TL;DR
Microsoft’s new Advanced Shader Delivery technology enables Forza Horizon 6 to boot in just 4 seconds on supported hardware, a 95% reduction in load time. This development highlights advancements in game startup performance for Windows PCs.
Microsoft’s Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) technology has enabled Forza Horizon 6 to load in just four seconds on supported hardware, a drastic reduction from nearly a minute and a half previously, according to the company.
Microsoft revealed that using ASD, which precompiles shaders and stores them in a cloud-based database, the game now launches almost instantaneously on Windows 11 PCs with RDNA 3 and newer GPUs. The reduction in load time is confirmed through testing with an AMD RX 7600 GPU and a Ryzen 7 5800 CPU, where load times dropped from approximately 90 seconds to only four seconds during first launch.
ASD works by detecting the user’s hardware configuration and downloading precompiled shaders from a cloud database before game launch, eliminating the need for real-time shader compilation during startup. This process is similar to technologies used by consoles and some Linux-based systems, but is now being extended to Windows PCs via the Microsoft Store and Xbox PC app.
Microsoft states that ASD is currently limited to RDNA 3 and later GPUs, and only available for games downloaded through the Xbox PC app or Microsoft Store. At least 34 titles are expected to support ASD immediately, as they were part of the original announcement for the Xbox ROG Ally handheld device. The feature is in preview and requires participation in the Xbox Insiders program.
Why It Matters
This development matters because it addresses one of the last remaining bottlenecks in PC gaming: long load times. By significantly reducing startup times, ASD enhances user experience, especially for gamers with high-performance GPUs. It also signals a move toward more console-like instant-on capabilities for PC gaming, potentially influencing future hardware and software design.
Moreover, the technology’s expansion to mainstream gaming could pressure other GPU manufacturers and game developers to adopt similar solutions, further improving load times across the industry. However, it remains unclear when ASD will be available for non-AMD GPUs or for games outside the Microsoft Store ecosystem.
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Background
Microsoft announced ASD for Xbox ROG Ally handhelds last year, initially targeting handheld gaming devices. The technology involves precompiling shaders and storing them in a cloud database, which is then downloaded based on hardware configuration. AMD’s support for ASD on RDNA 3 GPUs marks the first major integration into PC gaming, with other GPU vendors like Nvidia and Intel developing comparable features—Nvidia’s ‘Auto Shader Compilation’ and Intel’s ‘Precompiled Shader Distribution’—though these are not yet fully integrated into Windows or available universally.
Prior to this, load times for demanding PC games like Forza Horizon 6 could take over a minute, especially on systems without optimized shader caching. The move toward cloud-based precompilation aligns with industry trends toward faster, more seamless gaming experiences facilitated by SSDs and cloud technology.
“Using ASD, Forza Horizon 6 now boots in only four seconds on supported hardware, a 95% reduction in load times.”
— Microsoft spokesperson
“This is a significant step toward reducing game load times, bringing PC gaming closer to console-like instant start capabilities.”
— Hassam Nasir, hardware enthusiast
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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear when ASD will be available for all GPUs, including Nvidia and Intel, or when it will be integrated into other game stores beyond the Microsoft ecosystem. The long-term stability and compatibility of ASD across different hardware configurations remain to be seen as the technology moves out of preview.
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What’s Next
Microsoft is expected to expand ASD support to additional GPUs and titles in the coming months. Further updates on integration with Nvidia and Intel hardware are anticipated, along with broader adoption by game developers and storefronts. Monitoring the progress of ASD’s rollout will be key for understanding its impact on PC gaming performance.
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Key Questions
How does Advanced Shader Delivery improve game load times?
ASD precompiles shaders and downloads them from a cloud database based on your hardware, eliminating real-time shader compilation during game startup, which speeds up load times significantly.
Is ASD available on all GPUs and systems?
No, currently ASD is limited to RDNA 3 and newer GPUs and is only accessible through the Xbox PC app or Microsoft Store for supported titles. Support for Nvidia and Intel GPUs is in development.
Will ASD work with all games on Windows?
ASD is currently supported on at least 34 games announced for the Xbox ROG Ally, with broader support expected as the technology matures and expands beyond the preview phase.
Do I need to be part of the Xbox Insiders program to use ASD?
Yes, enabling ASD requires participation in the Xbox Insiders program and the use of the Xbox Insiders Hub app.
