HDR

[Saxman]

Just a thought for players with higher-end setups: an option (that can be turned off for low-end systems) to use HDR lighting effects. Even with the concessions HTC needs to make to graphics to have the game playable on as many different systems with the inherent speed issues of the online format, I'm continuously amazed at how much difference HDR can make in the atmosphere of even relatively low-detailed graphics. This would especially be noticeable in how sun effects are displayed, especially if the sun in the game is set up to actually function as a light source.

[Motherland]

especially if the sun in the game is set up to actually function as a light source.

It is I think.
I agree. This game would look top notch with an improved lighting engine.

[Noir]

  It would make Aces high really pretty without any changes for the low end PCs.

[moot]

Something tells me we'd need the lighting to be more sophisticated before HDR becomes worth the development expense...  Better lighting engine and pixel shaders.  HDR is the range of color and light.. Just adding HDR to the pretty simplistic lighting system seems like putting the carriage before the horses..

[Noir]

Ok just bloom lightening then 

[Ack-Ack]

Ok just bloom lightening then 

You need HDR for bloom effects.  The problem with HDR is the limitations in DirectX 9 and that's you can't have hardware enabled HDR and FSAA at the same time, only in DX 10 can you have them both enabled on the video card.


ack-ack

[Yossarian]

Just a thought for players with higher-end setups: an option (that can be turned off for low-end systems) to use HDR lighting effects. Even with the concessions HTC needs to make to graphics to have the game playable on as many different systems with the inherent speed issues of the online format, I'm continuously amazed at how much difference HDR can make in the atmosphere of even relatively low-detailed graphics. This would especially be noticeable in how sun effects are displayed, especially if the sun in the game is set up to actually function as a light source.

I like it 

<S>

Yossarian

[Ack-Ack]

Just a thought for players with higher-end setups: an option (that can be turned off for low-end systems) to use HDR lighting effects. Even with the concessions HTC needs to make to graphics to have the game playable on as many different systems with the inherent speed issues of the online format, I'm continuously amazed at how much difference HDR can make in the atmosphere of even relatively low-detailed graphics. This would especially be noticeable in how sun effects are displayed, especially if the sun in the game is set up to actually function as a light source.

Unfortunately, there is a incompatibility issues with HDR and FSAA in DirectX 9c, which is required for AH.  You cannot hardware enable HDR and FSAA, you can only do it through software emulation which means increased CPU load and lower peformance, even for high end systems.  If AH was a DirectX 10 compatible game, then you could have FSAA and HDR enabled through hardware provided you had a DX 10 compliant video card.


ack-ack

[Noir]

Most people don't need FSAA...I don't.

[Ack-Ack]

Most people don't need FSAA...I don't.

Sure, if you have a 20" or larger monitor capable of high resolutions it might not be needed.  But those running at 1900x400 or lower, jagged edges are very noticable without FSAA. 


ack-ack