Switch 2 GameChat boosts performance in Capcom RE Engine games like Pragmata

While Switch 2 GameChat makes it easier to communicate with friends, it can diminish performance. Digital Foundry confirmed that the multiple windows reduce frame rates in some titles. Surprisingly, that’s not the case in several Capcom games, including Pragmata, recently reviewed by Notebookcheck.

Oddities of the RE Engine

When Nintendo first showcased the feature, fans noted choppy camera feeds. Given that live chats consume system resources, the developers opted to prioritize gameplay. Still, explained in a Patreon-locked podcast, Digital Foundry discovered that in Layers of Fear, frame rates fell by around 7.5%. However, the opposite is true in Switch 2 games that rely on the RE Engine.

Admired for its versatility, Capcom’s proprietary engine has expanded beyond the Resident Evil franchise. That said, its implementation in the handheld port of Pragmata isn’t flawless. Frame rates may dip from 50 fps into the 30s when exploring the more detailed environments. Yet, GameChat can slightly enhance performance.

Nintendo allows gamers to choose from three different layout settings. The site found that, with RE engine candidates, the smaller GameChat window option produced smoother visuals. In the Pragmata Switch 2 version, readings jumped from 54 fps to 60 fps, a target that’s normally difficult to meet.

When enlarging the window to medium and large, the advantages are less noticeable. Using another scene for testing, frame rates went from 47 fps to 46 fps with chat at its maximum size. Shrinking the window to medium or small sees those marks improve to 58 and 60 fps, respectively.

The cost of the GameChat fps boost

The phenomenon is not limited to one title. In Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, frame rates rise from 50 fps to 60 fps. Unfortunately, the upgrade comes at the expense of resolution. Normally running at 540p in docked mode, Pragmata renders graphics at 360p using the smallest GameChat option. That bumps up to 432p with the medium setting.

Why other Switch 2 games don’t exhibit the same behavior is under investigation. Nevertheless, the performance hack is an unconventional way to minimize stuttering in Capcom RE Engine releases.