Serious Sam Fusion 2017 [Steam] has been updated to include some benchmark modes along with some other useful changes. I've done some quick tests.
The new benchmarking mode is quite extensive, with it allowing you to do various levels from each game, so I did some random tests to show off what performance is like for OpenGL vs Vulkan here. You can find the benchmark mode in the "Extras" menu.
Firstly, I should note that the Fusion engine is considered as Beta software and so is the Vulkan renderer inside it.
Also, the benchmark mode isn't 100% accurate, since I've noticed a few minor differences at times. It's close enough though to be useful. There are also times when you switch between graphics API that some settings can get reset, so if you plan to do any, check the settings every time to be sure.
In addition to the benchmark mode, it also features various fixes and and expanded modding support.
The API switcher is now listed at the top of the graphical menu, in case you somehow didn't spot it in the previous location. The OpenGL renderer had a bug with flickering on burning objects, which has been fixed. A multiplayer desync was fixed to enable a smoother online experience, as well as enemies in co-op play no longer preferring the first player in the list in some situations.
There's plenty more, so check out the full list of changes here.
Thanks for the tip mphuZ! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
The new benchmarking mode is quite extensive, with it allowing you to do various levels from each game, so I did some random tests to show off what performance is like for OpenGL vs Vulkan here. You can find the benchmark mode in the "Extras" menu.
Firstly, I should note that the Fusion engine is considered as Beta software and so is the Vulkan renderer inside it.
Also, the benchmark mode isn't 100% accurate, since I've noticed a few minor differences at times. It's close enough though to be useful. There are also times when you switch between graphics API that some settings can get reset, so if you plan to do any, check the settings every time to be sure.
In addition to the benchmark mode, it also features various fixes and and expanded modding support.
The API switcher is now listed at the top of the graphical menu, in case you somehow didn't spot it in the previous location. The OpenGL renderer had a bug with flickering on burning objects, which has been fixed. A multiplayer desync was fixed to enable a smoother online experience, as well as enemies in co-op play no longer preferring the first player in the list in some situations.
There's plenty more, so check out the full list of changes here.
Thanks for the tip mphuZ! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Avehicle7887 
May 17, 2017
I wish Croteam would just release their games on GOG already, this is the kind of company I wish to support but can't due to DRM. Other than that I can only say, rock on Vulkan, these graphs are simply mind blowing and the API is great for low spec hardware.
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Well, benchmarks are rarely 100% accurate, most of the time are only general scenarios where various elements/NPC/etc are acting at random. That's why plenty of runs are needed in order to extract an average you can use.
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Quoting: dubigrasuWell, benchmarks are rarely 100% accurate, most of the time are only general scenarios where various elements/NPC/etc are acting at random. That's why plenty of runs are needed in order to extract an average you can use.Of course, I just like to note it.
1 Likes, Who?
Alas (at least on my hardware) one thing isn't yet fixed, namely lights on OpenGL.
I'd be curious if anyone can test (for example) Single Player > Campaign > Demo Palenque and check if shadows are present for both Vulkan and OpenGL.
I'd be curious if anyone can test (for example) Single Player > Campaign > Demo Palenque and check if shadows are present for both Vulkan and OpenGL.
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You really need a AMD card to test too.
But for the benchmark - great work by Croteam. But we're used to that our Croatian friends are just ... awesome.
For Croteam not publishing on GoG anymore - would be an interesting question to forward to them.
I still need a newer radv to be able to try :-(. I really need to compile mesa myself as it seems.
[edit]
I just realized why I didn't have SS:Fusion. I have SS:TFE on CD and never bought it in Steam. I'll go for it, just because I like Croteam XD.
I even still got the Serious Sam Jacket (with the bomb on the back) which they gave me when we were organizing a lan party for 450 players featuring SS:TFE as a game to be played (though, network code was terrible back then and it was really hard to maintain the servers).
Last edited by STiAT on 17 May 2017 at 7:52 pm UTC
But for the benchmark - great work by Croteam. But we're used to that our Croatian friends are just ... awesome.
For Croteam not publishing on GoG anymore - would be an interesting question to forward to them.
I still need a newer radv to be able to try :-(. I really need to compile mesa myself as it seems.
[edit]
I just realized why I didn't have SS:Fusion. I have SS:TFE on CD and never bought it in Steam. I'll go for it, just because I like Croteam XD.
I even still got the Serious Sam Jacket (with the bomb on the back) which they gave me when we were organizing a lan party for 450 players featuring SS:TFE as a game to be played (though, network code was terrible back then and it was really hard to maintain the servers).
Last edited by STiAT on 17 May 2017 at 7:52 pm UTC
0 Likes
I just realized why I didn't have SS:Fusion. I have SS:TFE on CD and never bought it in Steam. I'll go for it, just because I like Croteam XD.
Just as a headsup, not necessarily for this particular game, but some publishers make their games available trough Steam if you enter your CD key.
Personal anecdote:
Just as a headsup, not necessarily for this particular game, but some publishers make their games available trough Steam if you enter your CD key.
Personal anecdote:
Spoiler, click me
That was actually some of my first games on Steam: As a teenager short on money, I bought a used half-life 1 CD box for 1€ on the net, entered the CD key a couple years later in Steam, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it had unlocked the whole goldsrc games collection (blueshift, CS, opposing force, ricochet, half-life,...).
A good investment :D
A good investment :D
0 Likes
Quoting: MayeulCI just realized why I didn't have SS:Fusion. I have SS:TFE on CD and never bought it in Steam. I'll go for it, just because I like Croteam XD.
Just as a headsup, not necessarily for this particular game, but some publishers make their games available trough Steam if you enter your CD key.
Personal anecdote:
Spoiler, click me
That was actually some of my first games on Steam: As a teenager short on money, I bought a used half-life 1 CD box for 1€ on the net, entered the CD key a couple years later in Steam, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it had unlocked the whole goldsrc games collection (blueshift, CS, opposing force, ricochet, half-life,...).
A good investment :D
Yeah, for that I'd need to find the original box (only found the CD without key). The cash could be spent worse... I guess.
1 Likes, Who?
PublicNuisance May 18, 2017
I did some testing for comparison.
Ultra preset with 2x AA at 1920*1080 using OpenGL: AVG of 71 FPS on Hatsheput
I let it play through the entire level rather than 60 seconds.
My system:
FX-9590, 16GB DDR3-2133, R9 270 2GB, Mesa 17.1, Linux Mint 18.1 64, Kernel 4.11.1
I tried Vulkan but couldn't get the game to let me set it without crashing. It was only using 1 core of my CPU at 90-92% with the rest at 20% or less. GPU usage was usually close to or at 100%. Used about 1.2GB of VRAM and 5GB of system RAM.
Ultra preset with 2x AA at 1920*1080 using OpenGL: AVG of 71 FPS on Hatsheput
I let it play through the entire level rather than 60 seconds.
My system:
FX-9590, 16GB DDR3-2133, R9 270 2GB, Mesa 17.1, Linux Mint 18.1 64, Kernel 4.11.1
I tried Vulkan but couldn't get the game to let me set it without crashing. It was only using 1 core of my CPU at 90-92% with the rest at 20% or less. GPU usage was usually close to or at 100%. Used about 1.2GB of VRAM and 5GB of system RAM.
0 Likes
@PublicNuisance If you are using a R9 270 with Vanilla Linux kernel then Vulkan will not work. Radv requires the amdgpu kernel module which is experimental on GCN 1.0 cards (it uses the radeon module by default). You'll need to build a custom kernel with CIK support enabled or use the prebuilt ones with DC support made by M-BAB on github. Note if you go that route don't forget to blacklist the radeon module by adding the kernel boot parameter:
BTW my past experience with my R7 370 is that Serious Sam Fusion with vulkan performs way better than OpenGL on slower CPUs (e.g. Phenom II).
modprobe.blacklist=radeon.BTW my past experience with my R7 370 is that Serious Sam Fusion with vulkan performs way better than OpenGL on slower CPUs (e.g. Phenom II).
0 Likes
HollowSoldier May 18, 2017
One of the main features of Fusion is cross-game workshop/modding support. Steam is the only platform featuring workshop currently, so the game appearing in GOG or anywhere else is very unlikely.
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