Welcome to our 29th Development Status. You can see what we have been working on for the last two weeks.
We’ve been asked recently by a member of our community discord, if we could explain what do we do to optimize our game to make it possible to run smoothly on regular PCs. Today we present some of the techniques that we use to achieve that.
Level of detail
Most 3D models in our game have a LOD (level of detail) version. Each LOD version is shown depending on the distance from the player’s perspective. The main difference in LODs is the number of triangles and vertices in the model. This optimization technique is applied in 3D models of environment, vehicles, characters, weapons. A model seen from far away does not need the same amount of detail as a character seen from close. Each model has got a so-called LOD group.
On the left, there is the most detailed version of the character. As you can see, its topology is the most complex one. On the right, there is a simple version of the model which will be seen from far away. Fewer triangles being rendered on your computer at the same time means better performance.
In some cases, the last LOD (farthest from a player) is just a 2D image of a 3D model. From far away you can’t tell the difference but the difference for the GPU is very noticeable. A 2D image has got 6 triangles, meanwhile for example a whole tree can have 15k triangles. This 2D image is what is called an impostor or billboard.
Another trick that we use is that we do not render shadows for objects that are far away from the player.
Bullet pool / VFX pool
To optimize the performance of our game we are developing an object pooling system. During gameplay, each object dynamically spawned in game, like bullets, effects, etc. is stored in a dedicated pool. Each time we want an object to appear on the scene, instead of creating it, we take it from the pool of previously created inactive objects and activate them with proper values, then instead of destroying we deactivate it and restore it back to the given pool. This way of reusing previously created objects helps to relieve the processing power of the CPU.
AI
For AI we split it into separated logics, so it can combine them as we want, but we save Ram and CPU this way. This also allows us to switch between commands, so it saves CPU as we have only the current one and previous command (only if needed) at a given time on all squads. We also made that finding big obstacles is only made by the squad leader, and he sends that info to others in his squad. A similar thing is with finding enemies, Leader checks if any of the units have an enemy, if he has it, he checks whether this enemy is still within range, whether the unit still has a weapon for that opponent, etc.
If there is at least one such unit, then it should be searched for a new enemy, only then the leader looks for potential enemies
If he has a list of potential enemies, on its basis, the unit that needs a new opponent selects the enemy accordingly, checking whether this enemy meets these requirements above (I have a weapon on him, he is within range)
We use our custom pathfinding that bases on the system that is used also by the game Easy Red 2, made by our friend Marco. It is more optimal, dynamic, and easier to use than Unity NavMesh, as we only have to set which collision layers are obstacles, and AI will find them.
For Infantry
Now code of AI infantry of player that follows tank is executed on this player client side, before that all AI was executed on the host side. Infantry gets logic of taking covers only when they are got near them, thanks to mentioned before commands system, so another CPU save.
For Tanks/Vehicles
In the case of Vehicles, we rewrite the way of syncing them in multiplayer. Now they send/receives only info about their movement as position and rotation, but we already had one idea of how to make it even more optimal. And all other calculations are made on the client side. For Cannon and Turret, we send only info about rotation on one axis (x and y, respectively) and only for a weapon that is currently used.
BattleManager
We use BattleManager to control the course of the battle, it collects references to all objectives, events, and AI spawners in a given battle scenario, in the form of so-called Dictionaries. This allows us to use one of PhotonView instead of having a separate one for each of these objects. It also deals with their synchronization, as well as turning on / off further objects under a given scenario.
Animations
Also in the last two weeks, we’ve prepared some hand order animations using motion capture technology. [previewyoutube="b19Oaq5Ybc8;full"] The list of hand order animations:
Attention
Unite
Stop
Lie down
Move left/right/forward/back
Follow this way
Stop/Start engine
Move slow
Move back
Thank you and have a good one! DeGenerals
Development Status #28
Dear Tankers,
Welcome to our 28th Development Status. Check out our two weeks of work.
Motion Capture We’ve rented a large room to record animations using motion capture technology. On the floor, we’ve stuck a tape in 8 directions every 45 degrees, which is long enough to make 3 steps. We’ve bought some ASG replicas of Luger, MP40, and Kar98k.
New programmer Two weeks ago our team joined Robert Biały, a new programmer who is responsible for the configuration of vehicles, which includes:
Assigning correct model parts to its functions (hull, turret, wheels, tracks, engine, etc.)
Assigning collisions
Optimization
Armor system
Penetration of armor depending on the bullet, distance, and angle
Crew slots
Shooting system
Driving system
Configuration of interactive parts
Customizable parts
UI integration
Assigning sounds
Assigning VFX
Configuration of shaders and materials
and much more…
Configuration of vehicles for Tank Squad is complicated and it requires a lot of work and skill. Simultaneously we’re working on a vehicle template that will make configuration easier and also we automate some configuration processes.
Stielhandgranate Stielhandgranate was a German hand grenade easily recognizable by its distinct wooden handle. It was a standard grenade for the German Empire during World War I, and Nazi Germany's Wehrmacht during World War II. Its unique appearance led to it being called a "stick grenade", or "potato masher" in British Army slang, and it remains one of the most easily recognized infantry weapons of the 20th century.
VFX inside the tank The life of the tank's crew it's not always a bed of roses. Here are a few VFX from the gunner's point of view on not very pleasant situations: hitting tank by AP bullet and bullet shot through his visor. [previewyoutube="cnkogldprEw;full"]
Thank you and have a good one! DeGenerals
Development Status #27
Dear Tankers,
Welcome to our 27th Development Status. You can see what we have been working on for the last two weeks.
DT machine gun
The DT is an extensively modified version of the DP machine gun, intended for tank use. The changes mostly included dimension ones, so that the weapon will fit in the more or less universal gun mounts. The magazine was reduced in width, but made slightly higher, making it accommodate 60 rounds, more than in a standard DP pan magazine. The stock was made collapsible and a pistol grip was added, instead of a wooden fixed stock. Lastly, the barrel shroud and flame suppressor were removed and a ring for the tank mount was added. One feature of the gun is if needed, the gun could be quickly dismounted from the tank, the bipod could be mounted and the stock extended, making the gun usable for infantry purposes.
Data Base
We’ve created a database for the content of the game. It contains the most important information about the campaign, mission, and units. It will improve and optimize workflow and allow us to configure quicker content for the game. For example, now we can set what kind of units with what specific characteristics should spawn. For example, an infantry squad that contains riflemen, AT, leaders, etc.
Trenches
This week we have also continued our work on modular trenches. As you can see on the screenshots below, we have used additional assets such as wooden planks and sandbags to make them look more realistic and attractive to the players.
Animations
We have prepared new animations for PPSH and MP40 [previewyoutube="hNneuZI0OJE;full"]https://youtu.be/hNneuZI0OJE[/previewyoutube] [previewyoutube="uwo5nRwg87s;full"]https://youtu.be/uwo5nRwg87s[/previewyoutube]
Impacts There are some effects of impacts of infantry weapons on different surfaces like concrete, bricks, wood, dry and wet sand, mud and water. VFX artist is currently working on effects of other surfaces like trees, bushes, metals, fabrics and more complex ones, like truck's windows and lights and house's windows.
