At Gamescom 2025, Microsoft introduced a new technology - Advanced Shader Delivery. The feature targets long initial loading times and in-game performance interruptions in PC and portable gaming. It will launch with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X devices on October 16.
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Shader compilation has long contributed to extended startup durations and in-game stutters on PC platforms. Shaders are small programs that manage visual rendering tasks such as lighting, textures, and effects. Each time a game runs on a new system or after a driver update, these shaders must be compiled into a format compatible with the specific GPU and driver configuration.
This process typically occurs during the first launch or in real time, consuming system resources and affecting performance. Although compiled shaders are stored for reuse, driver updates invalidate existing caches, requiring recompilation.
Advanced Shader Delivery
Advanced Shader Delivery eliminates on-device compilation by moving the process to the cloud. Microsoft’s DirectX team created the State Object Database (SODB), a standardized format that collects shader data from games.
In collaboration with hardware manufacturers, Microsoft decoupled the shader compiler from the main graphics driver. Cloud systems combine the SODB with the appropriate compiler to generate a Precompiled Shader Database (PSDB).
The PSDB is distributed through the Xbox application on PC, alongside game installations. Upon first launch, the system detects the precompiled shaders and skips local processing. The shader cache updates automatically when new graphics drivers are installed.
The technology significantly reduces load times and prevents performance hiccups caused by real-time compilation. In internal testing with "Avowed" by Obsidian Entertainment, Microsoft recorded an 85% decrease in initial load duration on supported devices.
By offloading shader processing, the system conserves power on portable devices, allowing more resources to focus on gameplay rather than background compilation.
Advanced Shader Delivery will be available at launch on the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. No modifications are required from developers to enable the feature for currently released games.
Microsoft plans to expand support to additional games and hardware in the future. An updated AgilitySDK will release in September, providing developers and digital storefronts with tools and APIs to integrate the technology. Further details on upcoming device compatibility will accompany the SDK launch.
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