Shattered Horizon: Graphic Overload

[Ancientgamer]

Firstly let me set the scene. A friend and I downloaded Shattered Horizon for the free weekend on Steam. It appeared to be a good buy, innovative ideas and within my budget (I will not pay more than £10 for a game).

As soon as the downloads finished and we tried to play, we encountered some major problems. My friend uses Windows XP and it would not run. Apparently it doesn't run on anything less than DirectX 10. This was nearly enough for me to stop right there as, without company, it would be a greatly reduced experience.

However I decided to soldier on and give it a try as I am running Windows 7. Now comes my second problem. After a 10 minute loading time I finally got onto a server and found the game had a running frame rate of about 3 FPS. Confused, I went into the graphical settings and found them to be very poorly implemented, with only three options for each.

I set each to the lowest and tried again. After a slightly better loading time (very slightly) I got onto a server and was immediately told that the game was over. A new map loaded and I looked on in dismay as my laptop, diligently trying to process the overload to it's graphics card, presented me with about 10 FPS, even on lowest settings. I decided at this point that it was not worth continuing any further as the game was clearly another overdone festival of pointless graphics.

So here's the discussion. What do you think of the current trend for constantly expanding the graphics, at the expense of other aspects of gameplay and of lower end users?

Also what do you think of Shattered Horizon?

My opinion: Get it in the Bin!

It's a benchmark game, one of the purposes for it's creation being the use of new graphical technology, similar to crysis. (the other reason being innovative and creative gameplay, which it does very well. And there's no reason on this earth to claim the two are mutually exclusive.) To complain about this is tantamount to whining about a 3D game not being 2D, or the atmosphere in bioshock, you're complaining about something that is endemic to the games exsistance, it's utterly nonsensical.

And really, would it have been too hard for you to have looked at the system specs? where it plainly says "Windows Vista\7 required"? XP is over 10 years old now, get used to this happening. Or how about the part that says it requires at minimum an AMD 5600 X2 and 8800GT? Did you even look the game up before you bought it? It's famed for being a computer strainer. This is your own fault, stop trying to get mad at the game.


But yeah, it's loads of fun.

Edit: this part right here.

So here's the discussion. What do you think of the current trend for constantly expanding the graphics, at the expense of other aspects of gameplay and of lower end users?

Stop pretending this is about gameplay, it's not. The game is renowned for it's gameplay, you're just mad you can't play it, but you have to realize not all games will cater to low end users all the time.

 

[Smokeydubbs]

I see no problem here. So what if an indy game can't scale down well. If this game was being marketed towards the casual crowd and had that problem, then I can sympathize with that. But it doesn't market towards that crowd. AND if it's free, why care so much about it? Your fault for buying it before trying it when you can try it for free.

 

[Davrel]

laptop

Aaand there is your problem - also, you should always read the req. specs before buying or your friend wouldn't have wasted his money.

I haven't played it, but I've seen enough footage to put me off getting it; doesn't hit the spot for me at all.

 

[JamesCameron]

We were not debating which DirectX was better...

 

[Abedeus]

Next time, read specs/use Internet before buying blindly.

Also, Windows XP is what, two generations old? Windows Vista, then Windows 7. Don't count other versions, they've been a disgrace ever since Win 95.

If you want easy push-and-play, buy yourself a console. And don't use laptops, they all suck when it comes to gaming. Even "gaming laptops" are only half as good and twice as expensive as their PC equivalents.

 

[Hiphophippo]

The internet is for porn, laptops are for casual games.

To note: My laptop runs it great, cost under a thousand dollars, and is slim and lightweight.

It is hot though. Proper laptops make fine gaming machines if mobility is a chief concern of the buyer.

As for the game though, it's a real cool premise and I loved the nod to science you get by turning off your suit, but while I guess it's worth 10 bucks I wouldn't really play it. I'm far too hooked on TF2.

This is not me disguising my frustration at not having the latest OS as a rant about ethics...

It's unethical to release a game that won't run on a two generation old OS? Would it anger you to know that a brand new PS3 game will not run on a PS1?

 

[Flames66]

And really, would it have been too hard for you to have looked at the system specs? where it plainly says "Windows Vista\7 required"? XP is over 10 years old now, get used to this happening. Or how about the part that says it requires at minimum an AMD 5600 X2 and 8800GT? Did you even look the game up before you bought it? It's famed for being a computer strainer. This is your own fault, stop trying to get mad at the game.

Next time, read specs/use Internet before buying blindly.

I see no problem here. So what if an indy game can't scale down well. If this game was being marketed towards the casual crowd and had that problem, then I can sympathize with that. But it doesn't market towards that crowd. AND if it's free, why care so much about it? Your fault for buying it before trying it when you can try it for free.

Did any of you read my post? We did not buy the game. We downloaded it free for the free weekend. Pay attention.

The purpose of this thread is firstly to vent my frustrations and secondly to warn other users of lower end systems not to waste their time.

laptop

Aaand there is your problem - also, you should always read the req. specs before buying or your friend wouldn't have wasted his money.

See above about other games my laptop runs fine. These games have graphics that are perfectly fine and do not need any improving. I do not think that games require the graphics to get any better.

And once again, we didn't buy it.

If you want easy push-and-play, buy yourself a console.

No. I am a PC gamer, always have been always will be.

 

[Hiphophippo]

I do not think that games require the graphics to get any better.

This is a valid opinion and one I honestly share, but you can't expect decades of game and graphical design to just up and say, "This looks good guys, no more graphical advancements."

It's a shame you guys can't play it because it's pretty fun, but there's nothing wrong with this scenario. The system requirements are there for a reason.

 

[Kavic86]

Stop pretending this is about gameplay, it's not. The game is renowned for it's gameplay, you're just mad you can't play it, but you have to realize not all games will cater to low end users all the time.

My thoughts exactly, but there are always going to be people who ***** and moan about something not working the way they want it. But to me it sounds like they saw it as being free for the weekend and just up and downloaded and installed with out even looking at anything else. Thats just dumb, anyone who buys or is looking at a game to buy or try should be intelligent enough to look at system specs needed and research the game a little bit more than just seeing the words Free and hitting the install button. Thats just my two cents on the subject.

 

[Flames66]

Stop pretending this is about gameplay, it's not. The game is renowned for it's gameplay, you're just mad you can't play it, but you have to realize not all games will cater to low end users all the time.

My thoughts exactly, but there are always going to be people who ***** and moan about something not working the way they want it. But to me it sounds like they saw it as being free for the weekend and just up and downloaded and installed with out even looking at anything else. Thats just dumb, anyone who buys or is looking at a game to buy or try should be intelligent enough to look at system specs needed and research the game a little bit more than just seeing the words Free and hitting the install button. Thats just my two cents on the subject.

As I said, no it's not about gameplay. It's about the fact that only people with high end gaming PCs can get to the gameplay. Backwards compatibility and being able to set the graphics to low enough to actually play the game are a requirement as far as I am concerned.

I am warning other low end and XP users not the waste their download time (in my case half a day) and, after the free weekend, their money.

 

[Ancientgamer]

Stop pretending this is about gameplay, it's not. The game is renowned for it's gameplay, you're just mad you can't play it, but you have to realize not all games will cater to low end users all the time.

My thoughts exactly, but there are always going to be people who ***** and moan about something not working the way they want it. But to me it sounds like they saw it as being free for the weekend and just up and downloaded and installed with out even looking at anything else. Thats just dumb, anyone who buys or is looking at a game to buy or try should be intelligent enough to look at system specs needed and research the game a little bit more than just seeing the words Free and hitting the install button. Thats just my two cents on the subject.

As I said, no it's not about gameplay. It's about the fact that only people with high end gaming PCs can get to the gameplay. Backwards compatibility and being able to set the graphics to low enough to actually play the game are a requirement as far as I am concerned.

I am warning other low end and XP users not the waste their download time (in my case half a day) and, after the free weekend, their money.

You were the one who mentioned gameplay, so that's all I have to go off of.

But instead of saying "People with low end machines are entitled to play all new releases." Please explain why, I'd like to know your train of though before I decide how I feel about it, as it is now I can't fathom how this is an ethical issue: maybe a business one at best, but not ethical. Why shouldn't people with high-end machines have games that cater to them? Why are you entitled to such games? Are you talking about the lack of graphical scaling options put in the very cheap game by the small indie studio made specifically for benchmarking?

 

[Flames66]

THE SNIPTH!

As I said, no it's not about gameplay. It's about the fact that only people with high end gaming PCs can get to the gameplay. Backwards compatibility and being able to set the graphics to low enough to actually play the game are a requirement as far as I am concerned.

I am warning other low end and XP users not the waste their download time (in my case half a day) and, after the free weekend, their money.

You were the one who mentioned gameplay, so that's all I have to go off of.

But instead of saying "People with low end machines are entitled to play all new releases." Please explain why, I'd like to know your train of though before I decide how I feel about it, as it is now I can't fathom how this is an ethical issue: maybe a business one at best, but not ethical. Why shouldn't people with high-end machines have games that cater to them? Why are you entitled to such games? Are you talking about the lack of graphical scaling options put in the very cheap game by the small indie studio made specifically for benchmarking?

Once again that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying it would be a waste of time for anyone with a low end machine to get this game which is unfortunate as I was quite interested in it.

This is a valid opinion and one I honestly share, but you can't expect decades of game and graphical design to just up and say, "This looks good guys, no more graphical advancements."

It's a shame you guys can't play it because it's pretty fun, but there's nothing wrong with this scenario. The system requirements are there for a reason.

What is this reason? I personally think that the game would be much better if it catered for lower end users. Then this innovative gameplay and "fun" would be playable by much more people.

 

[howdyoldbuddyoldpal]

The reason people are annoyed by this is that it's pointless. Firstly, Direct X 10 should work on XP. For example, OpenGL 4 has all the features of DX 11, and runs on XP, using DX11 cards, at a similar speed to DX 11. Regardless of that, a company that specializes in graphics benchmarks should easily make a game compatible with DX9 if DX10 is unavailable. Most game engines will do that for you.

The only reason it is "pure DirectX 10" is because the company that made it wanted to make a name for themselves, to show they are at the forefront of graphics. All they end up doing is pissing off a load of people who have the equipment to play it, and probably play it at decent settings, but who can't because of a few arbitary technicalities.

At least it hasn't caught on, Shattered Horizon is still the only game to only run on DX10. XP is still the most popular operating system, and most companies realise that to cut 44% (according to steam) of their consumer base for a little ambient occulsion and motion blur is not a smart move.

 

[Sephychu]

I do not think that games require the graphics to get any better.

This is a valid opinion and one I honestly share, but you can't expect decades of game and graphical design to just up and say, "This looks good guys, no more graphical advancements."

Oh, I don't know...

http://defaultprime.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/heavy-rain-main-female-character-eyes-close-up-detailed-screenshot.jpg

It's getting pretty good. Surely there's only so good we can make it.
That is before the fools turn all their attention to making these wonderful graphical experiences 3 Dimensional.

>.>

 

[Hiphophippo]

I do not think that games require the graphics to get any better.

This is a valid opinion and one I honestly share, but you can't expect decades of game and graphical design to just up and say, "This looks good guys, no more graphical advancements."

Oh, I don't know...

http://defaultprime.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/heavy-rain-main-female-character-eyes-close-up-detailed-screenshot.jpg

It's getting pretty good. Surely there's only so good we can make it.
That is before the fools turn all their attention to making these wonderful graphical experiences 3 Dimensional.

>.>

I've played Heavy Rain and I agree, it looks pretty amazing. In fact, it's pretty great all around (aside from JASON! JAAASOOOON!) and while I don't think you're spot on here with your logic I don't really have an argument against it. I'm just glad I'm young enough to see where we go from here.

 

[Sephychu]

I do not think that games require the graphics to get any better.

This is a valid opinion and one I honestly share, but you can't expect decades of game and graphical design to just up and say, "This looks good guys, no more graphical advancements."

Oh, I don't know...

http://defaultprime.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/heavy-rain-main-female-character-eyes-close-up-detailed-screenshot.jpg

It's getting pretty good. Surely there's only so good we can make it.
That is before the fools turn all their attention to making these wonderful graphical experiences 3 Dimensional.

>.>

I've played Heavy Rain and I agree, it looks pretty amazing. In fact, it's pretty great all around (aside from JASON! JAAASOOOON!) and while I don't think you're spot on here with your logic I don't really have an argument against it. I'm just glad I'm young enough to see where we go from here.

It was great, wasn't it? Though yes, they certainly could have recorded more ways for him to shout 'Jason'. Surely they would have known that the situation demanded that the player press the button frantically?
I am yet to complete it. My friend and I vowed to see it through to the end, but then he went to France. >.>

On Topic: I wonder what the next big thing after 3D will be? Perhaps by then they'll have made a breakthrough with the whole sensory input thing. Then we won't mind if the games are even good, they'll be real. I reckon that, on that day, reality crumbles.

 

[Vek]

ITT: We complain that a game made by the same guys who make the foremost synthetic benchmark for bleeding edge graphic technology made a game in the same vein.

If you don't like the fact that Futuremark carried it's benchmarking fanaticism into their game, don't buy it. Don't complain that it's "unethical" because, sure as shit, no one complains that 3DMark Vantage required DX10, and people still flocked to purchase it when it came out.

SH wasn't developed so much as a game as it was a playable extension of 3DMark Vantage. It's built on the exact same rendering technology, and it's designed to nudge if not push the envelop of DX10/11 performance on modern hardware and modern Windows.

I fail to see any reason for Op's anger. Understandably he's angry that his friend can't play, but that could have easily been solved by checking the system requirements.

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

Well your problem is quite clearly that you have a laptop.

 

[Flames66]

Well your problem is quite clearly that you have a laptop.

As I mentioned before, my laptop can run TF2, L4D2, Hl2 and all the Episodes and Portal perfectly. All of these games look great without any of the DirectX 10 stuff that this game requires. These are therefore much better games (in my opinion) as they can reach a larger audience without costing them an arm and a leg for new hardware.

So as I said before, Shattered Horizon can Get in the bin!