Bridging the Gap

[JuliaSet]

Just my http://citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/twocents.gif from an old foggy like me. http://citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/old.gif
I remember the wonderful 3D world of C4. I recall the glorious sunsets, the snow, rain and fog. http://citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/lightning.gifWeather was fun, but I see that the SC fans like clarity, so could we have a weather toggle to please the purists?

Am guessing that going to 3d is also processor intensive, so there will be a limit on what they CAN put in the game. Maybe that is why there has to be a change in SCS. Graphics eat processing and RAM power, finding the "sweet spot" for balance with the features will probably be the goal. Finding what fits in the most rigs won't be easy.

Maybe that is why Maxis is waiting for an upgrade from its last full version? They evidently filled up the 2d possibilities for many computers and have to wait for the world to get huge fast rigs to allow for an upgrade with every single possible feature into 3D. Meanwhile melding and experimenting with 3D will eventually provide the groundwork needed for a complete upgrade from the 2D game. Let's work with TM to see that Maxis gets that experience. http://citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/work2.gif

GO TM! http://citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/go-team.gif

[Agamemnus]

It is not the 3D that is processor intensive. Simcity 3000 and Simcity 4 are already 3D AFAIK. It's just that you can't change the viewing angle because otherwise the speed of the game grinds to a halt. Even Caesar IV is pretty slow (with shadows) for only 2 year old graphics cards. By the way the new graphics cards are going, it's only a matter of time that Simcity will become "fully" 3D, though.

[callagrafx]

No, SC3 and SC4 just appear 3D. The models are basic boxes (LODs) with the building pre-rendered onto the faces. The rendering is done isometric at 4 angles, so there are 20 renders per model (5 preset zoom levels) and mapped onto a 3D box with only 5 faces, so the computation is simple.

[JuliaSet]

Well, bridging the gap with more modern computers to a complex old game is going to be quite a task. As you see, the TM releases anticipated more folks having fancy computers. Hopefully they will use that experience in the new release.

[arcan]

I just hope it won't require a 12 cores 12GHz 10GoRAM comp... :eek:
:rolleyes:

[Rubicon]

I just hope it won't require a 12 cores 12GHz 10GoRAM comp... :eek:
:rolleyes:
Not unless you want to run it on Vista. ;)

[Dale]

Not unless you want to run it on Vista. ;)

And even then without Aero. ;)

[arcan]

Not unless you want to run it on Vista. ;)
No surprise here. Nothing runs with Vista. Not even Vista! :p

[NappySick]

So my fav game goto go backwards cos u skinflints wont buy a decent rig -(

[Azeem]

So my fav game goto go backwards cos u skinflints wont buy a decent rig -(

Sounds like you haven't yet had the *pleasure* of paying bills and dealing with loans. ;)

My laptop can run Civilization IV (a fairly recent game, by the way) competently, but I'm not sure if it can really handle any newer games. :o

[NappySick]

No il just go without food for 2 weeks so i can get crossfire graphics .. My bills arent to bad around £1400 a month

[Rubicon]

So my fav game goto go backwards cos u skinflints wont buy a decent rig -(
I have a decent rig:

System Model: Dimension XPS
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.46GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Card name: RADEON X850 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5D4D)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)

I can run many games (including Far Cry and Caesar 4) on max settings.

But that doesn't mean it's OK to have to choose between a family vacation and new computer every two or three years.

And I'm not a Microsoft hater, by the way. But sometimes it's too easy to pile on. My main Vista disappointment is all of the digital rights overhead that bogs down performance and overcomplicates things.

[AmunRe]

Not unless you want to run it on Vista. ;)

Not even that, Vista 32bit does recoginize anything over 3GB of ram. 64 bit will run 4GB but only after some hoops you jump through.

I think my Dell XPS will run it just fine no matter how intensive they make it.