Off the Grid has been lighting up the gaming scene lately, with top streamers like Ninja, Dr. Disrespect, and xQc diving into the extraction royale mayhem. It’s a blend of everything players love about battle royales like PUBG and hardcore extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, wrapped in a stunning Unreal Engine 5 package.

In an exclusive interview with content creator AndySlaps, Theodore, the Director of web3 for Off the Grid (OTG), opened up about the game’s early access launch, the struggles with optimization, and the team’s plans for the future. Spoiler: He didn't hold back.

Early Access Launch and Performance Issues

One of the most pressing questions centered around the timing of OTG’s early access release, especially given that some fans were expecting it to launch later. Theodore explained that the decision to launch early came down to the need for large-scale testing, particularly server load and global accessibility.

"We need to be out there and testing with hundreds of thousands, even millions of players to fine-tune everything," Theodore emphasized. "Early access allows the team to gather critical data on performance, especially since the game uses Unreal Engine 5, which demands significant computing resources."

Regarding the optimization challenges many PC players are facing, Theodore acknowledged that while there has been tremendous improvement over the past few months, some issues remain, particularly for players using lower-end hardware. However, console players, specifically those on PlayStation 5 and Xbox, are seeing stable 60 FPS performance, suggesting the issues are more prevalent on PC.

"PC optimization is complex," Theodore noted, "due to the vast range of setups players use. While some users with high-end systems report problems, many are running the game without issue, hitting 50-60 FPS on recommended specs. The team is aware of the challenges and continues to work on improving performance across the board."

The Need for Global Servers

A significant milestone for OTG’s early access was the rollout of international servers. Prior to the global launch, many players, especially in regions like Australia and Asia, couldn’t join due to high latency. Theodore pointed out that expanding servers worldwide was a top priority to ensure the game is accessible to the massive waiting list of players.

"We went from three days a week to 24/7 servers across the globe, and now we need to load test them to the max," he said, highlighting the importance of ensuring the infrastructure can handle the expected influx of players.

The Balancing Act: Graphics vs. Performance

Another key topic discussed was the tension between OTG’s cutting-edge graphics and the hardware needed to run the game smoothly. Theodore admitted that creating one of the best-looking battle royale games in Unreal Engine 5 comes with challenges, particularly for players with older hardware. However, the team has no plans to sacrifice visual fidelity for performance, especially since OTG is competing with top-tier battle royale titles in the traditional gaming space.

"We are not competing against web3 games; we’re competing against the top five battle royales in the world. This competition pushes the team to continue improving the game’s look and feel while working to optimize performance further."

Community Feedback and Player Workarounds

The interview also touched on community feedback. Theodore acknowledged the feedback from players who have struggled with performance and optimization but also highlighted the community’s efforts to share solutions, such as config tweaks that help lower settings even further than the game’s official options.

Andy, the interviewer, mentioned his video tutorial that has helped over 10,000 players optimize their settings, and Theodore appreciated the community’s resourcefulness while cautioning that these solutions might not be ideal long-term. "We're still optimizing further," Theodore said, "the team is working hard to improve the experience for everyone, but some might still need to upgrade their hardware for the best experience."

Looking Ahead

As for the future, Theodore made it clear that OTG’s development team is committed to pushing boundaries and scaling up the game. With the goal of reaching a hundred million players by next year, the team’s current focus is on refining the game and ensuring it can handle the massive player base they are aiming for.

"At some point, you just have to say, okay, now it’s go time," Theodore concluded, referencing the decision to launch early access. The game is still in development, but the team’s vision is clear—they are in it for the long haul.

And with that, we wrap up this interview. Did the devs' answers leave you feeling bullish or bearish about Off the Grid’s future? If you're ready to jump into the action, check out our easy "How to Get Started" guide and dive into your first session today!