We're likely to see better optimization for PC games soon, moving away from the usual experience.
We're likely to see better optimization for PC games soon, moving away from the usual experience.
Kinda interested what everyone thinks, if there's any hope that we'll get more optimized games as time passes by or will it be the same bullshit like it has been for more than two decades? From my point of view, the most optimized games are Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal (I could be wrong), both games can run on ancient machines (I know Linus did a video on Doom 2016 running on a really old PC, can't find the video though) while games like RDR2 can barely run on both old and new hardware. It's like IdSoftware does something that others Developers either refuse or don't want to do and just want to get your money and then complain about "piracy". Games like RE2:RE and RE3:RE are well optimized but not as much as Doom. Considering CapCom still hasn't fixed the stuttering issues with RE2:RE since it's release, though the stuttering isn't present in RE3:RE. I'm not an expert on this, but I don't know if IdTech engine is that really good or is it something to do with Vulkan implementation, considering IdSoftware are the only ones who know how to use the Vulkan API. I've read comments on the net saying that Vulkan is better for games and Devs should use it over DX12 which is "crap". Most devs use way too old engines to make games, and some just make them shitty from the ground, take a look at Rockstar and there 10+ year engine that they've used? GTA4 and RDR2 run horribly. Another example would be the Source engine, the engine served it's purpose but having to modify the engine in order to make a game run the way you want is just meh. Still it's shit that we're getting unoptimized games on such advanced hardware compare to what once was, where devs were limited by hardware and had to go around with stuff in order to make the games even run. Nowadays hardware limits are minimal, and yet they don't even wanna try make a game run well. We can see the same with older games that we're ported from consoles to PC and they we're just TERRIBLE (and they still refuse to port old games on modern hardware, like CapCom). And not to mention they have DRM, selling us games without even us owing them, and they can just pull them whenever they want, the only thing's left is subscription to pay monthly or yearly in order to play a game. I'm kinda pessimistic, but I want to hear what others think, I mean in tech hardware we've witnessed the rise of AMD, are we going to see better optimized games in the gaming industry, or is it going to be the same old shit, with lootboxes, pre-order and half-baked games?
Overwatch, Valorant, CSGO—most of these games perform decently even on average machines. It’s unclear what you meant by "poorly optimized," because some titles are demanding yet still run smoothly. Newer Tomb Raider releases, for instance, look great at high settings but require more power from the system. Not really a case of poor optimization.
I achieve 3000 FPS in Minesweeper, yet Crysis 3 struggles at 8K resolution. It seems Crytek isn’t doing a great job optimizing their titles. These kinds of debates are common among PC enthusiasts.
I didn't need to read the long text, but I'm here to address the topic. With real hardware in new consoles, moving games between platforms should be simpler. Mostly except for some exclusive code for Xbox and PlayStation systems, it should feel similar to copying and pasting (keyword-wise). The game that comes to mind is Microsoft Flight Simulator. The trailer was filmed on an Xbox; if it looks that way on the console, the PC version will likely be even more polished.
I'm not referring to those titles, I'm discussing solo games that aren't well-optimized and only receive fixes after release. This is now widely reported, even game journalists on YouTube have addressed it. Take a look at RDR2 and the reaction it sparked. GN and Harbor Unboxed created videos explaining how to install the game correctly. I didn't mention Crysis 3 since I haven't played it, and the original version works on older systems.
I understand your question, but could you clarify what you mean?
There are always games that aren't well optimized, particularly Japanese titles originally made for consoles. Quality varies widely depending on how much effort developers put into them. As PC gaming becomes more popular, this trend may shift, but I'm skeptical because PCs remain a smaller audience, especially in Asia. Overall, I believe modern games are better optimized compared to a few years ago. If a studio doesn't meet your expectations, the response is straightforward—refund, negative review, whatever. It's simple. I used to enjoy Assassin's Creed and Tom Clancy titles but disliked Uplay, so I stopped purchasing Ubisoft games. EA's recent behavior with lower-quality releases and excessive microtransactions also led me to cut ties. Idea Factory produces games that are poorly ported, which is why I no longer buy their titles. If you continue supporting them, it shows you support their direction.
It's simpler to craft games for particular hardware rather than ensuring compatibility across a wide range of systems. Doom 2016 and Eternal benefit from the idTech engine, designed for specific game types. Similarly, Codemasters titles use the Ego engine. Grid 2 offers broad support with minimal RAM needs. Even Dirt Rally 2.0 can run on most devices equipped with a decent GPU. The Ego engine was crafted specifically for racing and rally titles. Multi-purpose engines—like Rockstar’s Advanced Game Engine—often lag behind specialized titles, especially in performance. Grand Theft Auto IV was engineered for consistent 30fps performance, not optimization across platforms. Midnight Club: Los Angeles maintains a solid 30fps limit, far better than GTA IV's original settings. RDR2 and The Red Dead Redemption 2 were built to deliver crisp visuals at 30fps, prioritizing graphical quality over raw power. Its PC release wasn't perfect, but it was a demanding title with thoughtful optimization efforts. It uses substantial VRAM compared to games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, yet remains more flexible in its design. Resident Evil 2 and 3 are optimized for 60fps, and many titles avoid performance issues when adjusted to their intended frame rates. Modern engines have improved, but older systems often struggle with higher frame rates unless the software is specifically tuned. The Source engine, originating in the mid-90s, was initially single-threaded and struggles with multi-threading—evident in competitive matches. Its evolution has been uneven, with later versions relying on backported updates. CS:GO uses a more current Source lineage that scales better, though some legacy elements remain. Team Fortress 2 exemplifies this shift, using a heavily modified Source 2013 version for its multi-core support. If you revert to the original TF2 version from late 2007, it runs significantly faster than today's build.