Difference in Torque 3D and Older Torque?
by Scott Wolfe · in Torque Game Engine · 04/14/2010 (2:03 pm) · 4 replies
I am still using and trying to learn 1.4.2 I have never upgraded to even 1.5 I don't even think 1.5 was around long. Torque 3D looks pricey at $900.00. I didn't look deep into it cause I can't afford it anyway but what is the difference in the 3D and my version? Is there a discount if you already have a Torque License? I have a license for 1.4.2. Can you still upgrade to the 1.5 version if you don't want or can't afford Torque 3D?
Scott Wolfe
Scott Wolfe
About the author
#2
Personally i think they made quite a big mistake removing TGEA from the product lineup espcially at a time when the competition have moved into 'free' engines for indie devs, i think theres a gaping hole between the non source free engines and the $1000 source/more flexible engines, personally i think TGEA would fill that role better that T3D binary, i also think it would feed more people to the T3D Pro marketing machine too.
Having said all that and ranted away, i have no clue what you get when you buy the Binary version of T3D, i know when you buy Pro you get TGEA 1.8.2? and TGE 1.5.2, if they give TGEA away with the binary then my 2nd paragraph makes me look like a fool.
I will admit also that the binary version seems to be pretty flexible, and there are some 'vague' elements of the EULAs that potentially let Pro users provide binary users with new binaries, unless i read that wrong... meaning you could pay a pro user to add a particular feature to the binary engine for you.
As to the first part of your question, T3D is every bit the professional quality game engine youd expect for more money considering its a source included product, i'd very much recommend you try the demo which as far as i'm aware is fully featured except in terms of the number of objects you can add and the license obviously.
If you are anything more than a serious hobbyist or a serious game dev student then i dont think theres a better product out there.
wow, i keep wandering off topic these days, but essentially, i'd talk to some people at sales i'm sure somebody at GG would rather sell TGEA than send people to UDK or Unity <EG>
edit: and clearly the master of tyhe docs types and thinks faster than me since i started first :p
04/14/2010 (2:27 pm)
I think you would probably have to email somebody and try for a special deal on TGEA, i'm using win 7 now and both 1.4.2 and 1.5.2 versions of TGE hard lock my computer, so it looks like TGE is now beyond repair.Personally i think they made quite a big mistake removing TGEA from the product lineup espcially at a time when the competition have moved into 'free' engines for indie devs, i think theres a gaping hole between the non source free engines and the $1000 source/more flexible engines, personally i think TGEA would fill that role better that T3D binary, i also think it would feed more people to the T3D Pro marketing machine too.
Having said all that and ranted away, i have no clue what you get when you buy the Binary version of T3D, i know when you buy Pro you get TGEA 1.8.2? and TGE 1.5.2, if they give TGEA away with the binary then my 2nd paragraph makes me look like a fool.
I will admit also that the binary version seems to be pretty flexible, and there are some 'vague' elements of the EULAs that potentially let Pro users provide binary users with new binaries, unless i read that wrong... meaning you could pay a pro user to add a particular feature to the binary engine for you.
As to the first part of your question, T3D is every bit the professional quality game engine youd expect for more money considering its a source included product, i'd very much recommend you try the demo which as far as i'm aware is fully featured except in terms of the number of objects you can add and the license obviously.
If you are anything more than a serious hobbyist or a serious game dev student then i dont think theres a better product out there.
wow, i keep wandering off topic these days, but essentially, i'd talk to some people at sales i'm sure somebody at GG would rather sell TGEA than send people to UDK or Unity <EG>
edit: and clearly the master of tyhe docs types and thinks faster than me since i started first :p
#3
04/14/2010 (2:31 pm)
@Bloodknight - Your assumption was correct. Binary purchase does not grant TGE or TGEA. It's a Pro only feature.
#4
Honestly, I just bought the binary for torque 3D and I am impressed with some features but for the most part 1.5 was my favorite. Of course I added the modernization kit, and the DTS shader ability and many forms of AI, Dialogs, ect ect ect. The list is in fact endless. In fact by the time I was done playing around with 1.5 it did not even look like 1.5 anymore. Source code was hacked to pieces, scripts were all custom, and even the directory structure was changed completely. I even hacked the lighting to be more 'modern'. I don't even know what the heck happened to the orc!!
In my opinion, take time and LEARN, thats what this engine is GREAT for (and it does not matter what version you are using, the concepts have not really changed too much) then decide for yourself what version of the engine you want to use. After all, you might find that the version of torque that's best for you....is your own personalized version.
04/14/2010 (4:29 pm)
I have been a Torque user since Torque was born well 2003 I became an 'official' member. I have seen a number of improvements over those years however, at it's core, it is still the same engine. No I don't mean literally the same engine. Yes, editors have changed and rendering tricks have improved but the core concept is still the same. Torque is capable of producing pretty much any game idea you can come up with. As long as you have the patience and time to tinker away like I have for years. In 2003 I didn't even know what the heck C++ was!!! Honestly, I just bought the binary for torque 3D and I am impressed with some features but for the most part 1.5 was my favorite. Of course I added the modernization kit, and the DTS shader ability and many forms of AI, Dialogs, ect ect ect. The list is in fact endless. In fact by the time I was done playing around with 1.5 it did not even look like 1.5 anymore. Source code was hacked to pieces, scripts were all custom, and even the directory structure was changed completely. I even hacked the lighting to be more 'modern'. I don't even know what the heck happened to the orc!!
In my opinion, take time and LEARN, thats what this engine is GREAT for (and it does not matter what version you are using, the concepts have not really changed too much) then decide for yourself what version of the engine you want to use. After all, you might find that the version of torque that's best for you....is your own personalized version.
Employee Michael Perry
ZombieShortbus
Price - $1000
Discounts - Any previous 3D Torque engine you have bought is subtracted from the final cost. So for you, Torque 3D Pro is $900.
Features -
* Full source code
* Dramatic improvements to old editors, like Terrain Editor and Painter
* New editors like the Forest Kit, Shape Editor, and Datablock Editor
* Material and shader system
* Deferred rendering
* Full Feature Set Here
Torque 3D
Price - $250
Discounts - Currently $150 off, final price is $100
Features - Same as Pro, but no source code
TGE and its upgrades are no longer available for purchase