How do I improve performance by disabling shadows?
Update 7 added a full shadow-off option that NerveLabs says can improve performance significantly.
Quick answer
Install Update 7 or later, open Video Settings and turn shadows off. NerveLabs specifically describes the new option as providing significantly improved performance; no configuration-file edit is required by the official fix.
Early Access note: this page is verified for Early Access Update 7; mechanics, locations and commands may change in later updates.
Steps
- Update the game to Update 7 or later.
- Open the game's Video Settings.
- Set shadows to Off.
- Return to the same slow area and compare performance before changing another setting.
Requirements / limits
- The shadow-off control was added in Update 7.
- NerveLabs does not publish a universal frame-rate gain because hardware and scene load differ.
- The official advice supports changing the in-game setting, not editing engine files.
Common mistakes
- Following an older guide that says shadows cannot be disabled.
- Changing several graphics settings at once and losing track of which one helped.
- Claiming a fixed FPS increase that the developer did not provide.