Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: chipr on September 10, 2011, 03:03:41 PM

Title: High Resolution Arena
Post by: chipr on September 10, 2011, 03:03:41 PM
I think it would be nice to see an upgrade on the graphics for this game. I realize that everyone doesnt have a gaming cpu and thats the reason for the poor graphics in some cases. Well, make an arena for ppl who have those gaming computers so we can see things like huge black smoke clouds from 30 miles away from where a base or carrier or whatever is on fire. Wouldnt have to make new terrains, just add a few more bells and whistles.  Although, a few more  new maps wouldnt hurt. I'm sure that they can do more with what they got but HTC decides not to because of obvious reasons. And plz save the excuse of another empty arena, better graphics will always draw a bigger crowd.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: skorpion on September 10, 2011, 03:12:51 PM
no. just because you have a computer that can run full eye candy doesnt mean somebody else does, and why does it matter? theres not a set graphics setting for the entire arena, we can change the graphics as we please. so why would HTC make another arena just for the guys who can run the eye candy?
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Messiah on September 10, 2011, 04:55:55 PM
no. just because you have a computer that can run full eye candy doesnt mean somebody else does, and why does it matter? theres not a set graphics setting for the entire arena, we can change the graphics as we please. so why would HTC make another arena just for the guys who can run the eye candy?

Please excuse the resident hormonal teenager. He's always complaining about how everyone misinterprets his replies as condescending because of his age when in fact it's implicit in his reply regardless of age.

+1 for updated graphics

-1 for new arena

Maybe just make it a new option in the graphics settings. Graphics update and evolve, unfortunately peoples systems need to eventually as well, it's a fact of technology.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: olds442 on September 10, 2011, 05:08:07 PM
I think it would be nice to see an upgrade on the graphics for this game. I realize that everyone doesnt have a gaming cpu and thats the reason for the poor graphics in some cases. Well, make an arena for ppl who have those gaming computers so we can see things like huge black smoke clouds from 30 miles away from where a base or carrier or whatever is on fire. Wouldnt have to make new terrains, just add a few more bells and whistles.  Although, a few more  new maps wouldnt hurt. I'm sure that they can do more with what they got but HTC decides not to because of obvious reasons. And plz save the excuse of another empty arena, better graphics will always draw a bigger crowd.
you know i got a idea here

why dont they make or let us make grafic packs for the ground and hangers and what not but not the planes. like gorund and hanger skins
like if you play minecraft you can use your own grafic pack but no one but you will know the diffrence
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Wiley on September 10, 2011, 05:40:42 PM
you know i got a idea here

why dont they make or let us make grafic packs for the ground and hangers and what not but not the planes. like gorund and hanger skins
like if you play minecraft you can use your own grafic pack but no one but you will know the diffrence

That'd kind of be open for rampant abuse woudn't it?  With a Solid white bg color dots would be pretty easy to see.

Wiley.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: guncrasher on September 10, 2011, 06:40:36 PM
That'd kind of be open for rampant abuse woudn't it?  With a Solid white bg color dots would be pretty easy to see.

Wiley.

imagine a forest of white trees/ground where all the gv's can be spotted from miles away  :D.

semp
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: gyrene81 on September 10, 2011, 07:00:43 PM
I think it would be nice to see an upgrade on the graphics for this game. I realize that everyone doesnt have a gaming cpu and thats the reason for the poor graphics in some cases. Well, make an arena for ppl who have those gaming computers so we can see things like huge black smoke clouds from 30 miles away from where a base or carrier or whatever is on fire. Wouldnt have to make new terrains, just add a few more bells and whistles.  Although, a few more  new maps wouldnt hurt. I'm sure that they can do more with what they got but HTC decides not to because of obvious reasons. And plz save the excuse of another empty arena, better graphics will always draw a bigger crowd.
upgrade what graphics? it's obvious you don't really know that much about the graphics engine in ah or you wouldn't have made such a request. most of us have "gaming computers" of various grades from top of the line monsters to economy systems. ah is not like those retail games you buy, both of my systems can run any first person shooter at the highest settings smoothly but ah stresses my video card if i push the settings too high. the graphics quality in ah is adjustable according to what your system can handle. if you think your system is capable of it, use the hi res texture pack and set your textures to 2048, set shadow textures to max and adjust the graphics sliders to 4 miles and highest quality...if your video card doesn't get hot and your frame rates don't drop in a large furball at a base next to water, then you have an above average system.

some of the models are outdated but they are being updated as htc staff gets around to them, when they aren't working out bugs or introducing new things to toy around with. pillars of smoke and big fires are nothing more than unecessary fluff that nobody really pays attention to when they're trying to send someone back to the tower.

Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: mechanic on September 10, 2011, 07:19:14 PM
This game is about manly flying not metrosexual appearances
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: MachFly on September 10, 2011, 07:55:28 PM
I'd like to have new graphics, but a seriously doubt HTC is going to make them in the near future. That's because most people wont be able to run them and we just got new graphics a year ago.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Karnak on September 10, 2011, 07:57:24 PM
I'd like to have new graphics, but a seriously doubt HTC is going to make them in the near future. That's because most people wont be able to run them and we just got new graphics a year ago.
I don't know about you, but my Mossie looks absolutely fabulous.  :p
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: MachFly on September 10, 2011, 08:04:55 PM
I don't know about you, but my Mossie looks absolutely fabulous.  :p

Oh it does. But admit it, the real one looks better. I'm not complaining and I like what we have now, but there is still room for improvement, perhaps in a few years we'll get better graphics.

Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Debrody on September 11, 2011, 12:58:20 AM
For me the buildings, city, bases, towns look allright, theres nothing to do with them. Just like the newer planes (the ones what have moving stick and throttle controls).
Whats old: the general ground texture, especially the grass. Also would be great if we had no palm trees on the top of the high mountains. The remodelling of the old planes is in progress, so changing theese would greatly improve the impression.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Noir on September 11, 2011, 04:29:09 AM
I'd like to have new graphics, but a seriously doubt HTC is going to make them in the near future. That's because most people wont be able to run them and we just got new graphics a year ago.

HTC is not going to make better graphics in the near future because they don't have the resources!
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: MachFly on September 11, 2011, 05:02:08 AM
HTC is not going to make better graphics in the near future because they don't have the resources!

I'm sure they have the resources, they would just rather spend them on other stuff. And I'm perfectly fine with that.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: chipr on September 11, 2011, 07:15:04 AM
Thats why a new arena would benefit those who want higher rez and better graphics. And if it was just about dogfighting, then why have clouds and fire to begin with? Prices of computers and video cards are significantly less then they were 3 years ago. And by the way, I do enjoy this game as much as the next guy, but these graphics look like its being played on a 32 bit playstation 1.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: gyrene81 on September 11, 2011, 07:31:34 AM
Thats why a new arena would benefit those who want higher rez and better graphics. And if it was just about dogfighting, then why have clouds and fire to begin with? Prices of computers and video cards are significantly less then they were 3 years ago. And by the way, I do enjoy this game as much as the next guy, but these graphics look like its being played on a 32 bit playstation 1.
you still have no clue what you're talking about...
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: The Fugitive on September 11, 2011, 09:10:21 AM
you still have no clue what you're talking about...

....and this is why the game is going down hill. Todays players come in and learn how hard it is to compete in the air. They are use to jumping into a new game and be able to keep up with everyone else, or build their "character" by running around doing mundane things to increase their strength, magic, agility and so-on. While doing these things they look at the "pretty eye candy". So while they drag along following the horde learning almost nothing they complain about the lack of eye candy, bigger explosions, more smoke, more clouds, more weather, more trees, smaller suns, smaller moons, moons out longer, more ships, better ships, on and on.

This game is about combat. If you fighting, you don't have time to look for these things. IF HTC adds more eye candy they won't bother to make a separate arena for it, they would make it for EVERYONE in the mains. They would also set it up so that players with weaker computers can turn it down and still play, and more importantly PAY their subscription.

HTC is a small company and so things come out of their offices at a slower rate than the "big company's" do. The bad side is we have to wait for them, and some things like "eye candy" that really doesn't add anything to the play of the game are put on the back burner. The good news is the stuff we do get is better than what the big companies throw out, and with a smaller over head we get to play for less. If they doubled the team, don't you think they would double the cost of your subscription?
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Easyscor on September 11, 2011, 10:21:41 AM
With new customers, it's all about what I call the Wow factor, and without eye candy the initial experience is as dead as the new baby seals' first few fights. Make it a gorgeous environment where those new gaming customers will want to stay.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Easyscor on September 11, 2011, 10:24:41 AM
Hey Pyro, any chance we might see 1/4 mile vertices in the terrains any time soon?
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Latrobe on September 11, 2011, 12:11:04 PM
How good the graphics should be the last thing game companies are worried about. You can make a game with the best graphics anyone has ever seen, but if the gameplay sucks no one will play it. AHII is a brilliantly fun game and I would love to see time spent on adding more planes and vehicles to the game rather than updating graphics.

That's just my opinion though.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: chipr on September 12, 2011, 04:52:23 AM
to the fugitive:

IF no one cares what they see in the game while dogfighting, then why do people constantly want new skins added? You cant see what the other pilot skin is when your dogfighting. And why do squads bother with nosearts if they are the only ones who will see it? I will tell you why, its because it adds to the realism! Go back to your WoW account


to gyrene:

why post a negative comment and waste space on the server and not even add an opinion of your own?
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Greebo on September 12, 2011, 07:46:51 AM
The problem with any solution to a problem that splits the player base is that everyone goes where everyone is. So either the new improved graphic arena would draw loads of players and the low quality arena would die or vice versa. Therefore the graphics upgrade would either be a waste of effort or you would be condemning players with older systems to near empty arenas.

Some graphics improvements also affect gameplay. For instance more smoke or clouds or ground clutter would look good but as other players can hide in it most would turn it off given the option to do so. It is also a framerate killer, particularly for older video cards that pass much of the processing for it to the CPU.

Adding new objects like buildings to the game increases the game's download size, mostly for the textures that coat them. Similarly adding a snow or desert set of textures to the base download would cause a big jump in the game's download size since not only all the ground textures but many of the object textures and shapes would have to be redone (snow on the hangar roofs, African towns etc.)

I think there is a way HTC could improve the look of the game and gameplay itself without these problems though. Currently MA terrain designers are not allowed to add their own 3D shapes to the terrain. They have to use the default field and strat shapes you see in every MA terrain. This is because incorrectly designed shapes could crash the server and HTC absolutely can't afford that to happen in the MA.

However there are loads of 3D shapes (buildings, bridges etc.) that are already in the download but that are not cleared for MA use. Some of these could be incorporated into new town and village groups and tested to allow them to be used in MA terrains. These wouldn't increase the download size much as they would be new collections of existing 3D shapes and textures.

Some of these might provide a gameplay boost, like a bridge usable by GVs for instance. Others like railway yards, factories etc. would just add visual interest to the endless green areas that seperate the fields dotted around a terrain. However they could also give GVs something else thats interesting to fight in. They would just have to look different enough to existing object groups to avoid confusing new players too much about which town to bomb.

Designing an MA terrain at present involves lots of slog and relatively little creative payback. You have to use certain objects, lay them out a certain way etc. Giving designers some new toys to play with might encourage more people to design one. Bridges alone would open up lots of possibilities.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: VonMessa on September 12, 2011, 08:13:33 AM
I would like for everyone that is clamoring for better eye candy to please record their sorties.

We will then send them to Lusche for him to make pie charts that reflect, in reality, the actual amount of time spent looking out the window, admiring the scenery.

I, personally, hardly even notice the graphics except for the trees when I hit them.  I do not play the game for the graphics, I play it for the modeling of the aircraft.

Again, my opinion, I would rather resources be spent upon aircraft/vehicles and the correct modeling of them, as opposed to an arena full of eye candy where every plane handles like a tie fighter.

Greebo makes some valid points.

+1 for the bridge ideas

Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: The Fugitive on September 12, 2011, 08:24:29 AM
See Rule #4
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: gyrene81 on September 12, 2011, 08:25:40 AM
See Rule #4
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Ruah on September 12, 2011, 08:43:36 AM
I thought we got a pretty nice graphics upgrade just last year?  Not that I mind more graphics, but a little too soon?
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Skuzzy on September 12, 2011, 09:21:07 AM
HTC is not going to make better graphics in the near future because they don't have the resources!

Sorry, but your opinion is wrong.

Hey Pyro, any chance we might see 1/4 mile vertices in the terrains any time soon?

The enormous number of vertices to shove to the video card aside (over 14,000 per frame) , there is no way an Intel video chip could handle it at all.

The terrain size would grow an additional 128MB+ as well.  That is not a trivial increase in size.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: PuppetZ on September 12, 2011, 10:08:29 AM
It is the nature of the beast IMHO. I have yet to see a flight sim with a good looking terrain down low. This is where the low res is most apparent. At alt, it looks gorgeous.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Chilli on September 12, 2011, 01:40:23 PM
Thanks Skuzzy and Greebo.  Enough said.  :bolt:
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: The Fugitive on September 12, 2011, 06:04:31 PM
I pretty much said the same thing Skuzzy said, but he said it nicer.  :devil
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: LCADolby on September 12, 2011, 11:16:21 PM
I love AcesHigh. In every way except graphics it is a leader in the WW2 MMO Air Combat Sim market.

I have a vice that I don't tell AcesHigh about, called Wings of Prey

This is AcesHigh in comparision on a 14 month old $800 machine
I get the same FrameRate from both AcesHigh and Wing of Prey (Released 16th March 2010)
Set at 1650x1050, 60fps, x4AA.

First up AcesHigh, it looks pretty good
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/Glendinho/ahss72.jpg)(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/Glendinho/ahss112.jpg)
(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/Glendinho/ahss98.jpg)

Wings of Prey is next, and it's just pr0n.
(http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/578929766358749337/BF5DC9686DF198D0F81786DBD1634BFB379DC3CB/)


AcesHigh deserves great visuals, but I can see how HTC could possibly be in a catch22.
If it did upgrade the eye candy, the guys on the older PCs would leave for a while or all together, losing them subsrciption income.
They did after all drop Orange and Blue for 1 MA, but if they neglect graphics they could fall much behind their competitors, losing them potential subscriptions from feeble eye candy hunters.

They have the resources according to Skuzzy to make the graphics better, sooo  :D I'm feeble and I want my eye candy
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: ozrocker on September 13, 2011, 02:27:23 PM
This game is about manly flying not metrosexual appearances
:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :aok





                                                                                          Bat you kill me :rofl
                                                                                           :cheers: Oz
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Wiley on September 13, 2011, 03:51:29 PM
Nice, Dolby.  What happens to your FR when you get 50 planes in the same area?

Wiley.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: LCADolby on September 13, 2011, 04:07:18 PM
Nice, Dolby.  What happens to your FR when you get 50 planes in the same area?

Wiley.
(http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/576673534632754347/3DE9D13AC9D8610BA8FFFCD13D7092EDEECC0963/)
http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197993632034/screenshots/?tab=&showdate=1&filter=app_45300

Like AcesHigh if thing get busy a drop of 10 fps is about as bad as it gets.
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: The Fugitive on September 13, 2011, 04:11:04 PM
Using that picture as a comparison, I don't think it looks all that good. Sure there is more variety of things on the ground, but it looks washed out, and the plane looks like crap to me. Are the trees buildings and things 3D objects? or are they just a picture? I think the sharpness and the brightness of the Aces High terrains look much better. With all the 3D objects I'm sure it takes up much more file space as well as computer power to render.  
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: Kazaa on September 13, 2011, 04:59:27 PM
I also found it strange that my 2 year old, then super computer could run WoP better then Aces High.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that WoP supports Crossfire better?
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: PuppetZ on September 13, 2011, 07:19:44 PM
I would not compare AH with WoP. They are most definitely not the same. Having played both, I can say one is a big(edit : huge) scale war/flight simulator while the other is an arcadish flying game that make up for it's gameplay limitation with the graphic department. I might also note that the sheer scale of the "war" going on is not even close. WoP maps a very small compared to what AH offers. And you dont have 4-500ish player in there at the time. Maybe a few tens of bots/players at most.

 :salute
Title: Re: High Resolution Arena
Post by: LCADolby on September 13, 2011, 09:32:24 PM
I would not compare AH with WoP. They are most definitely not the same. Having played both, I can say one is a big(edit : huge) scale war/flight simulator while the other is an arcadish flying game that make up for it's gameplay limitation with the graphic department. I might also note that the sheer scale of the "war" going on is not even close. WoP maps a very small compared to what AH offers. And you dont have 4-500ish player in there at the time. Maybe a few tens of bots/players at most.

 :salute

Comparing graphics is all I'm doing. True WoP does not have 500+ humans online and 1000mile square maps in a war.  But give AcesHigh WoP's graphics... ;)

(WP is only arcadish if you fly it on easy)