Microsoft's solution for PC shader lag may take years to complete

Microsoft’s Fix for PC Shader Compilation Stutter Could Take Years to Fully Implement

Description: Microsoft is working on a solution to alleviate shader compilation stutter for PC gamers, but the full implementation may take years.

Microsoft has developed a fix targeting long shader compilation wait times experienced by many PC gamers. This system, known as Advanced Shader Delivery, is initially introduced for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally handhelds and select titles in the Xbox app.

Every PC gamer can relate to the frustration of waiting an agonizing one to two hours for shader compilation when launching a new AAA title. This delay can depend greatly on the specifications of a player’s system, especially for those using older hardware.

While many games require extensive shader compilation even before reaching the main menu, those that delay this process until gameplay often result in stuttering issues, leaving gamers increasingly irritated. Advanced Shader Delivery aims to eliminate this problem by pre-compiling shaders and storing them in the cloud.

However, shader compilation is hardware-specific; thus, Microsoft faces the daunting task of creating dozens of compiled shaders for various GPU and driver combinations for each game. This extensive process necessitates building a vast database, especially when considering the multitude of AAA titles released each year.

Unlike consoles that require only a limited number of shader versions, the diverse nature of PC hardware complicates things significantly. This is why Microsoft is focusing on handheld devices with only two hardware configurations to streamline the implementation process.

With the Agility SDK now supporting Advanced Shader Delivery, game developers can begin to integrate it into their new games. However, history shows that it may take years for this innovative technology to be widely adopted. Similar to Direct Storage, which took three years to see limited incorporation in major titles, gamers might have to wait for much longer before Advanced Shader Delivery becomes commonplace in the industry.

Are you excited about this development? Share your thoughts in the comments below!