Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: osiris

Hey I have an idea..a software that makes the graphics files for you-im sure there is a market out there because it would reduce the time it takes to produce games..in theory all you need is a 3d model of the terrain you want to make--u can use google maps than the software would read the terrain of the 3d image and than make you a complete file--much like a robot cutting steel for ships to a specific shape- other than copyright issues which could be resolved it should be feasible for the gaming industry to use google maps to produce 3d terrain for games

You're looking at a completely different graphics engine to produce anything remotely like that.

And then to make it "pretty", the average user is going to require a newer graphics card and more memory. Vast amounts of memory if you intend on replacing all the maps that are presently used for the Campaign Series. Let alone you'll be limited to a set area in 3D as producing a CS scale map of the Suez Canal would require gig's and gig's of harddrive space. I know what is involved, as I produce 3D maps as part of my day job.

It's just not feasible.

Jason Petho

Here is how it is done in 3D at squad level. 1 pixel equals 1 meter. Map files are around 5-50mb depending on size and detail. Maps are from 500m square to 2000m square.

tm.asp?m=2801622

wow..it takes alot for me to stay---stunned speechless..very cool

Here is a battalion level game that went nowhere but shows you 3D terrain with icons for battalions

http://www.matrixgames.com/store/370/

Here is a game at division level with somewhat 3D terrain and hexes, 3D units and map objects

http://www.matrixgames.com/store/374/

I think a platoon level, turn based game with 3D icons and a not too detailed 3D map would do well.

Gents:

I know its "fun" to speculate about the prospect of "newer" graphics for JTCS, but it ain't going to happen?

The game engine cannot support 3D graphics... the current 2D pixel graphics are not changing... Patch 1.05 content will add new scenarios, adjust some game rules, maybe introduce new units?, but will not address any graphic changes.

Also, one aspect that has not been addressed with the proposal of a new graphics / game design... is compatibility with existing scenarios? There are hundreds of EF, WF, and RS CS stock and player designed scenarios that have been created and played over the years. Some of these scenarios are considered "classics" and have great replay value. Would these scenarios be playable in a new graphics / game design? Are we willing, as players, to throw away all these scenarios and the work by many designers, for the promise of "pretty graphics" in the future? [&:]

Hi MW

As i might of mentioned before if your going to redo the graphics you might as well build a new game,,that being said..if the graphics would happen to be redone (by some miracle) it would not be very hard to find 50 volunteers to redo the scenarios in the new graphics---if you give them 10 scenarios each and 12 months to do it thats about the amount of time it would take to fix the graphics in the game-that would fix 500 scenarios in 12 months-you could even spread that out over 2 years..1st finish the original stock scenarios and than fix the rest..completely doable[;)]

osiris

Volunteers is theoretically a good idea, although in my experience, many are eager but few willing to put in the time and quietly disappear.

Jason Petho

ORIGINAL: osiris

As i might of mentioned before if your going to redo the graphics you might as well build a new game,

Agree.

ORIGINAL: osiris
,that being said..if the graphics would happen to be redone (by some miracle)

Again, new graphics will not be developed for JTCS? I could state the "wish" for pink Panthers and flying pigs that drop bombs, but that ain't going to happen either?

ORIGINAL: osiris
it would not be very hard to find 50 volunteers to redo the scenarios in the new graphics---if you give them 10 scenarios each and 12 months to do it thats about the amount of time it would take to fix the graphics in the game-that would fix 500 scenarios in 12 months-you could even spread that out over 2 years..1st finish the original stock scenarios and than fix the rest..completely doable[;)]

osiris

I trust that the above statement is "tongue-in-cheek" and you wrote it to illustrate the absurdity of a CS scenario conversion exercise? I would agree with you on the absurdity of such an endeavor.

Bottom line - As CS players... enjoy what you have? Be thankful there are no plans for more "optional rules" like the controversial Extreme Assault and Variable Visibility ones that have divided the CS community?... Wish Jason & Co all success in getting Modern Wars out the door soon... so they can focus on Patch 1.05 and hopefully get this needed patch out sometime in 2012?

The game is what it is and a 3d graphics engine is for now irrealistic.

-The game needs and cry for an interface revision:
Resscaling of the fixed info and menu boxes. They are too Tiny on new monitors and are innefficient for the text descriptions. In fact I love the menu designs but I d like bigger menus.

-some kind of filter to make extra zoom, scale2x?

-and perhaps capability to 32 bit color. That would help with the deffinition of the image and icons at high res.

-And the "on map results" from the PzC The post combat window would not be neccesary.

-And if Jason creates new optional rules, Welcome! If the user dislikes them the user can turn the optional rule off. Easy enough.

And that´s all. Nothing revolutionary but evolutionary but perhaps complex in themes like the 32 bits implementation.