The Dead Space Remake could make Nvidia PhysX relevant again

pcgamesn.com:

A new Dead Space remake teaser shows its visual effects, and it could help PhysX become a thing again within the gaming PC scene. The short clip demonstrates environmental effects that “live in the physics world,” something that breathes life into the sci-fi horror game’s particles.

According to a Dead Space remake clip, elements like smoke will “interact” with player movement, leading to a more natural effect. In turn, this means players can manipulate things like smoke, fog, pyrotechnics, and fumes, facilitating an extra layer of eerie immersion.

It’s worth noting that while PhysX is anything but new, most modern gaming PC discussions revolve around features like ray tracing. In a way, this Dead Space trailer thrusts particle simulation back into the spotlight, meaning we could see the upcoming games take full advantage of VFX. Naturally, the tech will also undoubtedly play an important role when it comes to the best VR headset games, with concepts like the metaverse relying on ultra-realistic digital spaces.

It’s worth reiterating that developers need to go out of their way to implement VFX, with applications like Nvidia PhysX requiring specific coding. As a result, support for its inclusion in games is hit and miss, which is a shame when you consider its potential.

Updated VFX including fog, smoke, and pyrotechnics