splinter cell 3 pc demo....thoughts...?

So basically they are just trying new SM3 effects with there game engine getting ready for Xbox2. Are all the SM3 effects only possible with SM3 couldn't they just leave out the ones that are to difficult to port?I can't believe that all off them are SM3 specific.

 

That's correct, SC:CT will not be on the next-gen consoles. The rendering engine for it will, however, be used for the next SC game that will be available on next-gen consoles.

Note that I'm just a messenger!

 

Well we have to shoot somebody over this..

 

Just hoping you're a messenger from both parties to both parties, and that you give whoever at Ubi a piece of our mind.

But anyway, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we appreciate you doing this. Knowing the truth is always better, even if it's not what we would like to hear.

 

None of the effects can done with SM3 only. It is only the concept that did not fit very well with SM2/SM2.X. Unfortunately each of the SM3 pixelshader contains at least one static branch. If you want to port it back to SM2/SM2.X you have to change the concept. If I have somewhat more time at the moment I would it make myself.

 

No, I don't do that. My assumption is that they usually know what they're doing and they know the kind of feedback to expect. Whether they care or not is not what I would comment on. I sympathise with you ATI'ers however (although I have a 6800GT in my machine).

 

Since it only comes out later in the year . .you could wait for the R520.

US

 

I thought PS 2.0 or PS 2.0x supported static branching. I guess that was VS 2.0 or VS 2.0x.

 

PS 2.X contains static branching as an option. But the only hardware that support this options at the moment is the NV4X.

 

I'm currently seeing a problem with the demo.

On my 256 MB Inno 3D 6800GT - (66.93 drivers installed) the game runs in a window not full screen.

Any ideas on how to get it full screen?

http://server3.uploadit.org/files/micb3rd-SP3.jpg

 

Did you try "Alt-Enter"?

 

Yes, it was the first thing I tried, had no effect at all.

Alos notice how you can see the [x] on the window is grey'd out, odd huh?

 

There's a new official demo with bug fixes. Tried it ?

 

Any idea what fixes are in the updated demo?

 

Are you people upset because this game doesn't support SM 2.0 or are you upset because it supports SM 3.0? If it was SM 1.1 only would you still not want this game for that particular reason?

Having tried the first demo (currently downloading the updated demo), I can say that although the SM 3.0 rendering looks better and you have additional options available, the SM 1.1 mode is by no means bad looking. In fact, this game seems to be much improved in terms of rendering when compared to the two previous installments.

But really, I get the feeling some of you would not complain at all if SM 3.0 was completely removed, leaving everyone with SM 1.1. All I can say is that it probably won't be too long until you can play that mode on ATI hardware as well, should you favor a certain vendor. Furthermore, this game needs a bit more powerful hardware to shine anyways. It is by no means running perfectly on a 6800 Ultra with all options on and settings on max. There is definitely room for another $600 of your cash to make it just right.

 

The lack of SM2.0 support is mostly interesting because of the rather large number of people with SM2.0 video cards. It's not a bit-segment like PS1.4 was, after all. Just look at how many people bitched about Valve not defaulting NV3x video cards to the SM2.0 render path.

 

That's because sm1.1 got larger install base and because Xbox supports sm1.1+.

Yes it would. It takes significant effort to add full support for sm2.0 and the impact on number of sales of the game is rather questionable. Like Reverend told the major reason for sm3.0 implementation was the research for future console development.