v1.4.0: the Tartarus crash and hybrid-CPU slow motion fixed, V-Sync, spin and turbo keys, a new launcher look, nine languages
Download GoW_PSP_Launcher-v1.4.0.zip, extract it, run GoW_PSP\GoWLauncher.exe, choose the folder with your own disc images (.chd/.iso, US release), press Build, then Play. No game content is included. Upgrading from v1.3.x: the launcher offers the update itself, or extract over the old folder (your builds, saves and settings in GoW_PSP_data are kept). After updating, the launcher asks for one Build (a few minutes) before Play, because the game's code is new.
Fixes
- Chains of Olympus no longer crashes in the Depths of Tartarus (#24,
break at 088096AC). Both games had 255 KB less memory for their heap than on a PSP, because the port started them with a bigger boot stack than they ask for. A late-game save used up the margin. Both games now get the full heap; existing saves load as before. - No more slow motion on CPUs with performance and efficient cores (#33: Intel 12th gen and later, Core Ultra, Ryzen AI 300). Windows could move the game's single thread to the efficient cores; the game now keeps to the fast ones.
- V-Sync with a frame rate above the display's (#35), e.g. 120 FPS on a 60 Hz display, could settle at 30 FPS. With V-Sync the frame rate now follows the display's refresh.
- HDR on Auto only turns on when HDR is on in Windows (#28): Direct3D 12 looked washed out on normal displays.
- No Direct3D 12 or Vulkan device: the software renderer takes over instead of the game closing (#27), and the launcher offers to keep it.
- A first Build that fails says why (#29), shows its downloads, stops a stalled one and uses the Windows proxy.
Controls
- Spin keys: hold O or U to rotate the stick, for the "rotate the stick" prompts (#34). Keyboard players couldn't complete them before.
- Turbo: hold C (gamepad: right stick click) with a button and it presses 10 times a second, for the "press repeatedly" prompts (#26).
- Show the buttons pressed: F2 in the game, or in Options (#31).
Launcher
- A new look ("forged bronze"): warm dark colours, game cards in gold frames, a forged Play button, a top bar with Options and Controls, and the options in framed sections.
- Nine languages: Arabic, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese and Russian join English, Spanish, French and Hebrew. Arabic, like Hebrew, is right to left. The Spanish Options panel no longer runs past the window's edge. Native speakers: corrections are welcome (see CONTRIBUTING).
- Bug reports include frame timings (the last 5 minutes), which helps with slowdowns. Press Report a bug right after a problem and attach the zip.
Known: the boxes around the flames in the Temple of Helios (#30) don't happen on our PCs; if you see them, please answer in the issue.
What's next: roadmap. Details: CHANGELOG. Problems: troubleshooting and FAQ.
SHA-256 (PowerShell: Get-FileHash; also attached as SHA256SUMS.txt):
GoW_PSP_Launcher-v1.4.0.zip:a212651f306f214646ab72df9592a05daad70cb2c019074523a0fc24bf51a03eGoW_PSP/GoWLauncher.exeinside it:0a9c4afd8e04d31fa59309a0cd3fb4bda94a8d7fb9ac335de899e28038795474