How moddable will this game be?....

[Gian]

Hi Moon

I was wondering how moddable this game is. Will it be possable for modders to tweak the 3D models etc. As you mentioned that Battlefront will release an add-on tank is this the only way will will get new tank models?

I was just wondering as I have really high hopes for this game but I really want a more detailed T-72 model. Missing bin on side of turret, no gunners' sight on top of turret ect, no exhaust, incorrectly textured side skirts. I don't want to sound like a pain, but look at flight sims that is out there, everyone is striving for the most accurate 3D models and why should our beloved tank sims be any different.

I simpy love to see my tank fire a shot from the external view as it kicks up dust and the gin recoils, amazing!!!!!!

Anyway, I know I posted before about things missing from the model and I know it is just eye candy really, but it would be nice as the game already looks great, I would just like those few extras on my tank models. (t-72 in particular)

And hey if you don't ask you don't get

Please advise.

Thanks,

Gian

[Arklight]

I would also like to know.

I have some ideas concerning different T-55 paint schemes as well as some new special features.

I love the T-55. Can't wait to recieve my copy!

[Jester_159th]

One thing you've got to remember about flight sims: Even the best looking flight sims have terrain that is VASTLY simplified compared to the terrain in any ground based sim.

The more accurate you make the terrain, the less polys you can put into the models themselves. When you consider the number of polys used to make models such as the MiG-29 or Su-25 varants in LO-MAC, to use the same number of polys in a tank would mean your terrain would have to hardly more than a green surface over a basic mesh. From the air LO-MAC (IMHO) is the best looking flight sim out at present. But, if you have a copy of it, get down low and ask yourself if you would be prepared to accept that terrain in a ground based sim. I wouldn't.

The bottom line is it's a trade off that's necessary due to the limitations of PC hardware.

[Gian]

Mmm. somehow I really don;t think that those small extras would make such a big difference to frame rates at all

[Arklight]

I'm wondering if it isn't the grass and whatnot that hurts the performance as much as it is the fact that all the grass/vegetation animated.

[Jester_159th]

Originally posted by Gian:

Mmm. somehow I really don;t think that those small extras would make such a big difference to frame rates at all

Quite true, at current detail levels the couple of small items you mentioned specifically would make no difference at all.

I was refering to your comment about 3D models in a tank sim not being as accurate as an aircraft in a flight sim.

[Slamelov]

Originally posted by Jester_159th:

One thing you've got to remember about flight sims: Even the best looking flight sims have terrain that is VASTLY simplified compared to the terrain in any ground based sim.

The more accurate you make the terrain, the less polys you can put into the models themselves. When you consider the number of polys used to make models such as the MiG-29 or Su-25 varants in LO-MAC, to use the same number of polys in a tank would mean your terrain would have to hardly more than a green surface over a basic mesh. From the air LO-MAC (IMHO) is the best looking flight sim out at present. But, if you have a copy of it, get down low and ask yourself if you would be prepared to accept that terrain in a ground based sim. I wouldn't.

The bottom line is it's a trade off that's necessary due to the limitations of PC hardware.

May be, but the scenery is much bigger that any ground sim, if Lomac had the T72BiF scenery, they could use more polygons to the terrain detail.

[JudoHedgehog]

If LOMAC had BoF terrain you could cluster every computer ever made and get about 2 FPS.

[LaughingTerror]

Keep in mind that your average airplane in Fs2004 had about 30,000 to 50,000 poly's in it. I think I read some where that the tanks in this game have 5,000 poly. There is a great big trade off that has to be made when making games like this. A few poly's here and there can add up very quickly.

[Arklight]

Many of the aircraft in FS with extreme poly counts though have features such as interiors, VC's, visible passengers, etc... (any one or combination of the above).

A tank model would need nowhere close to 30,000-50,000 polys to look excellent.

[ July 20, 2005, 11:40 PM: Message edited by: Arklight ]

[Gian]

MMm. I still think that the better models could be introduced with minimal performance loss.

I certainly hope we will see some in the near future.

[Arklight]

Originally posted by Gian:

MMm. I still think that the better models could be introduced with minimal performance loss.

I certainly hope we will see some in the near future.

I agree.

[Slamelov]

Originally posted by JudoHedgehog:

If LOMAC had BoF terrain you could cluster every computer ever made and get about 2 FPS.

LOMAc has a BIGGER terrain that BoF, MUCH MORE BIG.

[Arklight]

Originally posted by Slamelov:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JudoHedgehog:

If LOMAC had BoF terrain you could cluster every computer ever made and get about 2 FPS.

LOMAc has a BIGGER terrain that BoF, MUCH MORE BIG. </font>