The PC version of Horizon Forbidden West has received positive feedback due to its implementation of upscalers like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS, along with ultrawide monitor support and DirectStorage. However, one significant feature missing from the game is AMD’s frame generation system. In a recent discussion with Nixxes, the developers behind the port, it was revealed that the delay in incorporating AMD’s FSR was due to the upcoming FSR 3.1 update.
According to Michiel Roza, Principal Optimization Programmer at Nixxes, the decision to wait for FSR 3.1 was to ensure that the latest and best technology was integrated into the game. While AMD released FSR 3 with a shader-based frame interpolation algorithm in September 2023, there have been no significant updates to improve the quality of the algorithm. On the other hand, Nvidia introduced DLSS 3 Frame Gen in September 2022, along with Ada Lovelace GPUs, and has since made several adjustments to the system.
Jurjen Katsman, the Studio Head and Senior Director of Nixxes, mentioned that frame generation algorithms require more game-specific adjustments compared to upscalers. This is especially true when it comes to elements like the user interface (UI), which includes inventory slots, health bars, and compass. These UI elements are typically added after rendering is complete, either during post-processing or in a separate pass before displaying.
AMD announced FSR 3.1 at the Games Developer Conference (GDC) with a focus on enhancing the upscaler’s quality. The new version is expected to address issues related to UI synchronization and overall image quality. However, developers will have to wait until the second quarter of the year to access the updated software kit. This means that Nixxes will need some time to incorporate FSR 3.1 Frame Generation into Horizon Forbidden West through a future patch.
The decision to delay the integration of AMD’s FSR in Horizon Forbidden West was based on the developers’ desire to work with the latest technology. While Nvidia’s DLSS system has seen multiple updates, AMD’s FSR has remained stagnant since its initial release. With the upcoming FSR 3.1 update promising improvements in quality and UI optimization, PC players can look forward to a better gaming experience once the patch is implemented.
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