The author expresses some concerns about the performance of Squadron 42 based on suspect frames in the gameplay trailer and similarities to performance issues in Star Citizen. However, they remain optimistic about the game’s performance due to the developer’s improvements to the engine, plans for upscaling technologies, and the expected target of 60 FPS.
The author raises concerns about the performance of Squadron 42, a highly anticipated game by Cloud Imperium Games. They point out some suspect frames in the 26-minute trailer and discuss the limited frame rate information provided. However, they acknowledge that this is not a scientific analysis and caution against over-interpreting these findings.
The author cites examples of clips in the trailer that appear to run at lower frame rates, particularly in a fly through section and a space combat scene with an explosion causing a hitch. They mention that similar performance issues are present in Star Citizen, which shares the same base engine as Squadron 42. The author speculates that having a good CPU and a GPU such as the AMD 480 or the Nvidia 7900 XTX will likely achieve around 60 FPS at 4K in most parts of the persistent universe.
Despite these concerns, the author believes there is no need to panic about Squadron 42’s performance. They mention positive news from the developer’s annual event, CitizenCon, indicating that things are moving in the right direction. Cloud Imperium Games has made significant improvements to the engine, including rewriting the renderer and implementing Vulkan as the graphics API, which is expected to positively impact performance. They have also been working on upscaling technologies such as FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and DSS2, which allow for running games at lower resolutions and upscaling to 4K.
Furthermore, the author mentions plans for ray tracing and global illumination, which should enhance the game’s lighting. They express confidence that as the game enters the polishing stage, further optimization will occur. The author notes that the developers have mentioned targeting 60 FPS for Star Citizen, and they expect a similar target for Squadron 42. Overall, while there may be some performance issues in the early gameplay trailer, the author remains unconcerned about Squadron 42’s performance at this stage.