As just confirmed in an official blog post, ArenaNet are to end the dreaded culling with the arrival of March’s update. Alongside this, they’ve also implemented variable graphic options to ensure it doesn’t crush your PC when 500 players arrive on screen.
I have to admit to approaching this news with caution. My PC is considered high end compared to some (i5 2500k OC’ed to 4.5ghz, 8gb of RAM, 560ti and an SSD) and yet my frame rates in WvW plummet to slideshows, even with culling. Without it, I fear I’ll be reliving the unplayable frame rates of Warhammer Online that made Realm versus Realm a miserable experience.
If the graphic customisation options work as intended (the prospect of attacking name plates seems odd?) it could ease the strain, but I’ll reserve judgment until I test it out.
Head on over to the official blog post for full details.