Dates
Start Date: October 22, 2021
Due Date: November 15, 2021 (by end of day, Pacific Time)
Payment
Each entrant is eligible for a payment of up to $350, with a minimum of $50 if the entry meets the minimum standards. The exact payment amount for each entrant will be based on the quality of the entrant’s work.
Description
The goal of this challenge is to create a tutorial that explains how to optimize the performance of a game. The tutorial should be easy to understand and approachable for all skill levels. Describe what factors affect the performance, and how to optimize these factors.
Topics
Some topics to consider for the tutorial are listed below.
Analyzing Performance
Explain how to use the Performance Panel as well as the Play-Mode Profiler to analyze the performance of a game. Describe how to identify bottlenecks (game, render, networking, GPU). Cover testing with single player, multi player, and live server modes. Mention other helpful tools such as the FPS Tracker and Performance Mapper Tool in CC.
Player Count
The player count dramatically affects the performance of a game. Explain how such things as player attachments, and object and camera collisions can impact the performance, and how to optimize things.
Contexts
Explain how Core contexts affect the performance of a game, and how to use contexts properly to optimize performance. The most common mistakes are using the wrong contexts, and using more Networked Contexts than is actually necessary.
Models
Describe how to optimize the models in a game with such techniques as limiting the object count, and using Merged Models.
Effects
VFX and SFX can also affect the performance of a game. Spawning a lot of FX can get very expensive quickly depending on the particle size and density. Make sure effects are in the proper Core context, and have a lifespan set. Adjust the draw distance for further optimization.
Lights & Shadows
Too many lights, overlapping lights, and lights that cast shadows can significantly impact the performance. Optimization techniques include using less lights, less overlapping, and adjusting the settings and draw distance.
Decals
Too many decals can affect the performance. Use fewer decals and adjust the draw distance settings to improve performance.
Listeners
Some scripts and objects may not properly be destroyed if referring to equipment, user data, or other items in the game. See Cleaning Up Event Listeners.
Animations
There is a high cost associated with animating objects that have collision enabled. If possible, disable collisions on anything that is animated.
Triggers
Large triggers that move can also impact performance significantly.
Terrain
Describe optimization techniques for terrain and foliage within a game. Cover the various performance related settings such as LOD and draw distance.
Miscellaneous
Include any other other topics that affect performance (outline object, transparency, custom materials, etc)
Helpful Reference
- Top 18 Performance Mistakes by Core staff member Ryan (Bigglebuns).
Top_18_Performance_Mistakes.pdf (4.2 MB)
Requirements
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Publish a written and/or video tutorial on this topic to the Core forums as per the instructions in your application acceptance message.
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Provide tutorial assets (models, scripts, UI, etc) in Community Content or an editable public game, and include a link within the tutorial. This allows creators to open the final project in Core.
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Video tutorials must have voice overs in English.
Judging Criteria
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Your work will be judged based on the Judging Criteria.
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The above link also contains important information about best practices and other topics.
Questions?
If you have any questions, then please visit the challenge board channels on the Core VIP Discord server.
HOW TO APPLY
How To Apply
For instructions on how to apply, please visit the Tutorial Challenge Board Application Form post.
SUBMITTING YOUR WORK
Submitting Your Tutorial
- Your application acceptance message includes instructions on how to publish your tutorial.
- Entrants must publish their tutorial by the deadline listed in the challenge in order to be considered for payment.
- Failure to publish your tutorial on time may affect your eligibility for future challenges.
MORE INFORMATION
More Information
For more information about the rules, judging criteria, and other important information please visit the Tutorial Challenge Board Rules post.