Microsoft's shader service coming to Nvidia, Intel, and Qualcomm GPUs

Microsoft is set to expand its Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) service to a wider range of GPUs, including those from Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. Currently, the service is available only for AMD Radeon GPUs and has been tested in the PC version of Gears of War: E-Day. The update, expected later in October, aims to reduce the time-consuming shader-compilation process that often delays game launches.

ASD works by delivering precompiled shaders from the cloud instead of requiring each player's PC to compile them locally. Microsoft claims this can cut the process from several minutes to just a few seconds, achieving a 95% reduction in wait time. Shaders are small programs used by the GPU to render visual elements like lighting and effects. Without ASD, players often experience stuttering as shaders compile during gameplay.

The expansion to Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm GPUs is significant because these companies represent a large portion of the PC graphics market. The first implementation in Gears of War: E-Day highlighted the need for such a solution, as the game had a lengthy shader-compilation step at startup. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is the next title scheduled to support ASD.

However, not all games will automatically benefit from ASD. Developers must integrate the service into their titles, and it may not become a standard feature across the industry soon. Some games will continue to compile shaders locally or use other methods. Still, ASD could improve the PC gaming experience by speeding up game launches and reducing stuttering.