Natural Selection 2 News Update - NS2 Build 188 released (Happy Thanksgiving!)

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  • OngreOngre Join Date: 2009-02-05 Member: 66309Members
    Had a great game with this build, played a lot of times marines and never won, really hard the marine side now. Runs perfect for me only thing bothering me are the bugged power nodes. Keep up the good work
  • LUSITANERLUSITANER Join Date: 2010-09-19 Member: 74086Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1887099:date=Nov 26 2011, 10:42 PM:name=Ongre)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ongre @ Nov 26 2011, 10:42 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887099"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Had a great game with this build, played a lot of times marines and never won, really hard the marine side now. Runs perfect for me only thing bothering me are the bugged power nodes. Keep up the good work<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I felt it more balanced imo.

    I thought hive cost was a bit way too much but i managed to get hives in every tech point of summit and still end with 300T.R.
    Reduced cyst cost ftw, i infested marine start on heli with cysts :P
  • ewatkinsewatkins Join Date: 2009-08-13 Member: 68449Members
    Aha!

    Updated my drivers and fixed a GPU issue on my comp that i didnt realise that i had and now my performance is much better :)

    Even a little better than it was pre-patch, even with atmospherics.

    Thanks guys
  • IronsoulIronsoul Join Date: 2011-03-12 Member: 86048Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1887098:date=Nov 26 2011, 11:24 PM:name=Jerunk)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jerunk @ Nov 26 2011, 11:24 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887098"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Anyone else having problems with their steam refusing to download this update? Deleted clientregistry.blob and no resukts.

    Any suggestions?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    try launching the game, it might already be patched.

    I found that out myself.
  • sickboysickboy Join Date: 2003-09-13 Member: 20804Members, Constellation
    edited November 2011
    Finally got a chance to play it. Love the new changes (my god the atmospherics are awesome), and performance increased a TON for me (the past few patches have been great as-is, but this patch knocked me into a truly smooth as butter experience). I also really like the progress on the new UI. The minimap, location, and commander info are sooooo nice to have (my "c" button thanks you).

    The only negative thing with this build so far are the few people in my games that have been whining non-stop about what amounts to absolutely nothing in-game. You know, the "we complain at everything, even if it's a new feature and doesn't impact anything" type people. Can't stand 'em.

    But aside from them it has been smooth sailing for me in full games with tons of structures and whatnot.

    My rig:

    ATI Radeon HD 4850 (latest drivers)
    Intel Core2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16GHz 3.16GHz
    4GB RAM
    Windows 7 64bit
    Playing at 1920x1080

    *not* running with AA on though (I never do, even if my system can handle it... just a resource hog that you can't notice unless you're standing completely still in my opinion).
  • ObraxisObraxis Subnautica Animator & Generalist, NS2 Person Join Date: 2004-07-24 Member: 30071Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Silver, WC 2013 - Supporter, Subnautica Developer, Pistachionauts
    <!--quoteo(post=1887133:date=Nov 27 2011, 03:19 AM:name=sickboy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sickboy @ Nov 27 2011, 03:19 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887133"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->*not* running with AA on though (I never do, even if my system can handle it... just a resource hog that you can't notice unless you're standing completely still in my opinion).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You should really try turning it on. AA (r_aa in console) in NS2 takes up less than 1 FPS on any system.
  • sickboysickboy Join Date: 2003-09-13 Member: 20804Members, Constellation
    @Obraxis: Really? Awesome! I'll definitely give it a shot then. I've just gotten used to not even trying it out.
  • peregrinusperegrinus Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72445Members
    Is it on by default? I noticed things have a black outline now, kinda cell shaded look.

    r_aa to turn it on, how to turn it off?
  • OngreOngre Join Date: 2009-02-05 Member: 66309Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1887189:date=Nov 27 2011, 09:50 PM:name=peregrinus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peregrinus @ Nov 27 2011, 09:50 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887189"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Is it on by default? I noticed things have a black outline now, kinda cell shaded look.

    r_aa to turn it on, how to turn it off?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I think that is caused by the atmospherics effect and in my opinion AA won't change it.
  • mystrdatmystrdat Join Date: 2010-07-28 Member: 73280Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1886743:date=Nov 25 2011, 03:10 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Nov 25 2011, 03:10 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1886743"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Real men are able to adapt <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/tongue.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />


    Also the only way to be sure is by typing net_stats in the console and have a gander at the server performance. A server tick rate below 15 (arguably 20ticks) ticks is starting to show the problems<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    More like casual players are able to adapt to such values. I can't believe a playtester would advocate 19-30 fps performance and ~20 tickrate as being fine.
  • KoruyoKoruyo AUT Join Date: 2009-06-06 Member: 67724Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited November 2011
    Anti-aliasing:
    Does anybody know how i can set r_aa true always on, so i dont have to retype it everytime? - in the settings.xml? If, what do i have to write?

    PS: I hope we get other forms of aa some time in the future too. fxaa is working okay, but meh... i want sharpness and smooth edges :P
  • NurEinMenschNurEinMensch Join Date: 2003-02-26 Member: 14056Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1887197:date=Nov 28 2011, 12:12 AM:name=Koruyo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Koruyo @ Nov 28 2011, 12:12 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887197"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Anti-aliasing:
    Does anybody know how i can set r_aa true always on, so i dont have to retype it everytime? - in the settings.xml? If, what do i have to write?

    PS: I hope we get other forms of aa some time in the future too. fxaa is working okay, but meh... i want sharpness and smooth edges :P<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Look for this block in the options.xml file:

    <!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1--><graphics>
            <display>
                <antialiasing>true</antialiasing>
                <x-resolution>1440</x-resolution>
                <atmospherics>true</atmospherics>
                <quality>2</quality>
                <y-resolution>900</y-resolution>
                <fullscreen>false</fullscreen>
                <invertedmouse>false</invertedmouse>
            </display>
    </graphics><!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->

    If you don't have the antialiasing line just add it. If it's already there just set it to true.
  • JerunkJerunk Join Date: 2002-11-22 Member: 9659Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1887104:date=Nov 26 2011, 07:22 PM:name=Ironsoul)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ironsoul @ Nov 26 2011, 07:22 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887104"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->try launching the game, it might already be patched.

    I found that out myself.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Says game is currently unavailable.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1887196:date=Nov 27 2011, 10:05 PM:name=mystrdat)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mystrdat @ Nov 27 2011, 10:05 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887196"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->More like casual players are able to adapt to such values. I can't believe a playtester would advocate 19-30 fps performance and ~20 tickrate as being fine.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The game is not yet in a state for serious competitive play, due to performance issues and of course lack of content. Casual scrims and public games are all we have right now. It's a bloody beta in heavy development FFS...

    I also did NOT say current performance is fine. "Plenty playable" is by no means fine, performance is still the main thing on the devs mind. Of course it should run at a steady 30ticks at least, preferably more. But these are the cards we've been dealt for now, so you've gotta work with what you've got...

    Ergo... Real men are able to adapt, see what I did there <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/wink.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />



    <i>Seriously why are people so friggin' serious and completely missing the point AND tongue in cheek smiley</i>
  • KoruyoKoruyo AUT Join Date: 2009-06-06 Member: 67724Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited November 2011
    <!--quoteo(post=1887200:date=Nov 27 2011, 11:28 PM:name=NurEinMensch)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NurEinMensch @ Nov 27 2011, 11:28 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887200"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If you don't have the antialiasing line just add it. If it's already there just set it to true.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Thank you! Wasnt there - so i didnt know what to write, could have guessed it... (was too lazy to just try the obvious <antialiasing> :P)
  • NurEinMenschNurEinMensch Join Date: 2003-02-26 Member: 14056Members, Constellation
    Yeah I didn't have it there at first too. I think Max made a post showing where to add it, that's where I took it from. I think my options.xml is still from alpha. Maybe it's a good idea to just delete it and let the game create a new one with all current settings.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1887212:date=Nov 27 2011, 11:07 PM:name=NurEinMensch)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NurEinMensch @ Nov 27 2011, 11:07 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887212"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah I didn't have it there at first too. I think Max made a post showing where to add it, that's where I took it from. I think my options.xml is still from alpha. Maybe it's a good idea to just delete it and let the game create a new one with all current settings.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Nah it's not in there as intended, it's best to have the players activate it themselves then having it on by default and rage on the forums, if it doesn't work. When you change settings in the game it always modifies the options.xml. And I'm fairly certain it also adds stuff if it is lacking new things, unless they have been left out, as is the case with aa and atmospherics.
  • stickybootstickyboot Join Date: 2004-01-29 Member: 25711Members, Constellation
    edited November 2011
    I just want to report that 188 is awesome! Definitely there seems to be some new bugs that I have never seen, but overall, a very awesome build! Performance is marginally better in game. My FPS still fluctuates around and is generally pretty low, but it seems like FPS changes are a bit smoother and less dramatic, which helps with the gameplay. Hopping into spectator, the performance is amazing! It runs at 100+ FPS and looks amazing when its that smooth. I have to say that the new occlusion culling seems to have helped a lot with the rendering, but the rest of the bottlenecks when actually playing still need work.

    Also, the new nades look great. The flamethrower looks better to, but still feels way off.

    The atmospheric lighting is really cool to! One idea I had for that would be to make it so the foggyness of your teams flashlight variable. Steamier rooms would have more ambient diffraction, while the starting base for marine would have less of a foggy look. Maybe even add a silent hill style pattern to the light diffraction, where the atmospheric lighting varies a bit as different densities of whatever is in the air passes in front of your light.

    FXAA works with a minor performance hit, but it makes the image kind of muddy and blurry. I tried to play with it on, but if feels like I have the case of the stares (you know, when you space out and your vision goes out of focus for a moment even though you are looking at something).
  • mystrdatmystrdat Join Date: 2010-07-28 Member: 73280Members
    I'll pass the unimportant parts and quote this:

    <!--quoteo(post=1887206:date=Nov 28 2011, 12:49 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Nov 28 2011, 12:49 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887206"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->performance is still the main thing on the devs mind.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    In which case I very much hope you're right, but I have this unpleasant feeling from the so far beta evolution and dev posts that further optimisation will not have as significant impact as many would hope for out of multiple reasons (let's say time and money as one of them).
  • stickybootstickyboot Join Date: 2004-01-29 Member: 25711Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1887224:date=Nov 27 2011, 03:39 PM:name=mystrdat)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mystrdat @ Nov 27 2011, 03:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887224"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'll pass the unimportant parts and quote this:



    In which case I very much hope you're right, but I have this unpleasant feeling from the so far beta evolution and dev posts that further optimisation will not have as significant impact as many would hope for out of multiple reasons (let's say time and money as one of them).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Go into spectator mode in a full game to see how well the game actually renders when it isn't dealing with the un-optimised hit detection and physics. It runs extraordinarily well.
  • Squeal_Like_A_PigSqueal_Like_A_Pig Janitor Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 66Members, Super Administrators, NS1 Playtester, NS2 Developer, Reinforced - Supporter, WC 2013 - Silver, Subnautica Developer
    <!--quoteo(post=1887224:date=Nov 27 2011, 11:39 PM:name=mystrdat)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mystrdat @ Nov 27 2011, 11:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887224"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->In which case I very much hope you're right, but I have this unpleasant feeling from the so far beta evolution and dev posts that further optimisation will not have as significant impact as many would hope for out of multiple reasons (let's say time and money as one of them).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    There are still plenty of optimizations we are planning to do which we think will make a very significant impact on performance.

    --Cory
  • mystrdatmystrdat Join Date: 2010-07-28 Member: 73280Members
    edited November 2011
    <!--quoteo(post=1887227:date=Nov 28 2011, 01:44 AM:name=stickyboot)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stickyboot @ Nov 28 2011, 01:44 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887227"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Go into spectator mode in a full game to see how well the game actually renders when it isn't dealing with the un-optimised hit detection and physics. It runs extraordinarily well.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Will try. edit: About the same performance in spec, not much difference. Staring at a wall on the lowest settings goes to 50 fps max which is as much as I get in the game menu. Observing a room drops to about 30 fps minimum. For the record, I get ~50 in BF3 with heavy action going on.

    <!--quoteo(post=1887231:date=Nov 28 2011, 02:14 AM:name=Squeal_Like_A_Pig)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Squeal_Like_A_Pig @ Nov 28 2011, 02:14 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887231"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->There are still plenty of optimizations we are planning to do which we think will make a very significant impact on performance.

    --Cory<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Many thanks for the reassurance, Cory. In light of that, I rest my case on this topic.
  • Dragon-GuardDragon-Guard Join Date: 2011-07-25 Member: 112159Members
    edited November 2011
    hmm, hey guys, i suddenly have an issue with my game, i quickly joined a round yesterday but didnt stick around for long (horrible horrible lag).
    But when i tried again today it doesnt show any servers for me.
    Just an empty black list of nothingness :<
  • WilsonWilson Join Date: 2010-07-26 Member: 72867Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1887235:date=Nov 28 2011, 12:28 AM:name=Dragon-Guard)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dragon-Guard @ Nov 28 2011, 12:28 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887235"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->hmm, hey guys, i suddenly have an issue with my game, i quickly joined a round yesterday but didnt stick around for long (horrible horrible lag).
    But when i tried again today it doesnt show any servers for me.
    Just an empty black list of nothingness :<<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Start a local server and then use the server browser again.
  • swalkswalk Say hello to my little friend. Join Date: 2011-01-20 Member: 78384Members, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1887074:date=Nov 26 2011, 08:24 PM:name=konata)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (konata @ Nov 26 2011, 08:24 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1887074"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The skulk speed has not changed. Why are you not reading?

    In comparison to NS1, the skulk is miles slower than a celerity skulk. So much so it hurts.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Why compare a NS2 non-celerity skulk to a NS1 celerity skulk?
    Doesn't make much sense, as NS2 will have have celerity when the Shift gets implemented.
    Although I agree that the skulk, and movement overall feels slower in NS2 compared with NS1.
  • SloppyKissesSloppyKisses omgawd a furreh&#33; Virginia Join Date: 2003-07-05 Member: 17942Members, Constellation
    Anyone else having sound issues? Sounds too low, or not working at all?

    Also in this build when you engage an enemy it's as if everything slows down and you're fighting in slow-mo. It's really weird... I can't exactly describe it, but I don't like it at all. lol.
  • peregrinusperegrinus Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72445Members
    Yup my sound is weird in 188 sometimes goes all low like you said, kind of muffled.
  • eXaeXa Join Date: 2007-09-22 Member: 62400Members
    Had the game crashing everytime I started so I re-installed it, wasn't working either then I checked the log to see that it was falling when trying to resize the game to the size of my screen (1280x800 to 1920x1080) so I just deleted the folder in appdata it didn't fixed it so I setted the resolution in the option.xml and it worked
    Just to report the bug :D
  • warbuckswarbucks Join Date: 2011-06-16 Member: 104794Members
    edited November 2011
    Has the dedicated server package been fixed on steam (Wasn't updating to build 188)?
  • YotopiaYotopia Join Date: 2010-11-22 Member: 75176Members
    edited November 2011
    Performance has increased and decreased with the new patch for me.
    The strange stuttering when you turn around on serveral points on the map seem now to be away completely through the new occlusion culling.
    But overall fps have decreased enormous for me.Even when i join the ready room in summit i got 20 fps less.
    If i stand still as marine i get not more then 30-33 fps.At infights with a skulk some turrents and an armory it goes down to 10-15 fps and sometimes even to 5 fps which makes the game completely unplayable again.
    Playing as alien gives me about 5 fps more overall.
    I play on the same server ( HBZ ) which gives me 30 ping in the server list (about 80ms ingame) since months and which is one of the best out there in my eyes.

    My specs are decent but not worse:

    AMD Phenom 2 X4 955
    ATI Radeon HD 4890
    4 GB RAM
    Windows 7

    PS:Please dont remove the option to have multiple commanders in the final release.
This discussion has been closed.