Game enthusiast praises DOOM's innovation with ray tracing technology, expressing hope for similar advancements in future titles
Online gamers and tech enthusiasts have been abuzz since the arrival of DOOM: The Dark Ages, with the game's system requirements demanding a graphics card with ray tracing capabilities. For PC players, this means that at minimum, they need a card starting from around NVIDIA's 20-series, effectively excluding the GTX 1080.
Similar controversy surrounded the release of MachineGames' Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which also required ray tracing to run, leading to fears it would run poorly on most computer hardware. However, the game turned out to be well-optimized, with MachineGames achieving a consistent 60 FPS with ray tracing on Xbox Series S and PC. DOOM: The Dark Ages displays similar impressive performance with id Tech 8 when scaled across various hardware.
Speaking to tech experts at Digital Foundry, id Software's director of engine technology, Billy Khan, explained that building the game without ray tracing would have extended development time by years. The switch to ray tracing eliminated the need to bake lighting for the game, saving countless hours and allowing changes on the fly without issues.
Graphics cards capable of ray tracing have been available for seven years, well-established hardware at this point. Every current console can handle ray tracing, with the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 5 Pro all being capable. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 also supports ray tracing, though utilization may vary on Nintendo's system.
While some players might initially be frustrated by the hardware requirement, it's difficult to recommend the latest graphics cards from NVIDIA, such as the pricey RTX 5080 and RTX 5090, due to recent driver issues and restrictions on initial reviews of the 5060. AMD and Intel GPUs, as well as NVIDIA's 30 and 40-series cards, are capable of running DOOM: The Dark Ages with excellent image quality and high framerates.
As the development pipeline shifts towards ray tracing, more game developers may follow id Software's lead. Metro series developer 4A Games is one studio that has already made the switch. The benefits of ray tracing, such as improved visual quality, development efficiency, space-saving advantages, dynamic lighting effects, and enhanced realism, have garnered attention from industry professionals.
In conclusion, while the specific game "DOOM: The Dark Ages" might not be widely recognized, id Software's work on ray tracing points to their commitment to groundbreaking graphics. Their latest game demonstrates the potential benefits of ray tracing for both gamers and developers alike.
- The Xbox Series X, a gaming gadget from Microsoft, and PlayStation 5 consoles are all equipped to handle ray tracing, similar to PC hardware.
- For movie and TV enthusiasts, streaming services like Microsoft's Teams platform can now offer a more immersive experience thanks to the improved visual quality provided by ray tracing.
- PC players who have recently invested in the Xbox Series S can expect smooth gameplay from 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' with ray tracing, just like their console counterparts.
- With ray tracing capabilities now established in hardware for seven years, it's no surprise that even the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 supports this technology, albeit with potentially varying utilization.
- Even as some players face limited options due to hardware requirements, other alternatives like AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA's lower-tier 30 and 40-series cards are capable of running games with ray tracing efficiently.
- The shift towards ray tracing in game development could lead to more studios like 4A Games, developers of the Metro series, adopting this technology, leveraging benefits such as enhanced realism and space-saving advantages.
- AsGN Article: The rise of ray tracing in gaming: what it means for hardware manufacturers and gamers - A comprehensive look at the transformative impact of ray tracing on the gaming industry.
- Sports enthusiasts and fans of sports-betting might soon find the intersection of technology and entertainment in their favorite games, as developers tap into the potential of ray tracing to create increasingly realistic gaming experiences.
