Why Without Compute Shaders Your Game Looks Outdated
Players decide whether to keep playing within the first minutes — and they judge by the visuals. If the effects look five years old, even a well-crafted story and great gameplay won't save you: users simply leave for competitors. This isn't a matter of taste — it's a direct loss of installs and revenue.
Compute Shaders is a tool that takes modern graphics to a fundamentally different level. With it, the game calculates effects in parallel rather than sequentially: particles, explosions, water, destruction — everything that creates immersive gameplay.
For the player, this means a living, responsive picture without stuttering and the feeling of being inside the world, not just watching it.
When a game looks outdated, it's not only the reputation that suffers but the project's economics. Retention drops, people leave after the first session, virality drops — which means the cost of acquiring each new user rises.
This is especially noticeable in the mobile market and the mid-core segment, where players are spoiled by quality.
That's why we build our VFX production around Compute Shaders: it gives your game a competitive advantage that's visible immediately. You get not just "a pretty picture for the sake of a pretty picture," but a tool for player retention and LTV growth.
Want to discuss which effects will strengthen your game and keep your audience engaged? Contact us — we'll show you with examples and propose a solution tailored to your task.
What Professional VFX Development Gives Your Game
Quality special effects aren't just a visual wrapper — they're a tool that directly affects the project's economics. They keep the player in the moment, make them come back and share their impressions, turning the game into a source of organic marketing. That's why studios that invest in VFX gain an advantage in an oversaturated market.
At truetech.by, we use Unity and Compute Shaders to create effects that work on any device without losing performance. This means even the most saturated scenes won't stutter, and the player won't feel disappointment — only pure delight at what's happening on screen.
What you get as a result:
- Player engagement. Effects create an emotional response, hold attention, and motivate players to keep going — sessions become longer and returns more frequent.
- A unique style. Signature VFX form a visual language for your project that can't be confused with competitors.
- Game recognition. Effects associated with your game strengthen the brand and create a memorable image that keeps working for you after release.
- Marketing potential. Spectacular moments are the best material for trailers, screenshots, and streams — boosting viral reach and lowering acquisition costs.
The bottom line: professional VFX development pays for itself many times over. You get not just a beautiful picture but higher engagement, better retention, and a powerful promotion tool that keeps working for you even after release.
VFX Development Formats: Choose According to Your Goals
Different goals require different approaches to creating visual effects. Some need to quickly cover a marketing campaign launch or an update, while others develop a game for years and want effects without constantly overseeing the process.
We work within the Unity ecosystem and offer formats ranging from a one-time package to full support — so you choose based on the scale of your task rather than adapting to the contractor.
A mistake here is expensive: redoing effects after release means delaying the launch and losing player interest. That's why every format includes timeline estimation, reference approval, and clear delivery stages. Below are the typical scenarios clients come to us with.
Cooperation Formats
| Format | For Whom | What It Gives the Client |
|---|---|---|
| One-time VFX package | Update launch, ad video, promo materials | Quick results without long-term commitments |
| Batch development | Regular seasonal updates and events | A steady flow of new effects on schedule, without crunch |
| Direction outsourcing | A studio without a VFX specialist on the team | Savings on hiring, training, and employee management |
| Full support | Long-term projects with a large volume of content | One team handles all effects turnkey; you only set priorities |
In any format, you get effects that work for game recognition and player retention. We handle the technical solution selection inside the engine and align on the result at every stage — you see intermediate versions before the final delivery.
If you're not sure which format fits — that's normal. We'll consult you on your tasks, suggest the best option, and calculate the timelines within a couple of days. You pay only for the effects your project actually needs, with no unexpected surcharges or hidden items.
How We Create Special Effects: Our Work Stages with You
We've designed the process so you can see the result at every step and influence it calmly, without unnecessary rework. Below is the order of work on effects: from brief to in-game integration and release. You won't need to dig into technical details — we handle everything, and you get a clear picture.
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Visual effects brief. We hop on a call and clarify the game's atmosphere, style, key scenes, and target platforms. We lock in your wishes and constraints so we can move forward without surprises.
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References and concept. We pick examples from your industry and show how specific effects will work in your project. You get a clear vision even before the main development begins.
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Prototype. We create a quick draft of one or two of the most important effects — you can immediately assess the mood, motion, and "richness" of the picture. After your approval, we launch the full scope.
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Effect development. We create all the needed effects in the professional Unity engine using Compute Shaders. Thanks to this, they look stunning and run stably across different devices.
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In-game integration. We carefully embed the effects into scenes and tune their interaction with characters and the environment. We make sure the special effects enhance the experience rather than clash with the overall style.
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Testing and optimization. We run scenarios on target devices and eliminate frame drops, visual artifacts, and excessive load. As a result, the effects don't slow down the game or drain the battery.
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Release and support. We hand over clean source files, a short setup guide, and stay in touch after launch. If requirements change, we quickly make adjustments without losing quality.
What's Included in VFX Delivery for Your Game
We know that what matters to you isn't just the "wow effect" — it's also that the effects run stably on players' devices and don't slow the game down. That's why VFX delivery is a complete kit for your team, not just a set of pretty files.
We work through Compute Shaders — this approach allows us to create rich effects with high performance, which ultimately means more enjoyment for players and fewer optimization headaches for you.
What you get as part of the delivery:
- Source files for all effects — materials, textures, and settings you can refine to match your style.
- A step-by-step integration guide — your developer will figure it out on their own, without long consultations.
- Special effects documentation — a description of every element and parameter so you can quickly change an effect's behavior.
- Optimization for target devices — effects are tuned to maintain a high frame rate even on mid-range hardware.
- Test scenes and examples — you can immediately see how an effect behaves in different gameplay situations.
- VFX guarantees — we verify compatibility with your Unity version and polish the result for free if anything goes wrong.
All of this covers the main risks: surprise-free integration, clear documentation, and confidence that the effects won't break after updates. You get a working product, not a "black box" from a contractor.
Case Study: How Compute Shaders Strengthened Our Client's Game
Game projects often suffer from overloaded visual effects: they look great in a screenshot, but on weak devices you get frame drops and overheating.
At the same time, gameplay without effects loses its "flavor" — the player doesn't feel the response to their actions, and retention drops. We helped a client solve this dilemma: keep the spectacle without sacrificing performance.
For the Solaris Games project — a mobile open-world action game — we rewrote the key VFX using Compute Shaders. This moved particle and explosion calculations from the CPU to the GPU, freeing up the core game logic.
For the client, that meant a stable 60 FPS on mid-range devices, not just a "pretty picture" for marketing materials.
What Changed for the Project
Previously, system effects (smoke, sparks, destruction) consumed up to a third of the device's resources. After optimization, the CPU load dropped by 40% — which allowed adding more enemies on screen and expanding locations without losing smoothness.
For the player, this meant richer battles; for the studio, it meant the ability to cover devices with 2 GB of RAM, expanding the audience.
Metrics the Client Saw
The main result was player behavior. Session length grew by 22%, and next-day returns increased by 18%. Although the effects are "invisible" individually, together they create the feeling of a responsive, high-quality world.
The "completed the first level" metric grew by a third — and that's exactly where the most spectacular VFX moments are concentrated.
We didn't just improve the picture — we strengthened the project's economics: satisfied players are more likely to share screen recordings and recommend the game to friends. That's an organic acquisition channel that requires no ad budget.
After release, the client ordered an expanded set of effects for the next chapters — visual quality became their competitive advantage, and they decided to develop it systematically.
Addressing Your Concerns About Ordering VFX
When ordering VFX effects, clients often have questions: how will the effects behave in the game, when will they be able to see them, and who's responsible for the result. We answer the main concerns — no complex tech talk, no fine print.
Will the effects definitely fit our project?
We work with popular game engines and adapt to your style and platform. Before we start, we verify compatibility in your environment, not just "on paper" — so the special effects fit into the project without rework.
What if you don't make the deadline?
We lock the timelines in the contract and break the work into stages with intermediate demos. You always know where an effect stands and when it will be ready. If something shifts — we warn you in advance and offer a solution.
What guarantees do you provide on special effects?
We give a guarantee on the result: after delivery, we check how the effect works in your project and fix any issues for free. The cost and scope of work are fixed at the start, so the risk of rework sits with us, not you.
How safe is this for our product?
The effects are built on well-established tools and won't break your existing code. All materials and rights to the result are transferred to you — you get ready-to-use files and full transparency on the scope of work. No hidden conditions.
If you still have doubts — ask before we start: we'll discuss your project, show examples, and propose a format for your task. That way you get spectacular VFX without risks or surprises.Discuss VFX for Your Game Today
Special effects are the first thing a player notices: explosions, magic, particles, weather phenomena. They create vivid impressions, hold attention, and make players recommend the game to friends.
But doing them well isn't easy: without the right technology, effects look cheap and the game starts to stutter. We use Compute Shaders — a modern approach that delivers expressive visuals and stable smoothness even on mid-range devices.
In 10+ years, we've created hundreds of VFX for games across genres and we know what works and what doesn't.
So you can make a decision without lengthy negotiations, here's a checklist of what you get when you reach out to us:
- A consultation on effects for your game — we'll show you on your own example how to strengthen key moments and atmosphere.
- An accurate cost calculation — we lock in the estimate before we start, with no hidden surcharges or surprises.
- A timeline assessment — we'll give you a realistic completion date and stick to it.
- Examples of similar projects — we'll show how our effects look in games of your genre.
- A free test fragment — we'll make a prototype of one effect for your scene so you can judge the quality.
- Support after integration — we help with integration and refinements until the result is perfect.
Leave a request on this page — we'll get back to you within one business day, answer your questions, and prepare a tailored proposal. The consultation is free and non-binding, and as a bonus you'll receive a test fragment of an effect. We work remotely, so there's no need to go anywhere — just fill out the form.
That way you'll close the VFX question in a single conversation, learn the exact cost, and get your starting timelines. Ordering VFX today means gaining an edge over your competitors tomorrow. Contact us right now.
How to Choose the Right VFX Format for Your Project?
The right VFX format isn't chosen from a catalog picture — it's defined by your project's goals and player expectations. Start with the question: what is the effect for, what emotion should it evoke, and how does it fit into the gameplay?
If the effect strengthens a key mechanic — say, a strike, an explosion, or taking damage — it requires tighter integration and precise tuning. If it's background glow or atmospheric particles, a lighter solution is enough.
The second criterion is the platform and audience reach. Choosing special effects for mobile differs from PC or consoles: there are different constraints on load, memory, and loading times.
We don't ask the client to understand technical details — just tell us where the project will run, and our engineers will find the right balance between spectacle and stability.
The third question is urgency and the update cycle. Do you need an effect for a specific game release, or are you planning to gradually expand your library? For a one-time event, a test version that we show in your game within a few days is enough.
For a long-term project, it's better to build a modular system from the start so effects can be easily changed without redoing everything else.
And finally, your project's style: realism, stylization, cartoonish — this defines the visual language and the level of detail. We'll advise which solutions will fit the art direction and which are better to avoid.
If we boil it down to three points, choosing a VFX format comes down to three criteria: the task, the platform, and the schedule. We'll handle the rest — send us a description of your game, and we'll propose a format that solves your problem without unnecessary costs.