Ashes of the Singularity continues its push to be the prettiest and biggest RTS on the market with its second beta phase introducing more DirectX 12 and benchmarking. Included in this is the ability to process graphics through two cards of different models, including entirely different manufacturers. They do both need to DX 12, and be comparable in power, but so long as they meet those requirements you can enable the second one in-game and Ashes will start running processes through it. It's impressive mostly as a feat of engineering rather than something I see most people getting use out of, but it's not all the patch contains.
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Along with some further DX 12 stuff to improve performance, and a tool to help test your computer's capabilities with it, the patch also includes a heap of gameplay changes. Here's the highlights:
- Leaderboards and rankings have been reset for Season 0 of competitive play, which will last until shortly after the game is released.
- Three new maps have been added.
- New VFX and music across the board, from the explosions of opening salvos to win/loss screens.
- Improved AI, especially for the substrate faction.
- Various new quality of life features and UI tweaks requested by the community
- A balance on both factions and maps.
- Loads of bug fixes and performance improvements.
You can read about the changes in detail on the official site. It's up on Steam and Ashes of the Singularity previewfrom the first beta before you jump in, and here's their trailer in case you missed it: