DICE's Frostbite engine goes 64-bit only

May 23, 2012 | 12:04

Tags: #64-bit #64-bit-gaming #battlefield #battlefield-3 #frostbite #frostbite-engine #game-engine #johan-andersson #windows-8

Companies: #dice

Johan Andersson, rendering architect at Battlefield developer DICE, has warned that users will need to ensure they are running a 64-bit operating system for future versions of the Frostbite engine.

While not directly naming the Battlefield series, Andersson took to microblogging service Twitter earlier this week to declare 64-bit a requirement for his company's future games.

'We'll have Frostbite-powered games in 2013 that will require a 64-bit OS,' Andersson told his followers (his emphasis.) 'If you are on 32-bit, [it's a] great opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8.'

Responding to the barrage of questions that followed, Andersson explained that Windows 8 wouldn't be a requirement - merely a version of Windows which can run 64-bit software, including previous releases Windows 7 and Windows Vista 64-bit editions.

The company's current flagship title, Battlefield 3, has no 64-bit support - a decision Andersson defends. 'There's no need for [64-bit support] in [Battlefield 3,]' he told followers. 'Just running on a 64-bit OS gets you 4GB which is plenty enough for it.'

Asked for performance details regarding the decision to go 64-bit only in future Frostbite releases, Andersson was somewhat quiet. '[We] don't have any perf[ormance] data to share at this time, but the main drivers [for a move to 64-bit] are larger VA-space [Virtual Address space] and access to RAM.'

A move to 64-bit will, in theory, allow DICE to vastly improve an already impressive game engine - but a move to 64-bit exclusivity is a surprise. Previously, games companies have released 64-bit and 32-bit versions of their titles simultaneously, or added 64-bit support in a later patch following a 32-bit only launch.

In recent years, it has become common to see PCs sold with a 64-bit build of Windows - but prior to that the 32-bit version ruled the roost. Making a game engine 64-bit only has the potential to exclude a not-inconsiderable number of gamers on older hardware.

DICE itself has yet to comment on Andersson's revelation.
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