I'm working on a map where units are ridiculously small, but to the point where you can still tell what they are. The problem would be that there will be many units (high supply cap) along with units in view (depending on how the vision works) so I can see a problem easily arising where it would lag the begeebus out of someone's system who plays maps with a "normal" amount of units, causing all other players to cry.
If half of the 12 players have 150~ units engaging, I can easily see a problem. Any input would be marvelous.
I was wondering if anyone knows a solution for this. If this has already been covered in another topic, sorry. I tried to find something, but could not easily. Thanks.
I also have a map like this. The game itself uses actors to fix some models and textures (at least to a degree) to a user's game settings. Unfortunately, there aren't low-poly models for most units in the previewer. You have two options: Export all the unit models and lower the polygon count by hand, or tell the units to use the lowest quality textures available through actors, which is tedious.
This mindset is stupid. It's insulting enough that WoW looks like crap because they want as many players as possible to play it.
Some people aren't poor and can afford good computers. It's sad when people like you cater to the masses. If a person can't run it on highest settings, they can turn them down themselves. Don't cripple the game for everyone.
That is true, but take starbattle for example. If there were, let's say, 5x the amount of the smaller fleets of ships (phoenix and vikings), it would lag. Lowering the poly count on those models wouldn't matter, because they are so small. It would be, in that case, better for the poly counts to be reduced.
As for WoW, that is a different story. I agree with you on that one, but Blizzard still wants to make as much money as possible. I have always said that there should be a way to play WoW offline, or have a server that only allows you in if you have a good latency, connection, and frame rate.
I don't think it's a good idea to force settings on a user no matter what the circumstance.
Working within the constraints of hardware is part of design. Normally, the graphics are tailored around the gameplay and the expectations of how much will be running. Since the graphics are already made for this game, you can't do that here unless you make your own models.
You're going to have to tailor your design slightly to the graphics.
This mindset is stupid. It's insulting enough that WoW looks like crap because they want as many players as possible to play it.
Some people aren't poor and can afford good computers. It's sad when people like you cater to the masses. If a person can't run it on highest settings, they can turn them down themselves. Don't cripple the game for everyone.
You're misunderstanding me, Vexal. These units are so small, you won't be able to make out the details on them, aside from that they're holding a certain shaped weapon and generally they're shaped a certain way, you won't be able to see "CAUTION: FLAMMABLE" on a flamethrower's suit, even if you wanted to. They are probably going to be about 1/2-1/4th the size, with no zooming in. I know nothing about modeling, and I ragequit my 3D model class when I was in game design in college. I would have to appeal to a friend or the Artist Tavern for that.
I've attached a picture to give you a better idea of "smaller units" that, if 3D, wouldn't require a ton of actual -detail-. This is through a high-resolution mod of Red Alert 2 (copyright Electronic Arts, R.I.P. Westwood Studios).
Theoretically, units would appear that size or slightly smaller in size. Also, I don't plan on having unit portraits, although I might. So, largely, I don't see how I would be punishing players with "good" computers if the models had less polygons and the resolution was lower.
Right, I totally get what you are saying, but take an FPS for example. The poly count on the gun you are holding is going to be infinitly larger than the poly count on, the interior of a room that you can't actually go into. (You know, one of those rooms in COD that you can see but can't go into, it's just there for show?)
Even SC2 follows this rule. The units are so small, you don't need the detail that you have on a COD gun. This is why they have storymode units and regular units in some cases, because for cinematics and cut-scenes, the poly count should be higher.
Should there be an option to "reduce the quality of smaller units" in a custom dialog? I would think so.
Put a huge message on the screen at the beginning of the map "TURN YOUR SETTINGS TO LOWEST QUALITY, YOU CAN'T SEE MODELS CLEAR ANYWAY! DONT LAAG THE GAME! WTF"
like 5 times.
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I'm working on a map where units are ridiculously small, but to the point where you can still tell what they are. The problem would be that there will be many units (high supply cap) along with units in view (depending on how the vision works) so I can see a problem easily arising where it would lag the begeebus out of someone's system who plays maps with a "normal" amount of units, causing all other players to cry.
If half of the 12 players have 150~ units engaging, I can easily see a problem. Any input would be marvelous.
I was wondering if anyone knows a solution for this. If this has already been covered in another topic, sorry. I tried to find something, but could not easily. Thanks.
I also have a map like this. The game itself uses actors to fix some models and textures (at least to a degree) to a user's game settings. Unfortunately, there aren't low-poly models for most units in the previewer. You have two options: Export all the unit models and lower the polygon count by hand, or tell the units to use the lowest quality textures available through actors, which is tedious.
This mindset is stupid. It's insulting enough that WoW looks like crap because they want as many players as possible to play it.
Some people aren't poor and can afford good computers. It's sad when people like you cater to the masses. If a person can't run it on highest settings, they can turn them down themselves. Don't cripple the game for everyone.
@Vexal: Go
That is true, but take starbattle for example. If there were, let's say, 5x the amount of the smaller fleets of ships (phoenix and vikings), it would lag. Lowering the poly count on those models wouldn't matter, because they are so small. It would be, in that case, better for the poly counts to be reduced.
As for WoW, that is a different story. I agree with you on that one, but Blizzard still wants to make as much money as possible. I have always said that there should be a way to play WoW offline, or have a server that only allows you in if you have a good latency, connection, and frame rate.
Great to be back and part of the community again!
@TacoManStan: Go
I don't think it's a good idea to force settings on a user no matter what the circumstance.
Working within the constraints of hardware is part of design. Normally, the graphics are tailored around the gameplay and the expectations of how much will be running. Since the graphics are already made for this game, you can't do that here unless you make your own models.
You're going to have to tailor your design slightly to the graphics.
You're misunderstanding me, Vexal. These units are so small, you won't be able to make out the details on them, aside from that they're holding a certain shaped weapon and generally they're shaped a certain way, you won't be able to see "CAUTION: FLAMMABLE" on a flamethrower's suit, even if you wanted to. They are probably going to be about 1/2-1/4th the size, with no zooming in. I know nothing about modeling, and I ragequit my 3D model class when I was in game design in college. I would have to appeal to a friend or the Artist Tavern for that.
I've attached a picture to give you a better idea of "smaller units" that, if 3D, wouldn't require a ton of actual -detail-. This is through a high-resolution mod of Red Alert 2 (copyright Electronic Arts, R.I.P. Westwood Studios).
Theoretically, units would appear that size or slightly smaller in size. Also, I don't plan on having unit portraits, although I might. So, largely, I don't see how I would be punishing players with "good" computers if the models had less polygons and the resolution was lower.
@Vexal: Go
Right, I totally get what you are saying, but take an FPS for example. The poly count on the gun you are holding is going to be infinitly larger than the poly count on, the interior of a room that you can't actually go into. (You know, one of those rooms in COD that you can see but can't go into, it's just there for show?)
Even SC2 follows this rule. The units are so small, you don't need the detail that you have on a COD gun. This is why they have storymode units and regular units in some cases, because for cinematics and cut-scenes, the poly count should be higher.
Should there be an option to "reduce the quality of smaller units" in a custom dialog? I would think so.
Great to be back and part of the community again!
@Uberfuchs: Go
Where did you attach the picture?
One thing: I don't think there is a technical solution. The only solutions are altering your design or making your own models.
Taco: don't get me started on rooms you can see but can't go into.
@Vexal: Go
Sorry. I could have sworn it uploaded...
Put a huge message on the screen at the beginning of the map "TURN YOUR SETTINGS TO LOWEST QUALITY, YOU CAN'T SEE MODELS CLEAR ANYWAY! DONT LAAG THE GAME! WTF"
like 5 times.