always your stuff is so perfect quality of life wise. Companies need to get on to hiring you and your new company.

[Spÿro]

Originally posted by Kaldaien:

turn fixed timestep mode on and then set Special K's framerate limiter to whatever (i.e. set it back to 60 if you want).[/list]

someone help me please

what is fixed timestep mode and where can i find it ?

[Kaldaien]

You see the screenshot a few posts prior? Right next to the big drop down list of refresh rates?