How close to completion

[Fez]

Can I have it in a leather bound case with gold lettering? How about spider skin? My game playing experience hinges on a spider skin covered box for your game.

 

[don_tomaso]

will it come with a map?

 

[Fez]

A cloth map! They were always a nice bonus to get.

 

[Lord Chambers]

Stool sample please.

 

[The_Pope]

A cloth map! They were always a nice bonus to get.

Cloth? You accept cloth!

I won't settle for any less than silk, and that's pushing it.

 

[Julio]

How about a golden aura for my char

 

[abstract]

how about shitsmear-resistant chain underpants?

 

[Lumpy]

A burnt map. Because old things are burnt.

 

[Fez]

And soaked in coffee or tea leaves.

 

[Vault Dweller]

The map is very detailed and authentic-looking, but it will have to be purchased separately for only $7.65. Here is a link, you can buy it right now!

 

[denizsi]

Each team member will wear the same underpant for five days, and the maps will be pressed on those cloths.

VD, what about the question of isometric?

 

[Vault Dweller]

By the way, I was wondering if you have thought about isometric rendering in the game as an option, as in UFO:AI. 3D and ISO blend greatly. If you haven't, I beg you to consider it

I haven't played UFO: AI, so can you explain?

 

[galsiah]

It has an isometric (EDIT - ok, orthographic then ) overview, with the option to zoom in on one of your squad members for a 1st person perspective view.
I don't really see what this would add for AoD.

[NB denizsi the ISO view in UFO:AI is 3d. The "opposite" of Isometric is Perspective]

 

[suibhne]

[NB denizsi the ISO view in UFO:AI is 3d. The "opposite" of Isometric is Perspective]

Fwiw, technically, isometric is a very specific viewing angle such that all three axes (x, y, z) are equal. Not that I think there can't be some flexibility there. :wink:

 

[denizsi]

(EDIT - ok, orthographic then
...
[NB denizsi the ISO view in UFO:AI is 3d. The "opposite" of Isometric is Perspective]

I know actually, but since the game terminology itself is flawed in general (as half the games dubbed and even marketed as isometric aren't even isometric at all), I don't feel uncomfortable misusing (or raping) the term. Now if you like, we can focus on which specific orthographic projection it is I believe the complete term should be trimetric axonometric orthographic projection, as none of the axes stay fixed when the viewing angle (or angle to projection plane) is distorted/changed so all of the axes are foreshortened.

I haven't played UFO: AI, so can you explain?

Think of Prelude to Darkness. Check the image:

A is your typical parallel projected game. B is AOD or any other typical 3D game with perspective projection. UFO:AI does both, but camera angle isn't fixed, as in PtD (which also was 3D).

Some screenshots for comparison from UFO:AI:

perspective projection:
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Parallel projection:
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Btw, play UFO:AI. It's awesome.

I don't really see what this would add for AoD.

Beside the nostalgia value, I find it a lot more easier to control and adjust the camera to my liking in parallel prj. games. Perspective overview is a mess compared to it in my opinion. Finally, it's not something that requires complete re-writing of 3D api but a formula in it (though this would probably depend on the engine architecture). It was also added to UFO:AI as an afterthought in one of the updates.

 

[galsiah]

Sure - it's worth a thought. I'd have thought perspective would work better in AoD though. You're only controlling a single unit, and will be able to see much more towards the "horizon" - which could be useful for navigation, I guess(??). Also, there's no issue with needing to clearly identify lines-of-sight or similar anywhere in the environment.

I think you'd probably lose more than you'd gain (though clearly I'm not in a position to know the details).

I'm not a fan of the "make it an option" school of design. If Iron Tower are doing all their testing in perspective, then they'll miss any issues which might relate only to a parallel projection (e.g. reduced navigational visibility in some areas / particularly dodgy aesthetics). If they test in both perspectives, they're losing time on doing one of them really well.
[Edit - I think it's reasonable in UFO:AI, since frequently adjusting the view to get better perspective fits well with the feel of a squad based TB tactical game. Having both views can be helpful, since the player can use both to good effect. I don't think the same is true of a single character RPG.]

 

[denizsi]

Whether there's anything to be lost or gained depends on landscape elevation I think, but having control over camera should nullify that, or any other would-be problem. Level design (or what can be gathered from the screenshots) already seems to share the same basic principals with the parallel projection.

If implementation is as easy as a change of mere lines to switch the formula, I think it's worth to try it just to see if it causes any problems of the sort you mention. I don't think it would take extensive amounts of testing though.

 

[jeansberg]

I remember Diablo 2 having an option for 'perspective view' or something. Is this the same thing?

 

[denizsi]

Well, Diablo 2 isn't 3D to begin with for a healthy comparison or a simple yes or no.

 

[jeansberg]

It's not? I always thought it was.

 

[Elhoim]

I think that Diablo 2 is "3D", composed of a big flat poly with textures and sprites on it.

 

[jeansberg]

Surely the main character was a 3d model. It wouldn't have been practical to make 2d animations for all the different weapon and armor models. At least that's how I understand it.

 

[Claw]

I don't think there actually are animations for all the different weapons and armor models.

 

[VasikkA]

Just add some Bloom and ship the game already!

I really like how the GUI has evolved lately. Pardon me for saying, but the old inteface conveyed a wee bit amateurish feel to the screenshots, but now I can even consider showing this game to others. A huge difference. Good luck with the release mayhem.

 

[Elhoim]

And you still haven´t seen anything yet