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Loading maps in realtime...?

by Matt Van Gorkom · in Torque Game Engine · 02/20/2005 (7:05 pm) · 4 replies

Is it possible to load a new map while ingame? I'm thinking of a game where, when a player hits a certain "powerup" or whatever, a new map is loaded and then is brought up through the existing map. The old map is then disposed of and the players continue play on the new map. No pausing should occur during map-load, but maybe a countdown or something while the map is loading.
I'm just wondering if this is possible or if someone has done this.
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Associate David Montgomery-Blake
David MontgomeryBlake
#1
02/20/2005 (7:17 pm)
I was looking at doing this with interiors but never got around to it since I started re-evaluating simple gameplay elements using BlitzMax. When I was looking at it, the load/unloading of interiors wasn't the key issue. Maintaining consistent paths for enemies, loading and unloading DTS models for correct placement, and relighting the scene were larger issues. It can be done, and if you're simply working with interiors, dynamic lights, and paths that do not cross seams, you'll have a much easier time. Relighting a single interior without terrain and a huge mission area is quite quick even on older machines.

Torque Owner Matt Van Gorkom
#2
02/23/2005 (2:50 pm)
Hmmm... I was hoping there'd be a way to load everything, including lighting the map, before switching with the current map. I still think it's possible, but I don't have a lot of coding experience yet in Torque.
If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be most appreciative.

Associate Kyle Carter
#3
02/23/2005 (9:04 pm)
The best first step is getting a broad range of experience with Torque. ;) This is the sort of change that would involve modifications to nearly every part of the engine. It can be done, but it's not for the faint of heart...

Associate David Montgomery-Blake
David MontgomeryBlake
#4
02/23/2005 (10:19 pm)
Add a camera cut-scene as the transition instead of the loading GUI. Use that as a transition between missions. Then close off the previous missions in the new mission (say when you "open" the next area, it "closes" the previous one). That would be easier.