Microsoft adds unlocked frame-rate and G-Sync/FreeSync support for UWP
Forza 6 Apex and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition PC patches due shortly.
Microsoft has announced upgrades for the Universal Windows Platform, allowing for v-sync control, unlocked frame-rates and G-Sync/FreeSync support. The upgrade is due to roll out today, but there's a small sting in the tail - developers need to revisit their existing UWP games and patch in support.
"Support for unlocked frame rate and our partner's technologies can improve visual fidelity by eliminating screen tearing, reducing lag and stutter, and other visual artifacts," says a Microsoft press release. "Developers with games in the Windows Store can begin testing with these new features today. They can then release an update for their games to integrate today's UWP updates."
We'll be taking a look at the functionality as soon as it rolls out. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 machines will be updated gradually, but says that you can force the 'patch' by visiting this page and downloading it. However, at the time of writing, there is no update to be found - hopefully it'll be along shortly [UPDATE: Microsoft's PR agency tells us it should be available at 6pm UK time]. We are looking forward to testing it; while games may require updates to allow the functionality to work, we do wonder whether we can now force v-sync off via the GPU control panel - something that definitely doesn't work in the current build. By extension, we hope this opens the door to other functionality we use routinely, such as Nvidia's excellent adaptive v-sync feature.
Microsoft has promised updates to its UWP titles, telling us to expect Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and the Forza Motorsport 6 Apex beta to be patched imminently. Now might be a good time to test out UWP - Turn 10's first foray into PC gaming is free to download and an absolute joy. We're playing it right now on GTX 980 Ti using top-level settings at 4K/2x MSAA with a locked 60fps, but it runs very well on less capable hardware too. Here's a quick look at GTX 970 and R9 390 performance maxed out at 1440p, and we'll have a full analysis soon.
