The latest Star Citizen update introduces the Vulkan renderer, which is still a work in progress with a focus on hardware and driver issues, stability, and performance improvements. While Vulkan is not yet outperforming Direct3D11 in terms of CPU usage, future updates aim to make it the default renderer with significant performance gains anticipated once multi-threading is enabled, along with ongoing optimizations and enhancements planned for various aspects of the game.
In the latest Star Citizen update, the Vulkan renderer has been added to the graphic settings menu but is still a work in progress. The focus of this release is on hardware and driver issues, stability, and major performance improvements. Currently, Vulkan is not expected to outperform Direct3D11 in terms of CPU usage, but once multi-threading is enabled, a significant performance gain is anticipated on the GPU side. The aim is to make Vulkan the default and more performant renderer in future releases. Various optimizations and improvements have been made in areas such as planetary weather, AI pilot traits, weapon balance, and performance updates to enhance the overall gameplay experience.
The update also includes changes to the operator mode and UI, with optimizations and updates to control hints, pitch ladders, and ship weapon systems. In addition, improvements have been made to AI behaviors, elevator panels, and various game mechanics like Quantum dampening and Quantum Drive spoiling times. Further enhancements have been made to reduce micro-stutters and improve performance in the game, along with ongoing work to optimize Vulkan, entity management, and mini-map performance.
The developers have provided insights into the future of Vulkan integration, highlighting that multi-threaded rendering will be enabled in a future release. The goal is to surpass the stability and performance of DirectX11, leading to its eventual deprecation. HDR support for Vulkan is expected in the next major release, and ongoing updates will ensure that Vulkan remains up-to-date with the latest technologies. While Vulkan is currently integrated into the game, further refinements and additional features are needed for significant improvements, especially for users who are CPU-bound.
In terms of upcoming content, there are plans for an extensive economy update, combat and flight enhancements, new creatures, interior maps, and weapon balance adjustments. The roadmap indicates the potential release of Alpha 3.23 by the end of April or early May, with continuous testing and refinement of features. The community is encouraged to provide feedback on the Vulkan renderer and other aspects of the game to help shape future updates. Events such as Fleet Week and Xeno Threat 1.2 are on the horizon, offering players new challenges and opportunities to engage with the evolving universe of Star Citizen. Overall, the development team is working towards a more polished and efficient gaming experience, with a focus on incorporating player feedback and delivering a visually stunning and immersive world for players to explore.