Development Blog Update - Engine questions answers

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  • Dalin SeivewrightDalin Seivewright 0x0000221E Join Date: 2007-10-20 Member: 62685Members, Constellation
    Lets please leave the Mac vs PC debate on one of those tech forums please.
    Nowadays there is very little difference between the two so therefore all points are moot.

    In a more general scope, Lua is cross-platform and since they are making their own engine it will be easier to port the game/engine onto other platforms. Linux/Mac/Etc.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1684348:date=Jul 24 2008, 06:08 AM:name=ikir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ikir @ Jul 24 2008, 06:08 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684348"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Ah ah ah it is not about being trendy but having a stable and powerfull operating system. People like you don't know what about they are talking about, and believe me i see a lot like you switch and become a fanboy. This was the problem i was saying.
    I don't use Windows to play, all games i play are OSX native but nothing wrong in it i know a lot of people who have games like HL2 and play from Windows on Mac.... it is funny because most pcworld experts says that they are one of the most stable and powerful machine for Windows. Ah and i don't even need windows to play a windows game (hint check Crossover). Here we go as usual....
    About bhopping i think only aliens should have it, marines doing bhopping makes the game "arcade". just my opinion.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It's a myth that mac's are more stable than XP machines. If you invest what you pay for mac hardware into any PC platform you'll end up with something significantly more stable and powerful, but the PC consumer market (HP, Acer, Gateway, and what not) don't build machines nearly as solid as a the mac platform (which is why they generally cost half as much for a machine with equal performance). Not to mention the nightmare of ever having to upgrade anything with mac hardware.

    Macs are great what you see is what you get machines... but they aren't going to entice the computer enthusiast market. Their market is fixedly focused on the casual consumer.
  • PricePrice Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
    its NOT important, but will there be gore?
    In NS1 there was like no blood (both sides, aliens and marines) but i think blood or impackt effects are very important to see if you hit.
    It dont need massive gore like in tf2 with exploding corpse but pleeeassee add blood for aliens and maybe for marines.
    marines are not important because the aliens only bite, but the marines shoot on a long distance.
  • Dalin SeivewrightDalin Seivewright 0x0000221E Join Date: 2007-10-20 Member: 62685Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1684418:date=Jul 25 2008, 01:55 AM:name=Price)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Price @ Jul 25 2008, 01:55 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684418"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->its NOT important, but will there be gore?
    In NS1 there was like no blood (both sides, aliens and marines) but i think blood or impackt effects are very important to see if you hit.
    It dont need massive gore like in tf2 with exploding corpse but pleeeassee add blood for aliens and maybe for marines.
    marines are not important because the aliens only bite, but the marines shoot on a long distance.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    When you shoot an alien its blood (green) gets splatter against the walls. When you attack a marine, blood also gets splattered but even after just finishing a game of NS I don't remember if the blood splatters on the floor/wall. It does get splattered though.
    What video mode are you using? Those effects may not show with OpenGL :\

    It is very likely that these will remain in NS2.
  • DeadzoneDeadzone Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17911Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Awesome news to hear about the engine, and very nice FAQ. I do have one question though - since it sounds like you had already licensed the Source engine, but are no longer going to use it, does that mean you're out the licensing fee?
  • FelessarFelessar Join Date: 2008-07-25 Member: 64693Members
    I gotta say I played NS1 and it was a great game (Don't have the time to play it right now). Most of the problems I had with that game were limits of the Half-Life Engine so It's good to see that you guys are making your own.
  • HarimauHarimau Join Date: 2007-12-24 Member: 63250Members
    edited July 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1684291:date=Jul 24 2008, 01:17 AM:name=ikir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ikir @ Jul 24 2008, 01:17 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684291"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Same old issue. Macs are not expensive, they are complete, have a incredible OS especially for a dev... and i don't want to continue with this thing i'm sure that a stupid kiddo will pop up saying windows is better because his mama use it. Just ask to who have switched, they never come back, i was working in pc world as a technician. You can buy an iMac complete with everything from bluethooth 2.1+EDR, Wireless N, hd ready monitor built in, Core 2 Duo 2,4Ghz with about 1000 us dollars and they are going to get cheaper this summer or soon.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    well it's like my friend says,
    "those people say that macs are better because a mac comes with everything built-in--but when you try to install something on it, the ###### doesn't work!"

    and 1000 USD actually is quite expensive. i mean, if you're like a graphic designer or something, sure, go with a mac, I hear they're good for that, but otherwise.. there are better alternatives.
  • PrefixPrefix Éirinn go Brách Join Date: 2006-12-31 Member: 59353Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1684498:date=Jul 26 2008, 03:25 AM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Harimau @ Jul 26 2008, 03:25 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684498"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->well it's like my friend says,
    "those people say that macs are better because a mac comes with everything built-in--but when you try to install something on it, the ###### doesn't work!"

    and 1000 USD actually is quite expensive. i mean, if you're like a graphic designer or something, sure, go with a mac, I hear they're good for that, but otherwise.. there are better alternatives.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If you buy a Mac thinking it will run windows executables - then you really should stick to windows, for ever.

    This topic is getting de-railed lol.
  • DejikoSamaDejikoSama Join Date: 2005-06-30 Member: 54996Members
    edited July 2008
    <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Please don't use Punkbuster in the engine. Those guys can't even make a website that looks like it was made after 1998, nevermind create a cheating countermeasure that actually works and doesn't boot you out for no reason.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I 2nd this, not only does the ******************************************************ing thing kick you out for no reason, but for some reason they feel it's a good idea to run 2 processes of it at the same time, one for when you're actually in the game, and another one to run 24/7.

    of course, VAC isn't perfect either, after all, they don't even accept reports of hackers since they seem to feel like VAC is like antrax to computer viruses. of course, you all have probably encountered hackers that have obviously NOT been banned by VAC =/. but still, VAC does seem to be the lesser of two evils at this point <_< (and somewhat useful)

    ANYWAY, it's still nice to hear that you're making good progress. though I'd think an engine made for NS2 would be about twice as complicated as quake III Arena. >_>
  • mattoXmattoX Join Date: 2007-08-01 Member: 61739Members
    just use dual booting, have osx and windows.
    either way osx is more media rather then gaming. my dad has a mac worth about 20grand at work that he uses to make commercials. they are alot more expensive and whether or not you say mac overules all, people will still stick to the xp os.
    look at mac laptops, they are useless for even basic 3D games. macs were always meant for more business purposes rather then games.
    i do like macs but i dont think we will see many of them gamming.

    thanks for the answers to some curious minds, good luck again, i know you guys are working hard.
  • ZaggyZaggy NullPointerException The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-12-10 Member: 24214Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos, Subnautica Playtester
    Quite a shocker to hear you guys dumped the Source engine, doing things yourself instead of familiarizing yourself with something someone else made can be a hell of a lot faster yes.

    Good to hear there's a lot of progress.

    Windows vs Mac vs Linux: <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->We keep all of our code as platform-independent as possible so a port could be done in the future without too much difficulty.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> that would be awesome.
  • Nima_Nima_ Join Date: 2007-08-30 Member: 62083Members
    I think it's good that your developing your own engine, it gives you guys something you can sell later down the track as middleware off to other companies, just to be clear, is all the gameplay aspects of the engine handled by a higher-level scripting code? ala UT2k4

    I have complete confidence in max and the crew... Honestly, this game will be ready when it's ready. I'd much prefer that than some half-arsed release we sell all the time now.

    Interesting question: Will the engine support relief mapping + parallax mapping? and Are you planning on selling the engine as middleware? (If you do, will there be a indie-pricing aswell as commercial?)
  • MigeMige Join Date: 2005-03-19 Member: 45796Members, Reinforced - Supporter
    edited July 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1684037:date=Jul 19 2008, 09:31 PM:name=schkorpio)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(schkorpio @ Jul 19 2008, 09:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684037"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think PhyX is a great option
    1. its free
    2. everyone that has an 8800GT / GTS or up will be able to run it with hardware accelaration , as well as a lot of ATI people soon apparantly too, which is a very large chunk of gamers
    3. its the only physics engine that i'm aware of that doesn't need to run on the cpu (what that does for performance is yet to be seen)

    everything is sounding really promising for NS2! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Phyx in gpu is horrible idea and nvidia drivers: more deeper sh#t <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wow.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":0" border="0" alt="wow.gif" /> just look nvidia drivers in 3dmark vantage and ut3, easy cheat, they just modify 3dmark physics files to get free points.. Nvidia is better concentrate to make faster gpu:s than physics.
    Physics hardware accelaration is better to be in cpu or integrate to mobo, cos there is alot more power available than gpus (GPU:S are too slow to do that, its take years to advantage that).
    Now days quad cores are must product.. Soon we have intel nehelem(8cores) and amd has native quad cores. And most of games are still using only one core! So what we do extra cores?? I say physics and get Havok instead nvidia gamble Physx, wich is free for cpu support.

    I say get multi core cpu support and havok free cpu support and everything will be fine.

    ATI to do Havok on GPU when it makes sense
    <a href="http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8372&Itemid=34" target="_blank">http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=c...2&Itemid=34</a>

    And Please keep THE Bunny hopping (Yea remove it and its like boring cs)!!! If people dont like it, its their problem and dont use it.. Game is more fun when you learn something all the time. Actually bunny hopping skulk is easy kill if reg is fine...
    Is the problem that you dont wanna learn it or you dont wanna get 3jump script cos its cheating? Actually it isnt. In higher fps its more difficult use only +jump(space) than lower fps.
  • CxwfCxwf Join Date: 2003-02-05 Member: 13168Members, Constellation
    Not everyone has the latest-and-greatest hardware on their machines. My own machine was made when multi-cores were just starting to be the new thing, so I have one core that can <i>pretend</i> to be dual-core if a program asks for it. NS1 was accessible to a very wide audience by virtue of its low hardware requirements, and I expect the devs want NS2 to be similar.
  • MigeMige Join Date: 2005-03-19 Member: 45796Members, Reinforced - Supporter
    edited July 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1684797:date=Jul 30 2008, 09:26 AM:name=Cxwf)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cxwf @ Jul 30 2008, 09:26 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684797"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Not everyone has the latest-and-greatest hardware on their machines. My own machine was made when multi-cores were just starting to be the new thing, so I have one core that can <i>pretend</i> to be dual-core if a program asks for it. NS1 was accessible to a very wide audience by virtue of its low hardware requirements, and I expect the devs want NS2 to be similar.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I´m not saying that NS2 Needs über stuff to play. I´m saying that it should be supported not required. Yeah HL1 is 10 years old engine and ns1 came out 2002(4years later). I remember that time when this dual core was coming out, there was big fight.. Ofc dual core is better, cos game will use one core and windows+aps another core, so no slowdowns.

    Now we are in dual and quad core time, 6months more and we have 8 cores, so why we want only single core supported game? Or you want just old game without multicore or sli/crossfire support even hl:source support these?
    If game support more than 1 core, then 3 or more cores will get big perfomance boost over dual. Couple games support multicores now like: Oblivionin, Cod4, lost planet, bioshock jne.. More <a href="http://wiki.extremeoverclocking.com/wiki/Multi-Threaded_Games" target="_blank">http://wiki.extremeoverclocking.com/wiki/M...-Threaded_Games</a>

    There is UT3 multicore review. <a href="http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3127&p=4" target="_blank">http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3127&p=4</a>

    Actually physx is slowing game than boosting it.
  • xstation14xstation14 Join Date: 2007-01-08 Member: 59524Members
    It's great to finally see some result of the hard work you guys have been putting into the game. I haven't been more excited about it than I am now.
  • eemeeeme Join Date: 2007-06-26 Member: 61383Members
    With your new engine and editors do mappers have to compile the map before it can be played or does the engine use the same map files as the editor?
  • PricePrice Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
    will the engine support 16:9 or 16:10?

    NS2 ALPHA SHOT!!
    <img src="http://i34.tinypic.com/35lw7qp.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    just kidding, its an example for 16:9 or whatever
  • RadixRadix Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34654Members, Constellation
    By the way I'm waiting for NS2 to buy a new computer.

    As a sidenote, I will not be able to play bioshock until this happens. Please halp. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/marine.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::marine::" border="0" alt="marine.gif" />
  • kontrolfreekkontrolfreek Join Date: 2008-04-21 Member: 64119Members
    Engine name if you hadnt already decided could be Blink (would be ns related) anyway just an idea
  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1684888:date=Jul 31 2008, 05:46 PM:name=Price)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Price @ Jul 31 2008, 05:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684888"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->will the engine support 16:9 or 16:10?

    NS2 ALPHA SHOT!!
    <img src="http://i34.tinypic.com/35lw7qp.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    just kidding, its an example for 16:9 or whatever<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    i hope it supports 16:10 as most new monitors are this way <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    and that screenshot of whatever it is looks bloody awesome
  • PricePrice Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1685127:date=Aug 1 2008, 10:18 PM:name=schkorpio)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(schkorpio @ Aug 1 2008, 10:18 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1685127"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->i hope it supports 16:10 as most new monitors are this way <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    and that screenshot of whatever it is looks bloody awesome<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    thats because i post it, its from Halo 3 <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wow.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":0" border="0" alt="wow.gif" /> i never play it, but i saw this in the video and i was suprised how nice this level looks.
  • kckzikckzi Join Date: 2008-04-25 Member: 64153Members
    Alien bhopping is a must.

    It adds skill. On marine side, you can always improve your aim. On alien, you can always improve your movement. That's how it works.
  • KarbaKarba Join Date: 2006-09-23 Member: 58040Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Gold
    <!--quoteo(post=1684888:date=Jul 31 2008, 07:46 AM:name=Price)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Price @ Jul 31 2008, 07:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684888"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->will the engine support 16:9 or 16:10?

    NS2 ALPHA SHOT!!
    <img src="http://i34.tinypic.com/35lw7qp.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    just kidding, its an example for 16:9 or whatever<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That pic reminds me the hive-like Thorian Queen that appears in Mass Effect (btw awesome game ), first time I saw it I thought " What game am I playing right now, Mass Effect or NS2 <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> ?

    <img src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/masseffect/images//thumb/f/f6/930279_20071121_embed043.jpg/800px-930279_20071121_embed043.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
  • BetaSwordBetaSword Join Date: 2005-01-18 Member: 36256Members
    edited August 2008
    Good to see that things are progressing, and if the new engine works well enough, I'm totally in.

    As for the Multiplayer-Tests, did you also test Long-Distances?
    'cause it would be really annoying, if the Ping goes like 300+ only because I'm from Germany.(if you need a german Beta-Tester, I would really like to be involved)

    Also I always liked how you guys actually improved the HL1-Engine's capabilities with Natural Selection.

    Also, in the current Podcasts-Entry, you placed a Pic of the Current Level-Editor, and I'm very interested, if there would be useable Parts that can be sticked together , like in SuperSmashBrosBrawl but in 3D, resulting in Levels looking good like for example in Hellgatelondon(altough that's still having issues like placing a Turret in a Dimension-Gate, really annoying to get this happening).

    Well as it goes for Screen-Resolutions, the Standard Windows(640x480,800x600,1024x768(my primary one),1600x1200) as wel las HD-Resolutions(1280x720(My older brother's LCD-TV, he uses as his PC-Monitor, has some issues with Games that only supports 1024x768) up to 1080i)

    Well, anyways, I'm most likely to get me NS2, hopefully it get's a Release in Germany(I don't even care if it's translated, but offer myself for translating the displayed Text into german, if you want)
  • ArghArgh Join Date: 2004-09-07 Member: 31508Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1685215:date=Aug 4 2008, 02:40 AM:name=BetaSword)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BetaSword @ Aug 4 2008, 02:40 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1685215"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->As for the Multiplayer-Tests, did you also test Long-Distances?
    'cause it would be really annoying, if the Ping goes like 300+ only because I'm from Germany.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> They can't control distance-related latency (ping).

    The latency you will experience will be made up of 2 parts, the distance related part (usually due to the number of hops to the server and the latency and speed of the connections to each router on the path), and the latency of the stack within the applications (NS2 on your computer, which could be affected by how faster your computer is running the game, and the NS2 server, which should provide approximately the same latency for each person regardless of distance).
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1684387:date=Jul 24 2008, 10:47 PM:name=schkorpio)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(schkorpio @ Jul 24 2008, 10:47 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1684387"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Is that an attempt at racism?
    anyway i'm not saying mac is a more or less stable OS - i'm saying that every nob with a mac or iPhone or iPod usually has a bit of the "i'm way cooler than you" attitude
    you are spot on there though, nothing worse than seeing marines with pogo sticks. (unless of course that is a commander researched upgrade <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> )

    aliens need all of the speed and agility they can get, and its what seperates good and bad skulks.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    heh couldn't resist using this old thing <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
    <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/artwork/pogomarine.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

    New engine hmm? Request featurelist and bh with a baseballbat!
  • airyKairyK Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11126Members
    I'm tired of all these "NO BHOPPING" replys. It reminds me of part of the player community that overload there servers with worthless plugins/bots/and no scripting.. They are the cancer of NS and it has practically already killed the current game.
  • theVoidtheVoid Join Date: 2006-12-08 Member: 58962Members
  • resresresresresres Join Date: 2007-10-16 Member: 62652Members
    6 pages later, any official comments at all?
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