Map Loading - Eye Candy

They might know of a way or maybe implement/enable it in the next SDK update after they realised there's demand for it..

 

SDK updates happen about once a year. Don't hold your breath.

 

Dystopia has different textures for each map that get shown when the level is changed. It also has a default one for when you first load a map. I'm looking in the materials folder, and it just seems to have a picture, no grey box like Broccoli suggested.

 

The material I was referring to can be found under /materials/console/startup_loading.vtf

 

meh when was the last one? I mean they have to update it soon anyway, because of the release of Episode 2 and its next engine version..
This site is littered with text like "this will be fixed in episode 2"

 

The last SDK update was long enough ago to not change the hammer intro screen from 1998-2005 to 1998-2007.

 

I am made of win. This is where I have got it so far.



I'm still looking into how to make map specific ones. This one just comes up when you are joining a server, regardless of map.

 

I think that requires Krenzo to code in a system like the minimap one, possibly he could make it so the minimap is used, or it's referenced in the minimap text file.

 

I've managed to get it to randomise pictures when you join a server now. It picks a random image, then displays it while you wait for the map to load.

 

Way to go Bodrick, that looks sweet!

 

Sweetness. Is this resolution dependant? I.E. will it appear different sizes at different resolutions, or will it always be fullscreen?

 

It always appears at 760x540 pixels. The random image is the one in the box, like I had before, not the background map.

 

are you going for stills of no combat, or stills of combat, or a mix?

 

Both :D I'll make a new thread in the general discussion.

 

I think a map specific image with text to read is the best. It'll occupy the player until the map loads.

 

The text should contain helpful tips. We have plenty of those in the Wiki.

 

any way to order them, so that when you first play empires you get basic tips like "engineers build things faster"

and later on, you get bits more to do with the story of empires and advanced little tips.

 

that or random parts from megels story, tips are only usefull for the beginners and can't go much in depth as they won't remain objective enough.
I for one would like to see quotes from the story, something that will get you pumped up before the game starts :D
Thief3 is a good example of it.

 

yeah don't do it UT2004 style :/

 

I'd have to say tips/basic info about the game is mandatory. I'm imagining having separate screens for each player class, vehicle type, and weapon would give a lot of info that not everyone will know about. Even if you're an experienced player, you don't know everything about the game, and you'll see something listed that you didn't know about.