NVIDIA at GDC 2021: A Leap Forward in RTX and AI
Summary
At GDC 2021, NVIDIA unveiled significant updates and enhancements to its RTX and AI technologies, expanding platform compatibility and introducing new development tools. These advancements enable game developers to integrate real-time ray tracing and AI more seamlessly into their games, enhancing visual fidelity and performance. Key highlights include the introduction of RTX on Arm and Linux systems, the NvRTX branch for Unreal Engine, and updates to NVIDIA Nsight developer tools.
Bringing Real-Time Ray Tracing to New Platforms
NVIDIA’s RTX technology has been a game-changer for game developers, allowing for stunning real-time ray-traced lighting in games. At GDC 2021, NVIDIA announced that RTX and AI are now available on Arm and Linux systems, marking a significant expansion of platform compatibility. This move opens up new possibilities for developers working on these platforms, enabling them to create visually stunning games with enhanced lighting and AI-boosted images.
Enhancing Unreal Engine with NvRTX
For Unreal Engine developers, NVIDIA introduced the NvRTX branch, which adds RTX Direct Illumination (RTXDI), RTX Global Illumination (RTXGI), and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) to Unreal Engine 4.26 and Unreal Engine 5. This integration makes it easier for developers to use RTX and AI in their games, enhancing visual fidelity and performance.
NVIDIA Nsight: Improved Debugging and Optimization
NVIDIA Nsight is a suite of developer tools designed to help build and profile state-of-the-art games and applications that harness the full power of NVIDIA GPUs. At GDC 2021, NVIDIA announced new additions to Nsight, including Nsight Systems 2021.3 and Nsight Graphics 2021.3. These updates introduce new features such as register dependency visualization and deep analysis of GPU performance, making it easier for developers to debug and optimize their games.
Key Features of Nsight Systems 2021.3
- Register Dependency Visualization: This feature allows developers to visualize register dependencies, making it easier to understand and optimize GPU performance.
- Improved Debugging: Nsight Systems 2021.3 includes new debugging tools that help developers identify and fix issues more efficiently.
Key Features of Nsight Graphics 2021.3
- Deep Analysis of GPU Performance: Nsight Graphics 2021.3 provides detailed insights into GPU performance, helping developers optimize their games for better performance.
- Enhanced Profiling: This update includes new profiling tools that help developers understand how their games are using GPU resources.
Table: Key Highlights of NVIDIA at GDC 2021
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| RTX on Arm and Linux | Expansion of RTX and AI to Arm and Linux systems. |
| NvRTX Branch | Integration of RTXDI, RTXGI, and DLSS into Unreal Engine 4.26 and Unreal Engine 5. |
| Nsight Systems 2021.3 | New features for register dependency visualization and improved debugging. |
| Nsight Graphics 2021.3 | Deep analysis of GPU performance and enhanced profiling tools. |
Further Reading
For more information on NVIDIA’s RTX and AI technologies, including detailed technical overviews and developer resources, visit the NVIDIA Developer Blog. Here, you can find in-depth articles, video sessions, and game development demos from GDC 2021, as well as the latest updates on NVIDIA’s suite of developer tools and SDKs.
Conclusion
NVIDIA’s announcements at GDC 2021 represent a significant leap forward in RTX and AI technologies, offering game developers new tools and capabilities to create visually stunning and high-performance games. With the expansion of RTX to Arm and Linux systems, the introduction of the NvRTX branch for Unreal Engine, and updates to NVIDIA Nsight developer tools, developers have more resources than ever to push the boundaries of game development.