Profiling and Optimization

Optimized gameplay from the Kindred Fates Combat Arena Beta, running smoothly with dozens of aggressive NPCs and complex ability systems.


Role

Senior Performance Engineer on Kindred Fates, responsible for transforming a resource-heavy prototype into an optimized open-world action combat game supporting large-scale encounters and multiplayer PvP across diverse hardware configurations.


Key Achievements

  • Reduced memory footprint by 67% from 15GB to 5-7GB through systematic profiling and total overhaul of asset handling
  • Achieved ultra-low allocation rate of <500 bytes per frame, eliminating garbage collection stutters
  • Optimized large-scale encounters supporting dozens of simultaneous NPCs with pathfinding, decisionmaking, character controllers, and complex ability systems
  • Implemented comprehensive quality settings supporting hardware from budget laptops to high-end gaming PCs

Optimization Strategies

Memory Architecture Overhaul

  • Systematic memory profiling identifying and eliminating largest allocation sources
  • Complete asset management system refactor reducing texture and prefab memory duplication
  • Strategic texture compression and shader optimization balancing quality with memory usage

CPU Performance & Cache Optimization

  • Migrated critical gameplay systems from object-oriented to ECS data-oriented architecture
  • Eliminated per-frame allocations in custom code and third-party packages
  • Structured component data for maximum cache locality during large-scale encounters

Rendering Pipeline Optimization

  • Comprehensive Universal Render Pipeline settings analysis creating four quality presets
  • Balanced render scale, shadow resolution, and post-processing effects across hardware tiers
  • Optimized shader variants and eliminated redundant rendering passes

Technical Methodology

Data-Driven Optimization: Utilized Unity's memory and CPU profilers to identify bottlenecks systematically, addressing performance issues in order of impact rather than assumptions.

ECS Migration Strategy: Carefully planned migration of performance-critical systems to Unity DOTS, restructuring data access patterns to maximize cache efficiency without compromising code maintainability.


Impact

Transformed Kindred Fates from an unoptimized prototype into a smooth, responsive gaming experience capable of handling complex combat scenarios across diverse hardware. The optimization work directly enabled the game's large-scale encounters and multiplayer features while maintaining consistent performance standards.