Today we have stumbled upon following article (and related post), that is promising huge framerate boost in Batman: Arkham City with GPU PhysX effects enabled by replacing certain APEX .dll file with same .dll, but from Mafia II title (which is also featuring APEX based GPU PhysX effects). We decided to perform a little research on this effect:

Author of this method is suggesting to replace original file APEX_Clothing_x86.dll, located in Batman: AC folder, with renamed APEX Clothing.dll from Mafia II installation. Both those libraries are used by APEX Clothing module (and are responcible for cloth and clothing simulation), but have different version – Batman’s .dll is related to APEX 1.1 and the one from Mafia II – APEX 1.0.

Thus, with APEX 1.0 library cloth assets in Batman are not recognized and not simulated – they are simply appearing on level in frozen state, hovering above the ground (like carpets and posters on a screenshot below).

Disabled cloth simulation is giving you desired fps boost, but you can achieve same effect by setting “Hardware Accelerated PhysX” option to “Normal” – this will switch off all cloth and clothing simulation, leaving only particle PhysX effects, without necessity to mess up the .dlls.

To measure the effect on performance, we have tested the game using various combination of .dlls and PhysX settings (High in-game settings, DX 9).

As we expected, there is almost no difference in framerate between “tweaked” .dlls on “High PhysX” settings and original .dlls on “Normal PhysX” settings, since effect is similar – disabled cloth simulation.

Nothing like “magic tweak that increases fps by using files from older game, because new one is hobbled by purpose” as one may expect.

Sum – Pros:

• Performace boost.
• PhysX cloth objects are not removed completely, as on “Normal” PhysX settings.

Sum – Cons:

• Frozen PhysX cloth objects without proper physical interaction may look out of place.
• Older APEX .dll may decrease game stability and disable cloth simulation, that is not part of GPU PhysX effects.
• Same effect can be achieved by switching PhysX option to “Normal”, without any potential negative backwash.

We have added a set of comparison PhysX screenshots for Batman: Arkham City, which in pair with previously released comparison video are completing our GPU PhysX Profile for this title.

You can view comparison screenhots, video and additional info at Batman: Arkham City – GPU PhysX Profile page .

Time to update PhysX performance metrics of NVIDIA GPUs with newest title with Hardware PhysX support – Batman: Arkham City.

In following article we’ve tried to gather all the benchmarks and tests, published on the web.

[25.11.2011] Batman Arkham City im Technik-Test: Grafikkarten-, DirectX-11- und Physx-Benchmarks by PCGamesHardware.de

German article with graphics benchmarks, overview of DX 11 and PhysX features, and a superficial PhysX tests.

[25.11.2011] Batman Arkham City GPU Test by GameGPU.ru

Includes PhysX benchmarks with over 20 GPUs tested, however, only on “High” PhysX settings without Hybrid PhysX or dedicated GPU tests.

[27.11.2011] Preview: Batman Arkham City – výkon grafik pod DX11/DX9 a PhysX by DDWorld.cz

Czech preview article with very basic PhysX benchmarking part (only one GPU tested).

[28.11.2011] Want to play Batman: Arkham City with PhysX enabled? Get ready for some abysmal framerates by DSOGaming.com

Despite of provoking title, measured performance is not that bad. Also, this is the first article with benchmarks of dedicated PhysX GPUs.

[30.11.2011] Waiting for the patch: Batman: Arkham Asylum in DX9 mode by 3DNews.ru

Russian article with some PhysX/DX11 effects overview and decent PhysX testing.

[02.12.2011] Technik-Check: Batman: Arkham City im Benchmark-Test by GameStar.de

Includes some benchmarks with different PhysX settings. Results are interesting – GPU PhysX effects on CPU (AMD card) are faster that GPU PhysX on middle-end NVIDIA cards (in this case, minimum fps would be more meaning than average).

[02.12.2011] Batman Arkham City, DirectX 9 e DirectX 11 a confronto by HardwareUpgrade.it

Technology overview and minor PhysX testing.

[05.12.2011] Batman: Arkham City Gameplay Performance and IQ Review by HardOCP

Once again, disputable benchmarking methodology from HardOCP – NVIDIA cards are tested with GPU PhysX effects enabled and compared to AMD cards with PhysX disabled. Thus, it is shown what GPU PhysX takes – performance, but it is not revealed what it brings – additional effects.

[17.12.2011] Batman: Arkham City Performance Review by Playwares.com

Detailed article from a Korean website, however, PhysX part is most interesting for us.

[17.12.2011] Batman: Arkham City Graphics Breakdown & Performance Guide by GeForce.com

Performance and features overview from NVIDIA itself. Graphs are interesting, for example this one shows ineffectiveness of dedicated PhysX card usage in pair with GTX 560 Ti GPU.

[10.01.2012] Batman: Arkham City — podívejte se na PhysX a DX11 v akci by PCTuning.cz

Good technical review (in Czech) with strong benchmarking part (includes CPU tests, for example). For some reason, PhysX effects were tested only on “Medium” settings though.

– We’ll update this post as more articles emerge –

Batman: Arkham City, sequel to award winning Arkham Asylum title and second GPU PhysX game this year, has finally hit the shelves worldwide.

Update: Batman: Arkham City – GPU PhysX Profile

As usually, we are proud to present you our PhysX review and comparison video, showcasing extra physical effects that can be found in PC version of the game.

Can't view the video ? Watch alternative variant on Vimeo

Some technical details, like difference between PhysX settings, were already revealed in our preview article, so let’s give a score to different aspects of GPU PhysX implementation and compare them to previous Batman: Arkham Asulum title:

All effects are done accurately, with diligence – you will not see jerky or buggy behaviour (within physics engine limitations, of course), art is fine, almost everything is configured correctly. However, some particle effects could be done better – for example, it is not appealing to see when glass shards are jumping all over the place like they were made out of rubber.

PhysX effects are scattered all over the game and accumulated in a places you will visit during main storyline (for example, you won’t see dynamic paper sheets on a random street).

Overall amount of extra physics content is similar to Arkham Asylum, but the components differ: you won’t see many “environmental” cloth objects, like all those banners and flags that can be teared appart with batarang, but in return APEX Clothing module is used extensively to simulate dynamic clothing on characters, including hoodies and coats on thugs, pants on russian twin-clowns, costume of Bruce Wayne, etc.

SPH smoke, steam and fog are rare in this game, but other particles (physical debris, shards, splinters, sparks) can be encountered much more frequently. All boss battles are enhanced with unique particle effects, for example.

As a good tradition, there is psychedelic level with lots of GPU Rigid Bodies. Looks gorgeous, actually, without PhysX effects this scene feels not nearly as vivid and spectacular.

GPU PhysX effects are certanly enhancing gameplay experience, giving it a little more depth, color and vibrance, either by providing  momentum to the battles through particle debris or making the environment more believable with interactive objects.

If you are not expecting from PhysX content something it is not supposed to be (game changing or gameplay affecting feature), you will be satisfied.

At the same time, GPU PhysX support is showing a little progress in this title. Particles, cloth and stuff – we have already saw it in a games before. While PhysX effects in original Batman have received the top score, today we are forced to deduct a few points (back in 2009 most of the effects were fresh and innovative, but now “more of the same” content did not impressed us that much).

As always, hardware accelerated PhysX effects are requiring a powerfull NVIDIA GPU, however this time framerate with PhysX enabled is unusally stable (without infamous issues like spontaneous slowdowns in Alice: Madness Returns or half-GPU physics in Mafia II). On our single GTX 580, framerate was holding on 50-60 fps even in extensive PhysX scenes and never dropped below 30 frames per second.

Nevertheless, we are thinking that GPU PhysX requirements are over demanding, giving the level of physical effects found in the game.

Also, additional PhysX effects are slightly more friendly to CPU calculation this time (in case if you don’t have NVIDIA GPU), you even will be able to play certain parts of the game normally, but smooth gameplay is still a dream.

Hybrid PhysX owners will be pleased to hear that new Batman is compatible with such systems.

Update: PhysX benchmarks roundup

Great game with a good level of GPU PhysX support. Once again, main reason to choose PC version over the console ones.

Continuing the good tradition of it’s predecessor, Batman: Arkham City provides built-in benchmark with GPU PhysX (and also DX11) effects, however this time sequence is significantly shorter and less diverse.

Update: GPU PhysX in Batman: Arkham City - review and comparison video

For those who is interested how it looks like, we have prepared following video which is showcasing the difference between minimum and maximum PhysX settings.

Meanwhile, full-scale comparison PhysX video is in the works and should be available next week.

Stay tuned.

Batman: Arkham City tests the patience of PC gamers with several release delays, but will try to wheedle them with DX 11 Graphics and PhysX Technology.

Update: GPU PhysX in Batman: Arkham City - review and comparison video.

Recent comparison trailer gave us a glimpse of extra physics effects, and now we want to provide you with some additional details on what to expect from GPU PhysX content. In addition, new comparison PhysX video was released as well.

As usually, it will be possible to adjust level of in-game physics via “Hardware Accelerated PhysX” option in game’s launcher. There will be three settings:

PhysX Off: all GPU accelerated effects are disabled, only standart CPU physics (like ragdolls) is used.

PhysX Normal: enables additional particles effects (debris, volumetric smoke and steam, etc) and destructible environments.

PhysX High: includes all effects enabled withing “Normal” settings as well as realtime cloth and clothing simulation.

PhysX particle effects, most widely used type of content in GPU PhysX titles, will find their place in new Batman game. Scattered across Arkham City, they will consist of:

• Interactive SPH-smoke from fire extinguishers and smoke pellets, dynamic steam and fog.
• Ice particles for Freeze Gun and Freeze Grenade.
• Interactive debris from destructible thrown objects, like stools and vases.
• Environmental specific particles: molten and electrical sparks, coal debris, chunks, etc.
• Extra particles jutting from destructible objects like breakable glass, tiles and walls.
• Forcefields for explosions that will push particles away.

Interactive smoke and debris from Batman’s explosive gel

In addition, PhysX cloth effects are emulating the behaviour of fabric and clothing to make Batman and his enemies more realistic, as well as lend realism to environments. They will include:

• Simulated clothing on characters: coats and hoodies for Penguin, Two Face, and Joker’s thugs; Bruce Wayne’s jacket, pants, and tie.
• Dynamic paper: eviction and office papers, posters, x-ray sheets, museum tickets, etc.
• Money littering the floor of the vault (Sewer level).
• Leaves on the ground.
• Various interactive cloth objects throughout the game: rugs, banners, curtains, flags, ropes, bunting.

Banknotes are simulated as invidial cloth pieces, affected by character and weapon movement

But beauty comes with a burden, performance wise – GPU PhysX effects, especially coupled with DX 11 features like tesselation or HBAO, can bring frame rate to its knees if your GPU is not fast enough.

Various tesselation settings

Following table (based on NVIDIA testing) provides recommended baseline settings for specific GPUs to ensure the comfortable combination of playability and features (average frame rate of 40-55 frames per second and minimum 35 fps).

Batman: Arkham City is set for launch on November 22 in US and November 25 in EU.

Don’t forget to visit PhysXInfo.com soon after game’s release for comparison PhysX video, screenshots and detailed overview.

First trailer, showcasing supplementary GPU PhysX content for upcoming Batman: Arkham City title in comparison to normal “console” physics layer, was revealed today.

Update: PhysX in Batman: Arkham City article at GeForce.com

Some effects, like SPH smoke, cloth banners and “dynamic” paper, are familiar for us from previous Batman game, others, like intense particle effects, are promising new experience and immersion.

Slightly delayed PC version of Batman: Arkham City is set to be released at November 18, 2011.

In a recent interview to PCGamesHardware.de, Ben Wyatt, technical director at Rocksteady Studios, has revealed some technical details about PhysX implementation and GPU PhysX support in upcoming Batman: Arkham City title.

Let’s overview disclosed facts briefly:

• Batman Arkham City won’t use PhysX 3, but PhysX SDK 2.8.4 instead.
• GPU PhysX content will be able to run on CPU, but with significant performance drop (typical GPU exclusive content type, we presume).
• APEX Destruction (destructible objects and walls) and APEX Clothing (clothing simulation on characters, dynamic paper and leaves) modules will be utilized.

Since APEX Particles module was not mentioned, it seems that GPU accelerated particles (smoke, debris) will be based on default PhysXParticleSystem implementation (like in Alice: Madness Returns).

Update: english version of the interview from PCGamesHardware.com

PCGH: Will the PC version of Batman: Arkham City like Batman: Arkham Asylum utilize Nvidia’s PhysX API including support for Physics calculated on the GPU?

Ben Wyatt: Yes. Like Batman: Arkham Asylum, the PC version of Batman: Arkham City will feature realistic smoke, debris, leaves, and paper using GPU PhysX. There will also be features not seen in Batman: Arkham Asylum including clothing on characters.

PCGH: Which of the different APEX modules do you use (Apex Clothing/Particles (Destruction/Turbulence for fluids)? Can you give a short description where in the game APEX will be applied?

Ben Wyatt: APEX destructibles are used in the PC version for breakable elements in the game including breakable walls and objects that get thrown during fights. APEX clothing is used in the PC version for several of the characters you’ll encounter in the game and for simulating effects like paper and leaves. APEX clothing was also used for many of the cutscenes which can be seen on all platforms.

PCGH: What are the visual differences between physics calculated by CPU and GPU (via PhysX/APEX)?

Ben Wyatt: The extra PhysX effects in the PC version of the game add another dimension of realism to the game. When fighting as Batman or Catwoman, you will see walls break into splinters, paper and debris get kicked up, smoke respond realistically, and clothes on the thugs you fight.

PCGH: Are there any features that players without an Nvidia card will miss? What technical features cannot be realized with the CPU as “physics calculator”?

Ben Wyatt: All PhysX and APEX features can be run on the CPU or an NVIDIA GPU, but you can expect the game to run much slower without NVIDIA GPU acceleration when the additional PhysX effects are enabled. An NVIDIA GPU is recommended for all the additional PhysX features.

PCGH: Do you plan to use the latest PhysX SDK 3? Which advantages do you see compared to previous versions?

Ben Wyatt: Batman: Arkham City uses PhysX 2.8.4.

PC version of Batman: Arkham City is supposed to be released in first weeks of November, 2011.

At Gamescom 2011,  Rocksteady Studios have released a new set of screenshots, featuring new “Mr. Freeze” foe, for higly-anticipated Batman: Arkham City. Previous game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, was one of the best titles with GPU PhysX support, and sequel is promised to support PhysX feature too, as well as DX11 and tesselation.

However, attentive user may notice that some of those screenshots are already containing GPU PhysX effects. Let’s take a closer look:

Description for this screenshot at GeForce.com states “Broken shards of ice will really pop out with PhysX enabled”. Looks similar to APEX Destruction effects we saw in other GPU PhysX games.

This screenshot is showcasing dynamic volumetric smoke – effect, extensively used in previous Batman game.

And finally, you can notice small debris and ice shards on the floor behind Mr. Freeze – those are physically simulated particles, than can be found almost in every single title with hardware PhysX effects. When used properly, they can add a lot of immersion and fidelity to the game.

Update: more details can be found on Batman: Arkham City page at GeForce.com

Headlining the feature list is a number of PhysX-powered visual effects that add extra immersion and physicality to scenes. As seen in our screenshots, areas are enhanced with destructible surfaces, making it appear that the attacks of Batman and his foes are physically affecting the environments; extra particles are generated when characters strike surfaces with force; dense fog and smoke moves and parts realistically as characters and objects interact with it; cloth, rugs and other scene elements react similarly; glass, debris and other destructible objects deform accurately and with added detail; and in general there are more particles and more objects on the ground, in the air, and on characters, all of which can be interacted with in some way.

Batman: Arkham City is scheduled to be released on October 18 (North America) and October 21 (Europe) 2011.

Nvidia has released a small PhysX patch for Batman: Arkham Asylum title.

Update [30.01.2012]: Newer version of RRB library is available, to ensure compatibility with 4xx/5xx series GPUs.

Patch for owners with GeForce 400 Series cards and up and Batman: Arkham Asylum game.

Requires: R290 Graphics driver or greater.

In order to experience Batman: Arkham Asylum to its fullest extent when running PhysX on
Geforce 400 Series cards and up, users will need to replace the existing RRB.DLL file with
a new one. By default, the RRB.DLL can be found in one of the following directoires
depending on the version of Batman Arkham Asylum:
“…\Square Enix\Batman Arkham Asylum\Binaries”
“…\Square Enix\Batman Arkham Asylum GOTY\Binaries”
“…\Steam\Steamapps\common\batman arkham asylum\Binaries“

Where the … is replaced by one of the following depending on the OS version and if it
is a Steam version of the game:
C:\Program Files\
C:\Program Files (x86)\

If it is not located in this directory, please do a search for the filename
on your system.

The CUDA DLL cudart32_41_0.dll must also be copied to the same Binaries directory where
the RRB.dll file is located.

RRB.DLL is responsible for GPU accelerated Rigid Bodies calculations – large-scale physics effect, mostly memorable from Scarecrow nightmares.

You can download PhysX Rigid Bodies patch from here (3 mb).

Thanks to Stefan for update.