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Please Note: The benchmarks were re-done here, as Feral had an OpenGL performance regression which caused Vulkan to look at lot better than it was.

Mad Max [Feral Store, Steam] from Feral Interactive has been updated with a public beta as the Linux version is now able to use Vulkan and it brings some mighty performance changes.

Note: The beta does not support SteamOS currently, only normal desktop Linux distributions. Vulkan is only available in the Linux version, it is not in the Windows version.

To access the Beta, you need the password "livelongandprosper". Enter that into the games Betas tab on Steam to get in on the action. Once done, select "vulkan_beta." to update to it. See more info on this post from Feral.

First up, here’s a small comparison video that shows the very clear difference (Very High preset):
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This is one of the few areas in the game where you can basically guarantee all affects (weather, AI) being the same. So it’s a good point to compare for a video.

I’ve tested it out myself privately before release and I’m really impressed with the difference it makes. It’s night and day in some areas the performance jump is quite impressive! Every part of the game feels massively smoother. I didn’t notice it before, but in the OpenGL version even moving the camera is slower than in the Vulkan version.

Places that previously dropped to 60FPS and below have been sailing at over 100FPS for me, keeping the action amazingly smooth. This is especially important for all the car chases and general combat on foot, previously some of the battles were a real struggle, but now it’s effortless.

You can turn Vulkan off to go back to OpenGL using the "Use Vulkan" tickbox in the Advanced section of the Feral launcher. I'm impressed by how solid the switching is after going back and forth too many times to count I haven't had an issue.

Note: If you turned off the Feral launcher, you can bring it back by holding down CTRL while it loads.

Here’s a few random screenshots showing again how the performance really is different (OpenGL left, Vulkan right - noted in each picture).
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As you can see, no matter the area, weather, lighting and so on Vulkan destroys OpenGL in Mad Max.

Driver support: It works across NVIDIA, AMD and Intel, but there are some specific bits to be aware of. You can read about them on this post from Feral.

I should note, that the amount of difference you see will of course depend on what CPU and GPU combination you have. Lower-end CPU/GPU combinations will still see an improvement, but it likely won’t be as drastic as what I see here.

New benchmark mode
Feral have also put in a benchmark mode for the Linux version, which you can access by doing “--feral-benchmark” in their advanced launcher options. It will take whatever your in-game settings are for the benchmark. This is a unique feature for the Linux version, as the Windows version does not have a proper benchmark mode.

Warning: If you plan to play it through, you should be aware the benchmark uses cut-scenes from late in the game and may spoil a scene or two for you.

You will find the benchmark output in time and dated folders inside ”.local/share/feral-interactive/Mad Max/VFS/User/AppData/Roaming/WB Games/Mad Max/FeralBenchmark”.

Each single run of the benchmark takes about five minutes, so you might want to go make a coffee while it runs.

Benchmarks
These benchmarks show how some of the worst performing parts of the game perform differently on Vulkan. Not all of the game will see such an increase.
OpenGL Vulkan Mad Max: Camp - Hollow PointAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 239OpenGL 113Vulkan 162OpenGL 65Vulkan 145OpenGL 47 2391131626514547 04896144192240 Average FPS

OpenGL Vulkan Mad Max: Stronghold – Tyrant’s LashAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 79OpenGL 50Vulkan 68OpenGL 35Vulkan 59OpenGL 34 795068355934 01632486480 Average FPS

OpenGL Vulkan Mad Max: Cutscene - Hope, Glory, and Dog is DeadAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 254OpenGL 74Vulkan 153OpenGL 57Vulkan 130OpenGL 50 254741535713050 051102153204255 Average FPS

OpenGL Vulkan Cutscene - LandmoverAntergos Linux, 1080p, i7 5960x, 980ti NormalHighVery High Vulkan 271OpenGL 89Vulkan 168OpenGL 65Vulkan 146OpenGL 58 271891686514658 055110165220275 Average FPS


This isn’t just showing the power of Vulkan, this is also showing the level of commitment Feral Interactive have for their Linux ports overall. I continue to respect the work they do in bringing games to Linux, supporting and sending in patches to Mesa and giving me fantastic games to play. Not only that, but updating their games to use the Vulkan API is obviously extremely welcome. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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191 comments
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echazarenc Mar 30, 2017
Quoting: Tuxee
Quoting: echazarencNo differences for me between Vulkan and OpenGL
around 100fps
i7 7700K@5Ghz, GTX1060, 16 Go RAM, SSD M2

Odd. I had - with quite the same configuration (i7 6700k stock, GTX1060, 16GB) - an increase between 50 and 100%.

See my first comment:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/mad-max-meets-vulkan-in-a-new-fully-public-beta-for-linux-benchmarks-and-opengl-vs-vulkan-comparisons.9345/comment_id=89745

I have the 375.39 driver in Ultra setting 1920x1080

100fps is very good I thing....
Jahimself Mar 30, 2017
Possible witcher 3 dream? ^^ All of that power with a 24mb patch


Last edited by Jahimself on 30 March 2017 at 8:50 pm UTC
Luke_Nukem Mar 30, 2017
I cranked everything to Ultra, turned on anti-aliasing, res 1920x1080.
On an i3-6100, 8gb ram, GTX950, I get 30fps+, never seems to dip below that, and feels smoooooooooth the whole time.

Yes, never dips below 30fps, with *everything* cranked to Ultra, on very entry-level type system.
EzdineG Mar 30, 2017
This is just... SICK.

Just tried it at 3440X1440 with a 980TI at the highest settings with nary a stutter and the responsiveness is unreal. I was going to wait to finish DX:HR and Hitman before playing this through, but I think now this is gonna have to go down first.

Truly above and beyond expectations, Feral. Keep doing what you're doing and I'll keep doing what I'm doing; buying every last one of your ports.

Thank you!
Skiski Mar 30, 2017
I just tried and there seems to be a little less stuttering, but the fps keep going under 20.
I'll try a little more and maybe I'll write to feral support.
Just to sum up my specs:
i5 2400, nvidia GTX 960 with nvidia drivers 375.26, 8 Go of RAM.
At "normal" settings, I get something between 10 and 30 fps...

Edit:
I've just tried again and unchecked the option "FPS smoothing" in the feral launcher. And it's way better. I've just played a bit and I get nearly constant 100 FPS on "normal" and between 70 and 80 in "high". I was on a part with the car (just after blowing the door with the gasoline) and if I drive "too fast", the game stutters but I think it is because the game is loading the assets. If I stop and wait a few seconds, it get back to normal.

I'll do more tests tomorrow.


Last edited by Skiski on 30 March 2017 at 9:41 pm UTC
sarmad Mar 30, 2017
I am guessing the bigger part of the performance boost is coming from the OpenGL version not being as optimized as it should. There is no way Vulkan (or any API for that matter) can make this much difference. However, this is probably an indication that it's easier to optimize the code under Vulkan than it is under OpenGL, which by itself is enough reason to introduce Vulkan. Good job Feral, and Khronos too.
edddeduck_feral Mar 30, 2017
Quoting: Beamboom
Quoting: edddeduck_feral<...awesome reply as always...>

It's so great to have you amongst us here, Edddeduck. Thanks for the explanation, detailed enough to really explain things without getting too detailed for only the high end techies to understand. :)

Thanks again!

You're welcome
edddeduck_feral Mar 30, 2017
Quoting: SkiskiI just tried and there seems to be a little less stuttering, but the fps keep going under 20.
I'll try a little more and maybe I'll write to feral support.
Just to sum up my specs:
i5 2400, nvidia GTX 960 with nvidia drivers 375.26, 8 Go of RAM.
At "normal" settings, I get something between 10 and 30 fps...

That sounds like something is very wrong on your machine. :-( Please remember to send a support report from the pre game launcher as that will help us look into your exact hardware and driver info.
Leopard Mar 30, 2017
Quoting: sarmadI am guessing the bigger part of the performance boost is coming from the OpenGL version not being as optimized as it should. There is no way Vulkan (or any API for that matter) can make this much difference. However, this is probably an indication that it's easier to optimize the code under Vulkan than it is under OpenGL, which by itself is enough reason to introduce Vulkan. Good job Feral, and Khronos too.

Your guess is wrong.

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/mad-max-meets-vulkan-in-a-new-fully-public-beta-for-linux-benchmarks-and-opengl-vs-vulkan-comparisons.9345/comment_id=89759
rafebelmont Mar 30, 2017
Great news! Hopefully Vulkan will set the tone (I think it is already doing that) for future Linux versions of games. And kudos for the Feral guys. Great work.


Last edited by rafebelmont on 30 March 2017 at 9:59 pm UTC
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