Updated Troops.

[SectorNine50]

So, is there a bottleneck in the comms? I hope not. I notice when upping from a carrier, if my mates also spawn at the same time then their planes sometimes appear to be spawning in mid-air away from the flightdeck. I assume this is a lag / other time related issue.

I figure the troops' positions would be managed on the server but the actual rendering would have to be done locally. So people might complain if their PCs started chugging when trying to render an Airborne brigade invading a field.

It shouldn't be any harder for your computer to render than any other objects in the game.  Might even be easier, since they are so small.

[Martyn]

It shouldn't be any harder for your computer to render than any other objects in the game.  Might even be easier, since they are so small.

It's not the size so much as the complexity. If you have a scene with lots of trees/buildings the computer not only has to draw them but it has to figure out which bits not to draw because they're hidden - from your point of view. Then comes the shadows. On top of that you overlay several dozen figures which move and also have to be oriented properly. There are several cheats one can use, but believe me, rendering 3D scenes in real time isn't easy, which is why 3D graphics cards have their own computers built-in. Lower end machines would find it difficult to cope, frame rate could plummet if several dozen troops ran across your path into some trees.

[SectorNine50]

It's not the size so much as the complexity. If you have a scene with lots of trees/buildings the computer not only has to draw them but it has to figure out which bits not to draw because they're hidden - from your point of view. Then comes the shadows. On top of that you overlay several dozen figures which move and also have to be oriented properly. There are several cheats one can use, but believe me, rendering 3D scenes in real time isn't easy, which is why 3D graphics cards have their own computers built-in. Lower end machines would find it difficult to cope, frame rate could plummet if several dozen troops ran across your path into some trees.

I am aware of how 3D graphics are rendered, but I think you are assuming that these new troops would be some super-high count polygon ultra real models (I SEE ACNE!!!).

If you are running AHII right now, trees, tanks, planes, buildings, and all (even at lowest settings), your computer is probably going to handle 10 or 20 troops with a higher polygon count than we currently have.  I imagine if new troops made a computer chug, then dogfights must make it cry.

[GreenEagle43]

hey pigs. i wrote the same thing about the troops in 2006 or 2007. i said something to the effect.make them look a little more real. with the Thomson 45,the m1
gerande,or the 30carbine. instead of a 45 pistol.and make them look like there real running to the map room with a rifle in there hands. here's the pic's i posted before.
 

and when they jump out of the plane make them look kinda real.

[Martyn]

I am aware of how 3D graphics are rendered, but I think you are assuming that these new troops would be some super-high count polygon ultra real models (I SEE ACNE!!!).

If you are running AHII right now, trees, tanks, planes, buildings, and all (even at lowest settings), your computer is probably going to handle 10 or 20 troops with a higher polygon count than we currently have.  I imagine if new troops made a computer chug, then dogfights must make it cry.

Dogfight with 30/40 planes in the air at some distance from the ground is OK, but within 500yds amongst the trees and you probably will have a frame rate problem. My point is that dropping lots of troops into a small space could hit the lower end machines if/when they try to render it all. Some guys are bound to run a mission of 10 goons - 100 hundred troops - or even more.

[SectorNine50]

Dogfight with 30/40 planes in the air at some distance from the ground is OK, but within 500yds amongst the trees and you probably will have a frame rate problem. My point is that dropping lots of troops into a small space could hit the lower end machines if/when they try to render it all. Some guys are bound to run a mission of 10 goons - 100 hundred troops - or even more.

Those 30/40 planes probably have the same (if not more) number of polygons combined than 1000 of our current troops.  Not to mention much higher-res textures.

Either way, technological obsolescence will occur at some point, unfortunately.

Also, don't forget about the Level of Detail system.  Unless all 100 troops are surrounding your tank at close range, their resolution will not be nearly as high.

[STEELE]

Our troops move as a squad, ever watch Tour of Duty? :bolt

[Penguin]

This could all be avoided by making the Call of Duty style skins optional.  You would simply have the level of rendering tied into your graphics slider.

-Penguin

[Plawranc]

Can the almighty Hitech descend from his infinite majestical perch called Grape vine. and enlighten us on this matter?