HL2 - "Loading"

[Wilco]

the maps are 64x larger, but thats total, height is not really an issue in most maps, the "floor" of a map is only 16x larger (each edge on a map is now 4x longer).

 

[X-Vector]

the loading in HL was the best idea ever. no freaking loading scene.

I think your confusing HL with some cut scene based game. HL has no cut scenes, and therefor no seperate levels. (In the traditional sence)

Leave it as it.

Agreed.

Yes I did over-exegerate, but you obviousily got the point, and understood what I was saying.

Unfortunately your exaggeration is the only thing that supports your argument, i.e. that over-frequent loading is an annoyance.

What I am interested in finding out is how the continuous gameworld structure will allow for the day and nighttime differences in HL2; daytime outside scene -> lengthy indoor sequence -> nighttime outside environment?

 

[Wsh]

What I am interested in finding out is how the continuous gameworld structure will allow for the day and nighttime differences in HL2; daytime outside scene -> lengthy indoor sequence -> nighttime outside environment?

Highly possible (it was like that too in HL1). But if they really really wanted it to change during outdoors chapters I guess their technology would allow it.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Re: map size

Read this:
http://collective.valve-erc.com/ind...06159031874671600&question=106159074774468800

It seems to be 16x the max horizontal area of a non-extended HL1 map = approx 1.1km^2. HOWEVER, that is keeping the unit defined the same as HL1 ie. 1 inch. Mods can increase this and get maps as big as 30 km^2 without changing physics too badly either... Personally, I think it is good to have areas <1 km with quicker and more seamless load times - that is the whole spirit of HL1. Jolting, long and counter-immersive load screens are bad mmkay!

This comes back to the entity limits though, which has been discused to death elsewhere on the forum.. Basically, the bigger your maps the less interesting they will look, because you'll have a finite amount of entities and brushes that you can use within the map before you run out and it either a) refuses to compile or b) doesn't compile correctly.

Also to make a 1kmx1kmx1km map interesting, your gonna have to use the limits of everything, and a map with that much stuff in is gonna have a large file size, so yeah you get your big map, but you also get it looking pretty plain and taking some time to load

smaller sections tied together with transitions are the best bet in the source engine, shortcuts wont in the long run work very well atall.

 

[Crusader]

Does anybody know what the entity limits are?

 

[Wolf]

Oh I agree entirely Fenric though I'm sure you understand the specifics of entity limits much better than I do. The only reason I made that point was to allay potential moaning and groaning from people who want to see Desert Combat SS (Source-Style) which would be quite doable IMO if you use lower vehicular physics accuracy or ray-tracing wheels in a map 3km^2....

 

[Mr. Redundant]

the short loadings were (imo) one of the aspects that made HL legendary.
the sections werent THAT small, and loading times (unless you had shite for a comp I guess) were a split second... and it didnt say "loading" unless you had console enabled via shortcut.

however it says "loading" now through steam apparently

Still as Apos said, the short load times added tons to the immersiveness of the game, and after playing HL its hard to appreciate other games with huge load times.
I would rather spend my time playing the game (and pausing for a split second every now and then) than spending my time waiting for the level to load.

the game was never really split up into levels... it was split into chapters, and the entire time the place you were in felt real... it didnt feel like "ok I got past that map, whats the next map?" ... it all flowed naturally.

I dont know how anyone wouldnt want Valves way of loading.

 

[RTFMish]

the short loadings were (imo) one of the aspects that made HL legendary.
the sections werent THAT small, and loading times (unless you had shite for a comp I guess) were a split second... and it didnt say "loading" unless you had console enabled via shortcut.

however it says "loading" now through steam apparently

Still as Apos said, the short load times added tons to the immersiveness of the game, and after playing HL its hard to appreciate other games with huge load times.
I would rather spend my time playing the game (and pausing for a split second every now and then) than spending my time waiting for the level to load.

the game was never really split up into levels... it was split into chapters, and the entire time the place you were in felt real... it didnt feel like "ok I got past that map, whats the next map?" ... it all flowed naturally.

I dont know how anyone wouldnt want Valves way of loading.

Yea, I've only played HL on Steam, and it would turn screen black and say "Loading..."

 

[CrazyHarij]

I guess it'll be that good ol' loading screen again, and I think it's pretty good..

 

[The Dark Elf]

Oh I agree entirely Fenric though I'm sure you understand the specifics of entity limits much better than I do. The only reason I made that point was to allay potential moaning and groaning from people who want to see Desert Combat SS (Source-Style) which would be quite doable IMO if you use lower vehicular physics accuracy or ray-tracing wheels in a map 3km^2....

If the map in question doesn't rely too much on being detailed, ie: most MP maps, then it's definately a bonus. A Dune buggy mod would probably be just fine with it. Another is space sims, the larger map size, which can be much larger if you dump physics entirely will be quite acceptable. Just a case then of limiting the view distance to stop things slowing down too much. Large cities in a single map, or morrowind anything is going to be a problem though.

There's also other uses of larger map sizes without the need to use all of it but where the larger size will come in handy. But I'm keeping those close to my chest for now hehe

 

[Apos]

Yea, I've only played HL on Steam, and it would turn screen black and say "Loading..."

I think that's a bug or oversight. It's not suppposed to turn black.

 

[th1nk]

Steam-Related: What sucks is that in OP4 there is no "loading..." but it looks as if you join a new server everytime the game has to load. Kinda destroys the flow/mood of the game. This only happens in OP4 to me, Half-Life works just fine.

 

[Korgoth]

Well no matter how you do it, loading is going to inevitably interfere with your game.
But, the quicker the load the better if you ask me... So the old hl way will work i suppose.

 

[dat_monkey]

Spoiler

Well actually if you use Jesus it wont interfere at all.... I think thats quite obvious