Graphical settings descriptions!

Yojimbo

Hi guys,

Wasn't sure if this thread has been made already as I couldn't find one but basically I would like to suggest a description / context that when highlighted, shows what the graphical settings actually DO for example "Ambient Occulision" or however its spelt and maybe a recommended tip of wherever having it turned on or off to improve performance in-game.

I have seen this featured in many games and just seems odd that one hasn't been introduced after all this time.

Thank you

[BAM] Yojimbo

GhoulofGSG9

The Internet is your friend: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_occlusion

In fact it causes some extra load so depending on what you prefer performance or quality turn it on or off.

Yojimbo

That totally defeats the point ghoul, why should I have to search on the internet just to find out whether to enable it or not, when most other game developers already implemented these features during their betas or initial release.

Plus I meant for all the features not just "AO" still no idea to this day what texture streaming does.

This is purely example, (I cannot find the EXACT picture anymore and can no longer upload one as I deleted the install) check out Star Trek online, when you hover over each graphical menu a context is displayed briefly describing what it is and whether to turn it on or off

http://www.redshirtarmy.com/tweak1.jpg
http://www.redshirtarmy.com/tweak3.jpg

Another example, Borderlands 2

Small description describing what the features is / does

http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/guides/borderlands-2-tweak-guide#3

Planetside 2 this time! Perfect illustration of what I mean all along

http://cdn.windows7themes.net/pics/disable-vsync-for-faster-rendering.jpg
http://cdn.windows7themes.net/pics/change-render-quality-for-performance.jpg
http://cdn.windows7themes.net/pics/change-vertical-field-of-view-for-performance-boost.jpg

Are you starting to understand what I mean now?

GhoulofGSG9

BoRRiS wrote: »

That totally defeats the point ghoul, why should I have to search on the internet just to find out whether to enable it or not, when most other game developers already implemented these features during their betas or initial release.

Plus I meant for all the features not just "AO" still no idea to this day what texture streaming does.

This is purely example, (I cannot find the EXACT picture anymore and can no longer upload one as I deleted the install) check out Star Trek online, when you hover over each graphical menu a context is displayed briefly describing what it is and whether to turn it on or off

http://www.redshirtarmy.com/tweak1.jpg
http://www.redshirtarmy.com/tweak3.jpg

Another example, Borderlands 2

Small description describing what the features is / does

http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/guides/borderlands-2-tweak-guide#3

Planetside 2 this time! Perfect illustration of what I mean all along

http://cdn.windows7themes.net/pics/disable-vsync-for-faster-rendering.jpg
http://cdn.windows7themes.net/pics/change-render-quality-for-performance.jpg
http://cdn.windows7themes.net/pics/change-vertical-field-of-view-for-performance-boost.jpg

Are you starting to understand what I mean now?

I kinda already have known what you asked for before i just said that such a feature is not so much needed in a indie title. BTW texture streaming in fact doesn't do anything atm.

In fact why are ppl so lazy, it takes you 5 secs to find out those things via google. Otherwise just try them ingame and see what happens ... .

SamusDroid

Well, they are graphical settings, so it should be kinda obvious what they do just by toggling them on and off in game

Yojimbo

Its not really kind of obvious though, think about the majority of new players that just purchased the game, how many posts have been made on these forums that are related to slow performance, I think alot of time and effort would be saved if a dev would take 1 hour of their time to implement this feature to help players personalise their settings to their performance needs.

I won't even begin to describe how many times I've had to help out rookies and sometimes even regulars ingame to help finetune / disable each setting to get the best performance they can for their buck.

If I buy a product I would atleast expect it to come with an instruction manual atleast to help me troubleshoot a problem, not be fobbed off to some site I googled.

Imagine how much time has been wasted on searching the internet and asking question on a feature that shouldn't take an hour to implement.

Being told to google is lazy and unproductive otherwise game companies wouldn't bother in the first place.

Hobocop

Well...the game's graphical settings update in real-time. Don't see why you can't just press buttons and see what happens.

GhoulofGSG9

I agree NS2 lacks a user manual. But you have to know most ppl who play ns2 also played ns1 and so are pretty good skilled in the technical stuff. Just reminds me what a pain it was to get ns1 running.

Overall imho as the options use the same terms as most other game it should be clear for most users what is meant. And if not we have this wonderfull community helping out.
In addition not many indie titels come with a manual.

Also the devs have kinda moved on to a new project and there is other stuff more important to do atm, like fixing serious technical issues. And don't get this wrong, but someone who fails at the ns2 options menu, will also fail at the complex gameplay :P .

SamusDroid

It's not overly complicated. Off = better performance. It's not something that's direly important IMO.

DC_Darkling

I would certainly not put it high on a todo list but the idea itself is fine.

NaRcO

Good stuff maybe was a description only saying if "X" feature is GPU or CPU intensive. I have a very decent HD7870 2GB 1Ghz graphic card, but my processor (AMD Phenom II X4 955BE) not too good and usually i turn off features that are CPU intensive. Sorry my bad english.

BestProfileName

I am sorry for the stupidity of the others, Borris. You were clearly not asking what it was but rather saying a simple description in the settings would be nice for those who don't know much about tech. This whole, "a simple google check". Well sure, but one of the big things we're trying to do with technology is make things more convenient.

Also, rather than make people search for changes, it would help you know what exactly you're comparing, so it saves time. How much time? Minutes, really - but why the hell not?

As already said, it's not a big issue and not high on the priorities, but for anyone to not agree with your suggestion...Well it just goes to show how stupid people are. Totally. Missing. The. Point. Of. The. OP. Again.

BestProfileName

BestProfileName wrote: »

I am sorry for the stupidity of the others, Borris. You were clearly not asking what it was but rather saying a simple description in the settings would be nice for those who don't know much about tech. This whole, "a simple google check". Well sure, but one of the big things we're trying to do with technology is make things more convenient.

Also, rather than make people search for changes, it would help you know what exactly you're comparing, so it saves time. How much time? Minutes, really - but why the hell not?

As already said, it's not a big issue and not high on the priorities, but for anyone to not agree with your suggestion...Well it just goes to show how stupid people are. Totally. Missing. The. Point. Of. The. OP. Again.

To extend the point, why have a tutorial? As Ghoul says, "the internet is your friend". Want to know what an armory does? Put it down and see. Cool, but for those who want a more nuanced explanation but in convenient manner (i.e. not having to memorise terms from the settings and jump in and out of alt+tabs to the desktop...)

Yojimbo

BestProfileName wrote: »

I am sorry for the stupidity of the others, Borris. You were clearly not asking what it was but rather saying a simple description in the settings would be nice for those who don't know much about tech. This whole, "a simple google check". Well sure, but one of the big things we're trying to do with technology is make things more convenient.

Also, rather than make people search for changes, it would help you know what exactly you're comparing, so it saves time. How much time? Minutes, really - but why the hell not?

As already said, it's not a big issue and not high on the priorities, but for anyone to not agree with your suggestion...Well it just goes to show how stupid people are. Totally. Missing. The. Point. Of. The. OP. Again.

Thank you bestprofilename I am glad your the only one that clearly understood what I meant with this thread, it's a simple bog standard feature that's been implemented in hundreds of games, which bewilders me why it hasn't been thought of sooner, they must have a standardised "features to add list" clearly this one slipped through the net

SquishpokePOOPFACE

I propose the following descriptions:

Thingy that make blurry light.

Thingy that kills the jaggies.

Thingy that puts shadow on ass cracks.

Yojimbo

Haha, not a bad idea maybe "Don't enable this unless you want to spend $200 on a new CPU!"