You think that the CoD Modern Warfare 2 beta was meant to find bugs and test performance and servers? A developer from Infinity Ward recently stated that far more was tested during the two weekends than the creators of CoD have revealed so far.
What happened? At a press conference during the release of CoD MW2, Michal Drobot, head of Infinity Ward Poland, spoke about the previous beta. He revealed a long-kept secret: The studios behind Call of Duty have been working on new technology for several years.
We developed this new technology a few years ago […]. It allows us to bring more resolution and more performance to the screen, but only where it really matters.
Michal Drobot, Infinity Ward Poland
The technology is called “software-based variable rate shading” and ensures that you perceive your environment and also your opponents differently in MW2. Apparently successfully: The latest entry in the CoD series impresses with its strong graphics. One level in the campaign particularly impresses fans: The visuals of CoD Modern Warfare 2 blew me away, even though I don’t care about graphics.
The great graphics of CoD Modern Warfare 2 are especially evident in urban settings. In the video, you can admire the implementation of Amsterdam in the latest CoD.
“Software-based variable rate shading” mimics the function of your eyes
How does the technology work? The principle behind the new technology sounds quite simple. The game engine increases the resolution of the game in some important areas, particularly including enemy units. Basically, the technology should increase resolution in all areas that are of special interest to players. Areas that are only on the fringes of your field of vision are displayed somewhat less sharply.
We want to deliver extra quality where you aim and where points of interest are on the map. If an enemy is in your field of view, we want to ensure that they are displayed in the highest possible resolution so that you never feel like the game is holding you back with low resolution.
Michal Drobot, Infinity Ward Poland
How does the game decide which areas to upscale? The goal is to mimic the function of the eye. We only see things particularly sharply that our brain considers important. These can be dangers like rapidly moving objects. We also perceive colors and contrasts particularly clearly.
However, we perceive things that are outside our focus less clearly. If we perceived every detail equally, our brain would quickly become overwhelmed. The developers have now taken this trick of nature for their game. It is supposed to improve the gaming experience while conserving resources.
An algorithm ultimately decides what you see and how clearly you can see it. The game manipulates you by making you look where the developers want you to.
Shader technology was a well-kept secret
How did the developers implement the technology? This is where machine learning comes into play. The developers analyzed hundreds of hours of gameplay. Over a long period, internal testers generated initial datasets that serve as a basis for an algorithm.
But internal testing alone is not enough to simulate real conditions. Therefore, beta testers had to serve as guinea pigs. The developers adjusted the feature between the two beta weekends but did not tell the testers anything about it. There were no hints in the patch notes and no other communication.
The secrecy helped maintain the integrity of the systems. Any hints could have influenced the testers. The insights from the beta ultimately helped the developers implement the new technology.
More about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at MeinMMO:
Who can use the feature? The great thing about “software-based variable rate shading” is that the technology runs completely in the background. You don’t need to make any special settings.
Since it is a software solution that is firmly integrated into the game engine, you don’t need to invest in new hardware. Even if you are not using the latest graphics card, you don’t have to worry. Console players also equally benefit from variable shading. The technology is supposed to enhance performance on all platforms.
Have you noticed the shader technology? Are you surprised that the developers kept such a feature a secret for so long? Feel free to leave us a comment!
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