Updates will be placed at the bottom, please read the bottom before deciding anything.
I managed to get an early look at what will be one of Linux's only semi-realistic racers, and the results of DiRT Showdown on Linux are rather interesting.
Now, I've never actually played DiRT Showdown before, so my look at it will be with a completely fresh mind. I'm also throwing out the "wrappers are bad" argument, I'm just going to take the game for what it is right now.
About the game (Official)
Race, crash and hoon your way through a world tour of motorised mayhem in DiRT Showdown! Crowd atmosphere, social gameplay and accessibility are all ramped up in this turbo- injected shot of driving delirium. Smash down the accelerator and earn the adulation of frenzied crowds at hyper-energised events at iconic locations. Trick, speed and smash your way to victory, then do it again.
Linux gameplay video
Note: Frame-drops in this recording by 1-4fps, and only because of the recorder. That's impressive itself, as all other games I've recorded drop by a whole lot more. This video has Vsync on.
Port report - Nvidia 970
Well, what can I say? Performance wise they have absolutely nailed it. I was able to get very high framerates on Ultra graphical settings (proper test below), so this is the first port of theirs I haven't had big frame-drops on. I haven't noticed any input lag, my Logitech gamepad was picked up with zero configuration needed, and I've really been enjoying it!
Using the in-built benchmark test gave me:
Nvidia 970, 2xMSAA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 103.45
Minimum: 79.60
Nvidia 970, No AA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 105.58
Minimum: 72.31
Nvidia 970, 2xMSAA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 133.03
Minimum: 100.53
Nvidia 970, No AA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 130.76
Minimum: 95.07
Port report #2 - Nvidia 560ti
Using the in-built benchmark test gave me:
Nvidia 560ti, 2xMSAA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 37.40
Minimum: 31.13
Nvidia 560ti, No AA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 39.79
Minimum: 33.46
Nvidia 560ti, 2xMSAA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 71.19
Minimum: 58.98
Nvidia 560ti, No AA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 75.13
Minimum: 61.34
I'm not sure if this is because eON (Virtual Programmings "wrapper") has generally improved, or because the DiRT engine is less intensive and a better match for it, but it doesn't matter, it's bloody good.
Although, if you look at Windows benchmarks, there's clearly still a gap between this on Linux and Windows. That doesn't stop it being playable on Linux though, even for a mid-range 560ti (not even the special 448 Cores edition, it's the standard 560ti) on High settings that's now multiple years old.
You can find DiRT Showdown on Steam. The game will now officially release on Monday the 10th of August.
I also spoke with Paul Lesurf from VP Ltd, and he confirmed they are now going to go back to older ports and look at any issues there. Good to see them do this!
Update: I've now done a few more races, and sadly at random times the game will crash. It seems to just get stuck on certain screens without ever progressing. I've reported this to the developer with logs of the errors.
The benchmarking has been re-done and the figures changed (560ti results later tonight too), a recent Nvidia driver update forced Vsync on, doh. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I managed to get an early look at what will be one of Linux's only semi-realistic racers, and the results of DiRT Showdown on Linux are rather interesting.
Now, I've never actually played DiRT Showdown before, so my look at it will be with a completely fresh mind. I'm also throwing out the "wrappers are bad" argument, I'm just going to take the game for what it is right now.
About the game (Official)
Race, crash and hoon your way through a world tour of motorised mayhem in DiRT Showdown! Crowd atmosphere, social gameplay and accessibility are all ramped up in this turbo- injected shot of driving delirium. Smash down the accelerator and earn the adulation of frenzied crowds at hyper-energised events at iconic locations. Trick, speed and smash your way to victory, then do it again.
Linux gameplay video
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Port report - Nvidia 970
Well, what can I say? Performance wise they have absolutely nailed it. I was able to get very high framerates on Ultra graphical settings (proper test below), so this is the first port of theirs I haven't had big frame-drops on. I haven't noticed any input lag, my Logitech gamepad was picked up with zero configuration needed, and I've really been enjoying it!
Using the in-built benchmark test gave me:
Nvidia 970, 2xMSAA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 103.45
Minimum: 79.60
Nvidia 970, No AA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 105.58
Minimum: 72.31
Nvidia 970, 2xMSAA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 133.03
Minimum: 100.53
Nvidia 970, No AA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 130.76
Minimum: 95.07
Port report #2 - Nvidia 560ti
Using the in-built benchmark test gave me:
Nvidia 560ti, 2xMSAA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 37.40
Minimum: 31.13
Nvidia 560ti, No AA, Ultra with advanced lighting enabled, 1920x1080
Average: 39.79
Minimum: 33.46
Nvidia 560ti, 2xMSAA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 71.19
Minimum: 58.98
Nvidia 560ti, No AA, High with advanced lighting disabled, 1920x1080
Average: 75.13
Minimum: 61.34
I'm not sure if this is because eON (Virtual Programmings "wrapper") has generally improved, or because the DiRT engine is less intensive and a better match for it, but it doesn't matter, it's bloody good.
Although, if you look at Windows benchmarks, there's clearly still a gap between this on Linux and Windows. That doesn't stop it being playable on Linux though, even for a mid-range 560ti (not even the special 448 Cores edition, it's the standard 560ti) on High settings that's now multiple years old.
You can find DiRT Showdown on Steam. The game will now officially release on Monday the 10th of August.
I also spoke with Paul Lesurf from VP Ltd, and he confirmed they are now going to go back to older ports and look at any issues there. Good to see them do this!
Update: I've now done a few more races, and sadly at random times the game will crash. It seems to just get stuck on certain screens without ever progressing. I've reported this to the developer with logs of the errors.
The benchmarking has been re-done and the figures changed (560ti results later tonight too), a recent Nvidia driver update forced Vsync on, doh. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Hmm, this is a maybe pickup; now if they ported Dirt Rally i would be in there like a shot as I vastly prefer the rally games; I pine for something with the career/ season that the old NetworkQ Rally game gave me.
Though I notice showdown is 70% off until the 10th of August; so if lucky that will mean if Im on the ball the sale will be in its last hours when showdown releases for linux and at £2.99 it may be worth a pickup.
Though I notice showdown is 70% off until the 10th of August; so if lucky that will mean if Im on the ball the sale will be in its last hours when showdown releases for linux and at £2.99 it may be worth a pickup.
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Go VP go!
Liam, how about an interview with these guys?
Liam, how about an interview with these guys?
5 Likes, Who?
Quoting: dubigrasuGo VP go!
Liam, how about an interview with these guys?
Well now, that's a beautiful idea. I was just thinking about that...
6 Likes, Who?
I sure hope there is an option to mute the announcer. For some reason I find him very annoying. At the same time it feels good being able to complain about something not Linux related in a soon to be Linux game. :)
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: liamdaweWe could make a list with "uncomfortable questions & accusations " some of us here surely have for VP and use it in you interview.Quoting: dubigrasuGo VP go!
Liam, how about an interview with these guys?
Well now, that's a beautiful idea. I was just thinking about that...
Edit: OK, so it seems that what I said above about a prepared list of questions was somehow interpreted as a silly instigation for an ambush by whining and baiting VP into a bad looking interview.
Since English is not my first language I choose to think that I need more improvement with the aforementioned language, because that was totally not what I was suggesting.
At the same time I still wonder how could it be interpreted this way when my real attitude towards VP can be observed in the same very post/quote, where I enthusiastically cheered for the VP guys : Go VP go!
Last edited by dubigrasu on 6 August 2015 at 1:59 pm UTC
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Avehicle7887 Aug 3, 2015
Well this is kind of surprising, I'm referring to the 560ti card here which is an old model. Considering it's a wrapper and runs at almost 60fps on high details is pretty good as this doesn't dishearten the budget GPU owners.
My only VP Game atm is Witcher 2 which already runs pretty well in Linux. But if they can improve even better? This could be a very good solution for old titles. Though I'll always prefer a native port, whenever possible.
My only VP Game atm is Witcher 2 which already runs pretty well in Linux. But if they can improve even better? This could be a very good solution for old titles. Though I'll always prefer a native port, whenever possible.
0 Likes
Well, if they manage to fix their other ports, I take back all the bad things I said about them. But only if they fix then all.
If their ports got the games to run at 70/80 % of the Windows performance without any crashes, I think is a good work.
EDIT: did find one benchmark with a GTX970, here are some GPUs to compare:
Last edited by M@GOid on 3 August 2015 at 8:16 pm UTC
If their ports got the games to run at 70/80 % of the Windows performance without any crashes, I think is a good work.
EDIT: did find one benchmark with a GTX970, here are some GPUs to compare:
Last edited by M@GOid on 3 August 2015 at 8:16 pm UTC
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Update: I am finding some frequent crashes the more I play of it, sadly.
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Quoting: kibblesI played a lot of this game with my kid on xbox, especially the demo derby part. This is a fun game, I will probably buy it right now and sit on it until the steam controllers come out (which I intend to buy 100%)Don't forget to buy it from their store: http://www.deliver2mac.com/products/dirtshowdownsteam
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Quoting: liamdaweUpdate: I am finding some frequent crashes the more I play of it, sadly.Too bad, but they still have time before release to fix these. I do hope they can improve their eON technology so people can stop complaining and enjoy the amazing games that VP is bringing to us.
1 Likes, Who?
ProfessorKaos64 Aug 3, 2015
Quoting: ajgpHmm, this is a maybe pickup; now if they ported Dirt Rally i would be in there like a shot as I vastly prefer the rally games; I pine for something with the career/ season that the old NetworkQ Rally game gave me.
Though I notice showdown is 70% off until the 10th of August; so if lucky that will mean if Im on the ball the sale will be in its last hours when showdown releases for linux and at £2.99 it may be worth a pickup.
This 1000%. I am a huge fan of Dirty Rally / Dirt 1/2/3. Def. picking this up for a few dollars when it publicly releases though.
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Quoting: Avehicle7887Well this is kind of surprising, I'm referring to the 560ti card here which is an old model. Considering it's a wrapper and runs at almost 60fps on high details is pretty good as this doesn't dishearten the budget GPU owners.
For Dirt Showdown this is not an old model card, I remember playing this game in 2012 with a 560ti and framerate was lot highter (around x2 more) in high settings.
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Considering a 560 ti can get around 50 fps on ultra on windows for this game, I find those results VERY disappointing. Judging by those results, I won't be able to max this game on ultra with my 660ti even though it's possible on the windows version.
Last edited by BillNyeTheBlackGuy on 3 August 2015 at 10:18 pm UTC
Last edited by BillNyeTheBlackGuy on 3 August 2015 at 10:18 pm UTC
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QuoteI managed to get an early look at what will be one of Linux's only semi-realistic racers
So which is it? The only one, or one of them?
More seriously, I hope they still have the discount when it's released on August 10th so that it is counted as one more Linux purchase (I won't be able to play it until the 18th so I won't pre-order...)
Last edited by seamoose on 4 August 2015 at 1:06 am UTC
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Mountain Man Aug 4, 2015
Quoting: MGOidIf their ports got the games to run at 70/80 % of the Windows performance without any crashes, I think is a good work.Except that won't convince anybody to give up Windows and start using Linux.
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Quoting: seamooseQuoteI managed to get an early look at what will be one of Linux's only semi-realistic racers
So which is it? The only one, or one of them?
It's a british saying, it means one of very few, basically.
Quoting: Keyrock720p video at 30 FPS, what is this, 2010? :P
All our videos are.
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