DFW Weekly 22: Oblivion Remastered Patch and Switch 2 Tech
Oblivion Remastered Performance
In this episode, the team examines the recent 1.2 patch for Oblivion Remastered. Despite hopes for improvement, the consensus is that the update is a "nothing burger," failing to address the foundational CPU-limited stuttering inherent in the game's sector-based traversal system. The team concludes that:
• The patch shows negligible frame rate improvements, mostly limited to run-to-run variance.
• Frame Generation is discussed as a potential, albeit non-ideal, mitigation strategy for poor CPU utilization.
• Developers need to address the underlying code rather than relying on upscaling crutches.
Switch 2 Hardware Prospects
Following recent comments from Virtuos's technical director, the panel analyzes the performance profile of the hypothetical Switch 2:
• The comparison to the Xbox Series S is highly debated; while the Switch 2 has modern features like DLSS, its portable power envelope suggests it may struggle to match Series S parity in demanding titles.
• There is skepticism surrounding "lightweight" DLSS models and how effectively they can maintain image quality compared to traditional methods.
• A closer look at Wild Hearts on the platform shows significant visual cutbacks and inconsistent frame pacing, emphasizing that scaling for the hardware is far from unified.
Ray Tracing and Tech Patents
"I think any sort of patentable works in the software field like this, specifically for graphics, I think it's actually all nonsense."
The group breaks down recent Nintendo ray tracing patents, concluding they are largely uninteresting and rely on prior art in screen-space reflections and shadow mapping. The discussion highlights the industry's historical success through shared knowledge rather than restrictive patenting.
Listener Q&A
Topics include the viability of a Red Dead Redemption 2 next-gen update, the state of gaming on Mac, and the future of DirectStorage. The panel emphasizes that while Microsoft's Windows platform is frustrating, SteamOS remains an enthusiasts' goal rather than a mainstream replacement in the immediate future.