Flickering textures while playing Dreamfall (Intel HD Graphics 620)

[JVell1]

Hello everyone,

I'm encountering a problem running the Steam version of Dreamfall on my new laptop--a Dell XPS 13 9360 with Intel HD Graphics 620. I noticed a few textures (seemingly those that are lit up with a light source) flickering incessantly. The only adjustment that has fixed the issue is rolling back my current graphics driver in Device Manager (from Intel 21.20.16.4526 to Microsoft 10.0.14393.0). However, this comes at the price of an unbearably slow framerate, which doesn't seem to change even when I lower the graphical quality or the resolution.

I'm desperate to play this game again (in preparation for Dreamfall Chapters), so if anyone knows how I can correct these flickering textures (or, alternatively, improve the framerate I'm getting with the older driver), I would be absolutely indebted to you.

Thanks.

[idata]

Hello UncreatedNight,

Have you tried with version .4552? If you haven't, please see here for the file; https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26464/Intel-Graphics-Beta-Driver-15-45-?product=96551 Download Intel Graphics Beta Driver [15.45].

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,

Amy.

[JVell1]

Hi Amy,

Thank you for your response. I have already tried (and just now re-tried) installing that driver, but I encounter this error message:

"The driver being installed is not validated for this computer. Please obtain the appropriate driver from the computer manufacturer. Setup will exit."

I read in another thread that Dell have their own variations of the Intel drivers and that only these versions will work on Dell computers, though I don't know if that's true.

[idata]

Use this method for the installation; http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005629.html Manually Install an Intel® Graphics Driver in Windows® 10 and Windows..., follow closely the instructions there to ensure the installation.

Regards,

Amy.

[JVell1]

Hi Amy,

Thanks for following up. Unfortunately, I can't manage to install the new driver even by following that method; it simply tells me that my driver is up to date. I even tried uninstalling 4526 beforehand, but that didn't seem to work either. In fact, now the option to roll back my current driver is greyed out, though I'm not sure when that happened.

I'm not sure I'll buy a Dell laptop again in future; their control over the software seems a bit tyrannical.

[JVell1]

Update: I managed to install the driver by following the instructions in https://steamcommunity.com/app/233250/discussions/2/558749190911446231/ this thread. However, the problem persists. I've played around with the in-game settings to no avail. This is what I see, with the black parts flickering back to the normal blue every half-second or so:

[idata]

Could you please double check the driver version you installed? Please go to Device Manger> Display adapters> Intel(R) HD Graphics right click on Properties and then go to Driver, you will be able to see the version installed.

Regards,

Amy.

[JVell1]

Hi Amy,

Version 4552 was indeed installed. I checked it several times and that was the number that was displayed.

Jason

[idata]

Thank you for confirming that information.

Since you already tried our driver and your computer manufacturer driver, please let me review your case. As soon as I have more information I will update the thread.

Regards,

Amy.

[idata]

/thread/110092 UncreatedNight, thank you for your patience.

I have been working on your case, but I have a doubt in regard to the game version you are playing; could you please confirm if this is the version you have http://store.steampowered.com/app/6300/ Dreamfall: The Longest Journey on Steam?

Regards,

Amy.

[JVell1]

Hi Amy,

I am playing the game on Steam, but I believe I bought it from Instant Gaming. After payment, I received a Steam download key and used that to obtain the game.

Cheers,

Jason

[idata]

Jason, and the game you have on Steam is called Dreamfall: The Longest Journey?

Regards,

Amy.

[JVell1]

Amy,

That's correct; it's Dreamfall: The Longest Journey.

Jason

[idata]

Thank you for the clarification.

I will continue reviewing your case, I will keep you updated.

Regards,

Amy.

[ABobe]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2-oJK8pdn0WUF9Md1VXN3NQSkk https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2-oJK8pdn0WUF9Md1VXN3NQSk

Here is a newer driver (21.20.16.4565). It also support Vulkan 1.0.33 for Kaby Lake and Skylake. I'm using this for Vulkan. It is created primary for Dell PCs, so you probably won't have problems with the install.

If this won't work, there is nothing you can do. Intels driver support is a disaster compared to AMD and NVIDIA. They even don't upload the newest drivers to their support page, so you have to accept them from strangers like me. Honestly, if you want to use a PC for gaming, you shouldn't want to buy it with an Intel iGPU next time.

[JVell1]

Thanks for the reply Adrian.

I attempted to install the driver you referred me to, but I only encounter error messages, however I try to install it.

Truthfully, I didn't purchase this laptop for games, but I figured that a few of the games that I wanted to play are now old enough that they should be playable on any modern hardware. What frustrates me is that everything else about the game works perfectly. I'm also curious as to why the texture problem is solved by rolling back the driver; there must be something that the current drivers do differently to the older version.

I think I may have to throw in the towel, unfortunately. Thank you for your assistance.

[RonaldM_Intel]

Hello Jason,

I would like to let you know that we have been able to replicate this issue, even with our latest drivers.

I won't set any false expectations. Since this is a very old game, there is a chance that it won't be picked by our development team. However, often times, when we fix an issue for a game or application that uses the same components/APIs (e.g. Direct3D*, OpenGL*) it may indirectly fix others.

I'll retest this when we have a new driver and post the results here.

Kindest Regards,

[JVell1]

Hi Ronald,

It is an old game and I certainly wasn't expecting miracles when I posted the issue (particularly as I'm probably the only one who's affected by it). I have to say, though, that I've been very impressed by Intel's customer service, and I really appreciate Amy's and your assistance.

Regards,

Jason

[Parapele]

Hello Ronald, everybody hello! You and everyone who will read this can call it "rant" but i like it call "feedback and suggestions"

How driver PDF Release Notes says "We continuously strive to improve the quality of our products to better serve our users and appreciate feedback on any issues you discover and suggestions for future driver releases."

"any issues you discover" - thats sounds good and promising, but it's only sound. I think how Intel user since Pentium 133 Mhz, i have suggestions for improvement.

This is going to nowhere, so let's start from beginning.

On official site it's a known bug since 26.03.2016 (1 year) /message/385112 https://communities.intel.com/message/385112

And there it's ended as solution - VirtualBox with Windows XP...geeeeees, user walk away with this solution!

Users who will find this topic will be think that actually a solution!

http://redthreadgames.com/forum/topic/2892-flickering-textures-in-dreamfall-windows-7-intel-hd-graphics-530/ http://redthreadgames.com/forum/topic/2892-flickering-textures-in-dreamfall-windows-7-intel-hd-graphics-530/

And how Ivan (hello too) decide leave like that, it just cringe.

"It looks like it is more compatible with Windows* XP as it is what the developers recommend."

No way! (Nicolas Cage face) Are you kidding me! Funcom releases the game in April 2006 (Vista January 2007) and recommended Windows XP! Why not Windows 10, that not make sense, right? Every single user of VirtualBox knows why bug was "fixed"! It's just a shame for Intel driver. There no way Ivan not understand what happened (i even don't know what worse). If you actually need Windows XP to run the game, can we call CD Projekt as liars?

Works on: Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10) --> https://www.gog.com/game/dreamfall_the_longest_journey https://www.gog.com/game/dreamfall_the_longest_journey

People on gog forum and steam who tells that game runs great on Windows 10 liars?

Now, lets get back to present day, here nonsense enough too.

"I would like to let you know that we have been able to replicate this issue, even with our latest drivers."

Of course year later issue still there! Game uses DX9 and SM2, driver supposed fix itself? And about "even", some changes was happened in that part of driver, what you expected? Can you please explain why you surprised?

"I won't set any false expectations."

Intel provide support their product, yes you can not expect this happen. You report about problem and driver team fixes it? Game not crashes entirely pc so your expectations too high. False expectations it's if you guys add Glide official support. User roports about bug - expect to get fix.

"Since this is a very old game"

Well, now the game older for one year more. And how it does matter? That means, now nobody care? Nobody playing in game? (https://www.youtube.com/results?q=Dreamfall+The+Longest+Journey&sp=CAI%253D https://www.youtube.com/results?q=Dreamfall+The+Longest+Journey&sp=CAI%253D) Development team has something personal against this game? That means game bad if old? If development team think that game bad - it's allow them reject support? Where we can read - "if you have problem like this - deal with it, we dont care"?

Here user ask help with Halo 2003 game /thread/111853 https://communities.intel.com/thread/111853 "I'm doing this for the people who are only able to use integrated Intel GPUs, so as to help make the driver support more compatible for those people affected by it." Nice man!

Here /message/454851 https://communities.intel.com/message/454851 i trying fix Crysis and Warhead - 2007 and 2008 games. Dreamfall The Longest Journey 2006, Crysis 2007 - so far i not heard from Ivan that game a very old, where borderline to say like that?

"there is a chance that it won't be picked by our development team"

What? WHAT? So you agree that in your driver has issue, and you tells consumer that "development team" can not fix it if they just dont want?

Main reason to say team dont want fixing issue, is a program that discover bug in driver was old!?

Guys, do you still remember about "We continuously strive to improve the quality of our products to better serve our users and appreciate feedback on any issues you discover and suggestions for future driver releases." ?

This is not a open source project on GitHub, Intel multi billionaire company http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/intc/revenue-eps http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/intc/revenue-eps, you not a volunteer, you getting money for your work. People paying you when they buying of Intel products. Have expectations that you will get support from company which product you buy, is not a false expectations.

Only in one case you can deny a provide help - if game/application not run without bugs on Nvidia and AMD drivers.

Intel sells processors like Atom, Core-M. Laptops, Microsoft Surface, Compute Stick, NUC - they all can run only old games, you can not say that old games not important. No matter how old game, people will still keep playing. Only one hope that they have, is you guys will be fix bugs - discrete GPU for many devices not even an option! You just want leave them 1 on 1 with problems. Do you guys realise that 99% of user who see bug, will be just walk by and don't gonna spend their time reporting about problem?

I understand, fixing Fallout 4 and DOOM prorably fun, but old games its only all what they can run on decent speed. Don't tell me please that users problem who plays in new games it a more important. Company dont have right to do that. BSOD issue more important problem, but games all equal.

"However, often times, when we fix an issue for a game or application that uses the same components/APIs (e.g. Direct3D*, OpenGL*) it may indirectly fix others."

Here you just say - bug not will be fixed, deal with it, wait for rest of your life. Only one way it gone happen, if it will be another old game. So we should find another old game with the same bug, but game that you gone like? Fixing Battlefield 1 not help with this. Maybe i something don't understand, correct me please if i wrong.

"I'll retest this when we have a new driver and post the results here."

(((Cricket Sound)))

Here results, driver 15.45.4614

https://gfycat.com/ConsiderateOldGull https://gfycat.com/ConsiderateOldGull

https://gfycat.com/OptimalGreenHippopotamus https://gfycat.com/OptimalGreenHippopotamus

Nothing changes. Surprise!

One year, ONE YEAR. And don't need to say " i just saying like that, and you putting your words in my mount". No, you guys trying to do this again, a year later. People keep playing in old games and finds these bugs, you can not left it like that. Game broken on 99% modern Intel iGPU. Unlike UncreatedNight i still expecting miracle, and many users too. Thanks in advance. Mic drop.

I finished my "feedback and suggestions", good luck development team and have nice day.