Startup fix
Disabling Use pipeline binary cache (A/B test) in Performance → Shaders now takes effect during Vulkan device initialization. Previously, the startup path could still query the driver's pipeline key even with this option disabled.
This update provides a bypass for the startup path involved in reports #2 and #3. Confirmation on the affected NVIDIA systems is still pending.
GPU guidance
- NVIDIA: If the game closes immediately at startup, manually turn off Use pipeline binary cache (A/B test) in Performance ? Shaders, then launch the game again. You do not need to disable it just because you have an NVIDIA GPU if the game already starts normally.
- AMD: You can normally leave binary caching enabled. Both modes were tested on the RX 6700 XT; other AMD GPUs have not been verified by this test.
- Intel: Not tested yet. Unsupported binary caching automatically falls back to normal compilation. If the game closes immediately at startup, manually disable binary caching and try again.
Automatic fallback handles missing support or required functions, and driver calls that return an error or an invalid key. It cannot recover from a crash inside the driver call. In that case, binary caching must be disabled manually before launching the game.
Changes
- Skip pipeline binary extension activation and global key queries when binary caching is disabled.
- Fall back to normal pipeline compilation when support, required functions, or a valid key are unavailable.
- Log the reason for disabling binary caching.
- Preserve existing saves and shader caches.
Validation
- Regression test reproduced the disabled-cache initialization defect before the fix and passed afterward.
- Initialization and fallback tests passed, including missing functions, driver errors, and invalid keys.
- AMD RX 6700 XT initialization passed with binary caching enabled and disabled.
- Game startup was checked on the RX 6700 XT with binary caching disabled.
- NVIDIA confirmation is still required. No performance improvement is claimed.
Notes
With binary caching disabled, pipeline compilation can cause longer loading times or temporary stutters. Native 1080p remains the recommended render resolution. This update does not change executable compatibility checks or include PR #1.
You still need your own God of War III Remastered CUSA01623 game files with update 01.02. No game files are included.