Prey: Best game.cfg for High-End PC Visuals

The primary goal of this optimization is to eliminate the “Shadow Fade” and “Object Pop-in” that occur even on the highest in-game presets. CryEngine’s power lies in its CVar (Console Variable) system. By injecting specific commands into the game.cfg, we can force the engine to render high-resolution shadows across the entire station and enable High-Quality SSR (Screen Space Reflections) that make the metallic corridors of the space station feel significantly more realistic.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• GPU Requirements: This “High-End” profile is intended for GPUs with at least 8GB of VRAM (RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT or better) due to the increased texture and shadow resolution.
• CPU Impact: Increasing drawing distances and object counts will increase the load on your CPU. Modern 6-core/12-thread processors are recommended.
• Visual Result: You will notice a significantly sharper image, deeper contact shadows (SSAO), and zero “pop-in” for furniture and station debris.

Backup and Preparation

CryEngine games frequently overwrite configuration files if they are not set to “Read-Only” after editing.

1. Completely exit Prey.
2. Navigate to your saved games folder (path below).
3. Right-click game.cfg, select Copy, and save a backup copy on your desktop.
4. Open the original file with Notepad++.

File Location

The configuration file is located in your local Saved Games directory: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Saved Games\Arkane Studios\Prey\game.cfg

Best Config Settings for High-End Visuals

Open the file and add or update the following lines at the bottom of the [Renderer] or main section to push the engine to its limits:

r_SSDO = 2
r_ShadowsResScale = 4096
r_ShadowsBias = 0.0001
r_ShadowsCache = 0
r_Sharpening = 0.3
r_MotionBlur = 0
r_DepthOfField = 0
e_LodRatio = 40
e_ViewDistRatio = 100
e_ViewDistRatioDetail = 100
r_SSReflections = 1

Pro Tip: Setting e_LodRatio to 40 (the default is usually 10-20) ensures that small objects like coffee mugs, tools, and Gloo clusters stay detailed even from across a large room.

Key Parameters Explained

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
r_ShadowsResScale	4096	Doubles the shadow resolution for razor-sharp shadows in the Arboretum.
r_SSDO	2	Enables “Screen Space Directional Occlusion,” a superior version of SSAO for realistic lighting.
e_ViewDistRatio	100	Prevents large objects from disappearing or “popping in” at a distance.
r_ShadowsCache	0	Forces the engine to re-calculate shadows every frame instead of using a blurry cache.
r_Sharpening	0.3	Adds a subtle punch to textures without creating artificial “white edges.”

In-Game Settings vs. Config

To complement your enthusiast-grade config, match these in-game Advanced Graphics settings:

• Anti-Aliasing: Set to SMAA 2TX. This provides the best temporal stability for CryEngine without the blurriness of FXAA.
• Texture Quality: Set to Very High. Since we increased the view distance in the config, you need high-res assets to match.
• Anisotropic Filtering: Set to 16x. This is essential for keeping floor and wall textures sharp at oblique angles.
• Vertical Sync: Set to OFF. Use your GPU control panel or G-Sync/FreeSync for a more responsive feel.

Troubleshooting & Common Fixes

• Stuttering in Large Areas: If the Arboretum stutters, lower r_ShadowsResScale to 2048. 4K shadows are extremely taxing in areas with dense foliage.
• Game Looks Too Dark: SSDO (r_SSDO = 2) adds more realistic, deeper shadows. If it’s too dark for your taste, increase the in-game Gamma to 1.1.
• Settings Resetting: CryEngine is notorious for this. Once you save the file, right-click game.cfg, select Properties, and check Read-only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your game.cfg, you are unlocking the “hidden” enthusiast tier of the CryEngine. You can expect perfectly sharp shadows, zero visible object pop-in, and a richer depth to the lighting on Talos I. This setup turns Prey from a great-looking game into a true visual powerhouse.