BlueShift Solo
Firebird Squadron
Terra-Incognita
18
   |
Posted - 2011.04.08 02:53:00 -
[1] - Quote
Agreed on most counts.
Spaceship games require less geometry and fewer visible models or "actors" on screen in general compared to other games, not to mention that fact that static starscapes are far easier to render than 3-d waving grass and babbling brooks. Therefore our spaceships should have enough attention paid to them to compensate.
CCP has been GREAT about improving the graphics in EVE via expansions, and I've no doubt that they'll continue to do so. Just pointing out that even the current graphics are nowhere near as intensive as they could be on modern computers, and it's easy to see the flaws in the current rendering engine. Example: Zoom in on some greeble (random industrial-looking detailing) on your ship's hull, and you'll see an odd effect that makes it look as if the details on your ship are coated in a thick layer of water. This error is visible in UE3 as well (especially apparent in DCUO), and automagically appears in the Gamebryo engine when high-resolution normal maps are used.
Above all else, the lighting in EVE is lack-luster. While the reflections are Awesome on the shiny parts of our ships' hulls, the lighting in space is far too ambient, and therefore lacks the depth and striking appearance that would result from a high-contrast point lighting system (with the point being the system's star) with only minimal ambient light added to increase visibility.
Imagine if one side of your ship was lit up near-white with the strength of full sunlight towards the center of the system, whereas on the opposite side only the running lights (windows?) would be visible. Epic cinematic glory, right? This would not be much harder to render than our current system. |
BlueShift Solo
Firebird Squadron
Terra-Incognita
18
|
Posted - 2011.04.08 03:18:00 -
[2] - Quote
Vernal Equinox wrote:Maybe even positionally correct so that when you are near the center of the galaxy the star map is more homogenous, but when near the middle or outside you can look towards the center and see a 'milkyway' effect.
Yup. That's definitely a great idea, and there would also be a lot more stars visible in total near the center of a galaxy; space would visibly seem brighter, even in EVE where there isn't a densely-packed galactic core. |