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SCSKiller is a utility aimed at reducing shader stuttering in PC games, a visual hiccup caused by the GPU compiling shader effects like shadows and reflections in real time rather than ahead of release, as console developers can. The report distinguishes this from frame-rate drops caused by CPU/GPU bottlenecks, noting that compilation stutters can briefly drop performance to 0fps, especially when entering new areas for the first time.
Epic Games has updated Unreal Engine 5.x documentation to show that version 5.8 will include a new command-line ASD Tool supporting Microsoft's Advanced Shader Delivery system. The tool can generate a State Object Database from a compiled Windows game build, which digital storefronts can use to precompile and distribute shaders for different GPUs and drivers ahead of launch. Current support is limited to Direct3D 12 titles using Shader Model 6, with ray-tracing pipeline objects not yet supported.
The Coalition's Gears of War: E-Day, built on Unreal Engine 5 and DirectX 12, was benchmarked across 44 graphics cards using its in-game performance tool. Tests were conducted at Medium and Ultra settings, with additional upscaling configurations applied at higher resolutions, all on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D system. Results aim to guide players on suitable GPU upgrades for the game.
Tom's Hardware testing found Gears of War E-Day pins CPU utilization at 80-90%, unlike most Unreal Engine 5 titles which show little CPU scaling. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivered 42% higher performance than the Ryzen 5 7600X at 1080p on the High preset, and the scaling held even at the Ultra graphics preset, persisting throughout the early hours of the game regardless of scene complexity.
Tom's Hardware tested graphics performance for Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel built by The Coalition in Unreal Engine 5 that is the first shipping game to use UE5's MegaLights real-time dynamic lighting technology. The outlet ran benchmarks across 43 graphics cards to determine the hardware needed to sustain a 60 FPS average, and compared image quality across the game's five settings presets from Low to Ludicrous.
CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski said the decision to build The Witcher 4 on Unreal Engine 5 dates back to late 2021, after the studio saw Epic's Matrix Awakens tech demo, rather than being a reaction to Cyberpunk 2077's rocky launch. He clarified that Cyberpunk's problems weren't caused by its engine, and that CD Projekt has since formed a deep partnership with Epic to customize Unreal Engine's core technology for its open-world games.
Star Wars Zero Company has earned strong reviews and an 85 Metacritic score for its X-COM-style tactics gameplay and story, but many players report severe technical problems including traversal stutter, input lag, crashes, and a bug that forced a mission restart. Nearly 9,000 Steam reviews rate it 'mostly positive' overall, yet a large share of them describe frequent crashes and performance issues, with complaints also surfacing from console players and even high-end PC owners.
CD Projekt Red will spend Gamescom week showcasing Songs of the Past, a new Witcher 3 expansion co-developed with Fools Theory that matches Blood and Wine in scope with roughly 30 hours of content. The studio also confirmed The Witcher 4, centered on Ciri instead of Geralt, is targeting a 2028 release, though executives hedged on the timeline.