Crytek rocks!.... HDR in patch 1.3 !

[ultimate17]

I was wrong, forgive me for being so negative.

[BSR_RuGGBuTT]

Cya.

[Suli (was taken)]

huh, i had only heard of hdr being supported in the original 1.3 patch, and that that was just a thought they had a desire that they wanted to do it. but since then the patch has changed quite a lot. and if the relaese notes from 1.2 are a suggestive reference then it may be one of those things that is there but not put in the notes.then again maimas didnt state it would be in the game for use , more of an experamental feature. maybe it didnt work out.
oh well.
thank you for your 17 contributions to the far cry community.

[thedudemanguy]

hahahahah, so they didn't release a frivolous extra feature and now what... you're leaving forever to pout? sounds about right in relation to your complaint, sheesh.

[Demise14]

You guys are *******s...

[DocSEAL]

I had to respond to this one. These people bit*ch because a graphics implementation is not being put into a patch. The CryEngine can already do things most people don't even know about. You want shiny rocks in Far Cry? How about SM2.0 on patch 1.1??? Linkage (http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?s=25c270802d65272113fba45832fd9ce9&threadid=91628&perpage=10&pagenumber=4). Now STFU and send me ur copy of FC while ur at it. I'll put it on my kid's PC. He'll appreciate it.
I'd rather see them fix the MP issues rather than test if the newest eye candy can be released to the public like guinea pigs.

[lowe0]

Agreed... where's the HDR? Crytek, you promised....

[thedudemanguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> You want shiny rocks in Far Cry? How about SM2.0 on patch 1.1??? http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?s=25c270802d65272113fba45832fd9ce9&threadid=91628&perpage=10&pagenumber=4. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

hehe, I made that demo. But, yes, this engine is great... biggest problem is too lazy a mod scene... I'm working on some stuff but it's hard to get inspired when absolutely no one else is very active... I like to be mutually inspired not messing around all alone afraid no one's going to care http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[XTENCILATE]

I'm doing what your parents should have done a long time ago... I'm performing the abortion.

[BSR_RuGGBuTT]

Yeah, give us the HDRL. We don't need multiplayer issues fixed, bugs w/single player fixed and all of that other stuff that were show stoppers.

Someone needs to plug and pad that bleeding hole on Ultimate.....

[phalanx9mm]

Just another sad sign of the times it seems...
When glitz and glamour take precedence over functionality,it should throw up red flags left and right.
I can't even begin to imagine how much pressure CryTek is under from just the VideoCard manufacturers ALONE, who are going for the worlds land speed record to see how fast they can out-mode the last drivers they just came out with.
Can't say as that I blame them for dropping one feature from the wish list.
Where the hell do you draw the line??
On the one hand, everyone wants it released YESTERDAY, but on the other hand, they ALSO want it to be chock full of the newest, bestest, latest & greatest drivers that have not even been released yet...?
Back to the fundamentals, methinks.
Make it work properly, THEN think about glitzy, shiny, new-looking gingerbread goodies.
Glad I don't have their job, that's for dang sure!

[XTENCILATE]

well saif phalanx9mm

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Phalanx9mm:
Back to the fundamentals, methinks.
Make it work properly, THEN think about glitzy, shiny, new-looking gingerbread goodies. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Amen brother.

[KiwiVenge]

If it is so obvious to you guys that the work load is way too much for the developers to do what they said they could do, why did they not see that they had no chance to do it, and not promise it in the first place?
Guess they are not as savy on work loads as they should be ....
Personally, I dont give a rats *** about the goody mentioned here, but I can see the original poster's point. If ya can't do it, don't say you are going to.
http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[phalanx9mm]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KiwiVenge:
If it is so obvious to you guys that the work load is way too much for the developers to do what they said they could do, why did they not see that they had no chance to do it, and not promise it in the first place? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
One of the reasons for this, is due to the fact that they are not able to anticipate EVERYTHING that EVERYONE might want, by gazing into that crystal ball thing.
And even if they COULD, they wouldn't. They never went into business to wear the title SANTA CLAUS
The workload not only changes from the time they realize it is time to start working on a patch, and announce it to the world, it is constantly changing the whole time they are working on it. New bugs get reported and confirmed, new drivers are written by VidCard companies (who, by the way, pay a great deal of money to UBI for the rights to have their names on the box, and to have the game be compatible with their products) along with a host of other variables that dynamically change the workload.
Sure, its easy to point the finger at someone else and say, "Hey, why didn't you just do it like this or that??"
Problem with that, is that they are the ones who are being paid to do this stuff, and unless you are qualified to take over their jobs, you are wasting your breath.
Another reason is just plain stupid in the sense that if a company of this caliber were to just say,
"Well guys, I think that there really is NO CHANCE that we can fix the problems which have been reported and confirmed by QA/ QC testing, so let's just bag it and call it quits."
then they would have no business designing the game to begin with. And, before anyone jumps up and says,
"Well DUH, that is obviously the case here!http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/35.gif"
Just remember the real reason WHY YOU ARE HERE.
You are (likely) here because this is STILL a kick-@$$ game, that can only get BETTER.
And if that is NOT the reason you are here, perhaps you should reevaluate your reasons...?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>by KiwiVenge:
Guess they are not as savy on work loads as they should be .... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would like to know someone that is. For that matter, who is the authority on just what the definition of "Should Be" is, or should be?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>by KiwiVenge:
Personally, I dont give a rats *** about the goody mentioned here, but I can see the original poster's point. If ya can't do it, don't say you are going to.http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
To be honest, I don't either. I'll even go you one better, and say that I couldn't even tell you what the acronym stands for, or what it really does. As far as I am concerned, this game doesn't need it, whatever it is. I certainly don't think that anyone can righteously say that the game SHOULD have come with it, and that because it didn't, the game sucks. That is just ludicrous.
And, lastly, I agree with you on your last point. Nobody should B.S. their way thru anything, much less something on this scale. But I don't feel that CryTek has done so. They are,
and have been working their asses off to please us all, and to make good on their endorsement obligations. After all, they gotta pay the bills somehow, and don't think that it comes from the $40 bucks you and I paid out for the game.http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
Whew!
Time for bed...
Phalanx out--

[Blob The Toymaker]

HDR is in there. No plans to remove it. It's disabled by default. To enable it set the r_HDRRendering parameter to 1 (see config.cfg).
Check the readme file coming with the patch or my comments on the forum regarding HDR and Anti-Aliasing.

[Mr_OverKill]

Hey hey, thanks for that information! I also wondered to myself, if you where going to use that approach http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

This info should please some of the crowd http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Edit: BTW, you should probably add this info to the change log post, so more people will get to know this info! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Chainsaw Bunny]

Blob the Toymaker.

If it is disabled by default, will enableing it online stop you playing online?

[Mr_OverKill]

A question regarding the HDR feature!(related to Chainsaw Bunny's question).

Does the HDR feature need the "-devmode" command?(which will make HDR un-useable online)

If so, is it far too late to ask, if you can let the HDR be an option, you can enable/disable in the ingame menu or Far Cry configurator?(sorry, but my curiousity forced me to ask http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif )

Cheers!

[Chainsaw Bunny]

As above.

If you release hdr with -DEVMODE command like the pixel shader 3.0 path, then it's a complete waste of time.

p.s What about virtual displacement mapping aswell? Has that been taiken out of the patch aswell.

[Mr_OverKill]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chainsaw Bunny:
If you release hdr with -DEVMODE command like the pixel shader 3.0 path, then it's a complete waste of time. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Well, I won't go that far, as I'm pretty excited to see the effect of HDR on Far Cry.

Cheer up, if it looks great, perhaps some outside modder will make the HDR feature work, without having to enable development mode. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I'm one of those who still see great potential in Far Cry and welcomes an expansion pack to Far Cry with more vehicles, weapons and new islands/areas.

Cheers!

[Chainsaw Bunny]

Why wouldnt you go that far?

pixel shader 3.0 path is a waste of time. I cant use it online to give the performance benefit, because it uses the -DEVMODE command line.

[Macca_Man]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ultimate17:
So the option I was most looking forward too, is being left out. Ridiculous. I have since un-installed the game and can safely say ubisoft nor crytek/ea will ever get another dime out of me. I know I'm just one person, but it's the principal.

Jmamis-someone who claimed to work @ crytek, confirmed HDRL would be in the 1.3 patch. But now, after the release notes were shown by Greiger, it shows that only 3dc was implemented into the patch, HDR is no where to be found.

So we were told we'd get the "rocks on the beach " scene and other sm3.0 texture changes in the 1.3 patch, they withdrew those and now state those effect *MIIIIIIGHT* be in the 64 bit version (which we all know will take years...look at how long it took them just to get a patch out, the 64-but version is up there with dnf on the vaporware list) we were told HDR and 3dc would be incorporated....now HDR has gone missing. WTF guys? Your bascially implementing one option for ati cards and degrading it somewhat so nvidia cards can also use it. It took all that time for this!? This is my last post here, as now that I have given up on the game, I have no reason to frequent this forum. I just wanted to say thankyou to the community here for your kindness, I know you get alot of compalints around here....but that should say something....maybe if these guys did their job,or at least stayed in contact with the community the complaints wouldnt be so drastic and frequent. I never minded "waiting" for the patch. The longer it took the more annoyed I got, but I could wait. My dissapoint comes when after all that waiting, all the option promised, confirmed and talked about go missing. It makes me wonder if any of these features were ever really intended on being implemented by crytek, or rather just talked about for hype to help sell the game to customers and the engine to developers. This game has been a perfect example on how to NOT run a company. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

hmm, heaven forbid they Cant release a FREE upgrade to the game which they have NO obligation to do so in the first place...


think you can run the company better??? get out of your $5 day job at McDonalds and go Become president of UBI or something..

[BSR_RuGGBuTT]

In 1.2 you can't use the Devmode command line, but if you add the "r_sm30path 1" to the end of your FC shortcut you can use it online w/no problems.

[Darrick932]

i think the game and graphics are great, so if you can't sit back and wait for the patch to see the fixes being made then go b.tch somewhere else. Of cours its going to take a while for the patch because its still the number 1 game out, I think anyway, there going take there time and get patch right. Just imagine if they didn't get it right what people would think. People are seriously freaking out over this, that just shows some people need to get a life, I like games to but only a couple of hours a week, i like to spend more time than that with my wife if you know what i mean. Besides that if you didn't like this game or was sick of waiting you would not be in here checkin it out everyday like the rest. SO JUST CHILL OUT TAKE YOUR ANGER TO THE SERVERS AND BATTLE IT OUT. Now that sounds like fun.

[Blob The Toymaker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mr_OverKill:
A question regarding the HDR feature!(related to Chainsaw Bunny's question).

Does the HDR feature need the "-devmode" command?(which will make HDR un-useable online)

If so, is it far too late to ask, if you can let the HDR be an option, you can enable/disable in the ingame menu or Far Cry configurator?(sorry, but my curiousity forced me to ask http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif )

Cheers! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You may enable HDR in the system.cfg file (see my post above) and also you can do it using console commands (\r_HDRRendering 1) online at any time without stopping the game.

regarding sm30 - the default is on. the game detects if your hardware supports (nv40 for instance) that shader model and if it doesn't the game disables that option and checks if it supports 2.x shaders...

With r_SM30Path you can disable using sm30 by setting that parameter to 0.

[Blob The Toymaker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chainsaw Bunny:
As above.

If you release hdr with -DEVMODE command like the pixel shader 3.0 path, then it's a complete waste of time.

p.s What about virtual displacement mapping aswell? Has that been taiken out of the patch aswell. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it hasn't.

BTW, your question sounds like you know something has actually been taken out of the patch for sure... What was that?

[Mr_OverKill]

Blob The Toymaker aka R&D Manager,

Thank you very much for the info. That should take care of our HDR worries http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Can I ask, if there is going to be anything else included, there isn't mentioned in the current Change Log? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Anyhow, thanks for your input so far and I look forward trying the new patch.

Cheers!

Edit: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Blob The Toymaker:
BTW, your question sounds like you know something has actually been taken out of the patch for sure... What was that? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The only thing I can think of, is the fameous shiny stones on the beach, which lots of people seems to be talking highly about(I haven't seen them myself, so I really don't know what I'm missing, if anything). As far as I know, Cevat should have been quoted to have promised to introduce these stones in the 1.3 patch. But that's only what I've heard http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[XTENCILATE]

what a change of tone...

[Blob The Toymaker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mr_OverKill:
Blob The Toymaker aka R&D Manager,

....

Can I ask, if there is going to be anything else included, there isn't mentioned in the current Change Log? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

.....

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cannot answer that at the moment. Sorry.

[Mr_OverKill]

Ok, no tears, I tried at least http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

But feel free to tell us, when you can! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[DocSEAL]

@Blob- Go back to wherever you came from. To have a Crytek employee suddenly just come outta nowhere after watching the game from going gold to a max player count of 2300ish is just insulting. Go research some shiny rocks and put that on a development schedule of another 6 months. At that pace, your PC customer base with be single digits. Of course, you won't care by then...Far Cry Instincts will already be out. That's where the real money is. Can't you here the registers ringin'???
BTW, don't worry about fixing the real issues with MP in the patch as long as you get those latest graphics features in...the rest will be handled by the community...as always.
Yet another Crytek employee that posts either here or on Crymod that doesn't leave an email address and worse...this one hides under some Blob nick. At least when Jack Mamais signs on, people know who he is. Like most people on the internet, I can easily be reached at the contact info in my sig and profile.

[DocSEAL]

And since you're too busy trying to figure out how to compress some textures and Jack says y'all are too busy to fix the sniper reticle...here's some REAL research and a fix for ya:

The Accuracy International AW-50 does NOT have a 2-18x zoom scope because there is no such thing. Usual scopes here (http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn25-e.htm).

Any rifle scope that goes to 18x zoom starts at 6x.

That ******ed reticle in the game does not exist. Reticles are designed to help you hone in on a target and increase your chance to hit it; NOT keep you guessing. Here (http://www.binocularsdirect.com/rsrf.html) are some real reticles. Notice they either have definitive center dots or crosshairs. There's a few real life ones missing there, but I can link ya to the others if needed.

But as promised...so you don't have to work too hard...here's a fix (http://gotfrags.net/Snipe_scope.dds). It's even the right file name for ya. I can make others...takes about 5 mins.

[XTENCILATE]

blob:
its nice to see crytek on here... come around more often! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
oh, and you need to hire me for your multiplayer maps...

-x

www.springcreature.com (http://www.springcreature.com)

[Mad_Murdock2k]

Whoa Doc, having a bad day ?

I don't care about either the HDR or the Sniper rifle...I just want better MP play. But I agree with your points.

Not sure kicking Blob will help us much on those, but hey, gotta relieve our stress somehow

[DocSEAL]

@Mad, not really...just being blunt as usual. Patch 1.2 was released 7/21/04 and recalled on the 23rd. You mean to tell me in nearly three months work they have a 16 point changelog consisting of:

+ Fixed a crash with the ForkLift when loading some levels. (A SP fix.)
+ Fixed a bug that prevented levels from loading after saving in a previous level. (Another SP fix.)
+ Returned surround 5.1 sound option to the menu. (Shoulda never left. Nice catch two QA departments.)
+ Fixed a mounted weapon traverse problem. (I have never had a problem switching to a mounted weapon in either patch. I have no clue what this is.)
+ Fixed problems related to shaders1.pak and scripts1.pak not being removed on installation of the patch. (Nice catch two QA departments.)
+ Fixed a delay relating to tagging enemies in binocular mode. (Nice catch two QA departments.)
+ Normal Map Compression. Requirements: NVidia: Geforce FX Family or better, ATI: x800 card or better. This feature is disabled by default. To enable it, type r_TexNormalMapCompressed 1 in the console after loading a level. Enabling this feature during the game may take some time - the PC may appear to freeze. This variable will not be saved when restarting the game. Enabling normal map compression will have prolonged execution the first time running through a level due to initial compression phase occurring in real time through the level. Subsequent reloads of the same level will yield better performance and therefore we recommend that you run any benchmark twice and to take the second of the two runs for benchmarking purposes since this most closely represents the usual user experience. (Who cares. Fix something essential.)
+ SM 3.0 and SM 2.0x are now enabled by default when graphics settings are set to ‘Very High’. To see performance increases you must have Direct X 9.0c installed. (Who cares. Fix something essential.)
+ Improved tangent-space calculation to improve bumpmap quality. (Who cares. Fix something essential.)
+ Anisotropic filtering disabled for some textures (light-maps, several lookup textures, fall-off maps) for increased performance. (Who cares. Fix something essential.)
+ When attempting to connect to PunkBuster regulated servers, make sure you are not running with â€"DEVMODE enabled. Run the Farcry.exe itself (not a shortcut) if you are unsure. (This is not a Far Cry fix and has been covered by the community.)
+ If you are kicked from a PunkBuster enabled server with the reason “No packet flowâ€Â�, make sure the Windows XP internal firewall is disabled. (This is not a Far Cry fix and has been covered by the community.)
+ Improved syncronization in multiplayer. (To do what???)
+ Fixed bug in leaning with different player classes. (Never seen this issue either.)
+ Fixed an invisible wall exploit in mp_freighter. (How so???)
+ Please ensure you have your graphics cards latest drivers installed. (This is not a Far Cry fix and has been covered by the community.)

So, to summarize, this patch will maybe install correctly, fix things that shouldn't have been broken in 1.2 in the first place, add some graphical enhancements that maybe 5% of the FC community can benefit from, and fix some problems that I didn't know existed.

This is supposed to be something I waited for??? What a load of ****.

[DocSEAL]

Also, hire on X, that man's pumping out some sick maps at an incredible pace. He told me he works on three maps simultaneously (something I can't fathom.) He's someone actually doing something.
I'll be his first reference and I'm sure you could get hundreds more here.

[Mad_Murdock2k]

I'm only going to give X a good reference if he commits to making a super duper Monkeybay 2 FFA map. I want it bigger, faster and sexier, with teh OICW rockets in a hard to get easy to shoot place :P

[lowe0]

Doc:

With a large programming project, it's not as simple.

If you've got multiple programmers on a project, they take different sections. Maybe two work on netcode, two on world logic and AI, two on graphics, one on sound, etc. Not every programmer is John Carmack, where we can stick our fingers into everything - and even Carmack decided to pluck an AI programmer from the community to finish Q3.

On the project I'm working on, there are whole chunks that no one else but me will touch, just because I'm the only guy who understands the code (though I've tried to teach other people what's going on in there). Pulling someone else off of what they're working on doesn't guarantee that they can fix anything in an area of the code they don't understand. (The only exception is testing, which is pure labor, and the fact that 3dc/HDR aren't on by default tells me they're untested features.)

My point is: just dumping the graphics features doesn't mean they could've changed netcode. If only a few people on the team understand that code, you can't pull others into it and expect them to be able to fix anything.

[Blob The Toymaker]

DocSEAL,

I am glad you're here. If you're interested in texture compression techiques and multiplayer synchronization problems see me in a private forum here and we will discuss it in greater detail. That forum dedicated to Farcry actually.
What difference would it make if I replace the nick with my real name? I am not a person from a 24/7 technical support call center and that's why I didn't leave my contacts in here. But I'll be monitoring this forum each time I get a chance. If you don't mind. Based on the information on our website and several job postings on Gamasutra and Gamedev you may suggest we have some ongoing projects here. I am busy with the actual development here and the schedule's tough so I just cannot answer each post and each email but I'll try my best.

[XTENCILATE]

@Mad_Murdock2k:
I have the first ever (that I know of) For LMS, ASSAULT, TDM, and FFA in the works. It should make a public release in 2-4 days. happy now?? also, would you like to see a FFA-TDM of mp_boxcanyons? I work my a$$ off yester day mapping.... Started a brand new map at about 11 am, got finished with a very nice beta release of it at 5am the next day... only stopped long enough to eat a burrito.... lol.

@DocSeal: hey, thanks! ya, mutiplae maps at the same time keep the desing flowwing and keeps it creative.

@Blob The Toy Maker: I hope you know that I plan on follwing every CryTek employe around on these forums until I get a comment about my work out of atleast one of you! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[sheepmolester]

Hey blob you guys got to hire this guy. He knows what assaulters want in their maps and he will probably work for free beer.

[DocSEAL]

I'm tellin' y'all the boy is siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick...LOL...bring it X...can't wait for 'em.

Ohhh, I almost forgot...like Blob says...Crytek's hiring. Linkage (http://www.crytek.com/news/index.php?lang=eng&english.x=13&english.y=10).

[XTENCILATE]

lol. im feeling the love! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

-x

[ors69]

DocSEAL,

sorry my ignorance, but I donâ´t know how to use the file (Snipe_scope.dds) you provided, that fixes the sniper reticle. Could you please tell me where or how I put this file in the FarCry directory.

Thanks,
Oscar.

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lowe0:
With a large programming project, it's not as simple. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Please, I'm from the computer field. I know all about segmentation. My arguement has nothing to do with human resources or knowledge...read below...

@Blob (it makes me laugh just to type that)- When I first got FC, I had an Athlon 2800, 1GB 2700 SDRAM, nVidia 5900, and a SB Live 5.1 on some desktop speakers. Even though the box said my system was more than adequate, the game ran only moderately well in SP and was God awful on MP. Framerates were dipping down into the teens while running in heavily forested areas and single digits with smoke near a flag. Noticing the advantage ATI had over nVidia in dx9, I purchased a 9800Pro128. This dramatically improved my framerates, but was not where I wanted to be. I built my current setup and later added a x800xtPE. Now MP plays as smooth as SP for me with some incredible graphics/framerates. But I am the exception to the rule in the gaming community. I have spent over $2000 on hardware since FC's release and most here just don't have that luxury. Even though my current setup will handle the new graphical features in 1.3, am I anxiously awaiting these things? No. The game runs fine as is. So do I want discuss texture compression techniques? No.

Not sure what you mean by "That forum dedicated to Farcry actually", but in case you didn't notice; you're in Far Cry General Discussion. While you're here you might want to review some of the stuff in here to see what your gaming community really needs/wants. Since I see you signed on in September, you won't be able to see some of the the threads, so let me get you up to speed. Some examples:

DocSEAL posted Sun May 02 2004 13:23:

To the obviousily pathetic, upper management at Ubisoft:

This is your community speaking. We are giving you direct input on what we would like to see come from this game. Pay attention. If you don't, it will be abandoned just like RVS/AS. There were well over 2,000 RVS servers in Oct/Nov of last year. I just fired up the game and there are 715 RVS and 309 AS (that's what came up on that God awful server browser at least.) If that doesn't speak volumes as far as the bottom line goes, then you straight up sux at being businessmen. You ignore your gamers and they will find a different game to play. There are already many posts in here where your CUSTOMERS are ready to return their purchase. That being said, do not rush a patch out the door that you are just going to have to repatch 3 days later because you broke something (at least 2 such patches for RVS/AS.)
Instead of fixing stupid run stamina and speed...FIRST MAKE THE GAME PLAYABLE FOR ALL. Stop the PB kicks (still happening), stop the graphic card compatiblity errors (still happening), stop the crash to desktop (still happening), stop the can't alt+tab outta the game issues (still happening), make a useful server browser (nothing in 1.3 changelog), make server admin a TON easier (nothing in 1.3 changelog), get a Linux dedicated server version out (cause everyone in the world cept you seems to know it's faster.) (Nothing in 1.3 changelog.) There STILL isn't a Linux SSA version of RVS/AS after 13 months of the game being out.) Who the hell cares if you fixed ladder animations and bugs when if they can't stay on the server for more than 5 mins without a PB INT kick? Or worse yet, can't play online because their graphics card, which on the side of the box states it's supported, seems to be "not the way it's meant to be played." Ignore your community again, UBI, and you will be abandoned AGAIN.

That post comes from the hidden and locked "Patch v1.2 Information thread", but you can find it here (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&s=400102&f=452106891&m=540100183&p=1).

I'll also refer you to the now unstickied "Official patch 1.2 MP Issues thread" here (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&s=400102&f=452106891&m=992107855&p=1).

A lot of people are also voicing what they'd like to see from the game in Jack's thread (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&s=400102&f=452106891&m=698006027&p=1).

As far as being from a tech call center, well neither am I, but I jump on here whenever I can and give tips as I go. My The *Unofficial* Patch 1.2 Community Fix-it Thread (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=400102&f=452106891&m=194109985) has over 5K views and several workarounds for current FC issues. I'm also active in the anti-cheat community here and post help in the server admin section as needed. Check my posts past and present, I think I helped like 3 people today. It only took 10-15 mins.

It all comes down to involvement. From what I've seen from Crytek, there hasn't been much at all. In the two major 1.2 threads I linked above with over 50K views combined, there isn't a single reply from a Crytek employee. That leads to a whole lotta people feeling abandoned and that is why the FC community has dwindled to its current abysmal numbers.

Let me finish by apologizing. I don't know if you're new here or not (being a forum moderator kinda leans me to think not, but that could be new also.) It's just I truly liked this game. It had a lot of potential. I was very involved in it. But I've come to realize that it will never be what it should and could be. I'm in the process of moving on to another game. Your posts here, for me, come far too late. So, nothing personal, I was just venting.

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ors69:
Could you please tell me where or how I put this file in the FarCry directory. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Using that file requires you modify one of the .pak files in FCData folder. If you do so, you will be kicked from every PB enabled server that uses the whitelist, so to prevent that, I'm not going to give you specific instructions on how to do it.

[phalanx9mm]

@Doc
What about for SP?
And all the link for the .dds file does is open a HUGE blank page on yer site...

[ors69]

@Doc
Thanks for the tip: (...) FCData (...), and of course for the file.
I am not goog modding, but I miss the times of the FarCry Fort demo when everybody made little mods that change little parts of the game.
One mod I looked for was the one that could make the sky dinamyc (moving clouds, but no shadows). Some one, I donâ´t remember, made it possible using the CryEd but only for one map each time and only on the ed. It could be nice if anybody could make it work.

@Phalanx9mm

To get the file, right clic whith your mouse and select "save file as..."

To make the file work, you must open the file Textures.pak (is a zip file), which is placed in the FCData dir, and update the file "Snipe_scope.dds" (ziped inside it) with the one provided by Doc.
Be careful, you must put Snipe_scope.dds inside the path :
Textures\hud\sniperscope\
so it has the same path than the original file ziped inside Textures.pak.
Make a backup of the original Textures.pak so if something goes wrong you can restore it.

Oscar.

[ReaNL]

lol.. changing Textures.pak goves problems with pb i thought?

[Mad_Murdock2k]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XTENCILATE:
@Mad_Murdock2k:
I have the first ever (that I know of) For LMS, ASSAULT, TDM, and FFA in the works. It should make a public release in 2-4 days. happy now?? also, would you like to see a FFA-TDM of mp_boxcanyons? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

hehe, I was just kidding too.

I don't think Box_caynons would be a goof FFA map, it may be just a little to big and spread out, it would become too much of a sniper map. I'm looking for somehting that's fast like Monkeybay, but it gets a little cramped with more than 10 players. MP_Radio isn't bad, but way to cramped with all the rockets. Surf, well surf is just kinda wierd, and Cliffside, who the heck plays that.

You need to make the Dust2, El Elemein map of Far Cry, then the whole world will sing your praises

Can't wait to see more of your work !

[tranCendenZ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DocSEAL: Go research some shiny rocks and put that on a development schedule of another 6 months. At that pace, your PC customer base with be single digits. Of course, you won't care by then...Far Cry Instincts will already be out. That's where the real money is. Can't you here the registers ringin'???
BTW, don't worry about fixing the real issues with MP in the patch as long as you get those latest graphics features in...the rest will be handled by the community...as always.
Yet another Crytek employee that posts either here or on Crymod that doesn't leave an email address and worse...this one hides under some Blob nick. At least when Jack Mamais signs on, people know who he is. Like most people on the internet, I can easily be reached at the contact info in my sig and profile. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

FYI some of us appreciate the "latest graphical features" crytek has added. In fact, if it didn't support SM3.0 and upcoming HDR support, I probably wouldn't have gotten interested in the game or bought it. Sure, its been a long time between patches, but FarCry is probably going to be the most technologically advanced graphics engine available this generation, and for some of us its worth owning just for that! I applaud Crytek for pushing the engine instead of using last year's technologies like other companies have elected to.

[XTENCILATE]

ahh, your gonna lover river side then...
pic:
http://www.springcreature.com/images/loadscreen_mp_riverside.jpg

[XTENCILATE]

you wanna help test it? come on over to my forums, and sign up.. ill put you on the list.

www.springcreature.com (http://www.springcreature.com)

[phalanx9mm]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ors69:
@Doc
Thanks for the tip: (...) FCData (...), and of course for the file.
I am not goog modding, but I miss the times of the FarCry Fort demo when everybody made little mods that change little parts of the game.
One mod I looked for was the one that could make the sky dinamyc (moving clouds, but no shadows). Some one, I donâ´t remember, made it possible using the CryEd but only for one map each time and only on the ed. It could be nice if anybody could make it work.

@Phalanx9mm

To get the file, right clic whith your mouse and select "save file as..."

To make the file work, you must open the file Textures.pak (is a zip file), which is placed in the FCData dir, and update the file "Snipe_scope.dds" (ziped inside it) with the one provided by Doc.
Be careful, you must put Snipe_scope.dds inside the path :
Textures\hud\sniperscope\
so it has the same path than the original file ziped inside Textures.pak.
Make a backup of the original Textures.pak so if something goes wrong you can restore it.

Oscar. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks oscar--And Doc toohttp://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Cheers

p.s. does it also need the snipescope_zoom.dds
snipingscope_zoom_12.dds etc etc? Or is that handled?

[ors69]

Hi Phalanx9mm,

Nothing more than you can read above is needed to do to make the fix work.

Cheers,
Oscar.

[Mad_Murdock2k]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XTENCILATE:
you wanna help test it? come on over to my forums, and sign up.. ill put you on the list.

http://www.springcreature.com <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm in like Flynn, nothing more fun then testing maps

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tranCendenZ:
FYI some of us appreciate the "latest graphical features" crytek has added. In fact, if it didn't support SM3.0 and upcoming HDR support, I probably wouldn't have gotten interested in the game or bought it. Sure, its been a long time between patches, but FarCry is probably going to be the most technologically advanced graphics engine available this generation, and for some of us its worth owning just for that! I applaud Crytek for pushing the engine instead of using last year's technologies like other companies have elected to. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

1) I never said it wasn't cool of Crytek to try to add some new features. What isn't cool is them not fixing the problems for the majority of people. Catering to 2-10% of your audience in a patch is not getting your job done.

2) If this is why you purchased FC and it makes you happy, so be it. I was expressing my views and speaking for the masses.

3) Very rarely do things in the computer field stays dominant for a human generation; generally considered 10 years. The Windows OS, PCI bus, ATA/ATAPI interface, and the monopoly that Intel had on CPU's are some quick ones I can think off the top of my head. Now PCI-E, SATA, and AMD gaining popularity and will be recognized for their superiority. Unfortunately, the worst of the lot...Windows...will just not go away. Their marketshare is too much. But there are far better OSs.

4) From what I've seen of the HL2 demos, it will be equal to, if not surpass the CryEngine in capability and certainly has the advantage in playable interactivity. There's a lotta vids out there, but if I have to recommend just one; this (http://www.fileplanet.com/files/120000/123983.shtml) is my choice. These both will be smoked by the U3 Engine due in 2005-6...Linkage (http://www.fileplanet.com/files/140000/140731.shtml).

[Blob The Toymaker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XTENCILATE:
@Mad_Murdock2k:
I have the first ever (that I know of) For LMS, ASSAULT, TDM, and FFA in the works. It should make a public release in 2-4 days. happy now?? also, would you like to see a FFA-TDM of mp_boxcanyons? I work my a$$ off yester day mapping.... Started a brand new map at about 11 am, got finished with a very nice beta release of it at 5am the next day... only stopped long enough to eat a burrito.... lol.

@DocSeal: hey, thanks! ya, mutiplae maps at the same time keep the desing flowwing and keeps it creative.

@Blob The Toy Maker: I hope you know that I plan on follwing every CryTek employe around on these forums until I get a comment about my work out of atleast one of you! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I better go get you Jack or someone from the game side. I am the engine guy...

[CletisMckloskey]

alright now dont make fun of me but what the hell is hdr. i havent kept up with far cry or the new stuff for gfx cards in a while.

[DocSEAL]

Pictures say more than a 1000 words so...linkage (http://www2.ati.com/misc/demos/ATI-9700-rnl-Movie-v1.0.mpg) and linkage (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1656&p=10). But why just watch it when you can manipulate it yourself? Linkage (http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/).

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ReaNL:
lol.. changing Textures.pak goves problems with pb i thought? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It does if the server is running whitelist and that is why I didn't provide the information.

@Blob- Under 30 posts and already passing the buck...you'll do fine at Crytek. Please send us anyone willing to field the questions of REAL problems with FC.

[phalanx9mm]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DocSEAL:

@Blob- Under 30 posts and already passing the buck...you'll do fine at Crytek. Please send us anyone willing to field the questions of REAL problems with FC. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/10.gifThis is either fed up and sick of the status quo, or Doc, you were just gunnin' for that 600th posthttp://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/88.gif
Something tells me that it is the former...

Peace out-

[XTENCILATE]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Blob The Toymaker:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XTENCILATE:
@Mad_Murdock2k:
I have the first ever (that I know of) For LMS, ASSAULT, TDM, and FFA in the works. It should make a public release in 2-4 days. happy now?? also, would you like to see a FFA-TDM of mp_boxcanyons? I work my a$$ off yester day mapping.... Started a brand new map at about 11 am, got finished with a very nice beta release of it at 5am the next day... only stopped long enough to eat a burrito.... lol.

@DocSeal: hey, thanks! ya, mutiplae maps at the same time keep the desing flowwing and keeps it creative.

@Blob The Toy Maker: I hope you know that I plan on follwing every CryTek employe around on these forums until I get a comment about my work out of atleast one of you! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I better go get you Jack or someone from the game side. I am the engine guy... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


ah. thanks
Assuming your actually gonna say something:
www.springcreature.com (http://www.springcreature.com) is where my work is located.

-x

[Xinterface]

Doc, take a pill and go cool down...!

[tranCendenZ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DocSEAL:
Pictures say more than a 1000 words so...http://www2.ati.com/misc/demos/ATI-9700-rnl-Movie-v1.0.mpg and http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1656&p=10. But why just watch it when you can manipulate it yourself? http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What you have linked is a low quality SM2.0 emulation of HDR effects (as is used in some games like HL2 & demos like rthdribl). Crytek instead is providing real HDR, which is much higher quality but unfortunately unsupported by ATI cards this generation. ATI stated they will be adding it to their next generation R520 cards, but for now, only Nvidia GeForce 6 owners will be able to enjoy real HDR.

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tranCendenZ:
What you have linked is a low quality SM2.0 emulation of HDR effects (as is used in some games like HL2 & demos like rthdribl). Crytek instead is providing real HDR, which is much higher quality but unfortunately unsupported by ATI cards this generation. ATI stated they will be adding it to their next generation R520 cards, but for now, only Nvidia GeForce 6 owners will be able to enjoy real HDR. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

To me, it seems like you think you're the only one that has looked into this subject. I knew of the Firing Squad article (http://www.firingsquad.com/features/crytek_far_cry/page2.asp) and I saw the pics of it implemented in FC:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/farcry_sm30_hdr_2_bg.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/farcry_sm30_hdr_1_bg.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/cooler_sm30_hdr_bg.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/farcry_sm30_hdr_3_bg.jpg

I also know of the research behind HDR: http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/pubs/1995/SSZG95.html

I also know it's already in patch 1.2 (obviously from the ss's above.) Yet, when deciding to buy a x800 or a 6800 series card I still chose a x800. That tells you how important it is to me. HDR wasn't even talked of when I purchased the game and it's not a deal breaker now. Just eye candy (and sometimes poorly done.) I don't know about you but I have never seen overhead lights look like they do in the Cooler scene. I can't say that HDR looks so much better than some of the default rendering modes that come with the game:

Default (http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/default.jpg)
Improved (http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/improved.jpg)
Paradise (http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/paradise.jpg)
Cold (http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/cold.jpg)
and the absurd Cartoon (http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/cartoon.jpg)

A shot from the settings I use when recording videos (http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/recording.jpg).

If you have a 6800 card and 1.2, you can enable HDR as it is in the game right now. I'm not sure how, but my best guess is \r_hdrfake 1. You might have to enable SM3.0 to do this, but I have no clue.

@Phalanx9mm- It was the former. I had no clue where post #600 was and it's not much a milestone.

@X- I caught a nasty cold last week. Taking plenty of pills...not gonna cure FC's problems though.

[tranCendenZ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DocSEAL:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tranCendenZ:
What you have linked is a low quality SM2.0 emulation of HDR effects (as is used in some games like HL2 & demos like rthdribl). Crytek instead is providing real HDR, which is much higher quality but unfortunately unsupported by ATI cards this generation. ATI stated they will be adding it to their next generation R520 cards, but for now, only Nvidia GeForce 6 owners will be able to enjoy real HDR. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

To me, it seems like you think you're the only one that has looked into this subject. I knew of the http://www.firingsquad.com/features/crytek_far_cry/page2.asp and I saw the pics of it implemented in FC:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/farcry_sm30_hdr_2_bg.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/farcry_sm30_hdr_1_bg.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/cooler_sm30_hdr_bg.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/farcry30/farcry_sm30_hdr_3_bg.jpg

I also know of the research behind HDR: http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/pubs/1995/SSZG95.html

I also know it's already in patch 1.2 (obviously from the ss's above.) Yet, when deciding to buy a x800 or a 6800 series card I still chose a x800. That tells you how important it is to me. HDR wasn't even talked of when I purchased the game and it's not a deal breaker now. Just eye candy (and sometimes poorly done.) I don't know about you but I have never seen overhead lights look like they do in the Cooler scene. I can't say that HDR looks so much better than some of the default rendering modes that come with the game:

http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/default.jpg
http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/improved.jpg
http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/paradise.jpg
http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/cold.jpg
and the absurd http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/cartoon.jpg

A shot from the settings I use when http://gotfrags.net/images/hdr/recording.jpg.

If you have a 6800 card and 1.2, you can enable HDR as it is in the game right now. I'm not sure how, but my best guess is \r_hdrfake 1. You might have to enable SM3.0 to do this, but I have no clue.

@Phalanx9mm- It was the former. I had no clue where post #600 was and it's not much a milestone.

@X- I caught a nasty cold last week. Taking plenty of pills...not gonna cure FC's problems though. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Those HDR shots you posted were from a few months ago before necessary significant exposure tweaking was done, the reason it was never included in 1.2. Likely the final result won't be as extreme as what you see in those shots. It should look amazing however. We will see in the 1.3 patch http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

GeForce 6 owners will have the option of running the game like x800 owners without HDR, or trying out OpenEXR HDR - and based on the Timbury demo, when OpenEXR is done properly, it looks amazing

[DocSEAL]

Did you even look at the Firing Squad article?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Cevat Yerli: It’s more about the FP16 versus FP32 format. We’re using it [FP32] for HDR, which is not supported by ATI. That is to deliver very high image quality. But, I have to tell you HDR isn’t officially going to be part of the 1.2 patch. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That means it's in there. Other hints might be the four console commands:

r_HDRBrightOffset
r_HDRBrightThreshold
r_HDRFake
r_HDRLevel

[tranCendenZ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DocSEAL:
Did you even look at the Firing Squad article?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Cevat Yerli: It’s more about the FP16 versus FP32 format. We’re using it [FP32] for HDR, which is not supported by ATI. That is to deliver very high image quality. But, I have to tell you HDR isn’t officially going to be part of the 1.2 patch. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That means it's in there. Other hints might be the four console commands:

r_HDRBrightOffset
r_HDRBrightThreshold
r_HDRFake
r_HDRLevel <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It doesn't really make a difference if the exposure levels aren't set right, now does it http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

BTW, Crytek made an error in that article, they meant to say "FP16 blending" not "Fp32 blending"

Also, here is a preview of what HDR will look like in the 1.3 patch, now that CryTek has tweaked it properly:
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=400102&f=452106891&m=5411021032&r=4331047132#4331047132 (scroll to bottom)

Can't wait http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif Gonna post plenty of fullsize pics once the patch is out.

[DocSEAL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tranCendenZ:
It doesn't really make a difference if the exposure levels aren't set right, now does it http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif...
Can't wait http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif Gonna post plenty of fullsize pics once the patch is out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, it does matter, because from your posts you contend that it wasn't there when it is. Further modifications to it doesn't change that. As far as the pics go...I'd like to see them. They won't improve the game any, though. Won't settle the MP issues. Won't settle some people not even being able to install the game. I would have thought those might have been a priority. Silly me.