star breeze payday 2 Whereas the unique builders targeted on bettering Payday 3, they relied on Sidetrack Video games to proceed their help. To this point, the numbers are very a lot in Sidetrack’s favor, with Payday 2 nonetheless repeatedly hitting peaks of 30,000 gamers on Steam whereas its successor struggles to remain at simply 1,000 gamers. However slightly than simply relaxation in your laurels, the brand new group is making ready for its largest overhaul but, shifting the heist shooter to a brand new engine that ought to lead to considerably decreased file sizes and smoother gameplay.
Maybe Sidetrack’s job was simple sufficient. Payday 2 had already been in growth for over a decade when growth was taken over, and it stays one of the vital beloved co-op FPS video games on the PC. However because it’s now in its thirteenth 12 months, the brand new shepherds are cashing in on an entire makeover underneath the hood. Lead engine and instruments developer Leon Theodridis has confirmed that the much-requested change to a 64-bit engine is certainly occurring and will likely be in open beta on the finish of June.
“We learn all of your feedback they usually have been bothering us for a very long time,” Theodoridis says with a smile. “You have been begging us to port the engine to 64-bit, cut back the sport’s file measurement, and make it run higher total on extra trendy {hardware}. After 9 months of growth on Payday 2 at Sidetrack Video games, we’re lastly capable of share what we have been engaged on for years.”
This “main engine improve” will likely be named Diesel 3.0. “It is a huge rewrite of the whole codebase,” Theodoridis explains. He notes that as a result of nature of the backend of this replace, you might not instantly discover all of the ensuing enhancements, however you’ll undoubtedly profit from lots of them.
The primary and most impactful change is the change to a extra trendy 64-bit structure, which ought to finish the epidemic of out-of-memory crashes. Theodoridis calls this “by far one of many largest calls for of the final 10 years.” Rendering has been moved from DX9 to DX11. “Whereas this doesn’t lead to any visible enchancment, it does considerably cut back texture reminiscence utilization on the graphics card,” he factors out. That is particularly excellent news when you’ve got older {hardware}, however everybody ought to profit to some extent.
Since making these adjustments would imply asking gamers to re-download the whole sport, Sidetrack “took the chance to revamp the sport’s packaging and bundling system,” which resulted within the set up measurement being decreased from 86 GB to only 32 GB. It is a 63% lower. Should you aren’t operating your video games on an SSD, Theodridis recommends doing so now, as it’s best to see much more advantages from quicker load occasions.
The Payday 2 Diesel 3.0 open beta begins on Tuesday, June thirtieth and can run till the top of July. Particulars on the best way to take part will likely be supplied at launch, however I imagine you are able to do so through the (Recreation Variations and Betas) tab within the Properties menu, accessible out of your Steam Library.
There may be one small caveat. “Sadly, with such main engine adjustments, it’s inevitable that some modifications will break,” Theodoridis factors out. “In the course of the beta interval, we encourage modders to try to restore what they will, and we’ll help new file codecs wherever attainable.” It is a small worth to pay, however with so many promised enhancements, it will likely be price it for most individuals.
