The foliage issue

[Catalavos]

Hey guys,
Just an item for group discussion-

As I'm sure everyone has seen, the issue of client-side settings allowing one to turn foliage off has been talked about a lot lately. TWI has said that they didn't consider this an issue that would affect gameplay but as anyone who's played Bridges of Druzhina can attest to, that's not the case. Mutators like the one RGN runs that makes it so that you need to have settings set to a base level in order to join the server is a great step in the right direction.

I'm wondering if there's anything mappers can do about this.

I don't know how the client-side settings affect trees and bushes with foliage turned off (because I've never turned it off) but I'm guessing that they continue to render but only at the lowest LOD? Perhaps the grass meshes disappear completely because they have only 1 LOD? Maybe creating a LOD mesh that becomes opaque after X distance (so that it acts kind of like a 2-way mirror) so that the one trying to hide can see better than the guy trying to shoot him? I don't know, just thinking...

[ButchCassidy]

You mean this http://forums.tripwireinteractive.co...ad.php?t=87889

[Mike_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Catalavos

Hey guys,
Just an item for group discussion-

As I'm sure everyone has seen, the issue of client-side settings allowing one to turn foliage off has been talked about a lot lately. TWI has said that they didn't consider this an issue that would affect gameplay but as anyone who's played Bridges of Druzhina can attest to, that's not the case. Mutators like the one RGN runs that makes it so that you need to have settings set to a base level in order to join the server is a great step in the right direction.

I'm wondering if there's anything mappers can do about this.

I don't know how the client-side settings affect trees and bushes with foliage turned off (because I've never turned it off) but I'm guessing that they continue to render but only at the lowest LOD? Perhaps the grass meshes disappear completely because they have only 1 LOD? Maybe creating a LOD mesh that becomes opaque after X distance (so that it acts kind of like a 2-way mirror) so that the one trying to hide can see better than the guy trying to shoot him? I don't know, just thinking...

That's the key..... players KNOW what's going on.... and they are not happy with the smoke, fog, foliage and dust disappearing acts.....

Its costing RO2 players and servers.