Epic game programmer Niklas Smedberg's talk at GDC Europe may have focused on mobile GPU efficiency issues, but he wasn't prepared to talk them down.
Indeed, according to Smedberg, there's every probability that the power difference between smartphone GPUs and those used in more powerful tech will narrow significantly with the next generation of SGX and Tegra processors.
Problem or opportunity?
In fact, some aspects of current mobile GPUs are "already way better than current gen consoles," he claimed, with the amount of RAM and the higher output resolution aiding the pursuit of 'triple-A' graphics on smartphones.
Surprisingly, sometimes even the limitations of the mobile GPU end up producing better graphics than their console brethren.
Smedberg highlighted Epic's pursuit of the God Ray lighting effect on mobiles as one area that benefitted from restrictions that mobile processors inflict on graphics coding.
Whereas the Xbox version could be processed in one pass, mobile needs a series of passes to prevent slowing down the system.
Fast moving industry
This limitation resulted in code that was not only half the size and complexity as the original 360 version, but also thanks to the multiple passes resulted in a more accurate image overall with fewer artefacts.
In the future, however, it may not require such workarounds to get console feature on mobiles.
Smedberg described Imagination Technologies' upcoming Rogue 6xxx series GPUs as "so much better [than the current generation]. About twenty times faster."
"We're starting to talk Xbox quality here."
News
Will's obsession with gaming started off with sketching Laser Squad levels on pads of paper, but recently grew into violently shouting "Tango Down!" at random strangers on the street. He now directs that positive energy into his writing (due in no small part to a binding court order).
Related Articles
News
Apr 12th, 2024
Epic Games demands Google Play opens up to alternative payment systems after antitrust win
Top Stories
News
7 hours, 1 minute ago
Nintendo releases first official statement on "the successor to Nintendo Switch"
News
7 hours, 30 minutes ago
Microsoft closes Mighty Doom dev Alpha Dog, Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks and more
Feature
8 hours, 24 minutes ago
Mobile Mavens: The industry has its say on Squad Busters ability to draw in “untapped audiences” with its “influence from a range of genres”
Feature
11 hours, 11 minutes ago
Hot Five: Supercell’s Squad Busters supremacy, Brawl Stars bounces back, and a games industry journey at King
Feature
11 hours, 31 minutes ago
April 2024 mobile game charts: Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile loses launch momentum and Brawl Stars’ astronomical rise
Events
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |
Mobidictum Meetup Barcelona September 2024 | Europe | Sep 1st |