PlaneShift
Fan Area => The Hydlaa Plaza => Topic started by: LigH on June 21, 2006, 11:48:27 am
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Several years ago, there was a game engine called CUBE, because of the heavy optimization on "Octree" space partitions:
http://cube.sourceforge.net/
http://www.cubeengine.com/
Then, the developers enhanced this engine even further and created a rather full featured, and still extremely fast 3D engine, with one of the most unique names I've ever seen: Sauerbraten!
(Online dictionaries translate it into english as "marinated pot roast".)
http://sauerbraten.sourceforge.net/
http://wouter.fov120.com/sauerbraten/
The main features of this engine are:
- extremely fast rendering due to thorough space partitioning
- easy in-game terrain modelling, no need for external 3D modellers (except for MD2 objects)
- everything usual you would expect being supported by a 3D engine intentionally made for First Person Shooters
Even on my old PC (AMD Duron-800, GeForce2 GTS) I usually get framerates around 20 fps in open environments, and above 30 in closed areas. And I don't mean the simpler deathmatch maps, but instead the rather large and complex ones. They even support "capture the flag" maps, and RPG-like maps with large terrains (well, not yet as impressive as in "Gothic", but it may just be a matter of efforts).
Levels and textures get loaded in just a few seconds, including re-calculation of shadow maps (probably not as accurate as "cslight", but suitable).
Even although the current package has a size of 64 MB, I would recommend you to try it and be amazed. Very recommendable maps are e.g.
- "nmp8-d" (Old Castle III)
- "thetowers" (watch the jump pads!)
- more maps... "ogromines"
- more maps... "nod" (a "tree house" would be understatement)
- RPG maps...
- capture maps...
The default game mode for most maps is one where you just can walk around and get to know the map. But there are single player FPS maps with monsters included, and with an installed server, you can of yourse play several multiplayer modes (read the documentation).
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Why do I tell you? - Only for your curiosity. I don't mean it to be a competitor for CrystalSpace. But who knows ... it might give the developers good ideas where improvements are possible.
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Actual I do think that Sauerbraten is one of the most innovative 3D engines I have seen.
The map "k_rpg1" (If I am not mistaken) and "demomap" are totally awesome examples of what can be done with the use of the Sauerbraten engine. Not only terrain could be made without the use of 3D moddellers, architecture and the like to. Also in Sauerbraten it is rather trivial to make overhanging cliffs and the like.
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The engine seems promising and inventive, agreed. Judging from the screenshots provided on the homepage I must say though that Crystal Space seems to render wide areas much more detailed, also the particle effects seem better realised in Crystal Space.
Being able to model ingame is a big advantage, indeed. Let's see what the devs of CS will say about that at the conference next month :)
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Have you seen the screenshots of the new eye candy they implemented? Looks amazing.