Intel has officially announced the release of the XeSS 2 SDK (Intel Xe Super Sampling 2), along with all the necessary plugins to facilitate the integration of this technology into video games and applications. The release was made through GitHub, where version 2.0.1 of the SDK is now available, marking an important step in promoting the adoption of this technology among developers and the modding community.
What’s Included in the XeSS 2 SDK
The development kit released by Intel consists of three key components:
- XeSS Super Resolution (XeSS-SR): a scaling technology compatible with all GPUs that support Shader Model 6.4 (DP4A).
- XeSS Frame Generation (XeSS-FG): a frame generation system available only for Intel Arc graphics with Matrix (XMX) extensions.
- Xe Low Latency (XeLL): a tool for reducing latency in games, applicable to both dedicated and integrated Arc GPUs.
To facilitate implementation, Intel has also released plugins for Unreal Engine 4 and 5, as well as for Unity, allowing developers to easily and quickly integrate these technologies. Additionally, the company has updated the XeSS Inspector tool, which allows for debugging, tuning, and real-time visualization of the XeSS integration, checking events, API calls, and generating frame dumps.
The Promise of Open Source Still Unfulfilled
Despite the advancements this release represents, Intel has yet to fulfill one of the promises made with the arrival of its first Arc Alchemist graphics cards: to release XeSS as an open-source technology. For now, the company continues to distribute XeSS in the form of precompiled libraries, similar to how NVIDIA handles DLSS, straying from AMD’s approach, which with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) does support a fully open solution.
The lack of open source limits customization and adaptation possibilities from the community, something that could have set Intel apart in a market where transparency and open collaboration are increasingly valued.
Video Games that Already Integrate XeSS 2
Although adoption is still in its early stages, several titles have already confirmed the integration of XeSS 2, including:
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20)
- Delta Force: Black Hawk Down
- Diablo IV (March 18)
- F1 24
- FragPunk
- Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Killing Floor 3 (March 25)
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Marvel Rivals
- Payday 3
An Important Step, but with Outstanding Tasks
The launch of the XeSS 2 SDK and its complementary tools represents a clear advancement in Intel’s strategy to compete in the realm of scaling and frame generation technologies. However, the company still needs to take steps towards a truly open approach, as demanded by parts of the development community and advanced users.
Until then, Intel will continue to compete in a space where NVIDIA and AMD are leading with established solutions, where transparency and openness could be a key differentiating factor for the future of XeSS.
via: Intel XeSS