Quote: "People like to blame the shaders for poor performance, but that's usually not the case unless you're running a low-end or integrated graphics card."
In FPSC main reasons for poor performance, lack of gameplay speeds and low fps are the same now as they have always been and the reasons have been well documented over the years. They have not changed so it seems. Whats changed is all the additions that mask them.
Turn off all the additions and run basic levels and you can still see the reasons unadulterated.
By far the biggest drain on resources is still AI and characetr AI in particular which eats an enourmous amount of fps currently.
In the order of 15fps per character in game level so if you have 2 then you loose 30fps. That a massive influence.
I am testing out new AI (not DAI)in an outdoor level with 3 Characters. 1 Ally and 2 Enemies.
Player and 1 Ally : max 60fps
Player, 1 Ally and 2 Enemies : @30fps
At least thats what happens with me at the moment. It may well be different for everyone else of course.