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FarCry 64-bit

We’ve got the new 64-bit patch for FarCry and we take it for a spin in WinXP Pro x64 Edition on an AMD Athlon64 CPU. Read inside to find out what the AMD Athlon64 CPU can do when running a 64-bit game.

Introduction:

Last week we covered gaming in Windows XP Pro x64 Edition. The goal of that article was to find out if games experience a performance increase or decrease running on Windows XP Pro x64 Edition. Our results revealed some reassuring results. We found that we did not lose performance with 32-bit games running on the 64-bit OS. The Operating System and the AMD64 are able to run the 32-bit games with the same performance as 32-bit Windows. We did not receive a performance benefit or any difference in world environment quality in the games because none was written to take advantage of what the AMD Athlon64 CPU are capable of providing for games. The one game that did have an executable to run in WIN64 AMD64 mode did not show any large differences in gameplay.

In the article, we explained that to make a game show any kind of performance difference it will have to be written to specifically take advantage of what 64-bit CPUs can offer. We are happy to report that today we can indeed show you how a game can benefit from moving to a 64-bit OS with a 64-bit CPU.

FarCry 64-bit Patch v1.32 Optimized for AMD64:

Many of you are very familiar with FarCry. This game was released over a year ago but was developed with such a dynamic and programmable engine that it is very flexible because it allows the integration of new graphics technologies. Initially, FarCry was introduced with only Shader Model 2.0 support. In late 2004, a patch was released that implemented Shader Model 3.0 support, Pixel Shader 2.0b support, 3Dc and Geometry Instancing. Today CryTek, the developers of FarCry and the CryEngine, and AMD are delivering a couple of patches that give the game special AMD64 support for WinXP Pro x64 Edition with new content. The content and support is comprised of two very large patches.

In the screenshot above, you’ll see FarCry_AMD64_Upgrade_US_UK.EXE and FarCry_AMD64_ECU.EXE, both are close to 500MB in size, but they pack a lot of new features and content. These patches can only be installed with Windows XP Pro x64 Edition.

The AMD64 version of Far Cry will take Jack Carver back to the digital jungle for new experiences. You’ll see new objects, jaw-dropping beaches, water and sky to supplement the richer overall gaming experience. Check out the two additional AMD64-only multiplayer levels.

Your binoculars and scoped-equipped weapons allow Jack to see even further around the island thanks to an improved draw distance in 64-bit, which provides increase detail in to your playing experience and environment.

Here is a complete list of what is new:

AMD 64 Update additions

• Optimised and refactored code to take advantage of 64-bit architecture

• Two AMD64 exclusive multiplayer maps – MP_Stronghold and MP_Gorge

• Added Offset bump mapping support

• Added higher resolution textures and objects

• Increased some viewing distances

• Updated the Pier level with new content

All Levels:

Improved terrain textures

Increased view distance

Offset bump mapping added for rock and stone objects

More insects and birds

On the Pier Level:

New beach road with additional vehicle

Barrel storage camp

Opened more space to explore

Pier and Boat:

New terrain textures with shader (next-gen technology)

Two New 64-bit only Multiplayer levels:

Stronghold

Gorge

Patch Installation:

To install these patches you must first have a clean installation of FarCry installed, with no previous patches. Once you have that you need to install the FarCry_AMD64_Upgrade_US_UK.EXE patch first. This provides the AMD Athlon64 optimizations and core patch for FarCry. Then after that is installed, you can install the FarCry_AMD64_ECU.EXE patch that incorporates the new content.

After you have installed these patches, you will get a new icon on your desktop to launch the special 64-bit version of FarCry. Once you start the game, you should be greeted with the game splash screen you see above. Note that the patch version is 1.32. There is also a new AMD64 logo video at the intro of the game.