Overview of the Patch
The recent patch for Star Wars Outlaws on PlayStation 5 was intended to address several performance issues and add new features to enhance the gaming experience. Key elements of the patch included:- Performance optimizations for smoother gameplay
- New character customization options
- Balance adjustments for certain weapons and abilities
- Bug fixes for minor glitches reported by the community
Description of the Bug
The screen tearing bug introduced in this patch is a visual artifact that occurs when the game's frame rate doesn't sync properly with the display's refresh rate. This results in:- Horizontal lines appearing across the screen, giving the impression that the image is "torn"
- Misaligned portions of the frame, creating a jarring visual effect
- Inconsistent frame pacing, leading to perceived stuttering
- Fast-paced action sequences
- Rapid camera movements
- Transitions between different areas or scenes
Potential Causes
Several factors could contribute to the emergence of this screen tearing bug:- V-Sync Issues: The patch may have inadvertently disabled or improperly implemented vertical synchronization.
- Frame Rate Fluctuations: Optimization changes might have led to unstable frame rates that conflict with the PS5's display output.
- API Conflicts: Updates to the game engine or graphics API implementation could be misaligned with the PS5's hardware capabilities.
- Memory Management: Changes in how the game handles memory allocation might be causing rendering pipeline disruptions.
Community Reaction
The gaming community's response to this bug has been largely negative:- Many players have expressed frustration on social media platforms and gaming forums.
- Some users report the game as "unplayable" in its current state, especially those sensitive to visual distortions.
- A subset of the community has called for a rollback of the patch until the issue is resolved.
- There's been an increase in support tickets and bug reports submitted to the developer's official channels.
Developer Response
As of now, the developers of "Star Wars Outlaws" have:- Acknowledged the screen tearing issue in an official statement.
- Promised a hotfix to address the problem within the next week.
- Requested that affected users submit detailed bug reports, including system information and scenarios where the tearing is most prevalent.
- Temporarily halted the rollout of the patch to additional regions to prevent further spread of the issue.
Star Wars Outlaws' New Patch Makes The Game Look Bad On PS5
Screen tearing issues have infiltrated the otherwise great update
kotaku.com