"I meant the game engine/graphics. I fail to understand why so many people settle for products way behind the curve; and continue to pay for it. Game strategy, realism, community...all great things here. But the rest? <crickets>"

First it was about the engine/graphics. The gameplay - strategy, realism, community - were all great things. Now that we know the engine/graphics will be upgraded, it's all about the gameplay that needs to be changed. And now you're slinging around the "fanboi" label like a troll.

Every game has it's shortcomings, including this one. The problem for you, it appears, is that those shortcomings are not as significant for those who play, as they are for you.

 "All I'm saying is it is time for an upgraded version."

Nobody disagrees with that, and you can't do much better than a Unity II upgrade. But something tells me even that won't make the game the way you want it.

And yes, I'm an unabashed fanboi

"which means products need to be static at all times. Thats a good Dev team at work."

Products need to be unchanging and unmoving at all times? That doesn't make much sense to me. I think you meant "fluid" or something along those lines.

stat·ic 

 (sttk)adj.

 The whole graphics engine argument about needing to render a huge distance no longer holds a trace of water as has been proven already. It is now 2008, approaching 2009. Computing is not the same as it was in 2001. Please stop parroting that excuse that was invented 7 years ago.

I played ww2online starting in 2001. I played again in 2008. The game is not as active as it used to be but it still has great moments. No more running for 1/2 hour -- you can get into the battle pretty quickly, if you can find one.

I am looking forward to the graphics engine revamp. I hope it goes down sooner rather than later.

WWII online is an old game.  Look at it as a vehicle simulation and it makes more sense.  Flying a plane or in a tank the graphics are not bad (specially flying).  In my opionion the infantry gameplay is a real joke and hard for me to stomach.  In its time it was one of the best games.  I played this around release for years.

But it shows its age.  CRS has been somewhat of a joke over the years.  I think if they put in to do a graphics overhaul, it would see a large increase in subs.  I just can't stand the paper houses and poor infantry mechanics.  Sure its top of the line when it comes to simulation of real damage models and tru to life bullet trajectories.  but That doesn't make a great game.  If your into flying though, this is the game for you.

Originally posted by HalfEmpty

It's actually ahead of the curve. At least as far as a non-instanced, real-time war simulation can be - technologically speaking.

The reason you hear <crickets> is that most folks who play this game understand the technical constraints of a game this size. This topic has been beat to death on these forums already, but I'll explain it again...

"Shoebox Shooters" - FPS games like the BF series, CoD, MoH etc..- can have very detailed graphics because they use small, closed maps. High polygon models and heavy duty textures are major cp process hogs. On a small, arena style map this isn't so much of an issue. On a map the size of a U.S. State, with multiple pitched battles going on both on the ground and in the air with millions of calculations being made...it's a very big issue.

The games I mentioned above are great, action-packed, tactical shooters. I love em. But I don't play WWII Online for the eye candy - and I think I can speak for most players here - neither does anybody else.

What The Rats have created here is so mind boggling that the graphics (which I find to be perfectly adequate) are actually a non-issue in the overall scheme of things.

 

Tell that to Armed Assault.

Upgrade the game, rats.

Originally posted by Majestico

Actually, the dire graphics is what made me stop playing after trial.  Do the maps have to be so big anyway?

It's not the size of the map, it is the view distance before the fog kicks in, which is actually more around 9 k, not 3k.  You get up to about 9k in a plane before you stop seeing terrain on the ground.  Planes and tanks blink out of existance at about 4k, infantry at 1k.

And K is kilometers.

"I meant the game engine/graphics. I fail to understand why so many people settle for products way behind the curve; and continue to pay for it. Game strategy, realism, community...all great things here. But the rest? <crickets>"

I am currently unsubscribed from the game.    I remain an avid fan of the concept behind WW2 Online.  No other developer has matched it or exceeded it.   Many players really will sacrifice high end graphics for quality design and gameplay.   WoW confirms that with it's cartoon appearance but they basically fulfilled the wants and needs of gamers world wide.    

To go into the game, participate in a battle against another 100 players trying to kill you, and knowing what you and your brigade are doing could change the entire face of the war, is exhilierating.    I have yet to find it duplicated or surpassed by any other game.   I am an Atari 400 Galahad and the Holy Grail guy who faked going to school to play Caverns of Mars and Star Raiders.  

CRS is small, but they have a niche market.  Players keep subscribing.  Players leave.  That game is one large revolving door that is constantly in motion.  But after playing here and there for 7 years, I can say the game has something no other's have.   It's a great blend of a simulation with entertainment.   The gamer becomes so imersed in the battle at time's it's just fun to hide in a town for an hour sniping. 

The graphics?  You will not likely find ANY regular WW2OL players who do not hope for better graphics some day.  But knowing I can see 40 panzers at 3000m coming to assult a town?   I'll take that over CoD, Crisis or BF2 or any other 3D shooter any day of the week and twice on Sunday. 

In WW2 Online it's possible for a squad or even a player to make a difference in the game to win the war. Which I believe is on it's 45th edition since release.

*S* Giggy

23rd armored div.