Let's Play! What Zone Am I In Which SOE Was To Lazy To Finish.

[Forsaken Falc]

<DIV><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000041.jpg"></DIV> <DIV><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000040.jpg"></DIV> <DIV><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000039.jpg"></DIV> <DIV><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000038.jpg"><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000037.jpg"></DIV> <DIV><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000036.jpg"></DIV>

[Keno]

be happy that they built the zones like they did or your computer would crash within a second of running through freeport, as your screenshots already now look more than ugly O.o is that a pentium 2? <div></div>

[Forsaken Falc]

<P>No....it's a P4 I turn down My graphic's for Raid's and forget to turn them back up, However this time it was on but the zoomed out distence made it look tattiky.</P> <P> </P> <P> </P> <P><IMG src="http://www.xlsite.com/forsakenfalcon/EQ2_000065.jpg"></P>

[Cidal]

<DIV>graphics still look chitty</DIV>

[mochl]

What kind of video card do you have? If thats what you see when you turn your graphics up... you might want to buy a new machine. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[quamdar]

it looks like scale yard to me, and it isn't unfinished you are just on top of the wall looking out unto a part beyond the zone.  if they put something in there would really lag alot of systems out because their comps would have to load more stuff that wouldn't really be seen hardly ever.  obviously they didn't mean to allow people up on the top of those buildings you just happened to find a spot where you could get up there.  i personally think the hovels in the starting cities (atleast FP, never did much in qeynos) look pretty good really.<div></div>

[Ganlu]

Dude it looks like you're playing Meridian 59 there.<div></div>

[Forsaken Falc]

<P>lol let's not get off topic who care's what My screen show's I can play and that's all I care about.</P> <P> </P> <P>As for it's not an non complited zone, It kinda is for the fact of You can walk off the edge and fall down the very ground <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P>

[Hamervelder]

<DIV>The zone isn't incomplete.  The designers just didn't waste time energy, and resources on polys that are in places you're not supposed to see.  Remember, video games can't create entire cities and worlds; they create the <EM>illusion</EM> of a city or a forest, etc.  You just happened to find a way to break the illusion for yourself.</DIV>

[Sirlutt]

its that way in alotof games.  you dont put in polys to be rendered the user wont see, it will increase the lag ALOT to render items not ever seen.<div></div>

[Jonaroth]

the zone isnt imcomplete, what is incomplete is your knowledge of how a 3d engine works... you're really not supposed to be up there, and if you are up there, there is no reason to be, so why would a dev bother putting polys in unseen places. reasons to not render unseen detail: 1) it takes more memory 2) it drives system requirements up 3) it takes more time & money 5) it lowers your frame rate 5) makes zone times longer to load 6) why bother? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> in just about ANY game with zones (apposed to a seamless game, kinda like WoW)  there are always boundries, and in order to see the other side you must zone to see more, and this is a limitation all games deal with <div></div>

[Blackguard]

You're above the portals that draw geometry. Those are intentionally "unfinished" as well, as it improves performance of a zone. Technically, you aren't supposed to be able to get up to places like that. Personally, I hope we don't fix it so you can't get up there, because I've been having fun the last few weeks jumping to places I shouldn't be. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

[Saihung23]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jonaroth wrote:<BR>the zone isnt imcomplete, what is incomplete is your knowledge of how a 3d engine works...<BR><BR>you're really not supposed to be up there, and if you are up there, there is no reason to be, so why would a dev bother putting polys in unseen places.<BR><BR>reasons to not render unseen detail:<BR>1) it takes more memory<BR>2) it drives system requirements up<BR>3) it takes more time & money<BR>5) it lowers your frame rate<BR>5) makes zone times longer to load<BR>6) why bother? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR>in just about ANY game with zones (apposed to a seamless game, kinda like WoW)  there are always boundries, and in order to see the other side you must zone to see more, and this is a limitation all games deal with<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>QFE There was another thread about something similar...same thing, dude jumping around, sees a gap in the graphics, thinks sony never finished the game....its obvious that they arent going to devote memory to making the unseen just so some schmoe who figures out how to get on top of a building can see it.</P> <P>Nothing new here. ssdd.<BR></P>

[Tibbwini]

<blockquote><hr>Blackguard wrote:You're above the portals that draw geometry. Those are intentionally "unfinished" as well, as it improves performance of a zone. Technically, you aren't supposed to be able to get up to places like that. Personally, I hope we don't fix it so you can't get up there, because I've been having fun the last few weeks jumping to places I shouldn't be. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div><hr></blockquote>I do that as well. Another one in Freeport is in Beggar's Court, you can climb up the protruding bricks on one of the houses that forms a stairway to the wall dividing the zone. Only problem is, the geometry is "hollow" up there, and you fall through the zone. A place in Qeynos is in Qeynos Harbour - you can jump over the mender building and get behind the colliseum, where you'll find a secret door to South Qeynos...<div></div>

[Loki_d20]

<div><blockquote><hr>Blackguard wrote:You're above the portals that draw geometry. Those are intentionally "unfinished" as well, as it improves performance of a zone. Technically, you aren't supposed to be able to get up to places like that. Personally, I hope we don't fix it so you can't get up there, because I've been having fun the last few weeks jumping to places I shouldn't be. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div><hr></blockquote>Personally, I wish more of the game was like this rather than restricted.</div>

[DR_SP0]

and if you were wondering that zone is Stonestair Byway.<div></div>

[RJO]

<blockquote><hr>Blackguard wrote:You're above the portals that draw geometry. Those are intentionally "unfinished" as well, as it improves performance of a zone. Technically, you aren't supposed to be able to get up to places like that. Personally, I hope we don't fix it so you can't get up there, because I've been having fun the last few weeks jumping to places I shouldn't be. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div><hr></blockquote>If this was that other game based on the crayola engine you'd be banned sir <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

[Lornick]

I like how the OP comes across as some kind of jab against SOE when so many people<BR> have clearly posted why 3D zones are designed that way.  Tell you what... you can play in<BR> the very laggy version of the game that is "complete" and I'll take the one with minimal lag<BR> that looks the exact same unless I go somewhere I'm not intended to be. Deal?

[SonnyA]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> DR_SP0CK wrote:<BR>and if you were wondering that zone is Stonestair Byway.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>No, it's Scale Yard

[electricninjasex]

<blockquote><hr>Jonaroth wrote:the zone isnt imcomplete, what is incomplete is your knowledge of how a 3d engine works... you're really not supposed to be up there, and if you are up there, there is no reason to be, so why would a dev bother putting polys in unseen places. reasons to not render unseen detail: 1) it takes more memory 2) it drives system requirements up 3) it takes more time & money 5) it lowers your frame rate 5) makes zone times longer to load 6) why bother? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> in just about ANY game with zones (apposed to a seamless game, kinda like WoW)  there are always boundries, and in order to see the other side you must zone to see more, and this is a limitation all games deal with <div></div><hr></blockquote>Another way a 3d engine works is through clipping so that what isn't reasonably seen isn't rendered at all anyway.  Do you seriously think every polygon of a zone makes it to the final stage of the renderer?  Otherwise people wouldn't find better frame rates facing walls during raid battles.   Why does nobody mention this, even for idle discussion's sake?

[CuCullain]

<P>On an opposite note. If you find you are skilled enogh at jumping you can meet two or three new NPCS and use an unavailable (normally) zone entrance to SQ in QH.</P> <P>On the back side of the arena in QH (front would be facing towards the gnome clock), there is 2-3 npcs standing on the ground and a gate that zones you into SQ (roughly near the mage tower by the stairs to the sewer water).</P> <P>Good luck though, it took me a good while to figure out how to get over there. And they had no dang quests!</P>

[Mmaster]

<blockquote><hr>SonnyA wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> DR_SP0CK wrote:and if you were wondering that zone is Stonestair Byway. <div></div> <hr> </blockquote>No, it's Scale Yard<hr></blockquote>No, its stonestair byway, you can tell by the fountain. It's not the fallen soldier, the coolest freakin statue ever. I want one at my house.<div></div>

[SonnyA]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mmaster wrote:<BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> SonnyA wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> DR_SP0CK wrote:<BR>and if you were wondering that zone is Stonestair Byway.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>No, it's Scale Yard<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>No, its stonestair byway, you can tell by the fountain. It's not the fallen soldier, the coolest freakin statue ever. I want one at my house.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Yeah, the bottom one. The tops ones gotta be scale yard. I live there. And I've been on top of the houses too. So unless the zone layout is identical, then we're talking about screenshots from several different zones. Maybe the OP want reveal it?

[Yunga_511]

<P>Thought this May be Some Fun to watch, Ignore the X Video Trial Version</P> <P><A href="http://www.masic-design.net/Videos/Movie_0001.wmv" target=_blank>LINKAGE</A></P>

[Zabjade]

<blockquote><hr>Blackguard wrote:You're above the portals that draw geometry. Those are intentionally "unfinished" as well, as it improves performance of a zone. Technically, you aren't supposed to be able to get up to places like that. Personally, I hope we don't fix it so you can't get up there, because I've been having fun the last few weeks jumping to places I shouldn't be. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div><hr></blockquote><font color="#66ff00"><font size="2"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Only been able to get to the steeple obove the building next to the QH Arena myself.  Instead of fixing the problem make it a feature add climbable surfaces to Qeynos, Freeport, Antonica(Center Mountain), and the Thundering Stepps. (not needed really in Commonlands and Nek needs only to have ways to get upon the "Hedges")</font></font></font><div></div>

[LlewCadey]

<div><blockquote><hr>SonnyA wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Mmaster wrote: <blockquote> <hr> SonnyA wrote: <div></div> <blockquote> <hr> DR_SP0CK wrote:and if you were wondering that zone is Stonestair Byway. <div></div> <hr> </blockquote>No, it's Scale Yard <hr> </blockquote>No, its stonestair byway, you can tell by the fountain. It's not the fallen soldier, the coolest freakin statue ever. I want one at my house. <div></div> <hr> </blockquote>Yeah, the bottom one. The tops ones gotta be scale yard. I live there. And I've been on top of the houses too. So unless the zone layout is identical, then we're talking about screenshots from several different zones. Maybe the OP want reveal it?<hr></blockquote>no its all Stonestair, seccond pic thats a kerran, first pic u can see the brown skinned erudite who operates the treadeskill society, also SB and SY have the same initial zone layout, check it out one day :p</div>

[Saavedra]

<DIV>The title of this post isn't very accurate.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Zones/levels in most games are built this way to preserve your framerate.  Zones are built very much the same way that a movie set is made.  </DIV> <DIV>We only need to show you what the character can see, saving on polygons and shaders to increase your performance.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When you are able to get outside of the zone collision in this manner, you are basically able to see the blank spots that the occluders are triggering by standing in the spot you are at.  </DIV> <DIV>It takes a very talented and patient artist to set these areas up properly in order for the game to maintain the illusion of a world around your character.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Saavedra on <span class=date_text>05-15-2006</span> <span class=time_text>05:19 PM</span>

[DarkLegacy2005]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Saavedra wrote:<BR> <DIV>The title of this post isn't very accurate.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Zones/levels in most games are built this way to preserve your framerate.  Zones are built very much the same way that a movie set is made.  </DIV> <DIV>We only need to show you what the character can see, saving on polygons and shaders to increase your performance.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When you are able to get outside of the zone collision in this manner, you are basically able to see the blank spots that the occluders are triggering by standing in the spot you are at.  </DIV> <DIV>It takes a very talented and patient artist to set these areas up properly in order for the game to maintain the illusion of a world around your character.</DIV> <P>Message Edited by Saavedra on <SPAN class=date_text>05-15-2006</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>05:19 PM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>And I thank you for not forcing my computer to draw all those extra tid bits that I shouldnt see in the first place.

[DataOutlaw]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Saavedra wrote:<BR> <DIV>The title of this post isn't very accurate.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Zones/levels in most games are built this way to preserve your framerate.  Zones are built very much the same way that a movie set is made.  </DIV> <DIV>We only need to show you what the character can see, saving on polygons and shaders to increase your performance.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When you are able to get outside of the zone collision in this manner, you are basically able to see the blank spots that the occluders are triggering by standing in the spot you are at.  </DIV> <DIV>It takes a very talented and patient artist to set these areas up properly in order for the game to maintain the illusion of a world around your character.</DIV> <P>Message Edited by Saavedra on <SPAN class=date_text>05-15-2006</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>05:19 PM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Of course if the majority of zone are setup this way it kind of re-inforces the reason that there is no levitate in the game. The levitate ability would require a lot of extra graphical work and a lot less framerate to render polygons just in case somebody levitates off the side of a hilland runs through a zone. This is a pretty contentious argument over in the EoF forum that seems to have all been started by the debate over whether Fae can realky fly or not and if there will be a Pegasus cloak heritage quest added.<BR></P>

[MadLordOfMilk]

When I first glanced I seriously thought I was looking at like Panzer Dragoon screenshots or something <span>:smileyvery-happy:</span><img src="http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/2119/36411016it.jpg"><div></div>