AMD made a big FreeSync 2 tech demo

AMD released a tech demo this morning showcasing the capabilities of FreeSync 2, the company's adaptive sync technology designed to eliminate screen tearing on HDR monitors. It's called Oasis, and at first blush, you'd probably guess it's a synthetic benchmark tool for comparing and testing various displays. 

I mean, it's a virtual tour of a lush, fantastical landscape rendered in real-time, complete with a comprehensive list of toggleable video and audio settings, and a frame rate counter in the upper right-hand corner. You can speed up the sequence to move at up to four times its original pace, and you can even reverse it if you want all the nausea of the Wild Mouse without any of the joy. Every aspect of its interface reminds us of a benchmarking tool, like UL's 3DMark or Unigine Superposition. And yet, in the reviewer's guide for Oasis, AMD explicitly states the opposite:

"The purpose of this application is to demonstrate the features and advantages of AMD Radeon FreeSync and AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 HDR over conventional display methods," the guide says. "This application is NOT meant to be a benchmark, nor is it meant to be a tool with which to compare products."