- October 1, 2011
- Written by Mark
-

Since PC GAMER Confirmed Improved PhysX in Batman Arkham City we have been looking forward to Batman Arkham City and its PhysX Features. Now PCGamesHardware.com has done a nice technical interview with Ben Wyatt, Technical Director at Rocksteady Studios and talks the PC advantages of Batman Arkham City such as DX11, GPU Powered PhysX and much more. Check it out here.
From the PCGamesHardware.com Batman Arkham City: Technical advantages of the PC version – DX11 tessellation and more:
PCGH: Will the PC version of Batman: Arkham City like Batman: Arkham Asylum utilize Nvidia’s PhysX API including support for Physics calculated on the GPU?
Ben Wyatt: Yes. Like Batman: Arkham Asylum, the PC version of Batman: Arkham City will feature realistic smoke, debris, leaves, and paper using GPU PhysX. There will also be features not seen in Batman: Arkham Asylum including clothing on characters.
PCGH: Which of the different APEX modules do you use (Apex Clothing/Particles (Destruction/Turbulence for fluids)? Can you give a short description where in the game APEX will be applied?
Ben Wyatt: APEX destructibles are used in the PC version for breakable elements in the game including breakable walls and objects that get thrown during fights. APEX clothing is used in the PC version for several of the characters you’ll encounter in the game and for simulating effects like paper and leaves. APEX clothing was also used for many of the cutscenes which can be seen on all platforms.
PCGH: What are the visual differences between physics calculated by CPU and GPU (via PhysX/APEX)?
Ben Wyatt: The extra PhysX effects in the PC version of the game add another dimension of realism to the game. When fighting as Batman or Catwoman, you will see walls break into splinters, paper and debris get kicked up, smoke respond realistically, and clothes on the thugs you fight.
PCGH: Are there any features that players without an Nvidia card will miss? What technical features cannot be realized with the CPU as “physics calculator”?
Ben Wyatt: All PhysX and APEX features can be run on the CPU or an NVIDIA GPU, but you can expect the game to run much slower without NVIDIA GPU acceleration when the additional PhysX effects are enabled. An NVIDIA GPU is recommended for all the additional PhysX features.
PCGH: Do you plan to use the latest PhysX SDK 3? Which advantages do you see compared to previous versions?
Ben Wyatt: Batman: Arkham City uses PhysX 2.8.4.
Source.
Tags: Apex PhysX, Batman Arkham City, Batman Arkham City Physics, Batman Arkham City PhysX, GPU Physics, NVIDIA Apex, PhysX, Video Game Physics
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