Overwatch
Overwatch on PC evolves with the adoption of Nvidia Reflex technology, a system that significantly reduces the latency of online games for those using relatively recent Nvidia GPUs.The update is available on the PTR of Overwatch, or the server for the early public test of the features to be included in the final version of the Blizzard game. Nvidia Reflex is a technology that, in practice, reduces the frames that the GPU queues for processing in some scenes, effectively reducing the workload on the CPU and significantly decreasing latency, or lag, the delay that is can be detected in some situations in online games.
According to the data provided by Nvidia, even with an older GPU such as a GTX 1660 Super it is possible to obtain a 50% reduction in the detected latency without using Reflex, which can significantly change the gameplay of a game entirely focused on online multiplayer, moreover very fast and dynamic like Overwatch.
Nvidia Reflex works on the company's GPUs starting from the 900 series onwards, therefore probably most of the PC configurations with Nvidia currently present in the homes of players on average updated. At this point, we are waiting for information on the introduction of support for Reflex in the final version of Overwatch.
The game on console has also obtained next gen updates for Xbox Series X | S but not for PS5, while on Overwatch 2 you can get some information by reading the preview of BlizzConline.
Nvidia Reflex: the benchmark on Overwatch demonstrates the net reduction in latency Source
Nvidia brings its latency-reducing tech Reflex to Overwatch
An update to Overwatch’s Public Test Region (PTR) is bringing Nvida’s latency-reduction tech, called Reflex, to the popular esports title (via Engadget). The tech aims to help reduce the amount of time between when you click your mouse, and when you see the resulting action on screen, making the game feel more responsive. The fact that it’s coming to Overwatch was announced back in January, but it’s now available to players who can access the PTR, and who have the latest Nvidia drivers.
If you haven’t been able to get your hands on one of Nvidia’s latest graphics cards, there’s still hope that you’ll be able to try Reflex out for yourself in Overwatch — the tech was announced alongside the 30-series graphics cards, but works on cards going back to the GTX 900-series.
Nvidia has an incredibly in-depth explainer on how the tech works, but the very surface-level overview is that the game will work with your GPU to make sure that frames are made “just-in-time” to be shown on your monitor, so you should theoretically always be seeing the latest information.
It’s worth noting that latency can have a few meanings, especially when it comes to online games. Reflex isn’t designed to help improve your network latency, so if you’ve got a bad internet connection it probably won’t help improve your gaming experience all that much.
Whether the difference in latency will be noticeable will depend a lot on the type of equipment you’re using, how much better it is, and how eagle-eyed you are. Still, if you’re one of the testers, it’s probably worth turning it on to try it out, and seeing if you notice the improvement. For everyone else, it’s something to look forward to trying out in a future update.
AMD also has a feature meant to reduce input latency on its graphics cards, called Radeon Anti-Lag, which can also be turned on for Overwatch.