I guess I'll get at least 20000 points from you. :)
The plan is to make debris for all the frigates, then I'll move to motherships and other capital ships.
You can see a very early test of the Vaygr Mothership debris here: Youtube.com But the final debris model will be much better. Anyway every piece of debris which is too big for salvaging will keep the coloring of the original ship (like in the video).
Very cool idea. I suppose one could capture the pieces that were too large w/marine frigates, and then scuttle them to make salvageable debris? Or do you plan to have the giant pieces as permanent visual structures?
Can I suggest a new skirmish starting menu option?
Like "Debris: R.E.A.R.M. / R.E.A.R.M. [only for Capitals, Motherships and Shipyards] / R.E.A.R.M. [only for Motherships and Shipyards] / Standard HW2".
Debris are the first lag cause in Complex Mod. Big maps become unplayable if you don't have an high-performance computer (even at early stages).
Debris could become a big problem also for this mod considering their sizes and how much of them will be present on the battlefield.
I'll see what I can do. I don't know how to do it, but I see the problem. Anyway, large debris (the mothership for example) are "megaliths" (basically static ships), which means that they have LODs (level of details). So they'll use lower detailed models if you're further away from them. Colectable debris doesn't do that, and only colectable debris I'll change will be the frigate ones.
Which means that from the performance point of view, having the debris in map is the same as having a ship there. We'll see how will it work. Anyway let me know if it will still lagging (I won't observe those lag with my PC).
I supposed you were planning to do new collectable debris also for capitals, not only for frigates.
Anyway mine was a simple reference to a well-known Complex Mod problem. I haven't tested how your debris affect the game fluency yet, I don't observe much lag for now. I only wanted to underline the possible problem of making such debris.
As you said, a debri count as a ship speaking of performance.
Immagine a 6 players scenario; if debris aren't collected fast enough you will have ships for 12 players shortly. (Maybe a specialized collector in salvaging could help too)
I'm hoping that the threat of lag will simply encourage players to really look at salvaging their frigate hulks aggressively.
I (was) running a rig older than HW2 and didn't notice any lag with 2v2 (myself and an Ally Vs Two Allied CPUs) and Very-High Unit Cap.
And I play loooong games, as in mega-end-game, max-fleets, lots of debris.
Lag was my fault. After you told me you didn't noticed any lag I've looked for anything wrong with my pc.
Now I've solved the problem; the game proceed smoothly playing standard maps.
P.s.: Tadamir, you make me curious. Which maps do you play? And what do you mean with rig older computer? (I will pm you for this, don't answer here)
Showcasing Pouk's most excellent Frigate hulks.
(delete if unsuitable)
Hey, I've totally forget to show this, nice picture.
Thanks, it's not so impressive a shot but I wanted to show your hulks which have made post-battle salvaging more interesting. :)
Recognisable chunks of ships for salvaging is always more interesting ;)
That's gonna be one sorry resource chute that's gonna get stuffed.
+1000 points from me for each type of desbris that is recognizable from the ship it once was. How many of these do you plan on doing?
I guess I'll get at least 20000 points from you. :)
The plan is to make debris for all the frigates, then I'll move to motherships and other capital ships.
You can see a very early test of the Vaygr Mothership debris here: Youtube.com But the final debris model will be much better. Anyway every piece of debris which is too big for salvaging will keep the coloring of the original ship (like in the video).
Very cool idea. I suppose one could capture the pieces that were too large w/marine frigates, and then scuttle them to make salvageable debris? Or do you plan to have the giant pieces as permanent visual structures?
No I haven't plan any of this, but there's no reason not to. I like the idea.
Damn, I like that idea too Hell_Diguner, makes marine/inf Frigates bit more useful.
...I kinda stole the idea from Complex, actually. Would have replied sooner, I guess no-one will see this now.
Can I suggest a new skirmish starting menu option?
Like "Debris: R.E.A.R.M. / R.E.A.R.M. [only for Capitals, Motherships and Shipyards] / R.E.A.R.M. [only for Motherships and Shipyards] / Standard HW2".
Debris are the first lag cause in Complex Mod. Big maps become unplayable if you don't have an high-performance computer (even at early stages).
Debris could become a big problem also for this mod considering their sizes and how much of them will be present on the battlefield.
I'll see what I can do. I don't know how to do it, but I see the problem. Anyway, large debris (the mothership for example) are "megaliths" (basically static ships), which means that they have LODs (level of details). So they'll use lower detailed models if you're further away from them. Colectable debris doesn't do that, and only colectable debris I'll change will be the frigate ones.
Which means that from the performance point of view, having the debris in map is the same as having a ship there. We'll see how will it work. Anyway let me know if it will still lagging (I won't observe those lag with my PC).
I supposed you were planning to do new collectable debris also for capitals, not only for frigates.
Anyway mine was a simple reference to a well-known Complex Mod problem. I haven't tested how your debris affect the game fluency yet, I don't observe much lag for now. I only wanted to underline the possible problem of making such debris.
As you said, a debri count as a ship speaking of performance.
Immagine a 6 players scenario; if debris aren't collected fast enough you will have ships for 12 players shortly. (Maybe a specialized collector in salvaging could help too)
I'm hoping that the threat of lag will simply encourage players to really look at salvaging their frigate hulks aggressively.
I (was) running a rig older than HW2 and didn't notice any lag with 2v2 (myself and an Ally Vs Two Allied CPUs) and Very-High Unit Cap.
And I play loooong games, as in mega-end-game, max-fleets, lots of debris.
Lag was my fault. After you told me you didn't noticed any lag I've looked for anything wrong with my pc.
Now I've solved the problem; the game proceed smoothly playing standard maps.
P.s.: Tadamir, you make me curious. Which maps do you play? And what do you mean with rig older computer? (I will pm you for this, don't answer here)
Okely dokely.