Streamline - Open Source, Cross-IHV Framework to Simplify Integration of Super-Resolution Technologies
At GDC 2022 NVIDIA is introducing Streamline, an open source, cross-IHV framework that aims to simplify integration of multiple super-resolution technologies and other graphics effects in games and applications. With Streamline, developers can code once and add multiple super-resolution technologies to their games.
Streamline offers a single integration with a plug-and-play framework. It sits between the game and render API and abstracts the SDK-specific API calls into an easy-to-use Streamline framework. Instead of manually integrating each SDK, developers simply identify which resources (motion vectors, depth, etc.) are required for target Streamline plugins and then set where they want the plugins to run in the graphics pipeline.
The Streamline SDK is available today with support for NVIDIA Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA), with NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS) support coming soon. Streamline supports DirectX 11 and DirectX 12. Vulkan support is currently in beta and available for developers to test.
The framework is also extensible beyond super-resolution SDKs, with developers able to add NVIDIA Real-time Denoiser (NRD) to games via Streamline, too.
NVIDIA recognizes the burden put on developers to support multiple SDKs, often with varying integration points and compatibility. Streamline eases that burden with an open source, cross-IHV framework. Easier integration of technology means more games with more technology. Instead of certain games only shipping with a subset of IHV technologies, NVIDIA’s goal with Streamline is for new games to support the best that each IHV has to offer. This is good for gamers and the gaming ecosystem.
“Today game developers do additional work to support each hardware vendor’s post-processing effects with different APIs," said John Spitzer, vice president of developer and performance technology at NVIDIA. "With Streamline, we can remove that redundancy and accelerate the adoption of new features in games, in turn improving the experience for our users.”
”Intel believes strongly in the power of open interfaces,” said Andre Bremer, vice president of AXG and director of game engineering at Intel. “We are excited to support Streamline, an open, cross-IHV framework for new graphics effects. This will simplify game developers’ integration efforts and accelerate the adoption of new technology.”
Kickstart RT – A Starter Kit for Adding Ray Tracing
NVIDIA Kickstart RT makes it easier than ever to add real-time ray tracing to game engines, producing realistic reflections, shadows, ambient occlusion, and global illumination.
Kickstart RT provides a convenient starting point that enables developers to quickly and easily include realistic dynamic lighting of complex scenes in their game engines in a much shorter timespan than traditional methods. It’s also helpful for developers who may find upgrading their engine to the DirectX12 API difficult.
Kickstarter RT is available now. Learn more about Kickstart RT on the NVIDIA developer website.
GeForce NOW Cloud Playtest – Playtest from Anywhere via the Cloud
A playtest is the process by which a game designer tests a new game for bugs and design flaws before releasing it to market. Developers need innovative ways to perform this vital part of game development safely and securely. All this is possible with Cloud Playtest on the GeForce NOW Developer Platform.
With a network of more than 30 data centers and 80 countries, GeForce NOW uses the power of the cloud to take the GeForce PC gaming experience to any device. This extended infrastructure provides a developer platform for studios and publishers to perform their game development virtually, starting with playtesting.
With GeForce NOW Cloud Playtest, players and observers can be anywhere in the world. Game developers can upload a build to the cloud and schedule a playtest that players and observers manage on their playtest calendar.
During a playtest session, a player uses the GFN app to play the targeted game, while streaming their camera and microphone. Observers watch the gameplay and webcam feeds from the cloud.
Updated RTX SDKs and Game Development Tools
At GDC, NVIDIA also announced updates to the SDKs for NVIDIA RTX Global Illumination, RTX Direct Illumination, Reflex, and Real-time Denoisers.
Important game development tools including NVIDIA Insight and NVIDIA Virtual Reality Capture and Reply also received updates.