Terrain changes and low end systems

[Pyro]

Many of you have been wondering about how the upcoming terrain changes will affect the performance on machines that are just getting by in the current version.  Graphically low end systems (such as anything with an onboard Intel graphics chip) should not see any decline in performance because they won't be able to utilize the new enhancements.  They will still be able to run the game and without a performance hit, but they will take a hit to how the terrain looks.  This is due to the fact that different types of terrain will not blend in to each other where they touch.  Instead, there will be a hard line where that terrain transition occurs and it will result in checkerboard look in the terrain textures.  It won't look as good but it will still be playable and that is the best we can do while still moving forward.

[B4Buster]

Thanks, had been wondering about this myself

[daddog]

Thank Pyro. Been wondering about that myself.

[Getback]

Don't make me go out and buy the ATI 4850 I want so bad. Just don't do it. 

[Shuffler]

So the folks who still have to turn the crank to start their machines will still be happy.

Good of you to post this as there seems to be some folks stressing a bit.

[rabbidrabbit]

Great! 

[USRanger]

   In my 5 years playing, I've upgraded my video card 4 times and bought a whole new system.  Just to get the most out of my AH addiction.  So it's hard for me to feel sorry for those that complain about their rig being hurt by much needed updates like this.  HTC & AH have to move forward sometimes.  They can't base their business around the peeps with the lowest end systems forever.  Graphically, AH is years behind IL2 & others.  They need to stay semi-current, or they won't attract new customers, who year by year are getting used to other games with kick-arse graphics, especially the younger generations.  They expect eye candy more, because it is now the norm.  I'm not looking forward to buying a new vid card (actually, I get excited about it)  but I know it's the nature of gaming.  You don't need the latest vid card or system for here.  My PC is 3 years old, my card is a 7600GT(same age),  I have 2 gigs of RAM and 50 processes running, yet, I can run AH with hi-res graphics, sliders on full detail, and I still get 75 fps, the max for my monitor.  So, you don't need a huge i.e. expensive hardware upgrade or a top of the line vid card to get the most out of this game, but like every other hobby, it's gonna cost some money to stay up to date with the hobby.

    I didn't mean to say "it's hard to feel sorry" for some of these people.  What I really meant is that I've been there too.  Hell, I've still haven't gotten out of being there..  But I do know that this game will continue to upgrade and update over time, and that I will have too also in order to get the most out of my hobby here.  So I feel for some of ya, and I'm probably with ya, but some need to realize they can't play using an abacus forever.

This is a much needed, if not fairly late graphic upgrade for the game.  I for one can't wait.

 

[Kazaa]

The colours still seem to dark Pyro, are you aware that it was a hot topic last time the terrain was redone ?

[Spikes]

Many of you have been wondering about how the upcoming terrain changes will affect the performance on machines that are just getting by in the current version.  Graphically low end systems (such as anything with an onboard Intel graphics chip) should not see any decline in performance because they won't be able to utilize the new enhancements.  They will still be able to run the game and without a performance hit, but they will take a hit to how the terrain looks.  This is due to the fact that different types of terrain will not blend in to each other where they touch.  Instead, there will be a hard line where that terrain transition occurs and it will result in checkerboard look in the terrain textures.  It won't look as good but it will still be playable and that is the best we can do while still moving forward.

The hard line is for low end systems only? I've got a pretty high-end system and I'd hate to see the graphics put to shame because of the low end users. I assume that high end users will not see the checkerboard affect.

[Banshee7]

The hard line is for low end systems only? I've got a pretty high-end system and I'd hate to see the graphics put to shame because of the low end users. I assume that high end users will not see the checkerboard affect.

umm...that's what he said isn't it? 

I might just go out and buy some RAM and a video card anyway.  God knows I need it

[uptown]

I say bring it on! I'll buy what I need to keep up.

[CAP1]

So the folks who still have to turn the crank to start their machines will still be happy.

Good of you to post this as there seems to be some folks stressing a bit.

NAH...they'll complain.

[CAP1]

thank god i got my puter fixed.....it moves much faster now.....if not, i have a new one in the works just in case. the one i had the virus in is 6 years old now.

[Spikes]

umm...that's what he said isn't it? 

I might just go out and buy some RAM and a video card anyway.  God knows I need it

Actually he didn't. He did not mention what would happen with high end comps.

[Shuffler]

High end you'll see it as advertised. Pyro was only addressing the low end comps as folks were already fearing the worst.