New measures

[Jeremy Buloch]

Yup Again I thank Ras.
-J.B.-

[Rasbelin]

Quit that spam, Ace. You already said thanks once.

[Jeremy Buloch]

Lol ok, ok, ok. Except I said thanks to something different so its not exactly spam. I guess this is spam too so...

I like the New site update changes. I trust you will update the new site up when its up, eh?
-J.B.-

[targon]

Coder folks, anybody home?
Have you any solid decision on graphics engine to employ in the StP, so I any other graphics staff in the future (?) may target specific features, benifits and flaws of the engine.

[Michiel]

I've been really busy lately. School, of course... And a webdesign course I'm taking. I will try to make some room for Stella Polaris. The only thing I think I can do is Pov-Ray. Although programming is my hobby, I only know Visual Basic, HTML and basic C++, so don't count on me in that area. Hm.. maybe I can help maintain the website or something. Just let me know, ok? But remember I'm still a newb at that too.

I hope Stella Polaris survives.

[Jeremy Buloch]

I got confirmation with Rasbey and we are not using Pov-Ray anymore. Any or all graphics dealing with Pov-Ray are obsolete.

P.S. Maybe Targon can tell us what he's been using as I dont remember hearing it.

-J.B.-

[Disparat]

Has anyone considered scaling back on the graphics? By that I mean, maybe not going with 3d? It just seems to be that 3d graphics are a pretty volatile area and that as soon as something comes out, it's obsolete. Perhaps a 2d sprite approach would get more people interested in helping because 1.) they're simpler, 2.) artistic flair can be more easily displayed without worrying what program to use and other irritating details such as that and 3.) they're more timeless. If we make really gorgeous 2d locales and detailed sprites I think the game will be much more approachable by interested gamers.

All this might clash badly with the whole space theme, but I thought I would suggest it. It just seems that we're being overly ambitious and therefore precluding all but those with the demanding technical skills that we need. I mean, there's tons of people who can make a nice looking 2d sprite and spit out some awesome graphics, but far fewer who know OpenGL, POV-Ray, 3ds Max and so on.

Maybe I'm underestimating everyone's abilities, in which case you all can give me a verbal beat down for being so pessimistic .

[Michiel]

You can make some nice graphics with Pov-Ray, or any other 3D-modeler, render them, and then use them as 2D-sprites.

But I think the space-part should be 3D. Some sort of grid, which is interstellar space. I don't know how, but it would be cool.

[Chaos Theory]

Ras successfully woke me up. I have quite a bit of experience coding algorithms and AIs, but I'm rather deficient in graphics. I can also handle the core of the program: data storage and lookup to determine whether a city gets food from tile (166, 70) or whether an interceptor can protect former 31.

[Jeremy Buloch]

Good glade to see your back.
Also glade to see Rasbey's hunting skills.
-J.B.-

[Rasbelin]

Michiel,

you can help by planning the game here and later I will need you for the documentation work.

As for the graphics, I'll comment that later, but I'm sure Targon has something to say too.

Chaos Theory,

nice to see that you decided to stay. That help with the coding will be needed and I'm sure there's plenty of those issues you'll be just fine with.

[targon]

Disperat,
You see, PovRay is a whole bunch worse to learn than any reasonable good 3d modeling program. In fact, PovRay itself is nothing more than advanced algorythmic convex hull raytracer and all its language wasn't designed for extensive human writing. If someone is still interested in PovRay, I strongly suggest him/her to look at PovRay-aware modeling program, like KPovModeler, sced and some others.
Back to 3d modeling, if anyone can be good with such a complex thing like PovRay, this artist will has little problems with more artist-faced programs (PovRay fans, no offence).
OK, now let's speak about timeless graphics. I think that there isn't such a thing anyway. All you timeless programs were designed concerning graphics capabilities of their time. Long-long ago, there wasn't any 3D stuff on so-called "consumer hardware", so game designers were simply forced to pre-render sprites.
Nodays, situation is completely different. Graphics accelerators improve ~4x times faster than CPUs, current aim of their designers is so-called "cinematographics quality". And they're close to it.
So gamers today expect eye-candy graphics form they games, and they deserve it!
BTW, there are timeless things, like antic art, buildings and so, but nobody creates new art and buildings it that style!
Shortly: Disperat, do not resist perfection!
Listen closely. I do not insist on state-of-the-art engine "really soon now"; the thing I do insist is possibility to attain such a state in evolutionary process. Hence, I think that good share of modularity and extensibility may be very helpful for StP client graphics.
I also think that we must target most of modern 3D features (at least, leave a place for them), as they will be widespread and obvious by game release.

[Jeremy Buloch]

I agree with you Targon, The Game should have a place for 3D Graphics and Hurray for Modularity!.
-J.B.-

[Rasbelin]

Ace,

you're not a Helpmate anymore. Helpmate -> GUI Developer. So fix the signature and drop that SPDT remark from your location field. It only makes it look stupid.

[Jeremy Buloch]

Yes sir! I has been imediately done. There was some confusion as to what to put, now its duely fixed.
-J.B.-