Clouds in FSO

[Randy1]

I did not run into the clouds last night.  Could it be they just put them real thick over where a good tank island might be to give the tank guys their own battle?

[Poppy]

OUTSTANDING!!! I'll deal with the small frame rate hits for those views. I'm using an old technology workstation with a great video card and maxed out graphics settings in HDMI at 1920. I compare the cloud frame rate hits as about the same as taking off at the same time with multiple squads when FSO feilds open. Never lasts long. Usually my computer will auto reset to default graphic's settings in flight if I take too big a hit but this never happened during flight in these hopped up clouds even with masses of aircraft in them, just a bit of chop and not much at that. The realism of these clouds is nearly perfected compaired to not so long ago. For the sake of those with computers less capable of hanling them I can see the issue isn't really about the clouds as much as it is about finding a way for everybody to be able to handle them economically through their machines, or whatever we call how a computer processes this modification. When it comes to graphic realism . . the more the merrier!!! I gotta add that the more realistic the aircraft settings, ie kill shooter off, friendly collisions on, etc.. the better too. Only my opinion, I know of alot of sticks that don't like this as much as me also. Bottom line, I think they are awesome and well done!!! Now lets get some weather in here too or even take off in pre dawn conditions and visa versa...

[FBDragon]

The frame rate issue with the clouds for me is really bad. single digit frame rates are not playable. Some of us who cannot afford high end pc's to play the game it puts it out of our reach!!!

[MrKrabs]

Frame-rates is severe - for at least half our squad... Most of use don't want to fly FSO anymore with these clouds...

[ink]

Frame-rates is severe - for at least half our squad... Most of use don't want to fly FSO anymore with these clouds...

ya this is not good....I love the look and feel they give but if it puts people out......I don't think we should use them.

[ELD66]

Frame-rates is severe - for at least half our squad... Most of use don't want to fly FSO anymore with these clouds...

 Get as many as possible to vote.

[Pand]

I know it's asking a lot --- but is it possible for some of these people getting hit with the frame rate issues to simply execute a video card upgrade?

My current gaming machine is 5 years old... a Q6600 with 4gig ram.
When aces added some features it started to get choppy for me, so over a year ago I upgraded to a video card from newegg (Radeon 485X) for $60 on special.  It is not a high end card and did not require me to replace my stock PSU that came with the machine.

With the upgrade I am able to run in 1080p (1920x1080), use detailed water/terrain/water reflections/bump mapping/1024 shadows/2x anti aliasing--- pretty much everything on but the object reflections, and get between 30-60fps (all depends on the number of aircraft in the vicinity)

To put last year's cost of my mid grade video card into perspective, it runs me $61 per month just for internet access (20Mbps down/1.5Mbps up).

[blazer65]

I know it's asking a lot --- but is it possible for some of these people getting hit with the frame rate issues to simply execute a video card upgrade?

My current gaming machine is 5 years old... a Q6600 with 4gig ram.
When aces added some features it started to get choppy for me, so over a year ago I upgraded to a video card from newegg (Radeon 485X) for $60 on special.  It is not a high end card and did not require me to replace my stock PSU that came with the machine.

With the upgrade I am able to run in 1080p (1920x1080), use detailed water/terrain/water reflections/bump mapping/1024 shadows/2x anti aliasing--- pretty much everything on but the object reflections, and get between 30-60fps (all depends on the number of aircraft in the vicinity)

To put last year's cost of my mid grade video card into perspective, it runs me $61 per month just for internet access (20Mbps down/1.5Mbps up).

I do not think the correct course of action is to ask a significant portion of the members of dedicated FSO squads, who commit to showing up every week, to have to upgrade their rigs (which is not even realistic for people with laptops), or not be able to have enjoyable gameplay, because people who have higher end rigs want to have more asthetically pleasing clouds.  I do agree that the clouds look great, I personally do not get severe frame rate hits and the game is still playable for me, but many of my squad members do to the point of non-playability, and will choose to not play at all, over having unenjoyable gameplay. 

As I've said before, its a risk/reward thing.  Having these clouds risks losing a significant portion of dedicated and committed FSO members(which will hurt the gameplay for everyone), for the reward of better eye candy for those who have the benefit of being able to afford higher end rigs.  Just seems like a short sighted approach, IMO. 

[Scotch]

It seems to me that it is not simply a case of frame rate hit = outdated machine. Because of the amount of people effected, ~70% by this poll, I think there is something else going on.

[ImADot]

I think many that have issues are ones using integrated video (i.e. no dedicated video card), or ones with seriously underpowered (vram and/or gpu) cards. At some point people need to decide if they want to play games or not...and if so, start budgeting/saving for an upgrade.

That said, Hitech is well aware of the frame rate issues with the new clouds and is working to solve it on the HTC side. I also believe until a resolution is found, we probably won't be seeing any clouds in FSO - or at least very few at a time.

[Pand]

As I've said before, its a risk/reward thing.  Having these clouds risks losing a significant portion of dedicated and committed FSO members(which will hurt the gameplay for everyone), for the reward of better eye candy for those who have the benefit of being able to afford higher end rigs.  Just seems like a short sighted approach, IMO. 

I don't totally disagree with what you're saying... but everything increases in cost as time goes on.  Look at your grocery bill, look at your monthly internet costs, or taking your family out to eat.  A poor analogy would be expecting everyone who has a PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 3 to deal with original PlayStation graphics because the original group didn't want to upgrade.

For me this is one of my hobbies and I don't mind spending a few extra dollars here and there to play... especially if you tally the total dollars spent compared to time enjoyed in the game.  You would be hard pressed to find any entertainment (including subscription and every other year purchase of a mid grade PC) that could even come close.   IMHO

[blazer65]

I don't totally disagree with what you're saying... but everything increases in cost as time goes on.  Look at your grocery bill, look at your monthly internet costs, or taking your family out to eat.  A poor analogy would be expecting everyone who has a PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 3 to deal with original PlayStation graphics because the original group didn't want to upgrade.

For me this is one of my hobbies and I don't mind spending a few extra dollars here and there to play... especially if you tally the total dollars spent compared to time enjoyed in the game.  You would be hard pressed to find any entertainment (including subscription and every other year purchase of a mid grade PC) that could even come close.   IMHO

Agreed, I did the same thing about a year ago (unfortunately I am not very computer component literate, and I didn't get as good of upgrade as I should have for the money I spent,  ).  But its just unrealistic, IMO, to think the people who are having issues basically only with these new clouds, are just going to go out and upgrade their rigs all at once, when they have been able to play this game perfectly fine as long the clouds aren't on like that.  It would be cool if that happened, but do you really think it will?  Not to mention, upgrading a graphics card for people who play on a laptop if generally not economically feasible at all.

[mbailey]

I don't totally disagree with what you're saying... but everything increases in cost as time goes on.  Look at your grocery bill, look at your monthly internet costs, or taking your family out to eat.  

You forgot gas, mortgages, kids clothing, electric, heating oil  etc etc etc. Its usually prioritys like these that take precedence over a new vid card. Some folks just cant do a new card / system, the nice thing about this game the devlopers decided to make it playable for 99% (guessing) of the systems out there.

Not disagreeing with you, I agree with you that finding entertainment like this for the cost is a real bargin. But if i have to give up some clouds for others to enjoy it, Ill do it every day of the week.  (not saying you wouldnt...just my thoughts on the subject)  

[MrKrabs]

I don't totally disagree with what you're saying... but everything increases in cost as time goes on.  Look at your grocery bill, look at your monthly internet costs, or taking your family out to eat.  A poor analogy would be expecting everyone who has a PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 3 to deal with original PlayStation graphics because the original group didn't want to upgrade.

For me this is one of my hobbies and I don't mind spending a few extra dollars here and there to play... especially if you tally the total dollars spent compared to time enjoyed in the game.  You would be hard pressed to find any entertainment (including subscription and every other year purchase of a mid grade PC) that could even come close.   IMHO

 

I can't afford this bloody subscription much less upgrade my rig... This will probably be my last tour for a while until the "weather" improves since I can't even enjoy FSO...

[Der Jude]

Something else for the Allies to hide in.