How would you like streaming content implemented ? ( Fri 25 Jul 2008 )

Hi everybody,

I’ve been thinking about adding streaming content to FFilmation and I’d like to know how everybody thinks it should  behave. I’ve been asked to add this several times but I’m not sure about what is people expecting:

  • Do we have textures as external JPGs that load when the polygon enterns the screen ?
  • Do we have a background color to show while the image loads ?
  • And what about characters ? Do we display some sort of placeholder until the sprites load ?
  • Or we just freeze the scene when an unloaded asset is to be shown and display a load bar ?

Let me know !

4 Responses to “How would you like streaming content implemented ?”

  1. Applies to streamed content which is streamed only for performance reasons.

    1) If the streamed content is small enough to be downloaded quickly than why not just package it into the initial download.
    Conversely if it is so large that it should be broken out into a separate download, then a load bar probably should be used since it will be an significant wait.

    2) Placeholders would significantly break the atmosphere of a game.

    Of course if the streamed content is dynamic (such as news stories, video, user generated flags, user generated maps etc…) then none of the above applies.

    If I wanted to submit code (I’ve been working on a bullet class), Should I post the code in the forum? Could you make a code review board?

    Thanks for a great engine!

    ethyr said this on July 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

  2. Hi,

    If you want to submit code, either post in the forum or email it to me directly.

    Best,

    admin said this on July 25th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

  3. The one method of streaming that I feel is useful is when changing zones/stages (sort of like Guild Wars). You can also implement some format of dynamic streaming, where you initially have a low quality version of the texture, while a higher quality texture is being streaming in the background. Once that’s done, it would replace the lower quality “placeholder.”

    I don’t know, some suggestions. Nice engine, though!!

    Dan said this on July 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm

  4. “The one method of streaming that I feel is useful is when changing zones/stages” yes!!! Movies too!!! will be great!

    =D

    Taru said this on August 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm

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