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[Naked Snake]

It is an open source multi platform graphics API developed by the Khronos Group. It is a replacement for the old OpenGL API that Khronos has been maintaining since 1998. It is also an alternative to Microsoft's DirectX 12. Right now Vulkan is still a bit in it's infancy, and Doom makes the best use of it in a game and it gets much better performance than Doom's OpenGL renderer.

Thanks for the explanation... I kinda knew it was a graphics API but didn't know it was developed by same people who did OpenGL and that it's supposed to replace it.

 

[Nostremitus]

NVN is based on Vulkan (there was a job posting/LinkedIn profile a short while back that confirmed it). My guess is that it's pretty much Vulkan with a variety of extensions which expose any hardware features which don't get properly utilised with standard Vulkan (such as conservative rasterization). They shouldn't have to "switch to NVN", instead they would just decide which of those features are worth using, and change only the relevant parts of the renderer, rather than translating the whole thing to an entirely different API.

Cool, thanks. I'm excited to see what they came up with.

I wonder if we'll get a keynote about Vulkan on Switch, lol.

Thanks for the explanation... I kinda knew it was a graphics API but didn't know it was developed by same people who did OpenGL and that it's supposed to replace it.

It's also based on AMD's Mantle, which was the catalyst for Microsoft releasing DX12.

 

[Thraktor]

Thanks for the explanation... I kinda knew it was a graphics API but didn't know it was developed by same people who did OpenGL and that it's supposed to replace it.

The idea is that it allows the same kinds of low-level optimisations that console APIs have allowed, but does it independently of the hardware, so you could use the same API across Windows, Linux, Android, Switch, etc., and get good performance across them all. Which means for Switch, instead of Nintendo coming up with their own completely proprietary API (which would have meant lots of work for both them and every developer who wants to bring their games to the platform), they just use Vulkan (with some extensions), and it becomes a lot easier for everyone involved, while still allowing developers to get the performance they used to get out of proprietary console APIs.

Cool, thanks. I'm excited to see what they came up with.

I wonder if we'll get a keynote about Vulkan on Switch, lol.

Ha, I kind of doubt that, Nintendo isn't exactly known for giving tech-heavy GDC talks. Although frankly I think they should, a better GDC presence couldn't harm their relationship with western developers.

 

[Naked Snake]

The idea is that it allows the same kinds of low-level optimisations that console APIs have allowed, but does it independently of the hardware, so you could use the same API across Windows, Linux, Android, Switch, etc., and get good performance across them all. Which means for Switch, instead of Nintendo coming up with their own completely proprietary API (which would have meant lots of work for both them and every developer who wants to bring their games to the platform), they just use Vulkan (with some extensions), and it becomes a lot easier for everyone involved, while still allowing developers to get the performance they used to get out of proprietary console APIs.

Wow that sounds like some black magic wizardry. How can a hardware-independent multiplatform API give the kind of low-level optimizations and performance of hardware-specific API? Sounds like something that breaks the very definition of the thing. And is there still an incentive for console makers to develop proprietary APIs?

 

[Nostremitus]

The idea is that it allows the same kinds of low-level optimisations that console APIs have allowed, but does it independently of the hardware, so you could use the same API across Windows, Linux, Android, Switch, etc., and get good performance across them all. Which means for Switch, instead of Nintendo coming up with their own completely proprietary API (which would have meant lots of work for both them and every developer who wants to bring their games to the platform), they just use Vulkan (with some extensions), and it becomes a lot easier for everyone involved, while still allowing developers to get the performance they used to get out of proprietary console APIs.



Ha, I kind of doubt that, Nintendo isn't exactly known for giving tech-heavy GDC talks. Although frankly I think they should, a better GDC presence couldn't harm their relationship with western developers.

I was talking about ID giving a keynote. They like to talk about the magic they pull off. If Doom on Switch is a solid 60 and looks comparable to the bigger consoles (like the reveal video), they'll want to brag about how they did it...

 

[Djostikk]

I'm confident that Doom will be 60fps. They wouldn't bother/do previews if it was half the framerate.

60fps in docked mode, probably, but I'm still not sure.

 

[Jacobson]

I'm surprised TNO isn't coming to Switch. Hopefully they'll have a story recap for newcomers.

I hope they do it Bayonetta 2 style like the Wii U. 2 games in 1 box.

 

[Cerium]

I hope they do it Bayonetta 2 style like the Wii U. 2 games in 1 box.

That's not happening on any of the other systems, it's even less likely on Switch where cartridges are expensive.

 

[Nostremitus]

Yes, it does. It's a sequel that explicitly picks up in the weeks after TNO. Short version: Nazis use

Spoiler

ancient Jewish

super science to win WW2. Blaskowicz wakes up from a decade long coma and decides to go Nazi killing.

Really? I thought it was DOOM tech... Wolfenstein is the story of Doom Guy's grandfather...


Or, was it the misuse of

Spoiler

ancient Jewish superscience

that led to the events in Doom?


Was this something revealed in The Old Blood? I haven't gotten around to playing it yet.


Well, not sure which Marine is in the new Doom series, but Wolfenstein's protagonist is the grandfather of the Marine in the first Doom games, at least. I assumed that the intro to Doom 2016

Spoiler

and subsequent story bits found in hell

alluded to the resurrection of the original Doom Guy... B.J. Blazkowicz, William's (Wolfenstein) grandson

Spoiler

who fought his way through hell killing every demon he saw until he made it to the big guy and killed him too.

 

[Neiteio]

I'm confident that Doom will be 60fps. They wouldn't bother/do previews if it was half the framerate.

Yeah, the fact the press has already played the game suggests Bethesda is confident in its quality. Interested to see the previews this week.

 

[Murdoch]

It's just hit me. I remember just before the switch launched people interviewed a few guys from respawn entertainment. They were asked about a potential port to the switch and they laughed the whole idea off saying 'not in a million years'. Is this kind of thing still out of the question or would the longer draw distances kill the switch?

TF2 would be epic on the switch 720p 60fps

 

[Oregano]

It's just hit me. I remember just before the switch launched people interviewed a few guys from respawn entertainment. They were asked about a potential port to the switch and they laughed the whole idea off saying 'not in a million years'. Is this kind of thing still out of the question or would the longer draw distances kill the switch?

TF2 would be epic on the switch 720p 60fps

Respawn was started by Infinity Ward guys, who laughed at the prospect of the Wii running COD4 but Treyarch ported the game fine.(weirdly second post about Modern Warfare Reflex in the last ten minutes)

 

[Jaded Alyx]

It's just hit me. I remember just before the switch launched people interviewed a few guys from respawn entertainment. They were asked about a potential port to the switch and they laughed the whole idea off saying 'not in a million years'. Is this kind of thing still out of the question or would the longer draw distances kill the switch?

TF2 would be epic on the switch 720p 60fps

TF2 runs better on my PC than Doom.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

It's just hit me. I remember just before the switch launched people interviewed a few guys from respawn entertainment. They were asked about a potential port to the switch and they laughed the whole idea off saying 'not in a million years'. Is this kind of thing still out of the question or would the longer draw distances kill the switch?

TF2 would be epic on the switch 720p 60fps

They could do it, they just aren't interested in using the time and resources necessary to make it happen.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how smart Bethesda is being right now regarding Switch. They are going to completely dominate the M-rated category on this system for quite some time, simply for the fact that few other western pubs are taking the console seriously yet.

 

[sleepnaught]

Would prefer 60 fps obviously, but Ill take 30 fps still. The Switch is 99% portable for me so I live with a few sacrifices to make AAA titles come to Switch.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

They could do it, they just aren't interested in using the time and resources necessary to make it happen.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how smart Bethesda is being right now regarding Switch. They are going to completely dominate the M-rated category on this system for quite some time, simply for the fact that few other western pubs are taking the console seriously yet.

I am quite sure that CoD would have done well on Switch but it's MIA. Bethesda should reap the rewards.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

I am quite sure that CoD would have done well on Switch but it's MIA. Bethesda should reap the rewards.

CoD is precisely the game I was thinking of when I made that post. Bethesda is incredibly smart to launch DOOM during the holidays this year.

 

[forknknife]

If this game hits 60FPS with gyro controls I'm there day 1. I've heard nothing but great things about this game and I'm so excited to get in on it.

FUCK! I hadn't even thought of gyro controls for this... really curious how I'll do compared to kb+m

 

[blu]

Seems it was only yesterday some gaf figures frequented nintendo switch speculation threads, jumping right in middle of discussion and explaining to everybody how switch could not possibly run "AAA" titles, and all such talk was "fanboy dreams, LOL". Good times, good times.

 

[Solid SOAP]

Seems it was only yesterday some gaf figures frequented nintendo switch speculation threads, jumping right in middle of discussion and explaining to everybody how switch could not possibly run "AAA" titles, and all such talk was "fanboy dreams, LOL". Good times, good times.

I wanna see how Doom performs before I say anything. 60fps will be a dream, 30fps is... doable, but it likely will mean not as much support from 3rd parties

 

[blu]

I wanna see how Doom performs before I say anything. 60fps will be a dream, 30fps is... doable, but it likely will mean not as much support from 3rd parties

You lost me here. Care to elaborate?

 

[Si2k78]

I wanna see how Doom performs before I say anything. 60fps will be a dream, 30fps is... doable, but it likely will mean not as much support from 3rd parties

Yes. Pleas elaborate.

 

[ozfunghi]

Yeah, the fact the press has already played the game suggests Bethesda is confident in its quality. Interested to see the previews this week.

Is Doom a CPU heavy game? Because with these graphical downgrades, i would expect it would be able to taget 60fps since the GPU performance isn't exactly lightyears removed from that of for instance an XBO.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Seems it was only yesterday some gaf figures frequented nintendo switch speculation threads, jumping right in middle of discussion and explaining to everybody how switch could not possibly run "AAA" titles, and all such talk was "fanboy dreams, LOL". Good times, good times.

There was a guy the other day downplaying these games as nothing to talk about since they are not as big as Destiny or Battlefront.

Of course, when it was pointed out to him that FIFA is bigger than both, the argument shifted to the Switch version not being Frostbite....

 

[Bagu]

I have no idea what this means but now I'm picturing an anaconda with a kippah, thanks.

Jewish Wakanda?

 

[OmegaDL50]

They have former naughty dog and crytek people there.

We know low end machines on vulkan can do 60fps and switch is stronger than the machine in the video.

As some of us including myself called it this game on the platform will be a gem.

Well now if that PC can run it at 60fps then I don't foresee the Switch having problems.

Switch also has the benefit of being a closed platform so those responsible for the port can optimize the game to specifically run on it's specification.

All in all, this sounds good.

What is the most demanding game that is playable on the Nvidia Shield? We can probably use that is a measuring stick of what the Switch is really capable of.

 

[GDGF]

What is the most demanding game that is playable on the Nvidia Shield? We can probably use that is a measuring stick of what the Switch is really capable of.

Crysis 3?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzHRWb6PPzs

 

[OrbitalBeard]

lol

 

[ozfunghi]

Crysis 3?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzHRWb6PPzs

Why do you guys always post that bad off screen video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBX3-tIB8-Y

They have former naughty dog and crytek people there.

We know low end machines on vulkan can do 60fps and switch is stronger than the machine in the video.

As some of us including myself called it this game on the platform will be a gem.

Someone should see how a bunch of 3rd party games run on similarly spec'd PC's. COD, AC, BF, GTA...

 

[Skittzo0413]

Ubisoft was in on it

 

[Currygan]

Man, this is awesome. Still can't quite believe it's actually happening

 

[Wamb0wneD]

Ubisoft was in on it

Hahaha nice.

 

[Space_nut]

Is Doom a CPU heavy game? Because with these graphical downgrades, i would expect it would be able to taget 60fps since the GPU performance isn't exactly lightyears removed from that of for instance an XBO.

Well it's about 1/3 Xbox One gpu so some downgrades is expected

 

[Unknown Soldier]

But what about the sequel, DOOM 2: The Dark Hell?

 

[Nintendad]

So it seems like embargos are up next week. I wonder if we'll get just impressions or videos too.

 

[Cerium]

So it seems like embargos are up next week. I wonder if we'll get just impressions or videos too.

No direct feed, but off screen was allowed.

 

[Zombegoast]

Doom is not a CPU intensive game. There aren't any ragdoll physics and there's very little interaction in the environment compared to the likes of Doom 3.

A Intel Core 2 Duo, an 2008 processor is capable enough to go above 60fps.



People forget that the Jaguar are very weak to begin with.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

No direct feed, but off screen was allowed.

Any indication on what day the embargo lifts?

 

[Cerium]

Any indication on what day the embargo lifts?

I'll let someone else answer that.

 

[SuperSah]

I'll let someone else answer that.

IS IT 60FPS BRUH

 

[JonnyDBrit]

Doom is not a CPU intensive game. There aren't any ragdoll physics and there's very little interaction in the environment compared to the likes of Doom 3.

A Intel Core 2 Duo, an 2008 processor is capable enough to go above 60fps.



People forget that the Jaguar are very weak to begin with.

Really, the worst the game does to the CPU tends to come from sudden bursts of effects, like when you destroy a Gore Nest.

 

[SanguineShark]

If they add the superior control scheme (gyro controls) I'd love to try it. Dual analogs feel like garbage after gyro.

 

[hao chi]

Any indication on what day the embargo lifts?

I'm just working off memory here, but I believe I read the 20th.

 

[mugurumakensei]

How is it possible on Switch though? I mean isn't Wolfie2 using the latest idtech engine?

And snake pass, SMT HD, project octoparh, and many more use the latest version of Unreal Engine. The latest version of Unity runs on Switch. The latest version of CryEngine runs on Switch. The same engine that powers The Divison runs on Switch. It's no surprise iD Tech 6 runs on Switch.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

when does the media embargo end?

 

[Skittzo0413]

when does the media embargo end?

Look two posts up, the 20th. We think.

 

[JonnyDBrit]

Never had this much anticipation for an embargo lift on something that's not even a review, but just impressions.

 

[GDGF]

And snake pass, SMT HD, project octoparh, and many more use the latest version of Unreal Engine. The latest version of Unity runs on Switch. The latest version of CryEngine runs on Switch. The same engine that powers The Divison runs on Switch. It's no surprise iD Tech 6 runs on Switch.

This post makes me all tingly inside.

 

[Painguy]

I think peeps are really overestimating this vulkan thing. Both Nintendo and Sony have generally had fairly low-level GFX API's that gave em extra control. MS is the only company that hasn't really been as good in that sense.

What running games like these really come down to is smart approximations of standard effects, and other tricky optimizations.

 

[frankie_baby]

Well it's about 1/3 Xbox One gpu so some downgrades is expected

In raw flop numbers yeah though if the effort is put in and maximum practical use of fp16 and the more modern architecture its probably closer to 2/3 xbone gpu power