Capcom Removes Ray-Tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes: What Happened?
Why Capcom Removed Ray Tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes
Capcom recently made a quiet update to the PC versions of Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes, removing support for ray tracing. Ray tracing, a rendering technique that produces more realistic lighting and shadows in games, was a highly-touted feature of the remakes when they were released in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Introduction
Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes were highly anticipated games that promised to deliver a modernized take on the classic survival horror series. Among the many new features added to these remakes was support for ray tracing. However, in April 2023, Capcom made a quiet update to the PC versions of both games, removing support for ray tracing. This move has left many fans wondering why Capcom would remove such an important feature.
What is Ray Tracing?
Before we delve into the reasons behind Capcom’s decision to remove ray tracing, let’s take a closer look at what it is. Ray tracing is a rendering technique that produces more realistic lighting and shadows in games. It does this by simulating the way that light interacts with objects in the game world. In traditional rendering techniques, such as rasterization, developers use approximations to simulate lighting effects. This can lead to inaccurate and unrealistic lighting and shadows.
Ray tracing, on the other hand, uses complex algorithms to simulate the behaviour of light in a more accurate way. By tracing the path of individual rays of light, developers can create more realistic lighting and shadows. This can greatly enhance the visual fidelity of games and make them look more lifelike.
The Promise of Ray Tracing in Games
The promise of ray tracing in games is clear. By producing more realistic lighting and shadows, games can become more immersive and engaging. For example, in a game like Resident Evil, ray tracing can enhance the mood and atmosphere of the game. Dark corners can become even more foreboding, and shadows can become even more sinister. In addition, ray tracing can also improve gameplay by making it easier to spot enemies and navigate the game world.
Ray Tracing in Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes
When Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes were released, they were praised for their stunning visuals and attention to detail. One of the key features that helped to achieve this was support for ray tracing. The games featured realistic lighting and shadows that greatly enhanced the atmosphere and immersion of the games.
Capcom Removes Ray Tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes
In April 2023, Capcom made a quiet update to the PC versions of both Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes, removing support for ray tracing. The move was not announced and there was no explanation given for why Capcom decided to remove the feature.
Why Did Capcom Remove Ray Tracing?
There are several theories as to why Capcom removed ray tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes. Here are some possible reasons:
Performance Issues Could Have Led to Negative Feedback
One theory is that the feature was causing performance issues on some PCs. Ray tracing is a very demanding feature, and it requires a lot of processing power to produce the realistic lighting and shadows that it is known for. It’s possible that some players were experiencing performance issues or frame rate drops when using ray tracing on their PCs. This could have led to negative reviews and complaints from players, which may have prompted Capcom to remove the feature.
Next-Gen Consoles May Offer More Advanced Ray-Tracing
Another theory is that Capcom may be planning to re-release the games with enhanced ray tracing support on next-gen consoles. Both Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes were released before the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which are capable of producing even more realistic ray tracing effects than current-gen PCs. It’s possible that Capcom wants to save the enhanced ray tracing effects for a re-release on these consoles, rather than making them available on PC.
Capcom’s Future Plans for Ray Tracing in Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes
It’s also possible that Capcom is planning to reintroduce the feature in a future update, but has not yet announced it. The company may be working on optimizing the feature for better performance on PC, or it may be planning to release it exclusively on next-gen consoles.
Was the Removal of Ray Tracing a Mistake by Capcom?
Finally, it’s possible that the removal of ray tracing could have been an unintended consequence of a larger update or patch. It’s also possible that Capcom simply made a mistake. However, the company has not yet provided any official explanation for why it removed the feature.
The Impact of Removing Ray Tracing
The removal of ray tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes has several implications, including:
Disappointment for Players
First and foremost, players who were looking forward to using ray tracing in these games will be disappointed. Ray tracing is a cutting-edge technology that allows for stunning graphics and immersive gameplay, and many players were excited to see it in action in Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes. With the feature now removed, some players may feel that the games are no longer as visually impressive as they were before.
Potential Buyer’s Remorse
Secondly, the removal of ray tracing may lead to buyer’s remorse among players who have already purchased the games. Some players may have bought the games specifically for the ray tracing feature, and now that it has been removed, they may feel like they wasted their money. This could ultimately impact sales and revenue for Capcom.
Impact on Game Reputation
Finally, the removal of ray tracing could impact the overall reputation of the games. Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes were praised for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, and ray tracing was a key part of this. Now that the feature has been removed, some players may view the games as less impressive or less innovative than they were before. This could impact the perception of the games in the gaming community, and potentially affect future sales and revenue for Capcom.
Future of Ray Tracing in Games
The removal of ray tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes does not necessarily mean that the feature is going away for good. Ray tracing is still a relatively new technology, and many game developers are still experimenting with it. It’s possible that Capcom is simply taking a step back to re-evaluate how it wants to use ray tracing in its games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the removal of ray tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes has left many fans disappointed and confused. While the reasons behind Capcom’s decision are not entirely clear, it’s likely that the feature was causing performance issues or that Capcom has plans to re-release the games with enhanced ray tracing support on next-gen consoles.
References
- Eurogamer: Capcom quietly removes ray-tracing from Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes. Available at: https://www.eurogamer.net/capcom-quietly-removes-raytracing-from-resident-2-and-3-remakes
- Video Games Chronicle: Ray-tracing has reportedly been removed from the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes on Steam. Available at: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ray-tracing-has-reportedly-been-removed-from-the-resident-evil-2-and-3-remakes-on-steam/
- The Gamer: Resident Evil 2 and 3 update removes RTX. Available at: https://www.thegamer.com/resident-evil-2-and-3-update-removes-rtx/
