Rockstar Advanced Game Engine Explained

Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
Developer:RAGE Technology Group (Rockstar San Diego)
Replaces:Angel Game Engine
License:Proprietary

The Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE) is a proprietary game engine of Rockstar Games, developed by the RAGE Technology Group division of Rockstar San Diego (formerly Angel Studios). Since its first game, Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis in 2006, released for the Xbox 360 and Wii, the engine has been used by Rockstar Games's internal studios to develop advanced open world games for consoles and computers.

History

Early history

Angel Studios previously used the game engine Angel Real Time Simulation (ARTS) for Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr. (1998) and Midtown Madness (1999).[1] [2] The following year, Angel Studios developed Midtown Madness 2 (2000), the first title to use the new Angel Game Engine (AGE). In 2002, Angel Studios was sold to Take-Two Interactive, moved under Rockstar Games, and rebranded Rockstar San Diego. This sale also includes the AGE, later renamed Advanced Game Engine before becoming the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE).

Development

Prior to developing RAGE, Rockstar Games mostly used Criterion Games's RenderWare engine to develop games for PlayStation 2, Windows, and Xbox, such as the early 3D installments in the Grand Theft Auto franchise.[3] In 2004, Criterion Games was acquired by Electronic Arts, which led Rockstar Games to switch from RenderWare, and open RAGE Technology Group as a division of Rockstar San Diego.[4] RAGE Technology Group started developing what would later become RAGE, based on Rockstar San Diego's previous Angel Game Engine (AGE).[5] The first game to use the engine was Rockstar San Diego's Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis, released for Xbox 360 on May 23, 2006[6] and ported to the Wii more than a year later. Since then, RAGE integrates the third-party middleware components Euphoria[7] and Bullet, as character animation engine and physics engine, respectively.[8] [9]

On seventh generation consoles, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, RAGE often saw a disparity in the optimization on the hardware: major titles on PlayStation 3 usually had lower resolution and minor graphic effects, as in Grand Theft Auto IV (720p vs. 640p),[10] [11] in (1280×720p vs. 960×720p)[12] and in Red Dead Redemption (720p vs. 640p).[13] Despite its problems in optimization equality, in July 2009, Chris Stead of IGN voted RAGE as one of the "10 Best Game Engines of [the 7th] Generation", saying: "RAGE's strengths are many. Its ability to handle large streaming worlds, complex A.I. arrangements, weather effects, fast network code and a multitude of gameplay styles will be obvious to anyone who has played GTA IV."[14]

Since the release of Max Payne 3, the engine supports DirectX 11 and stereoscopic 3D rendering for personal computers.[15] Max Payne 3 also marked the first time in which RAGE was capable of rendering the same 720p resolution on a game, both on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This benefit has been achieved also in Grand Theft Auto V, which renders at a 720p resolution on both consoles.[16]

For the remastered versions of Grand Theft Auto V, RAGE was reworked for the eighth generation of video game consoles, with 1080p resolution support for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[17] The PC version of the game, released in 2015, showed RAGE supporting 4K resolution and frame rates at 60 frames per second, as well as more powerful draw distances, texture filtering, and improved shadow mapping and tessellation quality.[18]

RAGE would later be further refined with the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018, supporting physically based rendering, volumetric clouds and fog values, pre-calculated global illumination[19] [20] as well as a Vulkan renderer in the Windows version.[21] The Euphoria engine was overhauled to create advanced AI as well as enhanced physics and animations for the game.[22] [23] HDR support was added in May 2019.[24] [25] [26] Support for Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) was added in July 2021.[27] [28] [29] [30]

The 2022 release of Grand Theft Auto V for the ninth generation of video game consoles introduced several enhancements, incorporating features from later RAGE titles. Raytraced reflections, native 4K resolution on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, upscaled 4K on the Xbox Series S, as well as HDR support were added.[31] [32] [33]

Games using RAGE

YearTitlePlatform(s)Developer(s)
Developed as AGE
2000Midtown Madness 2WindowsAngel Studios
PlayStation 2
Smuggler's Run
2001PlayStation 2, Xbox
Smuggler's Run 2PlayStation 2
Transworld SurfGameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
2002GameCube
2003SpyHunter 2PlayStation 2, Xbox
Midnight Club IIPlayStation 2, Windows, XboxRockstar San Diego
2004Red Dead RevolverPlayStation 2, Xbox
2005PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox
2006PlayStation 2, Xbox
2008Playstation PortableRockstar San Diego, Rockstar London
Developed as RAGE
2006Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis[34] Xbox 360, WiiRockstar San Diego
2008Grand Theft Auto IV[35] PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, WindowsRockstar North
[36] PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Rockstar San Diego
2009Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, WindowsRockstar North
2010Red Dead Redemption[37] PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4Rockstar San Diego
2012Max Payne 3[38] PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, OS XRockstar Studios
2013Grand Theft Auto V[39] Rockstar North
2018Red Dead Redemption 2PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, StadiaRockstar Studios
2025Grand Theft Auto VI[40] [41] PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SRockstar Studios

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Antunes . José . 1999-04-11 . A loucura da Microsoft . 2024-08-05 . PÚBLICO . pt.
  2. Web site: 2022-09-28 . Software Industry Takes Hard Stand Against Piracy - San Diego Business Journal . 2024-08-05 . web.archive.org.
  3. Web site: September 12, 2005 . 'This is the game that will put PSP over the top.' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160526082442/http://www.1up.com/previews/liberty-city-stories_5 . May 26, 2016 . 1Up.com.
  4. Web site: Seite 2: Die wichtigsten Spiele-Engines – Hinter den Hits . Page 2: The Most Important Game Engines – Behind the Hits . Patrick . Mittler . December 26, 2013 . . de . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025851/http://www.gamestar.de/artikel/die-wichtigsten-spiele-engines-hinter-den-hits,3031120,seite2.html . November 7, 2017 . live .
  5. Web site: April 23, 2008 . Rockstar explains the tech behind GTA4, with new screens. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161009160657/http://www.1up.com/previews/grand-theft-auto-iv_3 . October 9, 2016 . 1Up.com.
  6. Web site: That Time Rockstar Made A Table Tennis Game . Patrick . Klepek . January 4, 2016 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015913/https://kotaku.com/that-time-rockstar-made-a-table-tennis-game-1750981913 . November 7, 2017 . live .
  7. Web site: Nine years later, one feature in GTA4 has never been bettered – here's its story . Kirk . McKeand . . February 12, 2017 . March 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313153808/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-02-12-one-thing-about-gta4-has-never-been-bettered . March 13, 2018 . live .
  8. Rockstar Fills its Games With Euphoria . Susan . Arendt . February 28, 2007 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103410/https://www.wired.com/2007/02/rockstar_fills_/ . December 31, 2017 . live .
  9. Web site: AMD Talks GPU Gaming Physics: Bullet Physics – The Future of GPU-Accelerated Physics? . Ben . Hardwidge . February 17, 2011 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103413/https://www.bit-tech.net/reviews/tech/graphics/amd-manju-hegde-gaming-physics/3/ . December 31, 2017 . live .
  10. Web site: Face-Off: Max Payne 3 . Thomas . Morgan . May 22, 2012 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051748/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-max-payne-3-face-off . December 31, 2017 . live .
  11. Web site: Grand Theft Auto IV: PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Special • Page 3 . Richard . Leadbetter . May 5, 2008 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051635/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/grand-theft-auto-iv-ps3-vs-xbox-360-special-article?page=3 . December 31, 2017 . live .
  12. Web site: Xbox 360 vs. PS3 Face-Off: Round 15 • Page 3 . Richard . Leadbetter . November 4, 2008 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051653/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/xbox-360-vs-ps3-face-off-round-15-article?page=3 . December 31, 2017 . live .
  13. Web site: Analysis: Red Dead Redemption on PS3 vs. Xbox 360 . Matt . Peckham . May 19, 2010 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170704121123/http://www.pcworld.com/article/196661/red_dead_redemption_ps3_xbox_360.html . July 4, 2017 . live .
  14. Web site: The 10 Best Game Engines of This Generation . Chris . Stead . July 15, 2009 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170523233617/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/15/the-10-best-game-engines-of-this-generation . May 23, 2017 . live .
  15. Web site: Max Payne 3 PC supports DirectX 11, 3D . Fred . Dutton . March 22, 2012 . . March 26, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120324183644/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-22-max-payne-3-pc-supports-directx-11-3d . March 24, 2012 . live .
  16. Web site: Face-Off: Grand Theft Auto 5 . Thomas . Morgan . September 17, 2013 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130917164236/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-grand-theft-auto-5-face-off . September 17, 2013 . live .
  17. Web site: GTAV: IGN Delivers New Details – First Person Experience Revealed . November 4, 2014 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171216204643/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52341/gtav-ign-delivers-new-details-first-person-experience . December 16, 2017 . live .
  18. Web site: Face-Off: Grand Theft Auto 5 on PC . Thomas . Morgan . April 21, 2015 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051745/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-grand-theft-auto-5-pc-face-off . December 31, 2017 . live .
  19. Web site: Linneman . John . Red Dead Redemption 2 analysis: a once-in-a-generation technological achievement . Eurogamer . 24 February 2020 . en . 25 October 2018 . February 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200224043434/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2018-red-dead-redemption-2-tech-analysis . live .
  20. Web site: Linneman . John . October 3, 2017 . Red Dead Redemption 2's state-of-the-art technology analysed . live . https://archive.today/20180215143723/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2017-red-dead-redemption-2-trailer-tech-analysis . February 15, 2018 . February 15, 2018 . Eurogamer.
  21. Web site: Moass . Dominic . 2019-11-07 . Vulkan vs DX12 Red Dead Redemption 2 PC Performance Analysis . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200224043433/https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/dominic-moass/vulkan-vs-dx12-red-dead-redemption-2-pc-performance-analysis/ . February 24, 2020 . February 24, 2020 . KitGuru.
  22. Web site: Parijat . Shubhankar . 24 October 2018 . Red Dead Redemption 2's Euphoria Engine Is "Radically Overhauled", Says Rockstar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106085307/https://gamingbolt.com/red-dead-redemption-2s-euphoria-engine-is-radically-overhauled-says-rockstar . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . GamingBolt.
  23. Web site: McKeand . Kirk . 12 December 2018 . Best of 2018: Red Dead Redemption 2 - how advanced AI and physics create the most believable open world yet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106085306/https://www.vg247.com/red-dead-redemption-2-physics-ai-euphoria-phil-hooker-interview . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . VG247.
  24. Web site: Sinha . Ravi . 17 May 2019 . Red Dead Redemption 2 Title Update Fixes HDR, Adds Calibration Menu . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106093343/https://gamingbolt.com/red-dead-redemption-2-title-update-fixes-hdr-adds-calibration-menu . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . GamingBolt.
  25. Web site: Murnane . Kevin . 24 May 2019 . 'Red Dead Remption 2' Finally Gets An HDR Patch. How Does It Look? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106085306/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinmurnane/2019/05/24/red-dead-remption-2-finally-gets-an-hdr-patch-how-does-it-look/?sh=3c814e9781d1 . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . Forbes.
  26. Web site: Morgan . Thomas . Fairclough . Adam . 24 May 2019 . Red Dead Redemption 2 patch 1.09 tested: has HDR been fixed? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106085306/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2019-red-dead-redemption-2-patch-109-adds-excellent-hdr . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . Eurogamer.
  27. Web site: Robinson . Andy . 13 July 2021 . Red Dead Redemption 2 PC's DLSS update is out, with a '45% 4K performance boost' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106095939/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/red-dead-redemption-2-pcs-dlss-update-is-out-with-a-45-4k-performance-boost/ . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . Video Games Chronicle.
  28. Web site: Prescott . Shaun . 14 July 2021 . Red Dead Redemption 2 DLSS update brings 'up to' 45 percent performance boost today . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716163836/https://www.pcgamer.com/red-dead-redemption-2-dlss-update-brings-up-to-45-percent-performance-boost-today/ . July 16, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . PC Gamer.
  29. Web site: Klotz . Aaron . 14 July 2021 . Red Dead Redemption 2 Finally Gets DLSS Support . November 6, 2021 . . January 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125075518/https://www.tomshardware.com/news/red-dead-redemption-2-dlss-update . live .
  30. Web site: Stobing . Chris . 16 July 2021 . We Tested the New DLSS 2.2 Update for Red Dead Redemption 2: Here's What We Saw . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210715172856/https://sea.pcmag.com/graphics-cards/44836/we-tested-the-new-dlss-22-update-for-red-dead-redemption-2-heres-what-we-saw . July 15, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . PCMag.
  31. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . 2022-03-04 . GTA 5 PS5 and Xbox Series X remaster offers a mix of 4K, 60 fps, and ray tracing . 2024-03-29 . Polygon . en-US . March 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240329024150/https://www.polygon.com/22961444/gta-5-remaster-enhanced-expanded-ps5-xbox-series-x . live .
  32. Web site: Kerry . Ben . 2022-12-29 . Video: Digital Foundry Puts GTA5 Ray Tracing To The Test On Xbox Series X . 2024-03-28 . Pure Xbox . March 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240329024150/https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/12/video-digital-foundry-puts-gta5-ray-tracing-to-the-test-on-xbox-series-x . live .
  33. Web site: 2022-03-04 . GTAV and GTA Online Coming March 15 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series XS . 2024-03-29 . Rockstar Games . March 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240329160743/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/172872k8a375k8/gtav-and-gta-online-coming-march-15-for-playstation-5-and-xbox-series . live .
  34. Web site: The First Rule Of Ping-Pong Club: Talk About Rockstar's Table Tennis Game . Totilo . Stephen . May 4, 2006 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180114040434/http://www.mtv.com/news/1530131/the-first-rule-of-ping-pong-club-talk-about-rockstars-table-tennis-game/ . January 14, 2018 . dead .
  35. Web site: Grand Theft Auto IV powered by Table Tennis engine? . Tor . Thorsen . June 15, 2006 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103419/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-iv-powered-by-table-tennis-engine/1100-6236336/ . December 31, 2017 . live .
  36. Web site: Midnight Club: Los Angeles Preview . Chris . Roper . August 23, 2007 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107115344/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/23/gc-2007-midnight-club-los-angeles-preview . November 7, 2017 . live .
  37. Web site: Rockstar unveils Red Dead Redemption . Tom . Bramwell . February 4, 2009 . . October 30, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120530180723/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rockstar-unveils-red-dead-redemption . May 30, 2012 . live .
  38. Web site: Balding Max Payne 3 sighted . Tom . Bramwell . June 10, 2009 . . October 30, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120319023644/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/balding-max-payne-3-sighted . March 19, 2012 . live .
  39. Web site: Rockstar Game Tips: Learn from the Max Payne 3 Leaderboard Legends . October 10, 2012 . . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103520/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/45251/rockstar-game-tips-learn-from-the-max-payne-3-leaderboard-legend.html . December 31, 2017 . live .
  40. Web site: 2023-12-06 . Grand Theft Auto 6 - DF Direct GTA 6 Special - Trailer 1 Tech Breakdown . 2023-12-09 . Digital Foundry . en . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209102316/https://www.digitalfoundry.net/grand-theft-auto-6-df-direct-gta-6-special-trailer-1-tech-breakdown . live .
  41. Web site: Thompson . Michael . 2023-12-07 . The GTA 6 Game Engine Looks Insane - IGN's Grand Theft Auto 6 Performance Preview . 2023-12-09 . IGN . en . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209102316/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-gta-6-game-engine-looks-insane-igns-grand-theft-auto-6-performance-preview . live .

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