Some "Official Clarification" on 1.4 info...
by Kirby Webber · in General Discussion · 11/23/2005 (12:23 pm) · 63 replies
To the good folks at Garage Games,
First let me take this opportunity to not only congratulate you on the release of 1.4, but also to thank you profusely for all of the time and effort it's taken to see this thing through and make TGE what it is today... you guys are an Indy's best friend.
There seem to be some changes and statements on the TGE product page however, that are causing quite a stir.
This prompted me to ask for some clarification on behalf of the community...
Are we to take this to mean that the Synapse Lighting Pack has been integrated into the "stock" 1.4 source code and no additional purchase is necessary to access the additional lighting functionality?
If so... WOW!
If not, please elaborate on what is meant specifically. (C;
Now, I personally take this to mean that, other than adressing immediate stability issues, 1.4 is pretty much "it" and the future of Torque lies with TSE.
The question is though, IS that what is meant, or are their plans for further - pay for a different license - versions of TGE?
At any rate, I'm excited that 1.4 is finally here and can't wait to start porting my project.
Thanks again to all of you. =)
First let me take this opportunity to not only congratulate you on the release of 1.4, but also to thank you profusely for all of the time and effort it's taken to see this thing through and make TGE what it is today... you guys are an Indy's best friend.
There seem to be some changes and statements on the TGE product page however, that are causing quite a stir.
This prompted me to ask for some clarification on behalf of the community...
Quote:
Torque 1.4 also has received an illumination boost with its integration with the new Torque Lighting Kit.
Are we to take this to mean that the Synapse Lighting Pack has been integrated into the "stock" 1.4 source code and no additional purchase is necessary to access the additional lighting functionality?
If so... WOW!
If not, please elaborate on what is meant specifically. (C;
Quote:
TGE 1.4 is the last free upgrade in the Torque Game Engine line. If you're looking for an upgrade beyone TGE, you should check out the Torque Shader Engine
Now, I personally take this to mean that, other than adressing immediate stability issues, 1.4 is pretty much "it" and the future of Torque lies with TSE.
The question is though, IS that what is meant, or are their plans for further - pay for a different license - versions of TGE?
At any rate, I'm excited that 1.4 is finally here and can't wait to start porting my project.
Thanks again to all of you. =)
#42
and port them to TDN.
11/26/2005 (6:29 pm)
TDN wiki is the solution for the code variations. Since it's still being built. Just fix old resourcesand port them to TDN.
#43
@Dennis
"about never version"? Freudian slip? :-) Bad boy, the v key is waay away from the w.
11/26/2005 (6:31 pm)
I have some software that lets you 'buy' access to the support forums and updates for six months. So you can get six months a year and keep sort of current. Though there are that many vulnerabilities in their software, its a terrible idea to try that. Their updates suck too. :-( Updates, more like install and configure each time.@Dennis
"about never version"? Freudian slip? :-) Bad boy, the v key is waay away from the w.
#44
And it's Denis (in my country it's same as Dennis in yours...my parents was ahead of time) ;)
11/28/2005 (4:25 am)
Lol....well my English is BAD ;) But you did understand what I wanted to say ;)And it's Denis (in my country it's same as Dennis in yours...my parents was ahead of time) ;)
#45
What I did here was to update a bit the Ork burrows (modeled istead of dif files) and started to stuff in the area with fences, vegetation, items and such. Also changed the old towers wit big ones (accomodated with stone walls);
No mather how nice would look TSE final I will still play with my old TGE :). It's just ..fun.
11/30/2005 (4:22 pm)
Personally i'd like a version of torque packed with TLK already to make it easyer for artists; not sure how you currently patch the TGE with the Synapse's Lighning Kit, but perhaps I'll have to dive in some day and try. So far 1.4 is good for me and appart from some issues, i ported my old stuff in a couple of days. Here's a screen from my (upcoming) Mapping Kit using TGE 1.4. What I did here was to update a bit the Ork burrows (modeled istead of dif files) and started to stuff in the area with fences, vegetation, items and such. Also changed the old towers wit big ones (accomodated with stone walls);
No mather how nice would look TSE final I will still play with my old TGE :). It's just ..fun.
#46
12/06/2005 (12:15 am)
Do we have to pay you guys to give us a hint of what's gonna be offered? Just a hint... :P
#47
12/06/2005 (12:19 am)
The idea is to dive in demo (if not licensee) or starter.fps and look around on how the stuff is made; pdf tutorial and separate missions (terrain editing, LOD example) is included.
#48
12/06/2005 (1:36 am)
This idea has my support. If GG charges for updates, there's more incentive and resources for bigger / better updates. Investments require capital. I'd like to see this happen for TSE and T2D once they get out of EA as well.
#49
So, if there will be an update for Torque, what would you say the features may be? and when should we expect them? If you guys would have the following added, i would so pay for the update.
- GLSL Bump map/normal maps on DIF and DTS.
- GLSL Water refraction.
- Higher Res Terrain Textures. (1024x768 or higher) :)
Even tho the first two are already available as a CG resource. it doesnt work too well with ATI cards(the normals), or fully completed/stable.
07/19/2006 (10:11 am)
@JeffSo, if there will be an update for Torque, what would you say the features may be? and when should we expect them? If you guys would have the following added, i would so pay for the update.
- GLSL Bump map/normal maps on DIF and DTS.
- GLSL Water refraction.
- Higher Res Terrain Textures. (1024x768 or higher) :)
Even tho the first two are already available as a CG resource. it doesnt work too well with ATI cards(the normals), or fully completed/stable.
#50
GG aren't making TSE just for the fun of it you know ;)
07/19/2006 (10:13 am)
I strongly doubt you'll see any of that in TGE! GG aren't making TSE just for the fun of it you know ;)
#51
07/19/2006 (10:16 am)
Jeff said there will be a big update. so what else can be so big, for them to start charging money. At least upgrade the terrain textures. even just that would be enough.
#52
TGE will not receive any major rendering improvements; it just doesn't make sense with TSE on the horizon. TGE is stable, cross platform and demands very little from one's system. It seems foolish to think GG would jeopardize that with enhanced rendering capabilities.
I would be happy with bug fixes. TGE has enough functionality as it is.
07/19/2006 (10:28 am)
The way the terrain is coded in TGE that's never going to happen. Too long a story for me to be bothered going into here, just take my word for it.TGE will not receive any major rendering improvements; it just doesn't make sense with TSE on the horizon. TGE is stable, cross platform and demands very little from one's system. It seems foolish to think GG would jeopardize that with enhanced rendering capabilities.
I would be happy with bug fixes. TGE has enough functionality as it is.
#53
I know how it works. thats why i placed it to be one of the few functions alone that i would be happy with. I've already did my research, and i can see its enough work as it is, to do it. But like jeff said. there will be a big update for TGE. so what else can be updated, from the already stable TGE 1.4. Usually when Discreet, or now Autodesk makes an update for 3dsmax. there is a new function added to it. its never just a small bug fix. otherwise, those updates would be free.
Also, dont under estimate the GG team, i'm sure if they decide to upgrade the Rendering pipeline of TGE, they would know what they are doing, before releasing it. But then again, your not the GG staff, so i'd rather hear whats going to be on it, and whats not from them.
The reason i think, or hope that they may add these features in, is because in the past, GG has made updates to the engine, that originally started off as resources. Such as terrain bump map, detail textures, etc. and because the cg water and dot3 bump maps were some what recent, they MIGHT, decide to add them into the engine. I'm hoping they would, but if not that will be okay.
07/19/2006 (10:36 am)
@TimI know how it works. thats why i placed it to be one of the few functions alone that i would be happy with. I've already did my research, and i can see its enough work as it is, to do it. But like jeff said. there will be a big update for TGE. so what else can be updated, from the already stable TGE 1.4. Usually when Discreet, or now Autodesk makes an update for 3dsmax. there is a new function added to it. its never just a small bug fix. otherwise, those updates would be free.
Also, dont under estimate the GG team, i'm sure if they decide to upgrade the Rendering pipeline of TGE, they would know what they are doing, before releasing it. But then again, your not the GG staff, so i'd rather hear whats going to be on it, and whats not from them.
The reason i think, or hope that they may add these features in, is because in the past, GG has made updates to the engine, that originally started off as resources. Such as terrain bump map, detail textures, etc. and because the cg water and dot3 bump maps were some what recent, they MIGHT, decide to add them into the engine. I'm hoping they would, but if not that will be okay.
#54
TGE could benefit from alot of other upgrades, physics/openAL/workflow etc.
07/19/2006 (10:48 am)
Oh yeah, they'll make the line between TGE and TSE thinner, of course.. duh. (no)TGE could benefit from alot of other upgrades, physics/openAL/workflow etc.
#55
All joking aside, why would GG add shaders to TGE? TGE's main role is as an engine that can run on nearly any machine, regardless of age. It also makes an excellent framework for creating new products and prototypes, and rolling your own custom engine.
TSE is the shader based solution, which GG has said will eventually support GLSL.
Stefan is right about the potential areas for updates. Torque is an awesome engine, but there is always room for improvement in any product. Also the industry is always evolving, and having some of the latest big-boy toys in Torque would be very cool (whatever those toys end up being).
07/19/2006 (10:55 am)
That update is already out: Torque 1.4 Shader upgradeAll joking aside, why would GG add shaders to TGE? TGE's main role is as an engine that can run on nearly any machine, regardless of age. It also makes an excellent framework for creating new products and prototypes, and rolling your own custom engine.
TSE is the shader based solution, which GG has said will eventually support GLSL.
Stefan is right about the potential areas for updates. Torque is an awesome engine, but there is always room for improvement in any product. Also the industry is always evolving, and having some of the latest big-boy toys in Torque would be very cool (whatever those toys end up being).
#56
07/19/2006 (10:56 am)
I belive I recall someone saying 1.4 will be the last free update to TGE. I believe the next update will involve a redesign making the engine more component based
#57
07/19/2006 (11:48 am)
Okay, your probably right about not having the Shader support for TGE. but hopefully one of the updates, will be the upgrade of the terrain texture size. or mutitple detail textures for terrain. that alone would be a great improvment. and of course some physics would be great too :)
#58
I repeat, the way the terrain is coded in TGE that's never going to happen. I don't need to be GG staff to know that ;)
Sometimes I feel like my posts are invisible =)
07/19/2006 (11:57 am)
Quote:
but hopefully one of the updates, will be the upgrade of the terrain texture size.
I repeat, the way the terrain is coded in TGE that's never going to happen. I don't need to be GG staff to know that ;)
Sometimes I feel like my posts are invisible =)
#59
07/19/2006 (11:58 am)
Anthony - It says right on the product page for TGE that 1.4 is the last free upgrade. 
Torque Owner Denis Linardic