Microsoft unlocks framerates on UWP apps for smoother Windows 10 gameplay
Microsoft is rolling out a Windows 10 update that will allow apps and games based on its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to uncouple their framerates from the monitor's refresh rate. UWP-based games will also now support AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync for smoother gameplay.
Image Source: DirectX 12 Developer Blog
Microsoft has updated its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to enable a couple of graphics features on UWP apps and games that PC gamers have been calling for. Starting from today, games designed for UWP will be able to uncouple their framerates from the refresh rate of their monitors. Furthermore, these apps and games will now support AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync, which should combine with the unlocked framerates to produce overall smoother gameplay on Windows 10.
The framerate cap had affected a slew of much-anticipated releases, including titles like Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Quantum Break, and garnered no small amount of negative press. But with the new patch, Microsoft is sending a clear message to gamers and developers that it is listening to their concerns.
It works by allowing developers to include the option to disable V-Sync – a feature that locks a game’s framerate to the monitor’s refresh rate – thus allowing framerates to exceed the panel’s refresh rate. This is crucial to smoother and more fluid gameplay, but might also introduce screen tearing, so Microsoft has also implemented support for variable refresh rate technologies in the form of AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync.
However, this doesn’t mean that UWP-based games will automatically have these features now. Developers will still have to update their software to enable the new options, but Microsoft expects Gears of War: UE and Forza Motorsport 6: Apex to lead the way in adoption.
There’s just one caveat – unlocked frame rates will not work in laptops that have both an integrated and discrete GPU, which would seem to rule out most gaming laptops. Fortunately, Microsoft says that this is a known issue, and that it is currently working on a fix.
The update is rolling out in the form of an automatic Windows 10 update that is gradually being made available to all machines. Alternatively, you can download it directly here.
Source: DirectX Developer Blog
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