Polygons in Computer Games

[skynet]

I was just at my girlfriends house, her brother was playing the game cube. I can't remember the name of the game, something like Resident Evil, Maybe Dead Evil or something. Anyway thats not important.

The graphics in this game were amazing. Why? Because the models were full of polygons. They were smooth and realistic looking. Why do PC game developers always skimp on the polygons on the models? Even in the new Doom III screen that are floating around, the top of the one guys head comes to a point, his arms are blocky too.

Its really disapointing to have all this Horsepower and to have brick models.

Take a look here for the Doom III screen I was talking about.
http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/screens/0,11105,469881,00.html?page=68

While the graphics are amazing, its completly due to DirectX features like pixel shaders etc.

Maybe I am playing the wrong games, while gameplay is fun, I want full smooth graphics. I get distracted when I see pidifly done model. I guess maybe its because I have done some organic modeling my self and I kind of know what to look for in mistakes.
And this isn't a hard ware problem at all, I always MAx out Detail etc.

So what games do you recomnd for full smooth realistic graphics.

[Bires]

As I tend to agree with you, do keep in mind that the consoles have the advantage of the TV's blurring to make them look less blocky. PC games need a whole lot more polygons to look good because the PC's, at a much higher res will show the edges.

But, I do tend to agree with you. I wish more PC models were made of more polygons instead of all the eye candy that is put into the backgrounds and lighting effects. As good a game as Jedi Outcast was...it could have been so much better with better models and animation.

Aquanox is really well done, if you have the graphics firepower to turn everything up to maximum.

[M_A_C]

The thing about Resident Evil for the GC, is that all the backgrounds are prerendered, meaning all the polygonal horsepower can be spent on the character models. A game like DoomIII is rendering the whole enchilada.

[sbp]

Also note for a console the game developer only has to develop for that one chip versus the PC which can have many different videocards which can vary widely in performance. Folks are still using TNT2's and Voodoo 3's out there.

[skynet]

Game developers should be pushing the envelope by now. As good as the geforce line has been, nVidia is already fading them out, so should developers. I would really like to see some games taking full advantage of DX8.1 and be able to take advantage of 9.


What about that Mario Sunshine game? As gay as it looks, Mario is smooth as a whistle.


What are some good Dx8.1 games that are currently out?

I think people are just tkaing their time with things. As great as the floppy has been, fase it out. I use my internal zip now. If your argument is people don't know how to use a zip, take the floppy away and they will learn. Too many people don't know what they are doing at a computer, and aren't going to make a difference in the industry so leave them in the dust, if they have a brain they will learn the new technology.

Ok I am cracking up right now, those are my thoughts, but not explained very well.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by skynet
Game developers should be pushing the envelope by now. As good as the geforce line has been, nVidia is already fading them out, so should developers. I would really like to see some games taking full advantage of DX8.1 and be able to take advantage of 9.


What about that Mario Sunshine game? As gay as it looks, Mario is smooth as a whistle.


What are some good Dx8.1 games that are currently out?

I think people are just tkaing their time with things. As great as the floppy has been, fase it out. I use my internal zip now. If your argument is people don't know how to use a zip, take the floppy away and they will learn. Too many people don't know what they are doing at a computer, and aren't going to make a difference in the industry so leave them in the dust, if they have a brain they will learn the new technology.

Ok I am cracking up right now, those are my thoughts, but not explained very well.



you forget why people make games.... for money, mulla, $$$$$$$$

Very Very few people have video cards capable of handling such complex games, and they're not willing to spend money on a game AND hardware. So why would the companies make a game that only targets a small market?

[skynet]

Originally posted by hapoo




you forget why people make games.... for money, mulla, $$$$$$$$

Very Very few people have video cards capable of handling such complex games, and they're not willing to spend money on a game AND hardware. So why would the companies make a game that only targets a small market?


Then why make the cards? Why even buy one? I don't think that the people who bought Geforce4s are a small market at all. If so nVidia would be in alot of trouble. You are looking at it from too much of a standpoint. I say leave the people in the dust who don't upgrade or know how to because they won't make much a of differnce anyway. If they want to stay with the wind they will upgrade. I have helped too many people upgrade to think that people don't know someone who knows someone that can do computer upgrades. Also BB and CUSA all have installation services don't they?

[Mikey7]

I'm just a newbie at this so you pros may just laugh. As I understand it the limitations have been due to the technology available to the developers. This is changing as we speak. New fully programable cards that allow more flexibility in creating textures and shading are coming out now. Check the review in Maximum PC on some of the new cards, particularly the 3D labs P10 series. I think its on page 37. Anyway the problem is then going to become how can we use the stuff they are developing. Notice in the review that the P10 series operates off a 64 bit PCI slot for best optimization. So far as I can tell this means to use the card fully we will have to go to a dual processor server board since none (at least that I can find)of the currrent PC chipsets will support 64 bit PCI. Now maybe this doesn't matter a whit but it seems to me that in the next year we are going to have to re think and perhaps replace our systems to fully accomodate the new products and applications.