Engine Question

I am wondering, there are limitations to the current engine, that won't allow for some powers and different types of things that players would like to see. I know GR is a big expansion, but from what I understand, it is not a change to the engine, or maybe I am wrong.

My question is, when do they consider going to another engine, or is that something they would even consider?

If this has been asked elsewhere, I apologize.

To the OP:
You're mistaking the software engineering behind the powers system, and the graphics engine. They're two different things. They can (and have and will again) do quite a lot to upgrade the graphics. However the database and interdependent systems that control and allow for powers, costume parts, etc are a lot less flexible.

It's not a car, taking out the engine and putting in a new one doesn't mean what you might think it means.

It's interesting to hear things like the OP. From my somewhat limited understanding of programming and engines; it's not so much what the engine can and cannot do, but a matter (especially with this Dev team) of what they can make look/act the way they want. Again, from my understanding (or misunderstanding) while there hasnt been a complete change to the core engine of the game, there have been and will be changes to the graphics engine and other parts of the program we call CoH. PhysX added an improved physics system to the already existing game program which allowed for more realism. Ultra-mode graphics will up the ante of realism, and you can look around for more info on that, but I will say it is terribly impressive in person. What does the future hold for CoH without putting a '2' on a new box set? I dont know, but it will be impressive.

As far as 'what the players want'? Cake and circuses. Fully deformable and persistent worldmaps? Paragon or the Isles as a Mayhem mission? I've heard some of that. Personally, I do not want that. Players with those sort of dreams seem to basically want the world to change as they change it, and then remain static until their next login. Selfish? Sha, of course it is, but that's the way of it. Of course, that is better suited to an Enduser-only game than an MMO like CoH at least at this time. But what might the Devs have in mind for the game? Time will tell, and when they say "we cant do it"; remember: the Devs wont put something out until they can put it out the way they want it to look/act. Looking back over the years of development at Project:CoH, the Devs have actually done a lot of things that they originally said they couldnt do, but for reasons that they said it couldnt be done. They are malleable, and do want things that will interest the subscribers, if they can do it. It may (read: will) come with some bugs at first, but it will be as close to their vision as they require, or it wont come at all. And the Devs appear to prefer to disappoint us now than to disappoint us later with unfulfilled promises. Although, it is part and parcel of computer programming that there will be 'unfulfilled promises' and disappointments, but this team does a pretty good job overall.

So, for clarification; what are you looking for that 'cant' be done? Is it reasonable? Is there 'enough' desire for it to make it fiscally feasible or desirable for the Devs to consider? Just some questions to ask when you think about what you want?

Of course, I would be interested to hear what 'cant' be done anywho. Just interested to hear what this might be.

Just because you upgraded the heating system in your house from oil to gas doesn't mean every room is now wired for cable or Gb ethernet.

Power customization for instance had very little to do with the graphics engine and a lot more to do with storing an alternate animation selection or color tint for every power in every costume slot on a character. Then when compositing the scene looking up those selection on every character, applying them and then feeding the result to the graphics engine to render.

I guess what I was talking about are certain powers are not doable because of the engine. Not sure if vehicles is a part of that as well. Correct me if I am wrong, but also being able to further customize costumes and things of that nature cannot be done. I was simply commenting because I have seen references to the current engine not being able to do something. It could be graphical in nature though, and some good points were brought up as well about Devs only releasing something if they can do it right.

To do these things, yes, the City engine would need to be overhauled.

If the City engine were overhauled, it would MUCH MORE LIKELY be for City 2, not City.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

So then, will there at some point be City 2, so that they can expand the range of powers. I don't think there will be. I mean we do get a broad range, but it limits others as well. Interesting to see what way the Devs go on this one.

What kind of powers or things you think are missing in this game?

Growth for example, grappling, water powers, there are others that have been mentioned that might require more than one animation to execute. I don't know all of them. I do know that it has been mentioned on various occasions. I don't know all of what the current engine can or cannot do. I just know that I see it quite regulary.

Lets take these examples one at a time.

Growth. OK, what do you think you should have as abilities with growth? Should the amount you grow (or shrink) by be affected by level? Does this neuter such a character if the mission is in a low ceiling environment? How do you balance it compared to the rest of the powers so everyone doesn't simply take growth.

Grappling. I'm assuming you mean as a travel power like web slinging instead of something like wrestling/judo. Sort of dependent on tall structures to be effective. Should it act something like the targeting for teleport for aiming the grapple. How do you disengage when you are done swinging across town?

Water. I hope you don't mean turning into a puddle and flow somewhere. Right now a number of people role play water blasting powers with the energy blast pool. Power customization would let you adjust the color to something less ice blue.

How do you balance any power? That is for the Devs. There are powers that people would like to see, growth or shrinking are two of them. I don't really want to get into a debate other than asking if it was something that might be considered down the road.

Btw, I don't mind roleplaying, but I also actually want the powers. As an aside, maybe customization is the way to go for that, e.g. optical blasts, and other powers that could be done using that instead.

Growth/shrink isn't possible in City without a total overhaul, so no, it's very doubtful to be considered down the road for City.

Maybe City 2, if they make it. *IF* they make it, and *IF* that engine is capable.

I've stated this before. Why do you seem to be insisting that no one is answering you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

First, I understand what everyone is saying. I just threw the question out there, that's all. I never insisted nobody answered me. I am just commenting. I don't expect anyone to drop anything. I got answers, not that I was looking for anything specific in response, I was just commenting. Thank you everybody who responded.