Complete graphical overhaul?

[Chel]

14 minutes ago, SpaceCube2000 said:

Personally, I don't think that adding some new effects like a better lens flare effect, clouds or even a scatterer effect would impact performance as much as you'd think. They could be optional (like terrain scatters), so If players can't run those effects, they can disable them.

I kind of agree with that, except KSP's visuals give it a kind of charm. If SQUAD were to completely rework the graphics to make them like the graphics you now see in your average new video game, updating the shaders, terrain features, and all of that stuff, then it would lose it's charm. Some games don't need to have fancy graphics (Minecraft is a great example of this), they just need to be fun to play and enjoy. 

[Rocket In My Pocket]

22 minutes ago, SpaceCube2000 said:

Kerbal Space Program is very CPU dependent, but not very GPU dependent. I've seen it run at playable frame rates on a Surface Pro with Intel HD graphics but it couldn't run on my old computer with a Core Duo and ATI graphics. 

Not every PC player mods their game (I personally haven't in a while because I don't like having to wait weeks for mods to update after each update). But that's besides the point. Personally, I don't think that adding some new effects like a better lens flare effect, clouds or even a scatterer effect would impact performance as much as you'd think. They could be optional (like terrain scatters), so If players can't run those effects, they can disable them. 

The laptop was under powered in both CPU and GPU, sure KSP is highly CPU dependent but if you keep part count low, max out your delta physics time, and don't mind a bit of low FPS it's perfectly playable.

You don't think real time light scattering would affect performance, built in or not? That's a bit.... optimistic.

Look, no one is saying "No" to graphical upgrades outright, but the work involved vs. the possible benefit when we already have mods that do that...Seems questionable? No has ever, nor ever will buy or play KSP for the "eye candy" so I just don't think it's the best use of development time.

3 minutes ago, The_Cat_In_Space said:

I kind of agree with that, except KSP's visuals give it a kind of charm. If SQUAD were to completely rework the graphics to make them like the graphics you now see in your average new video game, updating the shaders, terrain features, and all of that stuff, then it would lose it's charm. Some games don't need to have fancy graphics (Minecraft is a great example of this), they just need to be fun to play and enjoy. 

I'm in agreeance with this, I love KSP's cartoony art style, and I think it should lean into it more rather than chase a "photo realistic" look, that Unity is never gonna pull off all that well in the first place.

Edited October 24, 2018 by Rocket In My Pocket

[SpaceCube2000]

4 minutes ago, The_Cat_In_Space said:

I kind of agree with that, except KSP's visuals give it a kind of charm. If SQUAD were to completely rework the graphics to make them like the graphics you now see in your average new video game, updating the shaders, terrain features, and all of that stuff, then it would lose it's charm. Some games don't need to have fancy graphics (Minecraft is a great example of this), they just need to be fun to play and enjoy. 

I can agree with that. I think they could implement some aspects of scatterer (distance fog), and maintain the games visual charm. A higher resolution version of the current skybox would be a fantastic update. 

[Chel]

For the Skybox, it's literally just a texture, so changing it wouldn't affect performance that much. But for the scatterer, if it was optional, then it would be ok. 

[SpaceCube2000]

3 minutes ago, Rocket In My Pocket said:

 

You don't think real time light scattering would affect performance, built in or not? That's a bit.... optimistic

I said that adding a scattering effect wouldn't impact performance as much as the Scatterer mod does. And, I said it could be optional (like terrain scatters, which If I remember correctly wasn't easy to run at first). 

10 minutes ago, Rocket In My Pocket said:

No has ever, nor ever will buy or play KSP for the "eye candy" so I just don't think it's the best use of development time.

You don't play any game just for the visuals, but it's nice to have a small graphics update occasionally. 

 

13 minutes ago, Rocket In My Pocket said:

I'm in agreeance with this, I love KSP's cartoony art style, and I think it should lean into it more rather than chase a "photo realistic" look, that Unity is never gonna pull off all that well in the first place.

As am I. One of the reasons I stopped using scatterer was that I didn't like how it dulled the vibrant colors of the game. However, the devs giving us higher resolution textures, a new skybox and lens flare effect and a new distance fog effect (I don't want the entire scatterer mod implemented, but this could be a nice effect). 

18 minutes ago, The_Cat_In_Space said:

For the Skybox, it's literally just a texture, so changing it wouldn't affect performance that much. But for the scatterer, if it was optional, then it would be ok. 

Exactly. I'm not calling for some huge graphics update (In all honesty, I could have picked a better title for my post), just updates for aspects of the game that are getting a bit outdated.  

[James M]

If squad was ever going to release a graphical overhaul, it would have to be free and stock. Period. Its well over-due considering how old the game is (Not bashing on its quality or anything)

[Kerbinchaser]

No.

I don't want to see new graphics in the game. It looks fine as it is, goofy and fun, and I can run it well on my computer. If new graphics were added, I would want to see it where it doesn't affect performance. 

Edited November 6, 2018 by Lo Var Lachland

[Aeroboi]

The next bit should be a mod as it stresses hardware. What I always wanted is more variety and greater density terrain scatters.
Variety could mean rocks, bushes, pebbles, animals, trees (other varieties)
Density meaning a greater density setting on the default "Terrain scatters" slider option on the main menu.

I have a 5.1 ghz 8700K so I want something like this to be.

Edited November 6, 2018 by Aeroboi