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Please Note: The benchmarks were re-done here, as Feral had an OpenGL performance regression which caused Vulkan to look at lot better than it was.

Mad Max [Feral Store, Steam] from Feral Interactive has been updated with a public beta as the Linux version is now able to use Vulkan and it brings some mighty performance changes.

Note: The beta does not support SteamOS currently, only normal desktop Linux distributions. Vulkan is only available in the Linux version, it is not in the Windows version.

To access the Beta, you need the password "livelongandprosper". Enter that into the games Betas tab on Steam to get in on the action. Once done, select "vulkan_beta." to update to it. See more info on this post from Feral.

First up, here’s a small comparison video that shows the very clear difference (Very High preset):
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This is one of the few areas in the game where you can basically guarantee all affects (weather, AI) being the same. So it’s a good point to compare for a video.

I’ve tested it out myself privately before release and I’m really impressed with the difference it makes. It’s night and day in some areas the performance jump is quite impressive! Every part of the game feels massively smoother. I didn’t notice it before, but in the OpenGL version even moving the camera is slower than in the Vulkan version.

Places that previously dropped to 60FPS and below have been sailing at over 100FPS for me, keeping the action amazingly smooth. This is especially important for all the car chases and general combat on foot, previously some of the battles were a real struggle, but now it’s effortless.

You can turn Vulkan off to go back to OpenGL using the "Use Vulkan" tickbox in the Advanced section of the Feral launcher. I'm impressed by how solid the switching is after going back and forth too many times to count I haven't had an issue.

Note: If you turned off the Feral launcher, you can bring it back by holding down CTRL while it loads.

Here’s a few random screenshots showing again how the performance really is different (OpenGL left, Vulkan right - noted in each picture).
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As you can see, no matter the area, weather, lighting and so on Vulkan destroys OpenGL in Mad Max.

Driver support: It works across NVIDIA, AMD and Intel, but there are some specific bits to be aware of. You can read about them on this post from Feral.

I should note, that the amount of difference you see will of course depend on what CPU and GPU combination you have. Lower-end CPU/GPU combinations will still see an improvement, but it likely won’t be as drastic as what I see here.

New benchmark mode
Feral have also put in a benchmark mode for the Linux version, which you can access by doing “--feral-benchmark” in their advanced launcher options. It will take whatever your in-game settings are for the benchmark. This is a unique feature for the Linux version, as the Windows version does not have a proper benchmark mode.

Warning: If you plan to play it through, you should be aware the benchmark uses cut-scenes from late in the game and may spoil a scene or two for you.

You will find the benchmark output in time and dated folders inside ”.local/share/feral-interactive/Mad Max/VFS/User/AppData/Roaming/WB Games/Mad Max/FeralBenchmark”.

Each single run of the benchmark takes about five minutes, so you might want to go make a coffee while it runs.

Benchmarks
These benchmarks show how some of the worst performing parts of the game perform differently on Vulkan. Not all of the game will see such an increase.
OpenGL Vulkan Mad Max: Camp - Hollow PointAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 239OpenGL 113Vulkan 162OpenGL 65Vulkan 145OpenGL 47 2391131626514547 04896144192240 Average FPS

OpenGL Vulkan Mad Max: Stronghold – Tyrant’s LashAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 79OpenGL 50Vulkan 68OpenGL 35Vulkan 59OpenGL 34 795068355934 01632486480 Average FPS

OpenGL Vulkan Mad Max: Cutscene - Hope, Glory, and Dog is DeadAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 254OpenGL 74Vulkan 153OpenGL 57Vulkan 130OpenGL 50 254741535713050 051102153204255 Average FPS

OpenGL Vulkan Cutscene - LandmoverAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 271OpenGL 89Vulkan 168OpenGL 65Vulkan 146OpenGL 58 271891686514658 055110165220275 Average FPS


This isn’t just showing the power of Vulkan, this is also showing the level of commitment Feral Interactive have for their Linux ports overall. I continue to respect the work they do in bringing games to Linux, supporting and sending in patches to Mesa and giving me fantastic games to play. Not only that, but updating their games to use the Vulkan API is obviously extremely welcome. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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190 comments
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Keyrock Mar 30, 2017
<3 Feral
DamonLinuxPL Mar 30, 2017
Good job Feral.
Now you can port The Wi†cher 3 for Linux using Vulkan. End of excuses. End. I know that Witcher 3 in OpenGL would be very CPU bound, so it would work poorly then, now that you have the Vulkan API, you can do it: D

So please Feral port The Wi†cher 3 to Linux
jgacas Mar 30, 2017
I mean this is it, true evidence that linux is definitive future gaming platform!

Deep respect to Feral!
Zuul Mar 30, 2017
Quotegames Betas tab on Steam

umm..where is that exactly? thx.

edit: nevermind.

you need to rightclick on MadMax in the games list/properties/betas.




Last edited by Zuul on 30 March 2017 at 5:49 pm UTC
lucifertdark Mar 30, 2017
Well Vulkan does indeed give Mad Max a Nitro Boost, I've gone from 30fps with some stuttering on Normal Graphics settings in OpenGL to 100+fps & no stuttering on Vulkan with the same graphics settings, I think we'll keep Vulkan. ;) Thanks Feral peeps. :D

ps any hints of which game may get the Vulkan treatment next?

pps Alien Isolation would definitely benefit from some Vulkan TLC.


Last edited by lucifertdark on 30 March 2017 at 5:49 pm UTC
Purple Library Guy Mar 30, 2017
So, lots of people wanting to see this game or that game that were already ported to Linux in turn get ported to Vulkan for performance. For me, this is more a proof of concept; it demonstrates that it will be very good if future ports go to Vulkan rather than OpenGL. Generally I'd rather see Feral's energies go to new ports rather than makeovers for old ports.
Like, say Feral over a period of time can do 10 projects. Rather than have 10 games already on Linux that ran a little slow (on current hardware) run faster, I'd rather see 10 new games that were not already on Linux run fast in the first place, because then instead of 10 fast games we'd have 10 not-so-fast games + 10 (probably newer) fast games. 20 games is better than 10 games.
I also suspect Feral can't stay in business if it spends too much of its energy re-porting old games for little sales benefit.


Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 30 March 2017 at 5:55 pm UTC
Ehvis Mar 30, 2017
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Quoting: DamonLinuxPLNow you can port The Wi†cher 3 for Linux using Vulkan. End of excuses.

Except for that little excuse called permission.
scaine Mar 30, 2017
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Great news... and I've got a new PC arriving in a week. Perfect timing for me to dip back into Mad Max and finish it off! Well done, Feral. Will Deus Ex get the same treatment, I wonder?
lucifertdark Mar 30, 2017
Quoting: Purple Library GuySo, lots of people wanting to see this game or that game that were already ported to Linux in turn get ported to Vulkan for performance. For me, this is more a proof of concept; it demonstrates that it will be very good if future ports go to Vulkan rather than OpenGL. Generally I'd rather see Feral's energies go to new ports rather than makeovers for old ports.
Like, say Feral over a period of time can do 10 projects. Rather than have 10 games already on Linux that ran a little slow (on current hardware) run faster, I'd rather see 10 new games that were not already on Linux run fast in the first place, because then instead of 10 fast games we'd have 10 not-so-fast games + 10 (probably newer) fast games. 20 games is better than 10 games.
I also suspect Feral can't stay in business if it spends too much of its energy re-porting old games for little sales benefit.
You're absolutely right but we can dream can't we? ;)
Aryvandaar Mar 30, 2017
Nerdgasm is over 9000! :D
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