RimWorld switches from Unity to Waylith Engine for better performance without breaking mods.
Today’s PC gaming news offers a mix of updates and developments, with a significant technical shift from Ludeon Studios leading the pack. The developers of RimWorld, a popular sci-fi colony construction sim, have announced a substantial transformation as the game transitions from Unity to their newly developed Waylith Engine. This switch promises significant performance improvements without the feared disruption to mods, a crucial feature of the game community.
RimWorld’s New Engine Enhances Performance
Rock Paper Shotgun reports that the transition to Waylith Engine in the upcoming 1.7 update is set to enhance various performance metrics significantly. Players can anticipate better load times and overall smoother gameplay, with improvements stated to be in the range of 2-4x faster than before. Notably, Ludeon Studios claims the game will maintain its visual and gameplay experience, with significant reductions in load times for extensive mod lists—down from 14 to just 6 minutes in an example with 1500 mods. The seamlessness of this transition, particularly in not breaking existing mods, could set a new benchmark in game engine shifts.
Marvel Tōkon Expands Its Roster
Rock Paper Shotgun also highlights new content for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Following the release of Phoenix Cyclops, Arc System Works is expanding the roster with popular characters such as Jane Foster’s Thor, Venom, and Jubilee. This forms part of the game’s ambitious Year One DLC plan. The new fighters aim to keep the player base engaged with fresh dynamics and combat styles.
Gaming Reviews and New Titles
In the realm of game reviews, Rock Paper Shotgun reviews Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, portraying it as an impressive action game but lacking in the Metroidvania aspect. The title attempts to carve out its own identity in the Shadow of previous entries, focusing on a new protagonist.
Meanwhile, GamingOnLinux reports on upcoming releases, including One More Flight, a psychological horror game set within a time loop aboard a doomed flight, and Goreticulture, which combines gardening with horror themes in its gameplay mechanics.
In Other News
- The narrative potential of Hearthstone continues to expand, as evident from a recent interview discussing the game’s “tall tales” and how these could enrich its storytelling capabilities within the Warcraft universe.
- A development anecdote from Phantom Blade Zero shares how its composer created music for boss fights before the bosses were designed, illustrating the creative processes behind game design.
- For those looking to expand their collections, the Cozy After Dark Showcase Humble Bundle offers a new selection of titles.
Today’s updates parallel ongoing trends in the industry: deepening narrative experiences, technical advancements, and an ever-expanding library of new and interesting titles.
