27.02.2010, 03:46
I'm not in this debate, but I'd like to point out something about foliage in games.
Generally, foliage (grass, leaves, etc.) are simply 2D sprites or bitmaps projected in such a way that they simulate a three-dimensional effect. If you stand on one of these clumps of "grass" it will, in most games, look flat to the point of disappearing. I haven't played RoF, but I suspect that the foliage in that game is much the same because it doesn't have to worry about you getting so close so as to be able to pick that render power saving feature out.
Crysis is different because it actually uses 3D models for its foliage, which is partially why it's so demanding on hardware. It also uses self-shadowing and shaders on the foliage, both of which are something that I've only ever seen replicated once in another game, and that was Halo 3 and only in a limited fashion. Note how both of them are shooters. Storm of War will most likely use the 2D sprites and that's fine because we'll be flying high above it anyways. Even on the ground in the cockpit we'd be too high up to see it.
Generally, foliage (grass, leaves, etc.) are simply 2D sprites or bitmaps projected in such a way that they simulate a three-dimensional effect. If you stand on one of these clumps of "grass" it will, in most games, look flat to the point of disappearing. I haven't played RoF, but I suspect that the foliage in that game is much the same because it doesn't have to worry about you getting so close so as to be able to pick that render power saving feature out.
Crysis is different because it actually uses 3D models for its foliage, which is partially why it's so demanding on hardware. It also uses self-shadowing and shaders on the foliage, both of which are something that I've only ever seen replicated once in another game, and that was Halo 3 and only in a limited fashion. Note how both of them are shooters. Storm of War will most likely use the 2D sprites and that's fine because we'll be flying high above it anyways. Even on the ground in the cockpit we'd be too high up to see it.