Mastodawn

HobbesHK Jul 27, 2024

How to apply a shader to a sprite without it becoming a rectangle?

How to apply a shader to a sprite without it becoming a rectangle? - Star Trek∶Website

I have been looking for a 2D reflective water shader for some time and was delighted to see that this tutorial was posted on YouTube to create just that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPr5PvSgxFo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPr5PvSgxFo] I’ve had a go at implementing it and have got the reflective water rendering. It’s very “Kingdom: Two Crowns” like when spread across the full width of the scene. However, as you can see from the image above, I’ve drawn a pond (as a separate Sprite2D) and I’ve applied the water shader to the pond. It’s done that, but draws the water as a rectangle. Is there a way to apply this shader to the Sprite2D, but conform to the actual sprite (only the light blue), rather than as a rectangle?

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HobbesHK Jun 12, 2024

Thought I’d post an update. Performance is better now, playing in 1440p with FSR2 on Balanced, graphic settings on Medium. I’m getting around 45FPS.

I’m not quite sure what the fix was in the end, but I’ve installed proton-ge-custom-bin from the AUR, so I’ve got Proton GE installed onto my system (not just within Heroic). Both the AUR and Heroic are on Proton-GE 9.7. I then added the AlanWake2.exe file to Steam, and forced compatibility to use Proton GE. So whatever extra was happening with Heroic was taken away.

I tried changing my Mesa drivers, but it appears Manjaro is even with the nonfree repo at this point, so I’m still on Mesa 24.1.1, only on the Manjaro-approved version, not the mainline Arch version.

It appears that somewhere within that combination of (1) running the game directly from Steam, (2) using the system-installed Proton-GE package, and (3) reverting to the Manjaro Mesa package the framerate got bumped from lower 20-s to mid-40s. CPU and GPU usage still hover around the 40%, so I feel there would be more improvement to be had perhaps?

I tested the game on my second PC, which is running ChimeraOS, has a 5800X3D chip, 32Gb RAM and a 7600 XT card, where it’s easily hitting these framerates and better (but with higher GPU usage, hardly any CPU usage, that 5800X3D is a beast). So I wonder if my 10700K might be a bit of a bottleneck? ChimeraOS’ version of Mesa is on 23.2 so maybe there are just some kinks to be worked out in the 24.1 branch?

Anyway… long story short: I’m happy with the overall performance at this point. Happy to dive into the Overlap and deal with Nightingale!

HobbesHK Jun 10, 2024

Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be?

https://startrek.website/post/11258010

Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? - Star Trek∶ Website

I was wondering if anyone could offer some insights. Bit the bullet and purchased Alan Wake 2 on the Epic Game Store. With the DLC on the way I just can’t wait any longer and maybe this one will never come to Steam? (With Epic as publishers, who knows) I’ve installed Heroic Game Launcher, downloaded the latest Wine-GE and Proton-GE, downloaded the game and managed to get it running. Tried it with both Wine-GE and Proton-GE. No noticeable difference. My specs: - Intel Core i7 10700K - 48Gb RAM - Radeon RX 7800 XT - Manjaro Linux, kernel 6.9 - Mesa 24.1.1 (using the mesa-nonfree repo) I’m running things on Medium/High, with FSR2 on Balanced, in 2560x1440 No raytracing enabled anywhere. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what resolution I choose. Even when running is 720p on Low, the framerate is the same. I get around 27 fps with regular dips into the lower 15-20 when I spin the camera around quickly. I’ve finished the first chapter (just in the morgue) and the framerate got choppier and choppier. I get Bright Falls has a lot more going on than the intro woodsy bit. But at this rate, I’m just not sure what to do. When I look at other people on YouTube, their framerates are much higher. Even on Linux. And with less powerful hardware. Other games run MUCH faster. I get AW2 is demanding, but I can play CP2077: Phantom Liberty at 140+ fps in Dog Town on High in 1440p with FSR2 enabled, so I don’t feel that AW2 should tank my PC that hard. Is there something I’m overlooking here? I’ve tried the CyberFSR as well, made no noticeable difference. Mangohud shows my CPU is consistently around 50% and my GPU is around 40% so there’s definitely room to push things more, I feel. So why isn’t AW2 using these resources? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I love this game and want to play it, but the framerate is stopping me from really enjoying it.

HobbesHK Dec 16, 2023

Best way to play Civ 6 on TV?

https://startrek.website/post/4730702

Best way to play Civ 6 on TV? - Star Trek: Website

I own a Switch, PS5, and a beefy PC and have been playing Civilization since the first one on MS-DOS. I love playing games on my TV and using a controller nowadays. I’ve been playing the Switch version and it works great (controls-wise) but there are obvious performance issues. My PC has no difficulty playing Civ6 regardless of map sizes or number of AIs. But I dislike playing with the KBM when I’m in front of the TV. Since I’ve already double-dipped (well, triple, since I also own Civ6 on my iPad), I’m reluctant to buy the PS5 version as well. Does anyone know if there are any good controller mods out there for the PC version? I’ve even tried emulating the Switch version on my PC, which works well, but doesn’t quite give the performance level I would expect to get, since it’s emulating a Switch now.

HobbesHK Dec 3, 2023

Trying to get into Act 2

https://startrek.website/post/4300822

Trying to get into Act 2 - Star Trek: Website

I scoured all the Act 1 areas (probably still missed stuff) but finally decided to jump into Act 2. I’m struggling to feel “connected” to it, to be honest. I went down the ladder into the Underdark and just sailed my way across to some ancient Shar-worshipper place and I feel… lost? I remember this was exactly the issue I had with D:OS2 as well. Played Fort Joy, loved it, made it off the island and couldn’t figure out where to go, what to do, etc. The sense of direction left me. I feel similar vibes here arriving in Act 2. Anyone have any tips or advice, or is it just a case of “stick with it, you’ll be all right”? I’m asking because I’ve played a lot of Act 1 and barely touched the game since making it into Act 2 a few weeks ago.

HobbesHK Oct 8, 2023

Ahsoka Episode 8 Discussion

https://startrek.website/post/2481423

Ahsoka Episode 8 Discussion - Star Trek: Website

It’s been a few days, sorry about that! I’m curious to hear what people thought of the finale (season finale?) of Ahsoka. I could write a lot about it, but actually found that (for once) Polygon captured my thoughts much better than I would be able to write it myself… Ahsoka never bothered telling anyone it was just the middle of a story [https://www.polygon.com/star-wars/23903596/ahsoka-season-1-review] The tag line for that season-review seals the deal for me: “What was Ahsoka, but eight hours long?” As I mentioned before, as someone who’s been a fan of the character for years and consumed every piece of media she’s been in, this was simply such a letdown for me.

HobbesHK Sep 27, 2023

Ahsoka Episode 7 Discussion

https://startrek.website/post/2111236

Ahsoka Episode 7 Discussion - Star Trek: Website

And we’re back, another week, another Revels reunion! I didn’t check the time on this episode, but was it shorter than most? Does that mean we’re getting a feature length episode next week? I do hope so, since I felt this episode didn’t really move the plot forward at all. Characters moved around, interacted, but nothing got pushed forward much or was resolved. Ahsoka made it to the planet though. Hera’s side plot also… happened. Moving swiftly on from a very nice but pointless cameo. I think we get it, the New Republic can’t hunt for a massive hyperspace engine but can send three massive warships and organise a tribunal for one general. Because. Anyway. Loved the camera work, the banter, the hugs, but… let’s hope next week makes things happen. Knowing Filoni, I’m expecting an exciting finale.

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HobbesHK Sep 20, 2023

Also - just wondering how popular the show is. Looking at the drop off in comments week-on-week, I wonder if people have dropped out.

HobbesHK Sep 20, 2023

Ahsoka Episode 6 Discussion

https://startrek.website/post/1885938

HobbesHK Sep 13, 2023

Ahsoka Episode 5 Discussion

https://startrek.website/post/1680460