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Ambient occlusion - how use

  Ambient occlusion (AO) is a shading technique that darkens creases, corners, and contact points to add depth and realism; it began appearing in real‑time games around 2007 and today ranges from cheap SSAO to high‑quality ray‑traced AO — you can safely turn it off in many 4K scenarios to reclaim GPU performance with little perceived loss when other lighting tech (like DLSS and GI) is active. Quick guide — key decisions before you toggle AO Performance vs fidelity: Do you need maximum frame rate at native 4K, or the last bit of visual polish? Type of AO: SSAO/HBAO are cheaper; ray‑traced AO is expensive but more accurate. Other tech in use: If you use DLSS or path tracing, AO’s visual contribution may be redundant. Answering those helps decide whether to keep AO on or off. What ambient occlusion is Ambient occlusion simulates how much ambient (indirect) light reaches a surface by darkening areas where geometry blocks light, producing soft, contact shadows that make scenes feel ...

Super Mario Kart on SNES - first Mario Kart game


Super Mario Kart: A Retro Racing Classic

  1. Year of Release:

    • Super Mario Kart was released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

  2. Creator:

    • Developed and published by Nintendo, this game marked the birth of the beloved Mario Kart series.

  3. Platform:

    • Super Mario Kart was exclusively available on the SNES.

    • It later became a Player’s Choice title, emphasizing its popularity.

  4. Graphics:

    • The game featured 2D sprite-based graphics, capturing the vibrant and whimsical world of the Mario universe.

    • Each character had a distinct kart design, adding personality to the races.

  5. Story:

    • The premise was simple: Mario and his friends decided to settle their disputes on the racetrack.

    • Eight characters from the Super Mario Bros. series hopped into their go-karts to compete for victory.

  6. Game Mechanics:

    • Unique Abilities: Each character had specific abilities. For example:

      • Yoshi dropped eggs that caused opponents to spin.

      • Donkey Kong threw bananas to hinder rivals.

    • Power-Ups: Players collected items like turtle shells and banana peels to attack opponents or defend themselves.

    • Speed Boosts: Strategically placed speed boosts allowed players to gain an advantage.

    • Handling and Acceleration: Different karts had varying stats, affecting how they handled curves and reached top speeds.

  7. Impact on the Industry:

    • Pioneering Genre: Super Mario Kart is credited with creating the sub-genre of kart racing.

    • Multiplayer Fun: The split-screen multiplayer mode allowed friends to compete head-to-head, making it a party favorite.

    • Enduring Legacy: The success of this game paved the way for numerous sequels, turning Mario Kart into a beloved franchise.


In summary, Super Mario Kart combined fun gameplay, memorable characters, and innovative mechanics, leaving an indelible mark on gaming history. It was my first Mario Kart game i played and still is one of my favourite. Check again Super Mario Kart, its nice jump back to simple fun games :)


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