13 replies to this topic

[Impyrium]

Again, sorry if this has already been discussed in detail.

So I'm still a little annoyed about the Wolf's design, but not as much as to go on a world rampage and stop playing the game. And, I really liked the Adder's design. So I'm still interested in what's coming next.

But then I noticed this. And I thought the whole concept of 'gold' 'Mechs was silly as it was:



Do I spy with my little eye, ROUNDED LEGS? Righto, so, I guess I'm looking for a little clarification here. Are the designers/concept artists/modellers just really inconsistent, or have they simply tried to fix the existing mesh a little? OR, are they seriously using a different mesh for the special edition/collectors/watchamacallit version?!

Or is it just the lighting?

I mean, the torso looks identical...



But really. If they're going to use different meshes for collectors... er... well, I thought some of IGP's marketing strategies were already quite poor...

Edited by Marvyn Dodgers, 25 April 2014 - 06:10 PM.

[Edustaja]

It's the "Collector" Mesh Just like the Phoenix mechs they get insignificant adjustments to them.

[Daekar]

The Gold mechs appear to be using the same special geometry that the other Prime variants will have in the preorder packages. The preorder Stormcrow has hands, for instance, where the standard variant has claws, and the ankle shields are larger and more blocky.

I couldn't care less... they ALL look good.

[GreyGriffin]

I want to know why they chose to show the Gold 'mech with that huge shadow draped over it, instead of full or even half daylight.

[Impyrium]

GreyGriffin, on 25 April 2014 - 05:14 PM, said:

I want to know why they chose to show the Gold 'mech with that huge shadow draped over it, instead of full or even half daylight.

Helps to show off the sheen of the metallic paint. Marketing!

Well. That makes me sad. I stopped playing sometime back due to boredom, so I wasn't about for the Phoenix pack... I wasn't aware that they actually had differences. I have mixed feelings about this... difference is good, I suppose, for those that spend the money. But then again, the legs are quite iconic on a Mad Cat.

Hrm. Ah well.

[sokitumi]

its the same exact polygons. one has a texture with panels the other doesn't

[Aresye]

It's probably just a new normal map in combination with the new texture that creates the illusion that the geometry is different.

That's one of the many ways normal maps are used in games. You can create what appears to be 2 different models, but they're actually the same low-poly mesh.

The actual science behind normal mapping is...



...let's save that for another day.

[Jin Ma]

F2P games have been doing this for a long time. its one of the only things they can sell without being called a P2W

[Impyrium]

Aresye, on 25 April 2014 - 05:41 PM, said:

It's probably just a new normal map in combination with the new texture that creates the illusion that the geometry is different.

That's one of the many ways normal maps are used in games. You can create what appears to be 2 different models, but they're actually the same low-poly mesh.

The actual science behind normal mapping is...



...let's save that for another day.

I've messed about with normal maps, and I know the sort of things that you can do with them. But I don't think normal maps could quite achieve this:



It's definitely different geometry, though ironically the golden one looks a little tacked on... the polygons clip the main mesh, as if the designers simply attached another shape without building it 'on' to the leg...

[Scandinavian Jawbreaker]

Hmm, interesting! It might be snapshot of work in progress customizing the golden Mad Cat.

[El Bandito]

And people said blocky leg happened only due to round legs taking up so much resources in game. What a laugh.

Turns out it was only for money making purposes.

[Deathlike]

El Bandito, on 25 April 2014 - 06:02 PM, said:

And people said blocky leg happened only due to round legs taking up so much resources in game. What a laugh.

Turns out it was only for money making purposes.

Well, it's been a while since "special geometry" was mentioned.

How we forget about the "Phoenix Locust's cockpit cage"...

Edited by Deathlike, 25 April 2014 - 06:44 PM.

[Khavi Vetali]

You'll notice that this geometry difference exists even in the concept art for the clan mechs.
All of the "prime" variants that have a cbill bonus have rounded sections, while the other variants do not. Considering the gold mechs use the same model as the special variant, yes, they will have different geometry.

Of all the things to complain about...also, they knocked the Mad Cat out of the park, glad the skinny stick legs have some meat on them finally.

[Impyrium]

Khavi Vetali, on 25 April 2014 - 06:56 PM, said:

You'll notice that this geometry difference exists even in the concept art for the clan mechs.
All of the "prime" variants that have a cbill bonus have rounded sections, while the other variants do not. Considering the gold mechs use the same model as the special variant, yes, they will have different geometry.

Of all the things to complain about...also, they knocked the Mad Cat out of the park, glad the skinny stick legs have some meat on them finally.

That's what I was wondering, thanks for clarifying. Least I know there isn't a rift between the concept artists and modellers at PGI now.

I have to admit, it's growing on me. Like most 'Mechs, I guess. The Centurion, for example? When I first saw it, I proceeded to put my fist through the screen... verbally, of course. But it's grown on me. Same as the Timber Wolf, even though it has very... fat legs. I guess it really grinded with me at first because the Timber Wolf is, to me, THE iconic 'Mech for BattleTech. The legs have been done the same way for every iteration of BattleTech/MechWarrior, so to see them so... generic here, and to loose that unique touch, sorta hurt.

But I can live with it. Everything in MW:O has changed, for better or worse. Go with or leave... I choose go with it.