While modern games are stuffed with next gen features like ray tracing, upscaling technology and low latency tools, these boons in current tech sometimes leave our favorite classic games in the dust. Those games, after all, were programmed at the time as state-of-the-art breakthroughs, but in an age where development teams are pushing the boundaries of what is possible it was unfathomable that these classic games would be refreshed.
Now, thanks to the NVIDIA RTX Remix suite, those older games can enjoy a resurgence in the modern day, with a little help from the modding community. We took a few of our favorites from years past and put them through the NVIDIA RTX Remix rigors–with some help from the community–and the fresh coat of paint applied to these classics made us feel like kids again.
What is NVIDIA RTX Remix?
Before we get into new looks for old games, what’s going on with NVIDIA RTX Remix that allows it to be a bastion of restoration? Simply put, NVIDIA RTX Remix is a suite of tools which gives modders the ability to update classic games with modern perks, including high fidelity assets with realistic materials, full ray tracing, and DLSS 3.5 with Ray Reconstruction. This tool can save a ton of time thanks to its easy-to-understand interface and robust list of options, which includes easily importing game captures, generative AI asset tools, simplified workflows thanks to NVIDIA Omniverse, and the RTX Remix Runtime – which can instantly switch on full ray tracing. With these features, skilled modders can navigate the software, figure out its true potential, and produce amazing results.
Producing a mod with ray tracing and DLSS 3.5 is relatively straightforward for modders; however, the more robust overhauls seen in mods like Portal with RTX, Portal Prelude RTX, and the upcoming Half-Life 2 RTX will require a more experienced hand in modding, as game assets and textures will need adjustments as well. The most recent update to the NVIDIA RTX Remix Open Beta added another fun feature: DLSS 3.5 with Ray Reconstruction. This AI-powered neural renderer increases the fidelity, responsiveness and overall quality of ray-traced effects, which further enhances the experience for all GeForce RTX players.
NVIDIA RTX Remix works best with games that launched between 1999 and 2006, particularly those which used DirectX8 and DirectX9 technology. It should be noted, however, that these are still a work-in-progress, with adjustments and improvements, meaning they will continue to improve and get better. Also these mods are continually being updated and improved, so the installation procedure, graphics or features may change by the time you see this. If you wish to learn more about these mods, checkout the official RTX Remix Discord Channel. So, we hopped into our time machines, loaded up some of our favorites from the era, and put the NVIDIA RTX Remix toolset through its paces. Here’s how it all panned out.
Blasts from the past
Our first foray into NVIDIA RTX Remix modding is Deus Ex, and although very early, we’re happy to say this gem from 2000 is already looking amazing. With NVIDIA RTX Remix. Deus Ex can be RTX Remixed by using a special renderer made by the Remix community that converts the game graphical pipeline to work better with RTX Remix. And while not all textures have been replaced, every light is now fully ray-traced and DLSS 3.5 with Ray Reconstruction further improves the clarity of the game’s default textures and fidelity of ray tracing in the scene. Next, modders will be able to use RTX Remix to do a full graphical overhaul and create a next-level remaster. We can’t wait to see how good the game will look once the community replaces Deus Ex’s original textures with modern ones that feature realistic materials, and updates the assets to feature much higher detail.
One of the latest RTX Remix mods to appear on ModDB is for the classic 2004 RPG Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. User Safemilk has taken it upon themselves to rebuild the entire game “asset by asset” using the RTX Remix toolset, and based on a few in-progress screenshots, the project is shaping up nicely. This is still a work in progress, and there isn’t a playable build yet, but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on if you’re a fan of the Vampire RPG.
RTX Remix Off/On
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Finally, a team of ambitious modders has big plans for Ubisoft’s Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, with RTX Remix at the core of their project. User wiltOS Technologies and their crew have been able to recreate realistic water sources using RTX Remix’s asset settings and ray tracing.
Remixing gaming history
These are just a few examples of the types of mods available through the NVIDIA RTX Remix technology. Experimenting with these mods is as simple as 1-2-3; specifically, these three steps:
- Head to the Mods tab on the ModDB website.
- Find the game you’re looking for, then click Download.
- Follow the instructions on how to install, and you’re good to go.
Once you’ve done those three things, boot up the game and you’re on your way to a modern remixed version of your favorite games from yesteryear. This is just the beginning, though, as mods are continually being added for new titles and updates for existing titles, both by modders and by NVIDIA. As new features become available in the NVIDIA RTX Remix toolkit, the possibilities for modders will only continue to grow, and we are excited to see what’s next.
If you want to start modding, get RTX Remix now on the official NVIDIA website.