ArenaNet Licenses Umbra for Guild Wars
1 up and 2 down
Excellent! We finallly got this year's new information about GW2! Now on to waiting for '09's information.
Operative 14
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Originally Posted by 1 up and 2 down
Excellent! We finallly got this year's new information about GW2! Now on to waiting for '09's information.
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Overall this looks pretty promising. Has this system been used in any other notable games so we might know what to expect?
The Meth
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Originally Posted by pumpkin pie
Dear Arena Net, whatever you decides to use, make sure it does not make the beautiful scenery ugly or when players try to take screenshots everything is culled and you get half of the scene... lol
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Originally Posted by http://www.umbrasoftware.com/
Umbra Software's middleware technology is the secret behind some of today's best games. The compelling worlds of titles like Guild Wars 2 and Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures rely on Umbra™ visibility optimization. Working in the shadows, unseen, Umbra cuts development time and delivers faster gameplay frame rates.
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Zinger314
Point of comment: If ArenaNet is just NOT obtaining the GPU processing middleware, can we derive a minimum release date?
Winterclaw
Maybe they got the middleware because they were behind scheduel...
DarkNecrid
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Originally Posted by Winterclaw
Maybe they got the middleware because they were behind scheduel...
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4thVariety
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Originally Posted by Zinger314
Point of comment: If ArenaNet is just NOT obtaining the GPU processing middleware, can we derive a minimum release date?
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Please give credit to "Bigger Red" for being the first one to find this news and writing about it in another threat on this forum.
aaje vhanli
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Originally Posted by Alleji
So I guess this means GW2 is alive.
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cataphract
My first thought was "OMG, Orcs with giant two-handed swords in GW2?! Bring 'em on!". But I guess a this works fine also.
Lyndka
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Originally Posted by Ec]-[oMaN
If people don't have dx10 cards by 2010 somethings wrong.
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Riot Narita
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Originally Posted by The Meth
I see no reason to upgrade from my 2 gigs of ram I have now. My current Windows XP install is completely stable and has been running 24/7 with no crashes for 2 months. Why should I buy a new OS just to spend a week turning off everything to make it back into XP? I certainly don't benefit from any of the exclusive vista stuff now.
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It seems like Vista just has more bells and whistles that ultimately, are no use to me and more likely will just get in my way. My current XP system is reliable, and "if it aint broke, don't fix it".
Whenever I change to a new OS, it's at the same time as major hardware upgrades. And since I don't expect that anytime soon*, I'll most likely skip Vista and DX10 altogether.
If GW2 required DX10 then I might reconsider... but they aren't going to do that, are they?
*well, except I will replace my system-only C: drive with a small-capacity Intel X25-E SSD or similar... as soon as the prices drop to a reasonable level.
Dr.Jones
this is interesting. i have a feeling that guild wars 2 will not play anything like how guild wars 1 plays and will look, and play like a completely different game. also this information tells me that they don't even have the engine for guild wars 2 done. so its no where close to being complete so i would expect 2-3 years before the game is out....
it also makes me think that we might be seeing guild wars 2 on ps3 and xbox360
it also makes me think that we might be seeing guild wars 2 on ps3 and xbox360
RedNova88
I really hope you're wrong, Jones. But something tells me that you're probably right. I just hope you're way off about the 2-3 years, not that I want them to rush, it's just that 2-3 years is a scary thought when we've already waited so long without so much as a screen shot or teaser cinematic.
In any case, this is good news to me, it shows that they really are set on making a game that isn't horridly taxing on mid range systems. As long as it doesn't make the game look fugly, I'll take performance over graphics any day, and if it's one thing Anet is really good at, it's making their games look great without dragging your PC along like an old muffler.
I also think it's highly unlikely that GW2 will actually require DX10. Considering the bad rap that Vista has gotten since launch that would just be a bad idea. Even if Vista is loads better after SP1, it would still be a risk considering a bad rep will follow something forever.
In any case, this is good news to me, it shows that they really are set on making a game that isn't horridly taxing on mid range systems. As long as it doesn't make the game look fugly, I'll take performance over graphics any day, and if it's one thing Anet is really good at, it's making their games look great without dragging your PC along like an old muffler.
I also think it's highly unlikely that GW2 will actually require DX10. Considering the bad rap that Vista has gotten since launch that would just be a bad idea. Even if Vista is loads better after SP1, it would still be a risk considering a bad rep will follow something forever.
keli
99% of the people here doesnt even know what this new technology is, so stfu with your doomsday theories
Stuart444
This is very good information, also thanks to DarkNecrid for all the positive notes in this thread ^_^ (not often we get positive stuff in threads on here these days <_< )
I wonder how far along they are in development, even with this its hard to tell since as someone mentioned earlier, this could be for use after the content is made.
in any case, this can be used now to let people know that GW 2 is alive since alot of people were asking for proof that it was alive >_>
I wonder how far along they are in development, even with this its hard to tell since as someone mentioned earlier, this could be for use after the content is made.
in any case, this can be used now to let people know that GW 2 is alive since alot of people were asking for proof that it was alive >_>
Roupe
Im hoping for them to use destructable terrain, like digital molecular matter (DMM) in Guild Wars 2
Lonesamurai
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Originally Posted by Hissy
What he said. I am in a similar position, and if there is a really compelling reason why I should "upgrade" to Vista, I'd genuinely like to hear what it is.
It seems like Vista just has more bells and whistles that ultimately, are no use to me and more likely will just get in my way. My current XP system is reliable, and "if it aint broke, don't fix it". Whenever I change to a new OS, it's at the same time as major hardware upgrades. And since I don't expect that anytime soon*, I'll most likely skip Vista and DX10 altogether. If GW2 required DX10 then I might reconsider... but they aren't going to do that, are they? *well, except I will replace my system-only C: drive with a small-capacity Intel X25-E SSD or similar... as soon as the prices drop to a reasonable level. |
But Vista it self can be bought for £60 OEM, you can buy a Dual Core CPU for £25, motherboard for £25, 2gb RAM for £25 and a 500gb hard drive for £40 and a Radeon 3870 for £75 and have a crysis running machine on high settings... thats £250... not much really?
Darcy
@Lonesamurai - well that's about $500 us (not looking up exchange rates) and I can tell you that I don't often have a spare $500 sitting around.
Getting a new PC is a "twice a decade" event for me, so I am very happy when ArenaNet keeps the system requirements at the low end. This news is telling me that my new-this-year PC will run GW2 without a problem.
Getting a new PC is a "twice a decade" event for me, so I am very happy when ArenaNet keeps the system requirements at the low end. This news is telling me that my new-this-year PC will run GW2 without a problem.
isamu kurosawa
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Originally Posted by Zinger314
Because lower-end GPUs will never get the drivers to support the Umbra technology. There's a reason developers haven't embraced DirectX v10.
Also, I checked out the website for this Unbra thingy, and it has zero information whatsoever.  |
Sjeng
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Originally Posted by The Meth
If anyone would like to see a demonstration of how it works, here's the link to a few pictures showing it http://www.umbrasoftware.com/index.php?products&umbra
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they have a NINJA in their banner!!!! 
Now I KNOW GW2 will rock!
zwei2stein
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Originally Posted by Lonesamurai
Ok, I've had a Vista rig for nearly 2 years now (remember, Vista was released January last year) and the only upgrades this year was a new graphics card and a 1tb hard drive...
But Vista it self can be bought for £60 OEM, you can buy a Dual Core CPU for £25, motherboard for £25, 2gb RAM for £25 and a 500gb hard drive for £40 and a Radeon 3870 for £75 and have a crysis running machine on high settings... thats £250... not much really? |
OR you can use your current rig and play equally fun game that does not double as hw purchase incentive. All It takes is to grow out of orgasms about slightly better grass.
(Goes back to playing World Of Goo on OCD mode, screw fancy stuff that does not add anything to gameplay or fun factor and gets old in about 10 minutes. World of Goo is the only game i purchased this year btw.)
Gwmaster
Seriously i don't understand the whole vista hate..i know that when it was released it was crap but now...ive had it for about a year and i haven't seen any bugs yet...i run my games fine. Anyways u cant expect companies to always make products for bad computers with the technology evolving so quickly, computers are getting really cheap these days..and 500$...im a student and i can make that in 2 weeks. (altho i may understand that maybe some of us are adults with homes etc and have better things to spend the money on) but still since the game will be in like 2 years..you should probably start getting a new computer because in 2010..i dont think dx9 will be very popular.
own age myname
This is very good news. Shows GW2 is still alive 
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*crosses-fingers* hoping for screen shots sometime in '10
.*crosses-fingers* hoping for screen shots sometime in '10
namhvo
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Originally Posted by Lonesamurai
Ok, I've had a Vista rig for nearly 2 years now (remember, Vista was released January last year) and the only upgrades this year was a new graphics card and a 1tb hard drive...
But Vista it self can be bought for £60 OEM, you can buy a Dual Core CPU for £25, motherboard for £25, 2gb RAM for £25 and a 500gb hard drive for £40 and a Radeon 3870 for £75 and have a crysis running machine on high settings... thats £250... not much really? |
High settings is all you can ask for really. Even God can't run that damn game on highest!
gone
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Originally Posted by RedNova88
I really hope you're wrong, Jones.
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lol @ GW2 and it's speculation. when tech junk updates every what...month these days?
DarkNecrid
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Originally Posted by Dr.Jones
this is interesting. i have a feeling that guild wars 2 will not play anything like how guild wars 1 plays and will look, and play like a completely different game. also this information tells me that they don't even have the engine for guild wars 2 done. so its no where close to being complete so i would expect 2-3 years before the game is out....
it also makes me think that we might be seeing guild wars 2 on ps3 and xbox360 |
Flightmare
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Originally Posted by Roupe
Im hoping for them to use destructable terrain, like digital molecular matter (DMM) in Guild Wars 2
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A. Noid
Listening (reading) DarkNecrid, sounds like this is going to come in handy for world PvP. I was wondering how they were going to reduce the load my vid card was going to have to handle.
Good to hear.
-ANoid
Good to hear.
-ANoid
Lonesamurai
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Originally Posted by Darcy
@Lonesamurai - well that's about $500 us (not looking up exchange rates) and I can tell you that I don't often have a spare $500 sitting around.
Getting a new PC is a "twice a decade" event for me, so I am very happy when ArenaNet keeps the system requirements at the low end. This news is telling me that my new-this-year PC will run GW2 without a problem. |
Hell, the new Windows 7 is out in 2010, that was confirmed by Steve Balmer of Microsoft in a recent keynote speech
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Originally Posted by namhvo
High settings is all you can ask for really. Even God can't run that damn game on highest!
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Warhead on the other hand, runs ont eh same rig on Highest no troubles
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Originally Posted by zwei2stein
Which means that Crysis 2 would cost me L300 instead of L50? I am not paying that for game. Ohforfs, One is better of buying console for this think of stuff (stuff is not intended word here).
OR you can use your current rig and play equally fun game that does not double as hw purchase incentive. All It takes is to grow out of orgasms about slightly better grass. (Goes back to playing World Of Goo on OCD mode, screw fancy stuff that does not add anything to gameplay or fun factor and gets old in about 10 minutes. World of Goo is the only game i purchased this year btw.) |
Second,a Motherboard and RAM can last for 2, 3, maybe even 4 years... the only real upgrades you may do as a serious gamer, like I do is CPU and graphics card and even those are only once a year things and with the prices dropping, not a hassle...
and yes, I have a 360 and I would rather buy my games on that
In january I shall be doing my twice yearly upgrade... I'll be going for an AM3 motherboard and Phenom quad core with a 4870HD X2 Graphics card (a treat for myself) and I expect that to last me 18 months
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by Zinger314
Ok, I may or may not be talking out of my ass, but seriously, I can't find anything on Umbra.
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http://www.umbrasoftware.com/index.php?products&faq
And it says: "which makes the game run faster by removing the objects that would be hidden from view."
So basically, GW2 designers and world-builders create the GW2 with all possible polygons, but using Umbra your computer only renders the ones visible. In other words, Umbra frees the processing power that would have been used to draw these invisible polygons (they're still here, just not drawn), and it seems from their success that running Umbra is a LOT cheaper for Anet than designing an occlusion system and, most importantly, a LOT easier on your computer than letting the engine draw invisible things. THE JUT technology means that you don't have to store preprocessed information, the program computes it at runtime ("on the fly"), it's one way of replacing storage space (the big GW.dat file) with processing power (you still need the storage of the program data, but it's in memory).
Oh, and about the GPU thing, not only will it be more commonplace in a few years, but I guess it's a possible hardware optimisation that won't really affect the game. Basic GPU philosophy: if you have the hardware, it goes faster; if you don't, it goes at normal speed.
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| That was the more notable thing I gathered. |
.EDIT: much better explanation of Umbra here:
http://www.gamedev.net/columns/event...le.asp?id=1327
And this could tell us roughly that Anet's progress through GW2 development is ok, but there's a solid year of work ahead I guess (second-guessing here, the annoucement could have been made later than when the deal was concluded).
MithranArkanere
The only important thing is...
Will they apply this engine improvement to GWO, like they did with other changes we can see in the Graphic Options? (Shaders, Best Teture filtering, etc...)
Will they apply this engine improvement to GWO, like they did with other changes we can see in the Graphic Options? (Shaders, Best Teture filtering, etc...)
DarkNecrid
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Originally Posted by MithranArkanere
The only important thing is...
Will they apply this engine improvement to GWO, like they did with other changes we can see in the Graphic Options? (Shaders, Best Teture filtering, etc...) |
Probably not since they'd have to make it work with the engine GW1 uses. Also it's probably just easier to call it GW1...
Darkobra
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Originally Posted by Zinger314
ArenaNet just killed Guild Wars 2.
New GPU technology = unplayable on low end systems = DEATH. |
kratimas
This is going to be sweet!
stevedallas
I think that's great news!
Dr.Jones
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Originally Posted by DarkNecrid
A piece of small middleware (and this is small, compared to a program that makes random generated trees and full blown out engines, a program that just does occlusion culling is small.) isn't overly complicated to add to an engine, so you're not really going to be able to derive if the engine is done or not (but it most likely is, or close to it.). It'll be here in 2k9/2k10 most likely. I don't think GW1 will survive much into 2k11 since that's 6 year life cycle with almost no new content for 3 years.
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The Meth
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Originally Posted by Dr.Jones
this addition to me seems like something that is still early game defilement also this my guess to another 2-3 years isnt unrealistic nor is it a doom and gloom scenario look at other games that got sequels that started with a new game engine perfect example is half life 2 that game was in development for 5 years before it was released. it has been a little over a year, i think a safe estimate would be if we are lucky late 2009 they will be in alpha then around august of 2010 there in beta then in 2011 the game will come out.
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Clarissa F
This I see as good news of where they are at in development, because this is the type of middleware you get when you are working on the details of server load and memory issues, technical details cleaned up towards the middle/later point of a game's development. It's something you might consider if you have the working model, and are adding it in to make it run smoother. That means(I hope) they have the basics of the game(combat, spells, classes) worked out, and are enroute to alpha soon, if not there.
RE vista lovers. Microsoft moved up their release date of Windows 7 to late in 2009. That is a short run for an OS that is supposed to be so great. They are still selling issues of XP to companies that are demanding it, and a year after they said they were going to end updates, released SP3. Most software magazines(PC Mag, PC World, etc) compare Vista to Windows Me in its failure. When the company that made it admits, through their actions, their product was a failure, it's a FAILURE!
Oh, and I'd rather get 4 gigs of RAM to use playing GAMES, not so I can run an OS.
RE vista lovers. Microsoft moved up their release date of Windows 7 to late in 2009. That is a short run for an OS that is supposed to be so great. They are still selling issues of XP to companies that are demanding it, and a year after they said they were going to end updates, released SP3. Most software magazines(PC Mag, PC World, etc) compare Vista to Windows Me in its failure. When the company that made it admits, through their actions, their product was a failure, it's a FAILURE!
Oh, and I'd rather get 4 gigs of RAM to use playing GAMES, not so I can run an OS.
wetsparks
I agree with Clarissa F here, I see this as nothing but good news. Lots of areas in Guild Wars are open spaces, not a lot of foliage, not a lot of things are being hidden behind other objects. They must have a lot of maps for Guild Wars 2 made up if they think they need some middle ware to hide things behind objects, otherwise they would run the risk of wasting money on something that wouldn't be used much if they decided to change the terrain to something more open.
viper11025
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Originally Posted by Gregslot
Dude... this is obviously great for GW2!
I remember some time ago a post mentioning that NCSoft bought the license for the U3 engine. (found post: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10271531) If they have both at Gw2, well... its going to be one hell of a piece of art! (for those who do not know the U3 engine gives incredible lighting features and low poligon use) (video about U3 engine http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Xmxd...eature=related) |
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| Umbra Software's middleware technology is the secret behind some of today's best games. The compelling worlds of titles like Guild Wars 2 and Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures rely on Umbra™ visibility optimization. Working in the shadows, unseen, Umbra cuts development time and delivers faster gameplay frame rates. |
I tried to play UT3 on my ONE core p4 processor.
It failed.
Simply, if this game requires dual or more cores, I'm going to go NUTZ.
>.>
I do not want to spend 400+ when my systems is fine as is.