Friday 2011-02-04 Dev. update and Discussion

Originally Posted by luthier

Whoa.

I did post this on a Russian-language forum a few days ago.

The dynamic weather is extremely complex and done in-depth, more so than in any other sim. However its complexity is its downfall. It runs so slow, you can't fly with it on our large map. The physics kill the CPU and the complex clouds kill the video card.

Since complex weather was down the task list for the team behind FM, AI, various plane systems, and DM, we started on optimizing it too late and so won't have it working at sufficient framerate in time for release.

However we actually are shipping the weather in its current state with the game, accessible to the player via the FMB as a "play with it at your own risk" undocumented feature. And we will definitely be updating and improving it in the future.

Ah haaaaaaaaaa! So, in theory, you could a least show us in a still screen shot how complex clouds will look in the gameplay when it is optimized ?
Just for the fun of it ?
Thanks...And great job Luthier !

Salute !

[Luftwaffepilot]

I don't think something can be optimized from 1 fps to an acceptable framerate. That's utopia.

[luthier]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffepilot

I don't think something can be optimized from 1 fps to an acceptable framerate. That's utopia.

Hello. I'd like to introduce you to a little project called Cliffs of Dover. About 9 months ago I had less than 1 fps while trying to fly a single plane. Same machine where today's video was taken.

[Luftwaffepilot]

Originally Posted by luthier

Hello. I'd like to introduce you to a little project called Cliffs of Dover. About 9 months ago I had less than 1 fps while trying to fly a single plane. Same machine where today's video was taken.

That would mean it's pretty much not optimized at all now. Thought this couldn't be because of the long dev time now. But if you get it the same with the weather, I'll be alright then.

May I ask again. I'm wondering if this is the pc the screenshots of this and previous updates were made on and if the gtx 275 was meant to be the "low end" gfx card?

[furbs]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffepilot

That would mean it's pretty much not optimized at all now. Thought this couldn't be because of the long dev time now. But if you get it the same with the weather, I'll be alright then.

May I ask again. I'm wondering if this is the pc the screenshots of this and previous updates were made on and if the gtx 275 was meant to be the "low end" gfx card?

Im guessing the stuttering and lowish FPS are more to do with the CPU Luthier is using

[luthier]

Originally Posted by luftwaffepilot

that would mean it's pretty much not optimized at all now. Thought this couldn't be because of the long dev time now. But if you get it the same with the weather, i'll be alright then.

May i ask again. I'm wondering if this is the pc the screenshots of this and previous updates were made on and if the gtx 275 was meant to be the "low end" gfx card?

lol

[Romanator21]

Tell 'em like it is Ilya

Everyone seems to forget that the most important aspect is the core of the engine- get that right and every other cool feature will follow. Dynamic weather would be bogus if the FM's and DM's were only at the level of WoP, for instance.

[Defender]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffepilot

I don't think something can be optimized from 1 fps to an acceptable framerate. That's utopia.

And you have a background in computer engineering/programming I assume? No okay thanks for your input.

In case you missed it, the feature is being WORKED on and as stated by Luthier will be released at a later time. I personally would rather have the game sooner and wait for it whilst playing than waiting longer for the sim to release.

It's not like the feature was completely left on the floor, it's actually IN game (again as Luthier mentioned) as an "unmarked" feature for now. So turn it on if you want....or be patient and let them do their work.

[Luftwaffepilot]

Originally Posted by Defender

And you have a background in computer engineering/programming I assume? No okay thanks for your input.

In case you missed it, the feature is being WORKED on and as stated by Luthier will be released at a later time. I personally would rather have the game sooner and wait for it whilst playing than waiting longer for the sim to release.

It's not like the feature was completely left on the floor, it's actually IN game (again as Luthier mentioned) as an "unmarked" feature for now. So turn it on if you want....or be patient and let them do their work.

You are actually right. But this was one of the main features advertised already back in 2006, so my worries are not at all causeless.

[Defender]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffepilot

You are actually right. But this was one of the main features advertised already back in 2006, so my worries are not at all causeless.

It's a great feature, but understand it's very complicated so if it's been 5 years and it's "not right" ... it's obviously pretty heavy handed.

The good news is it's still a priority and will be worked on until it's right. Maybe Q4 2011...