Gameplay and Graphics. CALL TO ARMS!
Posted: 01 May 2008, 01:02
Recently a certain individual has made the assumption that I some how value graphics over gameplay. Now, since this incorrect statement has been made before as with many other instances I have decided to write a general thread about the relevance of graphic discussions in this forum.
No one person can argue that the TA content is attractive or even mildly interesting. The content was created with serious limitations on memory and poly count. They created said content, which at the time was pretty advanced for it's time. However, in this day and age the content is dated and in serious need of replacement. Several people over my long history on this forum have attacked me for my apparently outward concern for graphics over gameplay.
For it's time TA was run of the mill unexceptional in the way of looks. What it did offer however was large scale battles, base automation and several never before seen innovations to the rts genre. Ta was very impressive and it's ease of modification produced 10 years of content. Now, Spring's TA mods are impressive improvements and advancements in the gameplay of the original ta unfortunately, graphics which work in the TA engine DO NO work in a true 3d engine as well.
This brings me to the reason why I always seem to be going on and on about how ugly things are. With a forum full of self appointed experts how many of you step up the the plate and do something? A hand full does, others are working on other areas, OPINIONS are in no way lacking though. This attitude of telling volunteers how we will do things creates a schism between content creators and the players who have demands. Yet so few of these know it alls contribute, in fact many of them deride those of us who look to improve things.
Well guess what, we have gameplay
So it is time to stop acting like that isn't a consideration. We do not have graphics, what we as a community have are a bunch of stolen models which do not even look good! They are subpar and laughable to anyone who has any artistic talent. OH BUT THAT IS JUST GRAPHICAL TALK, well guess what, we have 10 years of TA balance and rebalanced. I think GAMEPLAY is covered, I THINK that people need to realize that these models are not going to cut it.
A few people in the community have stepped up to help in the efforts to work on models and content, to that small few, I thank you. To the rest of you, pull your heads out of your collective asses and realize that it is time to address the graphic issue. Spring is a great engine with ugly models from a 1998 game being used by most mods. There are tons of gameplay discussions but what people fail to recognize is that graphics are a part of gameplay. Any idiot wants to argue that can shut the fuck up an go play atari.
Graphics convey the FEEL of a game, whether it is realistic, fantasy or cartoonish. They convey the shapes, forms, function and faction of a unit. Graphics represent the explosions, the nature of the weapons, the very world the units interact with. So, get off your rocker, stop talking about the old days and this is good enough and step up and help replace the content. Even if it is a shitty model, do it anyway, it may get replaced later, and if it is, be glad that you do not have to be embarrassed by early mistakes. JUST DO IT, HELP OUT.
I cannot help with the ta content replacement, I have my own work to do. However, those of you who are sitting around just nitpicking, you know it all right? Then get off of your ass and help! Help make the TA content what it deserves. If you cannot model, learn to uvmap, if you cannot model learn to texture but help! There are tons of projects out there willing to accept help and too many people asking for someone else to show up and do it.
MAN UP!
No one person can argue that the TA content is attractive or even mildly interesting. The content was created with serious limitations on memory and poly count. They created said content, which at the time was pretty advanced for it's time. However, in this day and age the content is dated and in serious need of replacement. Several people over my long history on this forum have attacked me for my apparently outward concern for graphics over gameplay.
For it's time TA was run of the mill unexceptional in the way of looks. What it did offer however was large scale battles, base automation and several never before seen innovations to the rts genre. Ta was very impressive and it's ease of modification produced 10 years of content. Now, Spring's TA mods are impressive improvements and advancements in the gameplay of the original ta unfortunately, graphics which work in the TA engine DO NO work in a true 3d engine as well.
This brings me to the reason why I always seem to be going on and on about how ugly things are. With a forum full of self appointed experts how many of you step up the the plate and do something? A hand full does, others are working on other areas, OPINIONS are in no way lacking though. This attitude of telling volunteers how we will do things creates a schism between content creators and the players who have demands. Yet so few of these know it alls contribute, in fact many of them deride those of us who look to improve things.
Well guess what, we have gameplay
So it is time to stop acting like that isn't a consideration. We do not have graphics, what we as a community have are a bunch of stolen models which do not even look good! They are subpar and laughable to anyone who has any artistic talent. OH BUT THAT IS JUST GRAPHICAL TALK, well guess what, we have 10 years of TA balance and rebalanced. I think GAMEPLAY is covered, I THINK that people need to realize that these models are not going to cut it.
A few people in the community have stepped up to help in the efforts to work on models and content, to that small few, I thank you. To the rest of you, pull your heads out of your collective asses and realize that it is time to address the graphic issue. Spring is a great engine with ugly models from a 1998 game being used by most mods. There are tons of gameplay discussions but what people fail to recognize is that graphics are a part of gameplay. Any idiot wants to argue that can shut the fuck up an go play atari.
Graphics convey the FEEL of a game, whether it is realistic, fantasy or cartoonish. They convey the shapes, forms, function and faction of a unit. Graphics represent the explosions, the nature of the weapons, the very world the units interact with. So, get off your rocker, stop talking about the old days and this is good enough and step up and help replace the content. Even if it is a shitty model, do it anyway, it may get replaced later, and if it is, be glad that you do not have to be embarrassed by early mistakes. JUST DO IT, HELP OUT.
I cannot help with the ta content replacement, I have my own work to do. However, those of you who are sitting around just nitpicking, you know it all right? Then get off of your ass and help! Help make the TA content what it deserves. If you cannot model, learn to uvmap, if you cannot model learn to texture but help! There are tons of projects out there willing to accept help and too many people asking for someone else to show up and do it.
MAN UP!
