The primary goal for Outer Wilds optimization is Physics Synchronization and Frame Pacing. Because the game’s logic is tied to the physics clock, frame drops can lead to “input mushiness” when piloting the Ship or using the Jetpack. This configuration focuses on stripping away heavy Unity post-processing (like Ambient Occlusion and specific shadow cascades) to free up CPU cycles for the complex orbital calculations.
Hardware Compatibility & Expectations
- CPU Bound: This game is heavily single-threaded. High clock speeds are more important than core counts.
- VRAM and Shadows: The “Shadow Quality” is the biggest GPU-hitter. In space, shadows are calculated over massive distances, which can tank FPS on GPUs with less than 6GB VRAM.
- Unity Engine: Since the game uses the Unity Engine, it is sensitive to “Refresh Rate” mismatches.
File Location
The configuration file is located in your local AppData folder: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Mobius Digital\Outer Wilds\settings.json
Best settings.json for Space Physics
Open the file with Notepad and adjust the following parameters. Note that some values are represented by integers (0 for Off/Low, 1 for Medium, etc.).
{
"graphics": {
"resolutionWidth": 1920,
"resolutionHeight": 1080,
"windowMode": 0, // 0 = Fullscreen
"vSync": 0, // Set to 0 and use GPU control panel for sync
"fieldOfView": 85, // Sweet spot for peripheral awareness in the Ship
"textureQuality": 2, // 2 = High (Textures are light in this game)
"shadowQuality": 1, // 1 = Medium (Huge performance gain over High/Ultra)
"shadowDistance": 1, // Lowers the range of shadow rendering
"antiAliasing": 1, // 1 = SMAA (Sharper than TAA for space vistas)
"ambientOcclusion": 0, // 0 = Off (Improves visibility in dark caves)
"bloom": 0, // 0 = Off (Stops "blinding" light from the Sun)
"volumetricFog": 0, // 0 = Off (Massive boost for Giant's Deep)
"waterQuality": 0 // 0 = Low (Essential for Giant's Deep stability)
}
}Pro Tip: In Outer Wilds, Volumetric Fog and Water Quality are the primary causes of lag on Giant’s Deep. Disabling them significantly reduces the stuttering that occurs when you enter the planet’s atmosphere or fly through the cyclones.
Key Parameters Explained
| Parameter | Recommended Value | Impact |
| shadowQuality | 1 (Medium) | Limits the complexity of real-time shadows from planetary debris. |
| volumetricFog | 0 (Off) | Removes the heavy “cloud density” that kills FPS on Giant’s Deep and Dark Bramble. |
| fieldOfView | 85 – 90 | Vital for spotting “Anglerfish” or navigating tight landing zones. |
| waterQuality | 0 (Low) | Simplifies the physics interaction with the ocean, saving CPU cycles. |
Exploration & Flight Strategy
To master the physics of the solar system, complement your config with these tweaks:
- Input Pre-buffer: If you are using a controller, ensure “Controller Look Sensitivity” is high. The physics-based movement has natural inertia, so you want your inputs to be as snappy as possible.
- The “Framerate Cap”: Cap your game at 60 or 120 FPS (matching your monitor). Uncapped framerates in Unity can sometimes cause “physics jitter” where objects appear to vibrate.
- Gamma Settings: Set the Gamma slightly higher than default. Many of the game’s secrets are hidden in deep shadow (especially on Ember Twin), and a small boost helps you navigate without the flashlight.
Troubleshooting & Common Fixes
- Ship Controls Feel “Laggy”: This is often a V-Sync issue. Disable V-Sync in the
settings.jsonand enable “Fast Sync” or “G-Sync” in your NVIDIA/AMD panel. - Stuttering Near the Sun: The Sun’s gravity and particle effects are heavy. Lowering Bloom and Shadow Distance is the only fix for this specific drop.
- Settings Not Saving: If you use Steam Cloud, it may overwrite your
settings.json. Set the file to Read-only after editing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does turning off Ambient Occlusion ruin the atmosphere?
In many games, yes. In Outer Wilds, the “AO” often creates dark halos around rocks in space that look artificial. Turning it off actually makes the “Solar System” look cleaner and improves your ability to see in the dark.
Why is Giant’s Deep so much heavier than other planets?
It features a massive moving ocean, dozens of active cyclones, and constant “Water Splash” particles. Each cyclone is a moving physics object that the CPU must track. Setting Water Quality to Low is the best way to handle this.
Is there a way to fix the “White Screen” on startup?
This is usually a resolution mismatch in the settings.json. Ensure resolutionWidth and resolutionHeight perfectly match your desktop’s current resolution.
Conclusion and Expected Results
By manually refining your settings.json, you are prioritizing the physics simulation over cosmetic effects. You can expect a significant reduction in “Giant’s Deep” stuttering, more responsive ship handling due to better frame pacing, and the visual clarity needed to explore the darkest corners of the solar system.