Disable Vsync Option For Lockpicking: A Feature Request

Hey everyone,

I wanted to bring up a feature request that I think could improve the gameplay experience for some of us, especially those who like to tweak their settings for optimal performance. This suggestion revolves around disabling Vsync specifically during lockpicking sequences. Let's dive into why this might be a worthwhile addition.

The Case for Disabling Vsync on Lockpicking

Currently, the lockpicking mechanism appears to be capped by your monitor's refresh rate due to Vsync being hardcoded. For those unfamiliar, Vsync (Vertical Synchronization) is a graphics technology that synchronizes the frame rate of a game with the refresh rate of your monitor. This helps to prevent screen tearing, which can be visually distracting. However, it also limits the maximum frame rate to your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz, 144Hz). Some players, particularly those using mods like HighFPSPhysicsFix, have noticed that lockpicking speed can be affected by frame rates, similar to loading screens. The ability to unlock faster lockpicking when not untied adds an interesting dynamic. However, the current implementation doesn't allow disabling Vsync specifically for lockpicking, preventing players from achieving potentially faster speeds.

Now, you might be wondering, "Why would anyone want to disable Vsync?" Well, there are a few reasons:

• Faster Lockpicking: As mentioned earlier, some players enjoy the faster lockpicking experience that can be achieved with higher frame rates. Disabling Vsync would allow them to unlock the full potential of their hardware and potentially speed up the process.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, it comes down to player choice. Some people simply prefer the feel of unlocked frame rates, even if it means sacrificing Vsync's screen-tearing prevention. Providing the option to disable Vsync on lockpicking would cater to this preference.
• Consistency: The game already allows adjusting FPS settings for loading screens and other scenarios. Extending this control to lockpicking would provide a more consistent experience across the board.

I understand that Vsync is enabled by default for a good reason – it provides a smoother and more visually stable experience for most players. However, by offering an option to disable it specifically for lockpicking, we can cater to those who desire a different experience without negatively impacting the default gameplay.

Proposed Solution: An INI Option

To implement this feature, I propose adding a new option to the game's INI file. This option would allow players to toggle Vsync on or off specifically for lockpicking sequences.

Here's an example of what the INI option could look like:

DisableVsyncOnLockpick=false

In this example:

• DisableVsyncOnLockpick is the name of the option.
• false is the default value, meaning Vsync is enabled by default during lockpicking. This ensures that the majority of players who prefer the default experience are not affected.

If a player wants to disable Vsync on lockpicking, they can simply change the value to true:

DisableVsyncOnLockpick=true

This would disable Vsync specifically during lockpicking sequences, allowing the game to run at the highest possible frame rate during those moments.

Benefits of this approach

• Simple Implementation: Adding a new INI option is a relatively straightforward process that shouldn't require significant code changes.
• Non-Intrusive: The default value of false ensures that the change doesn't affect players who are happy with the current Vsync implementation.
• Flexibility: Players who want to experiment with disabling Vsync on lockpicking can easily do so by modifying the INI file.

Addressing Potential Concerns

I anticipate that some of you might have concerns about this proposal, such as:

• Screen Tearing: Disabling Vsync can introduce screen tearing, which can be visually distracting. However, this is a trade-off that players who choose to disable Vsync are willing to accept. It's important to remember that this option is intended for advanced users who understand the potential consequences.
• Engine Instability: It's possible that disabling Vsync could introduce instability or other unexpected issues. However, this is unlikely, as the change is limited to a specific game sequence (lockpicking). Extensive testing would be required to ensure that the change is stable and doesn't introduce any new problems.

To mitigate these concerns, it would be important to:

• Clearly Communicate the Potential Consequences: When implementing the option, it would be helpful to include a warning message that explains the potential downsides of disabling Vsync, such as screen tearing.
• Thoroughly Test the Change: Before releasing the change to the public, it should be thoroughly tested to ensure that it's stable and doesn't introduce any new issues.

Why This Matters

For some players, the ability to fine-tune their gaming experience is crucial. This includes tweaking settings to achieve the desired balance between visual quality and performance. By providing an option to disable Vsync specifically during lockpicking, we empower players to customize their experience and potentially improve their gameplay.

Moreover, this change aligns with the spirit of the HighFPSPhysicsFix mod, which aims to unlock the game's full potential by removing artificial frame rate limitations. By allowing players to disable Vsync on lockpicking, we're essentially extending the functionality of this mod and providing even more control over the game's performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe that adding an INI option to disable Vsync specifically for lockpicking would be a valuable addition to the game. It would cater to players who desire faster lockpicking speeds, provide a more consistent experience across the board, and align with the spirit of mods like HighFPSPhysicsFix. I understand that this change might not be for everyone, but by making it an optional setting, we can cater to those who want it without negatively impacting the default gameplay.

I hope you'll consider this proposal. Thanks for your time and attention!

Let me know your thoughts and feedback in the comments below. I'm eager to hear what you think.