[GH-ISSUE #1594] CUSA03173 Bloodborne: Dark spots in the DLC only happening on Intel CPUs #541

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opened 2026-02-27 21:06:48 +03:00 by kerem · 17 comments
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Originally created by @Missake212 on GitHub (Nov 25, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/issues/1594

While looking around in the DLC, I noticed what I would qualify as weird black/dark spots, at first glance I could tell it wasn't this way on real hardware. Here's how it looks on my game:
Capture d'écran 2024-11-19 055744

And here's how it looks like on real hardware (couldn't get a screenshot since I can't go online on my ps4):
GcubCF1WoAAJCFS

Intrigued, I asked around in the BB channel if people were willing to go there and check for themselves, and I quickly noticed a pattern. My rig has an Intel cpu (13900k) and an Nvidia gpu (4090), I asked brad from the discord if he could test and here's how it looks for him (he has an AMD 5600x and an Nvidia 2080 Super):
zzzzz

Seeing this we can tell that it appears to render normally on systems with AMD cpus. I asked for some more testing and here are the results I got from the Discord, black means the textures appear black and dark, normal means it renders like the game on original hardware:
Capture d'écran 2024-11-25 101408

I don't know why exactly this issue appears on system with Intel cpus, also it's not like the sfx issue where it affects only 12th, 13th and 14th gen, it also affects older intel cpus. I want to add that I've tested multiple different builds, some with tess, some without, and the issue always happened for me, so I'm pretty sure it's a hardware issue. I noticed more spots in the DLC where this issue happens, though I didn't go further than Ludwig myself, so there's maybe even more, and I also didn't really check the base game to see if this also happens outside of the DLC. Here are a few more examples of those dark textures:
Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010015
Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010023
Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010031
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174114
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174448
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174518
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174541

Finally, following brad's suggestion, I tried to see if removing baked lights would maybe have an effect on the issue, and it seems he was right. Here's how it looks like with the baked lights removed, it sometimes kind of solve the issue, but some other times make everything black:
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202727
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202756
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202619
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202636
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202557

Also, shining a light source, such as the player's light or a torch for example seems to make the darkened texture display a little bit closer to real hardware:
Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010306
Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010303
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174114
Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174151

Here are a few more screenshots from brad (with his amd cpu):
qzdzqdzqdzqqzddzq
gdfgdfgfdg
hjkjhkjhkjhkjh

If you find any more spots, whether in the DLC or in the base game, feel free to share your screenshots here, don't know if there's much the devs can do about this, and I'm sure there's many other issues that should be taken care of first before this one, but I wanted to post about it anyway, hoping that more people are aware of it and don't open a new issue with barely any valuable information, or ask the devs and contributors in the help channel about it.

Originally created by @Missake212 on GitHub (Nov 25, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/issues/1594 While looking around in the DLC, I noticed what I would qualify as weird black/dark spots, at first glance I could tell it wasn't this way on real hardware. Here's how it looks on my game: ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-19 055744](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/aeb9345a-3e7c-47ee-80c0-e10bf8c27029) And here's how it looks like on real hardware (couldn't get a screenshot since I can't go online on my ps4): ![GcubCF1WoAAJCFS](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8bcafb3d-49c5-4771-b01a-68a89ed1cea8) Intrigued, I asked around in the BB channel if people were willing to go there and check for themselves, and I quickly noticed a pattern. My rig has an Intel cpu (13900k) and an Nvidia gpu (4090), I asked brad from the discord if he could test and here's how it looks for him (he has an AMD 5600x and an Nvidia 2080 Super): ![zzzzz](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a0ffddf8-e3eb-4b29-b4b8-43261170a883) Seeing this we can tell that it appears to render normally on systems with AMD cpus. I asked for some more testing and here are the results I got from the Discord, black means the textures appear black and dark, normal means it renders like the game on original hardware: ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-25 101408](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6a63bcdb-f36b-4655-9036-85573e9ad5d4) I don't know why exactly this issue appears on system with Intel cpus, also it's not like the sfx issue where it affects only 12th, 13th and 14th gen, it also affects older intel cpus. I want to add that I've tested multiple different builds, some with tess, some without, and the issue always happened for me, so I'm pretty sure it's a hardware issue. I noticed more spots in the DLC where this issue happens, though I didn't go further than Ludwig myself, so there's maybe even more, and I also didn't really check the base game to see if this also happens outside of the DLC. Here are a few more examples of those dark textures: ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010015](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fe96cf51-5830-4d11-bd1b-5b9be46d3b8f) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010023](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/136517a8-271f-40f9-bbb6-b6d2a01f8494) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010031](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b1714f00-84df-4049-92c4-2e03a894b32f) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174114](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/84f7979d-4b32-4a7e-969d-590678dfdef3) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174448](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6c32b26a-d6f3-4e55-8b32-981e85f121ce) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174518](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d568febb-fc13-4b35-b416-79af44af2f07) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174541](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3f517af4-3e28-4aa0-a050-1ecf087949d6) Finally, following brad's suggestion, I tried to see if removing baked lights would maybe have an effect on the issue, and it seems he was right. Here's how it looks like with the baked lights removed, it sometimes kind of solve the issue, but some other times make everything black: ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202727](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e7c499c2-bcdc-46c1-8c5b-ed0ea2e5a375) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202756](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a0ee134f-f4ee-47db-afd0-48c4a94d377b) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202619](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/112cab7f-5815-4db4-b403-925bb1c40b42) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202636](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/990591a9-9336-46d0-a5b8-3e0e4b2053ab) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 202557](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/67378e87-10d4-4efa-8d75-3d948be1daa6) Also, shining a light source, such as the player's light or a torch for example seems to make the darkened texture display a little bit closer to real hardware: ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010306](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b86f4758-f543-4317-b193-c2facbd9b62f) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-23 010303](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fdd818c0-90f6-4899-a1bd-2b0c7a72c73e) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174114](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f88b3c35-367e-4739-a9c9-debc52b8ba3e) ![Capture d'écran 2024-11-24 174151](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c8cd003f-6fa6-456e-9b62-cd039725244d) Here are a few more screenshots from brad (with his amd cpu): ![qzdzqdzqdzqqzddzq](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/861d37d4-5dc7-4b2a-93ce-7d8fe8d3d2f3) ![gdfgdfgfdg](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c9a74d19-837c-48b0-9819-ff4c57583457) ![hjkjhkjhkjhkjh](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fc6630d4-1f08-43e0-a032-3811ad4d6d99) If you find any more spots, whether in the DLC or in the base game, feel free to share your screenshots here, don't know if there's much the devs can do about this, and I'm sure there's many other issues that should be taken care of first before this one, but I wanted to post about it anyway, hoping that more people are aware of it and don't open a new issue with barely any valuable information, or ask the devs and contributors in the help channel about it.
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@GHU7924 commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2024):

Yes, there is such a problem.
1
2

It turns out something like there is not enough light source...
The hair of dogs is also.

3
4
5

I also have some kind of ripples on the textures or whatever it is, I don't know what to call it correctly.

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7b0cf62d-8dde-44e4-984c-4ef3430449d3

<!-- gh-comment-id:2497772752 --> @GHU7924 commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2024): Yes, there is such a problem. ![1](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4817266b-3286-471b-973f-b60771b93e01) ![2](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/af2a4e7d-6ff5-470a-a5c4-263f7453434b) It turns out something like there is not enough light source... The hair of dogs is also. ![3](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9369b86f-ceb5-45e1-9edc-3c95c68b9898) ![4](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8f91ab18-c7c5-4e29-b2c2-04c1220e3889) ![5](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/38f0a571-8686-4441-a7e9-5d487fb9a609) I also have some kind of ripples on the textures or whatever it is, I don't know what to call it correctly. https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7b0cf62d-8dde-44e4-984c-4ef3430449d3
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@Missake212 commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2024):

Yeah I noticed those two issues (the dog's hair and the flickering on the ground) but I'm not sure if all these issues are related or not.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2498625068 --> @Missake212 commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2024): Yeah I noticed those two issues (the dog's hair and the flickering on the ground) but I'm not sure if all these issues are related or not.
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@GHU7924 commented on GitHub (Nov 29, 2024):

As a result, I still did not understand what was broken, either the lighting or the shadows. Here is an example, compare the shadow of the main character and the shadow of the tombstone.

1234

Of course, the problem may be something else.

shad_log.txt

Patches:
Skip Intro
Disable Chromatic Aberration
Disable Motion Blur
Disable HTTP Requests
Force Enable Old Hunters DLC

the situation is the same without patches.

Edit:

At first I didn't notice that there are different textures in this place, one of them seems to be covered with something.

1
2
3

The problem may be something else.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2507869647 --> @GHU7924 commented on GitHub (Nov 29, 2024): As a result, I still did not understand what was broken, either the lighting or the shadows. Here is an example, compare the shadow of the main character and the shadow of the tombstone. ![1234](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a46d53a0-f9cd-4e2c-bf7e-cfb3560c173a) Of course, the problem may be something else. [shad_log.txt](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/17959950/shad_log.txt) Patches: Skip Intro Disable Chromatic Aberration Disable Motion Blur Disable HTTP Requests Force Enable Old Hunters DLC the situation is the same without patches. Edit: At first I didn't notice that there are different textures in this place, one of them seems to be covered with something. ![1](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/dc08058e-b88d-47c8-bc70-71672c9b34c3) ![2](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/74b7c326-c02c-4c23-9c1c-e09138fc263a) ![3](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/346d4a27-893f-4728-a7e0-2fc34f5521a0) The problem may be something else.
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@Missake212 commented on GitHub (Dec 2, 2024):

Try #1451 ?

Pretty outdated but the fix may help

Any way to download an expired build? Tried to search how a little bit but couldn't find a concrete answer, I'm new to Github

<!-- gh-comment-id:2510998962 --> @Missake212 commented on GitHub (Dec 2, 2024): > Try #1451 ? > > Pretty outdated but the fix may help Any way to download an expired build? Tried to search how a little bit but couldn't find a concrete answer, I'm new to Github
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@GHU7924 commented on GitHub (Dec 2, 2024):

Because of the many builds in different directions, you start to get confused about when and which build improved something for you or, conversely, worsened it.
I launched the DLC not so long ago and I don't remember if there were such problems, so to check it out, I started downloading different builds, including version 0.4.0 and even version 0.3.0. It's the same there. So I thought maybe it's not about the emulator.
With the exception of various builds and their updates, the only thing that has changed on my PC lately is updating Nvidia drivers (I now have driver 566.14 installed on November 12) and reinstalling Windows 11 from version 23H2 to version 24H2.

I wanted to try checking 3 driver versions: 566.03 (October 22nd), then 565.90 (October 1st) and then 561.09 (September 11th). If none of these drivers fixes anything, it means that the problem is in something else, it is quite possible that another error occurred in Windows 11 Pro 24H2 or something else is the matter. But I'm postponing the check for now.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2511217660 --> @GHU7924 commented on GitHub (Dec 2, 2024): Because of the many builds in different directions, you start to get confused about when and which build improved something for you or, conversely, worsened it. I launched the DLC not so long ago and I don't remember if there were such problems, so to check it out, I started downloading different builds, including version 0.4.0 and even version 0.3.0. It's the same there. So I thought maybe it's not about the emulator. With the exception of various builds and their updates, the only thing that has changed on my PC lately is updating Nvidia drivers (I now have driver 566.14 installed on November 12) and reinstalling Windows 11 from version 23H2 to version 24H2. I wanted to try checking 3 driver versions: 566.03 (October 22nd), then 565.90 (October 1st) and then 561.09 (September 11th). If none of these drivers fixes anything, it means that the problem is in something else, it is quite possible that another error occurred in Windows 11 Pro 24H2 or something else is the matter. But I'm postponing the check for now.
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@Missake212 commented on GitHub (Dec 3, 2024):

Try #1451 ?

Pretty outdated but the fix may help

Found a way to try the branch, as you can see it doesn't fix it at all, it's something else.
Capture d'écran 2024-12-03 093416

<!-- gh-comment-id:2513868041 --> @Missake212 commented on GitHub (Dec 3, 2024): > Try #1451 ? > > Pretty outdated but the fix may help Found a way to try the branch, as you can see it doesn't fix it at all, it's something else. ![Capture d'écran 2024-12-03 093416](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/daede398-bcb8-487c-aed4-5b96624299e8)
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@Felps3000 commented on GitHub (Dec 5, 2024):

I noticed some differences when using the mod to remove baked lighting.

Builds tested:
main c019b54
diegolix mainBB 3d5aaca

Hardware:
i5 10400f
RTX 3060Ti
16GB 2666MT/s

Patches:
Skip Intro
30 FPS Fix (Proper Frame Pacing)
Disable HTTP Requests

Mods:
Xbox 360 Buttons Prompt
Vertex Explosion Fix
Remove Baked Lighting (when indicated)

With baked lighting:
2024-12-05

Without baked lighting:
2024-12-05 (3)

With baked lighting:
2024-12-05 (1)

Without baked lighting:
2024-12-05 (4)

With baked lighting:
2024-12-05 (2)

Without baked lighting:
2024-12-05 (5)

<!-- gh-comment-id:2520399098 --> @Felps3000 commented on GitHub (Dec 5, 2024): I noticed some differences when using the mod to remove baked lighting. Builds tested: [main c019b54](https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/actions/runs/12165907580) [diegolix mainBB 3d5aaca](https://github.com/diegolix29/shadPS4/actions/runs/12176063426) **Hardware:** _i5 10400f RTX 3060Ti 16GB 2666MT/s_ **Patches:** _Skip Intro 30 FPS Fix (Proper Frame Pacing) Disable HTTP Requests_ **Mods:** _Xbox 360 Buttons Prompt Vertex Explosion Fix Remove Baked Lighting (when indicated)_ **With baked lighting:** ![2024-12-05](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ff665476-bcf8-4918-965b-df9caf4a4f5c) **Without baked lighting:** ![2024-12-05 (3)](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8c1a7c89-a17b-4b30-bb3e-2ee7d40e46f4) **With baked lighting:** ![2024-12-05 (1)](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7f8eb349-236b-4eec-b281-8d74319728a4) **Without baked lighting:** ![2024-12-05 (4)](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8d2f85b6-04ef-4656-be02-cd2e0d0cf290) **With baked lighting:** ![2024-12-05 (2)](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a4e4d003-d477-4218-85c2-ef1d74847a17) **Without baked lighting:** ![2024-12-05 (5)](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/0dec2e50-82b6-4b83-ba9a-d8dc08cf8095)
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@NimboYT commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2025):

I'm facing the same issue on my i9 9900k & 4070, is there no solution yet??

<!-- gh-comment-id:2597496465 --> @NimboYT commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2025): I'm facing the same issue on my i9 9900k & 4070, is there no solution yet??
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@Missake212 commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2025):

I'm facing the same issue on my i9 9900k & 4070, is there no solution yet??

Nope, no fixes, this is just a visual issue tbh not that big of a deal.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2597843592 --> @Missake212 commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2025): > I'm facing the same issue on my i9 9900k & 4070, is there no solution yet?? Nope, no fixes, this is just a visual issue tbh not that big of a deal.
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@NimboYT commented on GitHub (Jan 18, 2025):

I'm facing the same issue on my i9 9900k & 4070, is there no solution yet??

Nope, no fixes, this is just a visual issue tbh not that big of a deal.

It is a big issue when these dark spots are ALL over the DLC making a playthrough unpleasant.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2599582878 --> @NimboYT commented on GitHub (Jan 18, 2025): > > I'm facing the same issue on my i9 9900k & 4070, is there no solution yet?? > > Nope, no fixes, this is just a visual issue tbh not that big of a deal. It is a big issue when these dark spots are ALL over the DLC making a playthrough unpleasant.
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@Missake212 commented on GitHub (Jan 18, 2025):

Compared to some other issues on Bloodborne this one is really small.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2599716446 --> @Missake212 commented on GitHub (Jan 18, 2025): Compared to some other issues on Bloodborne this one is really small.
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@diegolix29 commented on GitHub (Feb 20, 2025):

seems that some spots has been fixed kinda, im on intel i had the issue with the blaack stuff and some of them are working

Image

Image

Image

tested on last main

<!-- gh-comment-id:2670689994 --> @diegolix29 commented on GitHub (Feb 20, 2025): seems that some spots has been fixed kinda, im on intel i had the issue with the blaack stuff and some of them are working ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5350526e-c9e2-447b-abd2-2bd94242065c) ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/56d43822-691a-425b-ad74-023aaa1be12e) ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3dea10cb-0e53-447b-9448-c639fc710ae2) tested on last main
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@Missake212 commented on GitHub (Feb 20, 2025):

@diegolix29 still looks the exact same for me

Image

<!-- gh-comment-id:2670991203 --> @Missake212 commented on GitHub (Feb 20, 2025): @diegolix29 still looks the exact same for me ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1e01db88-30e6-4a22-9840-e68bfdb48dd0)
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@Viscont23 commented on GitHub (Feb 22, 2025):

Having the same issue in the Old Hunters DLC. Doesn't look too bad in the Hunter's Nightmare and Fishing Hamlet (just a few areas are affected here and there), but in the Lady Maria's Astral Tower after beating Ludwig the issue goes really nuts: the whole area is insanely dark.

Here's how it looks on my PC:

Image

And this is the image from PS4 hardware (not my screenshot but I guess the difference is obvious):

Image

Tested with "clean" game installation without any mods/patches.

My specs:
GeForce RTX 2080 8gb
Intel i7-7700
16gb RAM

<!-- gh-comment-id:2676390305 --> @Viscont23 commented on GitHub (Feb 22, 2025): Having the same issue in the Old Hunters DLC. Doesn't look too bad in the Hunter's Nightmare and Fishing Hamlet (just a few areas are affected here and there), but in the Lady Maria's Astral Tower after beating Ludwig the issue goes really nuts: the whole area is insanely dark. Here's how it looks on my PC: ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6b582c9a-de19-427c-94b6-4a2fbdc64e6b) And this is the image from PS4 hardware (not my screenshot but I guess the difference is obvious): ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/83d516dc-a8c2-4f2a-be16-1416c46d4f04) Tested with "clean" game installation without any mods/patches. My specs: GeForce RTX 2080 8gb Intel i7-7700 16gb RAM
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@DaftRex211 commented on GitHub (Jun 15, 2025):

I have a question. I'm trying to get The Old Hunters DLC, but it doesn't appear in the Cheats or Patches section. Can anyone help me play it? My run was deleted.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2974667349 --> @DaftRex211 commented on GitHub (Jun 15, 2025): I have a question. I'm trying to get The Old Hunters DLC, but it doesn't appear in the Cheats or Patches section. Can anyone help me play it? My run was deleted.
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@StevenMiller123 commented on GitHub (Jun 15, 2025):

The Force Enable Old Hunters DLC patch was removed, as it unlocks paid content for free.
You need to dump the DLC files from your PS4.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2974704339 --> @StevenMiller123 commented on GitHub (Jun 15, 2025): The `Force Enable Old Hunters DLC` patch was removed, as it unlocks paid content for free. You need to dump the DLC files from your PS4.
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@carrrrrrrrot commented on GitHub (Jan 27, 2026):

Image Image

Changing this debug menu setting seems to fix the issue or at least bring it closer to how it should look

The setting is located in graphics->rend man->stage rend->sceneGUIWidget->GParamManager->Enable MultiThread

Tested on a xeon e5 1660v3 without any mods, aside from the one necessary to enable the debug menu itself.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3804499202 --> @carrrrrrrrot commented on GitHub (Jan 27, 2026): <img width="1920" height="1080" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3269b5aa-9f31-4303-9fbd-ab1459ac2174" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/650e4f43-7da9-4f3f-a609-53a364a9fbf8" /> Changing this debug menu setting seems to fix the issue or at least bring it closer to how it should look The setting is located in graphics->rend man->stage rend->sceneGUIWidget->GParamManager->Enable MultiThread Tested on a xeon e5 1660v3 without any mods, aside from the one necessary to enable the debug menu itself.
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