COD Map Tree Placement Issues - Dev Rework or SDK?

[kendo65]

This is something I've been pondering for a while. I have read the recent discussion here http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthr...=22249&page=46
but decided to go ahead and post this in its own thread.

In my opinion the biggest issue with the COD map is not colour balance or texture quality - it is the placement of trees. They are generally positioned too haphazardly and are too sparse. The overall effect detracts from creating a 'believable' representation of the English countryside.

In reality trees tend to be either packed in fairly dense woodland clusters or are used almost exclusively along field boundaries in conjunction with hedgerows:

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3


With COD:
Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6


COD seems to have several problems in recreating the reality:
1. Tree density is too low. Tree lines are so sparse that they lack the necessary visual impact.

2. Placement is too much along river and road edges rather than field boundaries. In addition there is no adequate representation of hedgerows - which should be a very common feature.

3. There seems to be a problem with precise tree placement. For example - the double lines of trees placed along the roads (Pic 5) is an attempt to recreate a common feature, but the placement is far too loose to make it believable. (For a real-life comparison look at the line of trees running vertically just to right of centre in top half of Pic 1)

4. The low density combined with lack of precise placement can result in tree features blending together in an amorphous mass rather than maintaining the intended demarcated features.



The low tree density is obviously an fps consideration and is adjustable to a limited, but I would say not an adequate, extent. [with current hardware at least]

The positioning issues are either down to problems with the game/engine or a symptom of the generally rushed job to get the game released.

Interestingly though, when it was still called SOW the results seemed to be more realistic:

Pic 7


Generally trees are positioned along field boundaries and even some hedgerows are visible.

So, what happened? And can we look forward to the map being reworked and improved in future? (as resources permit obviously).

Luthier mentioned some minor changes to the map in the latest beta patch. Other reports mention 50% of all features still to be implemented, including map features such as new improved water and waves. What about hedgerows? Is that another overlooked feature that will eventually be added?

Reworking tree placement over the whole of the map is obviously a big task and something that the devs may not be able to devote themselves to in the near future.

So.....great results were achieved with some of the old maps in modded il-2. When the SDK is released, presumably the COD map could be given some tlc too.

I would prefer that the devs were to do the job, but given all the tasks that need attention it may not happen?



Finally, as others have mentioned elsewhere WOP actually does a good job on this specific issue of getting the tree placement right:

Pic 8


I hope that Zorin and the others who originally posted the COD screens I have used don't mind me using them to make my points. Cheers