The SciFi-Fantasy MMORPG WildStar is currently in open beta and is not exactly known for its graphics. Many beta testers are currently surprised that the MMO does not run as smoothly as one would expect from comic-style graphics. The reason is nasty performance issues – and maybe the beta testers aren’t surprised but rather suffering from FPS-induced eye strain.
A state-of-the-art graphics is not what WildStar offers; instead, it has opted for a stylized comic look that sometimes reminds one of Futurama or quirky science fiction cartoons.
As far as the game is concerned, it’s already clear that it will come down to split-second timing and complete mastery of one’s character. This will make the difference between triumphing over a nasty boss with one’s gene-manipulated hamster or being grilled by it for not getting out of the telegraphed death beam in time.
WildStar as a Graphics Card Gobbler
It is even worse that WildStar has turned out to be a graphics card gobbler and CPU nightmare for many players during the open beta. WildStar’s Executive Producer Jeremy Gaffney recently addressed this in a Q&A session on Reddit – apparently, this is how every developer who is remotely considered cool communicates with fans these days.
According to Gaffney, they are aware of the problems and are already working on a fix for graphics cards that use SLI and Crossfire. Some of the issues are due to the new UI, UI 2.0, which is apparently not yet optimized for performance. Work is still being done on it. Until then, he advises reducing some settings to squeeze out a few extra frames.
On the German fan site readycheck, they have also taken up the topic and provide some tips on what to do about performance drops (besides buying a new high-end graphics card). The site also lists Gaffney’s advice as well as tips from Carbine’s tech chief Sean Craig.
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[intense_testimony_text]Mein-MMO states: This is a setback for the affected players. Only 20 FPS quickly leads to headaches, and even with 30, it does not play smoothly. For a game like WildStar, which relies so much on dynamics and action, these are serious issues that need to be addressed urgently. With low graphic settings, the game loses a lot of its appeal.
The problems are not new and have been raised for months. Those who are still unsure whether their system can handle the game have until May 19 to test it in beta.[/intense_testimony_text][intense_testimony_author image=”https://images.mein-mmo.de/magazin/medien/2014/01/Logo-022.png”][/intense_testimony_author][/intense_testimony][/intense_testimonies]
