Caught in Crossfire: NVIDIA Users Navigate Bethesda’s AMD Alliance & Modder Solution

August 21, 2023

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Caught in Crossfire: NVIDIA Users Navigate Bethesda’s AMD Alliance & Modder Solution

Starfield, the highly anticipated upcoming game from Bethesda, has recently announced a partnership with AMD. This collaboration aims to bring optimizations specific to AMD’s Ryzen CPUs and Radeon GPUs to the game, including support for the hardware-agnostic FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 2 technology. While this news is exciting for AMD users, it raises concerns for NVIDIA users who may miss out on accessing NVIDIA’s superior DLSS 2 and DLSS 3 upscaling technologies.

Lack of NVIDIA Access to DLSS Technologies

One major drawback for NVIDIA users in this partnership is the exclusion from DLSS technologies. DLSS, which stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, has been widely acclaimed for its ability to enhance gaming visuals, improve performance, and provide a better gaming experience. DLSS 2 and DLSS 3 are the latest iterations of this technology, offering even greater performance gains. Unfortunately, with the partnership focusing on AMD optimizations, NVIDIA users are left without access to these cutting-edge upscaling technologies that could greatly enhance their gaming experience.

Missed Potential for DLSS Integration

It is worth noting that integrating DLSS into a game is relatively straightforward for a development team of Bethesda’s caliber. The technology is well-established, and its benefits are widely recognized by both developers and gamers. By not including DLSS in Starfield, Bethesda departs from the trend of maximizing the visual fidelity and performance potential of GPUs, missing out on an opportunity to fully leverage DLSS to enhance player experiences.

Absence of DLSS in Starfield at Launch

As fans eagerly await the launch of Starfield, it is disappointing to learn that DLSS and XeSS files are not included in the pre-load folder. This strongly suggests that DLSS and XeSS technologies will not be available in the game from the start. While it is possible that Bethesda may consider adding DLSS support in a future update, the absence at launch means that NVIDIA users who were hoping to take advantage of DLSS’ performance benefits may have to wait for the technology to be implemented, if it even happens.

PureDark Modding Solution for DLSS

Fortunately, a modder named PureDark has taken it upon himself to bridge the gap for NVIDIA users by providing DLSS support through his mod. PureDark’s mod aims to deliver the benefits of DLSS to PC gamers who own an NVIDIA GPU. What’s even more commendable is that PureDark’s mod supports both DLSS 3 for upcoming RTX 40 GPUs and DLSS 2 for all existing RTX GPU owners, catering to a wide range of NVIDIA users.

PureDark’s Support for DLSS 3 in Early Access

PureDark has already confirmed their commitment to supporting DLSS 3 within the early access period of Starfield, set to commence on September 1st. This early access support ensures that RTX 40 owners will be able to experience the benefits of DLSS from the game’s release. This is encouraging news for those eagerly anticipating both Starfield and DLSS technology.

Assurances of DLSS Support at Launch

In a recent post, PureDark has reaffirmed their access to a reviewer’s copy of Starfield and their intention to support both DLSS 3 and DLSS 2 at the game’s launch. This is a promising development for NVIDIA users as it signifies that they can still benefit from DLSS technology, even if it may not be officially integrated into the game at launch. PureDark’s mod offers a glimmer of hope for NVIDIA users who want to experience the full potential of DLSS in Starfield.

Concerns about Optimization

While it is exciting to see partnerships and modders stepping in to provide DLSS support for NVIDIA users, concerns remain regarding game optimization. With the focus on AMD’s FSR and NVIDIA’s DLSS technologies, there is a possibility that these solutions may be used to compensate for poor optimization in the game. PC players have suffered from numerous bad ports in recent years, with unstable performance on their respective hardware. It is essential for Bethesda to ensure that the AMD partnership and DLSS integration do not overshadow the need for solid optimization and a stable gameplay experience.

The partnership between Starfield and AMD brings specific optimizations for AMD hardware and the inclusion of FSR 2 technology, exciting news for AMD users. However, this raises concerns for NVIDIA users who will miss out on DLSS 2 and DLSS 3 upscaling technologies. While Bethesda’s decision not to include DLSS in Starfield at launch disappoints many, PureDark, a dedicated modder, brings hope by providing DLSS support for NVIDIA users through their mod. With PureDark confirming their commitment to DLSS 3 and DLSS 2 support, it is promising that NVIDIA users may still access DLSS benefits in Starfield. However, concerns about game optimization and stability remain, but PC gamers are hopeful for a well-optimized and enjoyable experience when Starfield is finally released.

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