AMD 26.6.1 drivers add Advanced Shader Delivery support for Xbox PC app

AMD released driver version 26.6.1 today with support for Microsoft's Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) in the Xbox PC app. The feature lets developers bundle pre-compiled shaders specific to your GPU, cutting out the lengthy shader compilation step that happens on first launch or when you tweak graphics settings.

Modern games compile shaders at runtime to match your hardware. That's why you sit through a "building shaders" screen the first time you boot a game or change settings. ASD shifts that work to the developer's end. They compile shaders for different hardware configurations and ship them alongside the game. Your system just loads the right set.

The feature only works through the Xbox PC app for now. AMD cards running 26.6.1 or newer will pull pre-compiled shaders automatically when a game supports ASD. Microsoft hasn't listed which titles are on board yet, but any game that uses the framework should see faster startup times on AMD hardware.

This is a clear win if you're tired of waiting through shader compilation. The catch is adoption. Developers have to opt in and compile shaders for AMD's architectures. If enough studios pick it up, this could cut minutes off initial load times for demanding games.

If you're running an AMD card and use the Xbox PC app, grab the 26.6.1 driver from AMD's site. Then check your FPS targets with your usual games to see if shader delivery makes a difference on subsequent launches.