id Software’s latest update for DOOM: The Dark Ages focuses on portable play, delivering smarter configuration, better performance, and clearer targets for popular handheld PCs like Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and of course the Xbox Ally.
According to id Software, this update introduces Handheld Setting Autodetection. On first launch, the game recognizes handheld hardware and applies optimal settings for that specific device. Players can still tune visuals and performance to their preference, and those settings are saved per device for easy reuse.
With this new Handheld mode, players will see vast improvements in terms of performance, while visual and audio effects are optimized for smaller screens and mobile chipsets. A new Benchmark Mode and advanced options help fine-tune the balance between image quality and frame rate. Docked play feels smoother too, thanks to input refinements and better external controller detection.
Here are the performance targets id Software says players should expect on handheld devices:
- Steam Deck: 720p at approximately 30 FPS
- Z1 devices (for example ASUS ROG Ally): 720p at approximately 30 FPS
- Z1E devices (for example ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go): 1080p at approximately 30 FPS
- Z2A devices (for example Xbox ROG Ally): 720p at approximately 30 FPS
- Z2E devices (for example Xbox ROG Ally X): 1080p at approximately 60 FPS
Of course, results can vary depending on driver versions, user settings, and power sources. The listed targets assume a high-performance or turbo power profile and that the devices aren’t running on battery. Running on battery shouldn’t drastically change these targets, but it will shorten playtime.
Still, this is perhaps the first time we’ve seen a developer hammer out such an update that finally shows difference in power between the Ryzen Z1E and Ryzen Z2E chipsets, which there being a 30 Frames per second difference, again, according to id Software.
While I haven’t yet tested the latest update on my Steam Deck or ROG Ally X, here’s hoping DOOM The Dark Ages runs better on these devices. Xbox previously showcased the game running smoothly on the Xbox Ally lineup, but from my own experience, the performance wasn’t ideal unless settings were dropped to low or medium. Doing that improved frame rate, but the visual quality took a noticeable hit, so I’m really looking forward to testing out this update for myself.
Source: Bethesda
