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Unreal Engine 4 GDC feature techdemo screengrabs, unveil June [Up: New, Better Shots]
- Thread starter which1spink
- Start date
EvilDick34
Banned
Can i see the pictures you are looking at, because quite honestly i don't see how anyone can call these pictures impressive by any stretch.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
I agree. There is clearly a lot of cool stuff going on from a technical standpoint (the sparks coming off the demon's face for example looks like something that would be impossible with pre-existing tech in real time), but that doesn't mean it "looks" amazing. It's not the kind of visual jaw-dropper that you saw with the UE3 tech demo, the jump from PS to PS2 and the like.
Saying that it would make Samaritan look bad by comparison doesn't seem to be very accurate from any sort of aesthetic standpoint. The fact that Samaritan was channeling a wicked neo-noir cyberpunk art direction versus this tech demo's fantasy stuff probably isn't helping them here either.
mugurumakensei
Member
It's impressive compared to UE3, but I'm pretty sure CE2 and CE3 could both do it.
Barrel Cannon
Member
Accidentally posted a thread of this. Didn't see this article in my search. Anyways I like the lighting. Conviction used lighting similar to it in it's engine as well. And that's on the current Unreal Engine. Granted that was using their own modifications next gen we'll see it in practically every unreal engine game which is awesome 
Refreshment.01
Member
Don't remember any massive particle showcase in Samaritan like the one being talked about. Anyway this probably looks better it just that the setting and themes in Samaritan are more interesting.
Some of the bullet points in the article are silly. No need to prebake has been offered already in some engines from the competition, Cryengine 2/3 for example. What's really important here is the tool set.
PS4 and Xbox next can't come soon enough.
It's better than Gears of War 3, but I had the same thoughts about wanting to see it in motion.
Anyway, we've definitely hit the point of diminishing returns.
Every economy of time & resources for developing visually ambitious games is welcomed, and UE4 seems to be interesting in this department.
Otherwise, lol at the Wired article tone, it's like Epic is the industry/media Messiah. They are important, their engine is popular/widely used, it could get even better/to a greater extent for UE4, but this article is a bit overemphasized.
Otherwise, lol at the Wired article tone, it's like Epic is the industry/media Messiah. They are important, their engine is popular/widely used, it could get even better/to a greater extent for UE4, but this article is a bit overemphasized.
EvilDick34
Banned
How are we condeming it? They released screenshots, why can't we judge?
alexandros
Banned
MIA man. UE4 seems like UE3 with a few toppings.
StoppedInTracks
Member
Anyone remembers the old GeForce Vulcan demo? With a demon blacksmith?
We have come a long way!
We have come a long way!
I will say that the part about compiling being nearly instant is freaking awesome.
mushrooms toppings are delicious though
In that pic of the demon knight walking towards the door you can see bricks floating in air at the doorway, I assume they're falling to the ground after some of the structure collapsed. I wonder what the destruction looks like in motion? I hope its awesome, that's another area that's not greatly represented on current Gen consoles.
mdtauk
Member
I would rather see how Unreal Engine can be used for many different art styles, and not just Realistic, Realistic Medieval, or Realistic "Bald Space Marine" Sci-Fi games.
One of the big issues with Unreal games IMO is a lack of variety in how these games look. An engine should be much more flexible in its output.
One of the big issues with Unreal games IMO is a lack of variety in how these games look. An engine should be much more flexible in its output.
I don't think that's a fault of the engine though.
Refreshment.01
Member
No, we are not. Why do you think that?
I only looked at the screenshots, so I was solely judging it from a consumer's perspective, but yeah, anything that significantly helps development like that is a real step up.
It doesn't look that much different from games that are out now.
The Bookerman
Member
Ughh There's something really wrong here. I don't get how more power on consoles will help the industry. The dev costs will rise astronomically, more shit will be outsource to places like Vietnam and shanghai(Like Virtuos), and it will be a ridiculous nightmare to manage.
I want a better explanation Clifford.
I want a better explanation Clifford.
Teknopathetic
Member
"One of the big issues with Unreal games IMO is a lack of variety in how these games look. An engine should be much more flexible in its output."
They are. They all are. It just so happens those handful of "looks" are what's popular, so that's why every other game looks like that. It's not like this is new or a UE specific problem.
They are. They all are. It just so happens those handful of "looks" are what's popular, so that's why every other game looks like that. It's not like this is new or a UE specific problem.
Refreshment.01
Member
They'll help the industry by improving gaming experiences, allow developers to do things they couldn't before? What exactly escapes you?
I have the utmost respect for Tim Sweeney. This guy has definetly taken over from John Carmack as the premier programmer of the entire industry - even though we haven't recognized it as such - it's too obvious at this point.
And his vision is... incredible. He's talking about end game graphics technology; planning for it... and is in the right position to do so in a manner that will make these things a certainty.
It might seem a triviality from the perspective of people that only think real time graphics are good for games... but it's one of the more critical technological substrates for a virtual world - and everything that it implies.
This isn't just a matter of making shit look pretty for us - it goes to the core of the technology that can help us co-opt materialism.
Just think... if we had light weight AR/VR glasses, full motion controls, computer graphics that exceeded the limits of human perception... think about how that would change the way we interact - how we do things. How we travel, and create. Suddenly the digital world isn't just a supplement or a retreat for nerds - but the main world within which people spend their time, while the real world... well, it'll change, and hopefully for the better.
To think... all along, it was the gamers that held the keys to a new era of humanity...
And his vision is... incredible. He's talking about end game graphics technology; planning for it... and is in the right position to do so in a manner that will make these things a certainty.
It might seem a triviality from the perspective of people that only think real time graphics are good for games... but it's one of the more critical technological substrates for a virtual world - and everything that it implies.
This isn't just a matter of making shit look pretty for us - it goes to the core of the technology that can help us co-opt materialism.
Just think... if we had light weight AR/VR glasses, full motion controls, computer graphics that exceeded the limits of human perception... think about how that would change the way we interact - how we do things. How we travel, and create. Suddenly the digital world isn't just a supplement or a retreat for nerds - but the main world within which people spend their time, while the real world... well, it'll change, and hopefully for the better.
To think... all along, it was the gamers that held the keys to a new era of humanity...
mdtauk
Member
I am happy to give them the benefit of the doubt, but until some of these tech demos show us more artistic uses of the Unreal Engine, and the released games stop looking the same as each other, I will have to blame it on something!
Other engines have proven to be much more flexible, or to put it fairer - much more imaginatively used. Valve's Source engine has given us Team Fortress 2, Portal 2 etc. And then there is the EAD engine used for Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword - all be it with updates and tweaks over the years.
It comes down to deciding if they are only using the "flexible" engine to develop samey titles with a 'popular' aesthetic, or if perhaps the engine is restricting what they can do, or perhaps it is just a coincidence.
Either way as the creators of Unreal Engine, it should be Epic's responsibility to demonstrate the artistic, as well as technological capabilities of their product. Who knows, it may boost uptake and provide more variety and creativity in the current videogame market.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Crappy art to show off your tech, and...well...it's screenshots. I can't really drool at that when half the tech wizardly looks best when in motion.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
If an equivalent leap in technical prowess does not result in an equivalent leap in aesthetic improvement, then you have hit diminishing returns. That does not imply that progress is over and things won't continue to look better, it just means that you need to put more in to get the same level of improvement you got before. You could probably make the case that for 3D games, diminishing returns started with the 360/PS3. Sometimes I still can't get over what an incredible improvement PS/n64 to PS2/GC/XBOX was.
HigherLevel
Member
That doesn't look as good as Samaritan.
For the "meh" factor, it certainly comes in part from the fact that our eyes are accustomed to this kind of setting, a bit of Wrath of the Lich King here, Lord of the Rings CGI there, Skyrim here, heroic fantasy/medial usual things, etc.
Like "see the badass grim knight with glowing eyes you control or confront since 15 years in several medias ? Now we added 50x more particles effects around its sight !".
Hopefully, the impressions will be more enthusiastic and intriguing in a different frame.
Like "see the badass grim knight with glowing eyes you control or confront since 15 years in several medias ? Now we added 50x more particles effects around its sight !".
Hopefully, the impressions will be more enthusiastic and intriguing in a different frame.
you just listed everything i do not want
i dont want to wear retarded glasses and run around, give me a fucking joypad and good games.
death 2 motion controls.
Stallion Free
Cock Encumbered
I am happy to give them the benefit of the doubt, but until some of these tech demos show us more artistic uses of the Unreal Engine, and the released games stop looking the same as each other, I will have to blame it on something!
How about the developers?
I'm dying laughing over here. Please keep it up trolls.
mdtauk
Member
This is a valid point to make. But in the current industry, it is producers and publishers who set out what the developers are to make. Sadly I do not think it is safe for developers to come out publicly and speak out about the issues they have, for fear of losing their jobs. Even when I am sure many are sick and tired of making the same thing over and over and over!
iamshadowlark
Banned
Damn particles as far as the eye can see and you can see very far. Lighting is gorgeous and seems to be all real time. And I willing to bet that there is a shit load of physics objects running in that building scene.
Its looking great so far but I think I'll be blown away at video.
Its looking great so far but I think I'll be blown away at video.
Am I supposed to care about what you want? I mean really... you sound exactly like the kind of developmentally challenged person that I think the world should not cater to.
Gordon0Freeman
Member
So a full reveal next month? Basically confirming next gen consoles at E3...
I hope
iamshadowlark
Banned
Ok now that Im reading through the thread, people seem unimpressed.
Trust me
There isn't one scene in Samaritan this complex.
Trust me
There isn't one scene in Samaritan this complex.
Teknopathetic
Member
"It comes down to deciding if they are only using the "flexible" engine to develop samey titles with a 'popular' aesthetic, or if perhaps the engine is restricting what they can do, or perhaps it is just a coincidence."
I'm curious as to how you think they would be "restricted" by the engine with regards to art style? For example, what do you think Valve did with TF2 to get its look that isn't possible in UE3?
"Portal 2"
Portal 2 looks pretty much identical to Half-life's aesthetic (it's a spin off, story wise, so this is a given), which is the "realistic" look you claim to be tired of.
I'm curious as to how you think they would be "restricted" by the engine with regards to art style? For example, what do you think Valve did with TF2 to get its look that isn't possible in UE3?
"Portal 2"
Portal 2 looks pretty much identical to Half-life's aesthetic (it's a spin off, story wise, so this is a given), which is the "realistic" look you claim to be tired of.
The Bookerman
Member
Can't we already do that? It might be just a question of scale.
I doubt it, this was running on a GTX 680.
EvilDick34
Banned
Ok now that Im reading through the thread, people seem unimpressed.
Trust me
There isn't one scene in Samaritan this complex.
Because there are lot's of bricks? WOOOOOOOOO!!
Refreshment.01
Member
While i understand exactly what you are saying, you are focusing on aesthetics. That's just one part of what conforms the visuals in a videogame. Of course is easy to appreciate the jump from PS/N64 to Xbox/PS2 generation, it's like going from cave paintings to the renaissance.
What about physical based simulations and animation? That's an incredible huge part of game visuals that is ignored by most gamers because of the way they have been conditioned for years. Right now they are centered in better textures or resolution. Next cycle we can have those Gears of War guys running around inside fully psychical modeled armors with parts that animate independently instead of the rigid looking normals we have now. That's an easy noticeable improvement. So no we are not even close to diminishing returns.
There are even gaming genres that the present cycle can't handle well enough.
Not even close really. When you try to render a city, say of the level of complexity of a game like Assassins Creed, there's a ton of visual artifacts due to this cycle limitations. Correcting them wouldn't need an increment in budget. It'll need just more processing power.