BlazeQ Member Posts: 260 From: USA Registered: 05-11-2002 |
Its been pouring buckets here in San Antonio and I thought this would be an interesting topic to start. In most of the 1st & 3rd person shooters I've played weather is usually not a factor. I know it's difficult to for the smaller machines even to render outdoors, much less the effects nature has on game play. But I think it would add a lot to realism and experience. I'm not just talking about the sky and whether the ground has snow. I'm thinking more along the lines of rain and snow falling, etc... I recently played a Return to Castle Wolfenstein level that had thunder and lighting. You were not outside, but you could hear the cracks & rumbles and see the flashes coming from the windows and it added to the atmosphere. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing about other games with different weather features and what y'all think on the topic. BlazeQ ------------------ |
Crptc_Prgrmr Member Posts: 169 From: Registered: 02-05-2002 |
BlazeQ, this actually occured to me a while ago, it seems most games that include weather today are sports games, most others lack any dynamics in this area. While my Larry Boy game is not going for "photo realism", I do intend to give it's environments "mood", so I intend to create some rainy effects including falling rain and (hopefully) puddles. I hadn't thought of actual thunder and lightning, that could be fun as well... Also, part of the plot requires multi-texturing which I just recently got working |
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BlazeQ Member Posts: 260 From: USA Registered: 05-11-2002 |
Another important point sometimes sacrificed for diversity is the uniformness of the level environments. This example is also in Return to Castle Wolfenstien. The first couple of levels were in a snow covered castle and village. The next couple of levels didn't have any sign of snow, even though it was wasn't supposed to be long after the other levels. Gameplay is the most important factor though, and I guess they didn't want to bore the player out. BTW what is multi-texturing? I don't believe I've heard it explained (and if I did I don't recall :-) BlazeQ ------------------ |
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Crptc_Prgrmr Member Posts: 169 From: Registered: 02-05-2002 |
BlazeQ, multi-texturing is when you apply multiple textures to the same polygon. It can be used for lightmaps, bumpmaps and all kinds of effects in conjunction with regular color textures. Most hardware can handle several textures at once, my desktop can do 8 at one time. My current use of it has to do with paint splashes applied to objects that have textures of there own... |
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BlazeQ Member Posts: 260 From: USA Registered: 05-11-2002 |
Oh, OK, I made things like that with Q3A shaders. Just didn't know it by the name of multi-texturing. Thanks for taking the time to explain it  BlazeQ ------------------ |
Ty Member Posts: 45 From: England Registered: 05-15-2002 |
Shenmue has awesome weather effects, even though they don't effect the gameplay, it looks superb. I think weather can have a great impact on a player when used for atmospheric effect, even if gameplay is left untouched. In my current game (strategy) I'm going to be using weather effects to effect a unit's accuracy, morale dependent on their type. For example, would a fire breathing monster be happy fighting in the snow? It would rather fly away and cuddle up in a cave =) ------------------ |
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nfektious Member Posts: 408 From: Registered: 10-25-2002 |
Ty, No offense here, but would it matter to a fire-breathing dragon if he was in snow? I would think that it being able to breathe fire it'd be rather warm all the time (especially if it's diet has been rather...acidic ;D ). Just my $0.02. It's your game [This message has been edited by Nfektious (edited November 26, 2002).] |
D-SIPL Moderator Posts: 1345 From: Maesteg, Wales Registered: 07-21-2001 |
I dunno, a fire breathing dragon might find it a little harder in the cold... hehe. I know i'd rather be in bed then go out in the snow... in fact i would just prefer to stay in bed all day, whatever the weather! --D-SIPL |
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Ty Member Posts: 45 From: England Registered: 05-15-2002 |
Good point =P ------------------ |