Weather Graphics

[Redmarkus5]

It's apparent that the weather graphics have had a huge impact on the performance of my system. Also, when I turned them off I realised that they had been hiding the truly beautiful map, which seems a shame really.

Wouldn't it be better to have 3 map versions (Clear, Mud, Snow/Blizzard) for the main seasons, as per this example? Alternatively, but obviously more difficult to manage, there could be a number of versions showing the weather state on a zone-by-zone basis, but for me winter is winter all over the theatre...

Please see below for examples. This is actually a very easy workaround until the weather graphics design is fixed.

[Joel Billings]

It's a non-trivial task to make different weather maps, espeically when weather is different in different zones. I wouldn't expect that to happen.

Marc came up with an idea that was too late for WitE but which we hope to do in future games. It's to create different map layers for different items on the map. That would make doing weather art much easier and it would look much better. I don't think there is anything we can do for WitE to significantly improve the weather graphics, so for those with performance issues and for those that don't like the look of the weather art, you'll have to turn off the preference item. Wish I had a better answer for you.

[Redmarkus5]

Hi Joel,

A bit of work and a workaround as well, but here's what I'm implementing:

1. Two Additional alt art folders, one for mud and one for snow.
2. Use of Paint.net to 'Sepia' the Mud maps and 'B&W' the snow maps - takes me about 30 seconds per map file.
3. Use of Jones Mode Manager to switch folders manually when the weather changes in-game.

Admittedly, this doesn't deal with the Weather Zones issue, but as the underlying penalties are not affected, that doesn't bother me too much. It's certainly better than seeing the 'Clear' map while fighting in blizzard conditions.

The files are huge, so uploading them isn't really an option for me, but maybe you guys can chat again about how to deal with this?

[CarnageINC]

I too thought what Red has said would be a great addition to the game.  Maybe with some luck and some time (after a growing list of improvements they seem to be saying are coming) we might actually see something of this quality come around.

[Redmarkus5]

And the Mud version

[Redmarkus5]

Thanks Carnage

[Redmarkus5]

Better to have a 'generic mud map' effect and explain in the manual that mud effects differ per weather zone, than to have big performance hits from the use of weather graphics, right? It sounds to me like a large number of players will need to play with weather graphics off.

Anyway, I'm implementing this locally, so I'm happy - or I will be about a thousand mouse clicks from now!

[CarnageINC]

You should do a mod on this, even if it means players having to manually install the maps for the visual effect.  I would do it, its a great touch  The map is just to beautiful to cover up with those ugly graphics, which most of as you said don't use.

[Redmarkus5]

It's my little out of hours project for this week. Actually, the full map files are coming about to about 1GB each (1GB for all of the Autumn maps and 1GB for Winter) so I can get them to you via my file sharing site. PM me your email.

[Redmarkus5]

Winter in NW part of the Zoom 5 map. 30 seconds work standing at my desk while simultaneously getting my kids ready to go play in the real snow here!

[CarnageINC]

PM sent sir [;)]

[roflbinflood]

How are the weather layers applied anyways? No matter how you change them they allways come out in the same "blob" like image.. is there a file that determines their shape somewhere or am i missing something?

[Helpless]

is there a file that determines their shape somewhere or am i missing something?

Weather zones are hardcoded. So uniform map art could be misleading.

[roflbinflood]

ORIGINAL: Helpless

is there a file that determines their shape somewhere or am i missing something?

Weather zones are hardcoded. So uniform map art could be misleading.

So theres a hardcoded pattern to all the weather tiles? [:(] Darn

[Helpless]

So theres a hardcoded pattern to all the weather tiles?

Art is not hardcoded.

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: Helpless

is there a file that determines their shape somewhere or am i missing something?

Weather zones are hardcoded. So uniform map art could be misleading.

More misleading that just having to play with a green default map during blizzard turns?

Come on now...

[Redmarkus5]

The devs could support a simple and quick workaround for all of us forced to play with no weather graphics:

Adapt the Preference screen so that the with or without hexes option becomes a drop down of available map types. (the folder structure already supports this).

Then add folders for Winter maps and mud maps. Warn the user with a dialogue that these maps are for immersion only and do not reflect the actual detailed weather per map zone.

Simples.

Do the big fix in summer 2011 if ever...

[Helpless]

More misleading that just having to play with a green default map during blizzard turns?

Come on now...

Relax, it wasn't for you..

[Redmarkus5]

OK. My apologies. It's just that Most suggested changes or fixes seem to get a negative reply here.

[Helpless]

I was commenting weather art placement by coordinates based on the actual weather, not the artwork... which looks quite attractive

Will look at the weather overlay performance problem.