Brigada Games team fixed media player on Switch.
Case: Brigada Games ported the game, which was originally developed for PC/Console to Switch. This allowed a developer and a publisher to access a new audience for their game.
Process description:
The main objective of optimizing the game was to resolve issues with media sources not functioning properly on the Switch in an old custom version of UE4. Glitches, desync, and other artifacts were observed when using the media player in sequences and menus, necessitating fixes.
We encountered technical limitations and challenges as media sources were integrated into various parts of the game, including sequences, world textures (TV screens), and ability previews in menus. Therefore, we had to create a pipeline that would work consistently in all these cases.
For optimization, we primarily used the "Cinematics.ShowBurnIn 1" command to check the synchronization of cinematics with the new media technology frame by frame.
At the game architecture and game engine level, we implemented some optimizations.
In terms of managing memory and game resources, we optimized the usage by removing "empty" black frames, reducing the resolution to decrease flipbook size, and using custom logic in materials to create masks instead of relying on the alpha channel in textures.
To evaluate the success of the optimizations, we primarily utilized memory as this technology had a high memory cost. We consistently monitored the maximum memory values and implemented load/unload systems when the memory usage became too high.
Throughout the optimization process, testing and debugging were conducted by assigning tasks to the Quality Assurance team to provide videos with stat unit max and frame counters showing statistics.
As a result of these optimizations, the players now experience smooth and synchronized cinematics and other videos. Although the file size expanded by 10%, the game now delivers impressive visuals and flawless performance in both handheld and docked modes on the Switch.
Case: Brigada Games ported the game, which was originally developed for PC/Console to Switch. This allowed a developer and a publisher to access a new audience for their game.
Process description:
The main objective of optimizing the game was to resolve issues with media sources not functioning properly on the Switch in an old custom version of UE4. Glitches, desync, and other artifacts were observed when using the media player in sequences and menus, necessitating fixes.
We encountered technical limitations and challenges as media sources were integrated into various parts of the game, including sequences, world textures (TV screens), and ability previews in menus. Therefore, we had to create a pipeline that would work consistently in all these cases.
For optimization, we primarily used the "Cinematics.ShowBurnIn 1" command to check the synchronization of cinematics with the new media technology frame by frame.
At the game architecture and game engine level, we implemented some optimizations.
In terms of managing memory and game resources, we optimized the usage by removing "empty" black frames, reducing the resolution to decrease flipbook size, and using custom logic in materials to create masks instead of relying on the alpha channel in textures.
To evaluate the success of the optimizations, we primarily utilized memory as this technology had a high memory cost. We consistently monitored the maximum memory values and implemented load/unload systems when the memory usage became too high.
Throughout the optimization process, testing and debugging were conducted by assigning tasks to the Quality Assurance team to provide videos with stat unit max and frame counters showing statistics.
As a result of these optimizations, the players now experience smooth and synchronized cinematics and other videos. Although the file size expanded by 10%, the game now delivers impressive visuals and flawless performance in both handheld and docked modes on the Switch.