The Border Kingdoms Team: Scripter Wanted!

[Legacy_BozzieM]

               Just a quick point about the server.

The type of battle shown in that video would not be a common occurrence. To field that kind of army a player would need to accrue vast amounts of wealth and resources. You just have to think about the logistics of fielding an organized army of that size. You would need to train, equip and feed an army like that. All of these things will be possible on the border kingdoms, but certainly not an easy thing to do.

The armies you see fighting belong to NPC factions, the larger battles between NPC factions will be a rarity. This is not meant to discourage anybody, the battle system will be integral.. But generally the role-play and political intrigue of the kingdoms is of higher importance to us. After all, we're building a low magic high RP server, not an action server.

Also, to pick up on your points Terrorble and Lightfoot:

The troops in the video posted did not represent the full size of the two armies. Both would be able to field armies of thousands at least, but that would put a tremendous strain on even the best server computer out there. Numbers beyond the hundreds are just not feasible due to the engine itself. Think of the battles themselves as cinematic, just to give players a sense of the epic scale of events unfolding. The real battle will be decided by good old fashioned dice rolls and variables in the battle room itself, the battle on the ground tweaked accordingly for visual effect.

I'm pretty sure Azador mentioned all of this, but it's important that it's clarified. Just to make sure it's clear that we're not blowing any of that nasty blue smoke. 
               
               

               

                     Modifié par BozzieM, 17 mai 2011 - 10:23 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_the.gray.fox]

               Hm. Late again.

Did I trigger some discontent?
I perceive some veiled fuss about me in the early posts above. Hurting. And unjustified.

With Azador I voiced a concern of mine.
Perhaps I did put too much passion in it, nearing the "attack" type of post (some zealots perceive as an attack anything that strays from the "yes I agree with you" line).
To clarify: it was no attack.
Which the OP realized by himself -- else, he would have replied me in other tones.

Obviously not everyone is as perceptive.
At the fusser(s) I remind that this is a forum: a place "meant for people to meet and discuss" -- not to be twisted in "to meet and agree", a close relative of "give to the infidel!".


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At any rate, my point was made, and eventually received. Kind of.
And I have looked at that clip posted by Azador.
Promising, to be sure.
And not looking like blue smoke, no -- come now, you just found a new way to recolor it, eh?

Dare an estimate. How many more actors do you think you can safely push on screen?

From what I know the volume shadows are one of the culprits of crashing on crowded scenes.
Have you thought to go as far as to alter your battle models (persons, weapons, gear) and remove their shadows?
That should chop a big load off the Clients CPU, having them not to re-compute dozens of shadows per frame.
You could push even more actors if that works.
And I bet nobody would notice that the shadows are missing. Assemble a good crowd and the eyes will focus everywhere on screen but the ground.


-fox
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Azador]

               We're still very interested in finding a dedicated scripter for the team.

Visit http://borderkingdoms.hyperboards.com/, we'll happily give any potential scripting recruits a tour of some of our high-quality building to show them that we're a serious and determined team, working on a truly unique project.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Taino]

               Sounds pretty interesting..
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Azador]

               A hopeful bump. We have the vast majority of our core systems in place, but could really use at least a temporary scripter to help us with some of the slightly more complicated things.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_mwplayer]

               

Dare an estimate. How many more actors do you think you can safely push on screen?

From what I know the volume shadows are one of the culprits of crashing on crowded scenes.
Have you thought to go as far as to alter your battle models (persons, weapons, gear) and remove their shadows?
That should chop a big load off the Clients CPU, having them not to re-compute dozens of shadows per frame.
You could push even more actors if that works.
And I bet nobody would notice that the shadows are missing. Assemble a good crowd and the eyes will focus everywhere on screen but the ground.


-fox

Shadows are client-sided, just like all the other graphical options. Go to video options and slide "Creature Shadow Detail" to 0. If they're lagging, it's the computer's fault. And IIRC, shadows process off the GPU, not the CPU.

I don't see a problem with clients crashing with a lot of NPCs fighting. I've played in many servers where two factions clashed. Laggy (latency), yes. But crashing? I crash more on ATs and poor scripting than that.

Also wtf, there are shadows in the video. Look closely at 1:40. Honestly, I think you're just really intent on talking smack about the project itself, no matter how much you sugar coat it. Is this the truth, or did it hit a little too close to home?
               
               

               

                     Modifié par mwplayer, 18 juin 2011 - 07:30 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_GhostOfGod]

               

Azador wrote...

A hopeful bump. We have the vast majority of our core systems in place, but could really use at least a temporary scripter to help us with some of the slightly more complicated things.

Why not just ask specifically what you need in this scripting forum? There are quite a few people willing to help out when they have the time but don't want to be dedicated to any particular project. Like that guy over there....~points to himself~

So in essence this forum could kinda be your temporary scripter.'>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Rubies]

               

Shadows are client-sided, just like all the other graphical options. Go to video options and slide "Creature Shadow Detail" to 0. If they're lagging, it's the computer's fault. And IIRC, shadows process off the GPU, not the CPU.

I don't see a problem with clients crashing with a lot of NPCs fighting. I've played in many servers where two factions clashed. Laggy (latency), yes. But crashing? I crash more on ATs and poor scripting than that.

Also wtf, there are shadows in the video. Look closely at 1:40. Honestly, I think you're just really intent on talking smack about the project itself, no matter how much you sugar coat it. Is this the truth, or did it hit a little too close to home?

The comment about custom models without shadows is actually a really good one - shadows are a huge source of lag, even on newer computers (I'm guessing this is just how NWN handles it, rather than it being some unbelievably complex thing). Disabling them on a model basis would remove the requirement for every player to manually toggle their shadows on and off between cinematic scenes, making the entire thing painless for players to get into.

If custom models were made that all shared a non-dynamic palette, they'd be even less laggy for clients watching the action. Not all players are on brand new computers so it's always a good idea to tone things down a little bit if it's something that has no real drawbacks. :happy:

On the scripting front, if you can't find anyone who has enough free time to dedicate themselves to the project, I'm pretty sure any requests can be handled through this same board - pretty much everyone's more than happy to help, if they can. '>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Rubies, 18 juin 2011 - 08:42 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_the.gray.fox]

               

mwplayer wrote...

Honestly, I think you're just really intent on talking smack about the project itself, no matter how much you sugar coat it.

Actually my last comment was genuinely constructive (meant to help -- not meant to bash).
And once more, I have not seen Azador reacting in this manner.
So why should you of all persons?

Instead I am not sure wether you are trying to set me on fire :-/
And your join date is suspiciously recent -- if you do not mind me saying it.
Are your first posts on a new forum always of this type?

If it is the case: You may go pick someone else to start a quarrel with.
If it is not the case: Ignore this comment. It is obviously a big misunderstanding.

mwplayer wrote...
Is this the truth, or did it hit a little too close to home? [smilie]../../../images/forum/emoticons/pouty.png[/smilie]

I can not answer it. I do not know what you mean.
If it is important and you want an answer, then rephrase it in simpler terms -- thanks(?)


-fox