StarMade dev update

[schema]

Hello,

just a little note one what I'm working on: I took a long tour into the graphics code and did research on various methods and functions I'm using. I found that I'm always reserving data on the graphics card for the absolute worst case (a checker-boxed chunk). The average data used is much much smaller. So I implemented a dynamic size rearrangement for the graphics buffers which for a normal planet (about 1500 visible segments (chunks)) reduced the memory need on the graphics card from more then 500mb to 18mb. This not only improved performance, but also opens a whole new set of possibilities for effects and enhancements, as well as possible performance upgrades (precomputing more data to take away work from the graphics CPU)



Also, on a entirely different note, StarMade now has the ability to use UDP. While not yet stress tested, it might improve network performance (read more here: http://gafferongames.com/networking-for-game-programmers/udp-vs-tcp/ if you are interested). A TCP fallback is will remain.



I also already fixed a count of bugs, and will do more research on the bottlenecks in multiplayer and memory consumption.



thank you for playing StarMade,

- schema

 

[Darth Kcaj]

awesome work schema!!!

 

[XxDanclarke96xX]

so does this mean no more 1fps on planets for me? :D

 

[schema]

It helps some types of cards for sure. I can\'t promise that it will help you, but I\'ll do more improvements with the new-found available memory.

 

[CoopY]

Hey - thank you schema for the heads up.

Any ETA for a new patch?

 

[Moebiusium]

This is great news for those with a computer not very powerful when released the update? : D

 

[Frosth]

Awesome! Keep up the great work.

By the way, did you find any solutions for the colision lag of large ships?

 

[redelectric]

this is good to here, i havent got a chance to look yet be my fps always drops between 1 and 7 on spacestations even thought i had what i consided to be a good computer

 

[VOXNOVA]

Thanks for that, whenever i tried to load the planet my fps just got destroyed, thanks for the epic game schema.

 

[Retro1253]

I will enjoy the smaller memory use. Keep up the good work.

 

[Retro1253]

I will enjoy the smaller memory use. Keep up the good work.

 

[WildCard65]

Will there be a fix for when a server restarts and ships/etc in a faction being named to Unknown Faction <id of faction here>? It can be quite annoying.

 

[Racr]

Can\'t wait for this update. It\'s one of the biggest lag creators in starmade for me.(Second only to large entities colliding, maybe you could figure that out?)

 

[EdgeG]

Can\'t wait for the update.

Just to see how much more better Star-Made gets each time.

 

[Zutai]

if you could fix that lag, i could build much larger ships before i get so pissed off i have to exit the game to save my pc from myself. my cube is taking more work then i feared...

 

[KaiserFritt0]

Thanks Schema :D Loving your work so far, can honestly say I am hanging onto your every word in any post or patch update

 

[reeceandwarren]

i would just like to say that the most recent update has slowed down the game alot i mean i was on like 100fps before using a shi with over 5000 blocks next to a planet and now im on 14 with a 4 block ship next to a planet please let the developer know thanks

 

[maroonscorpion]

how come the game requires open gl 2.1? also why isn\'t there an ability to toggle shaders?



thanks,

-maroon

 

[applenerdpo]

Personaly I dont care about the graphics code optimisation I would rather have you work on fixing your NULL pointers

 

[OneofNine]

IDC if you load everything onto the RAM and CPU (got good enough of those), just plz get away from depending so much on GPU.