Demo is out [Archive] - .com.unity Forums

Pocus

October 27th, 2003, 01:17 PM

just before I was starting to write insults for the bad joke, I went to the Shrapnel sub site, and IT IS TRUE !!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

DEMO IS OUT.

and then the forum went silent!

thanks Catquiet for the header. I must declare myself sick at work.

WraithLord

October 27th, 2003, 01:43 PM

*** running happily to check the news http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ***

Pocus

October 27th, 2003, 01:45 PM

I'm at work, so I wont play it before some hours (just saw the intro with the nice 3D rendering), but I see no manuals in the doc folder, just the one page quickstart.

tell me its just an error and we can download one soon?

Gandalf Parker

October 27th, 2003, 03:07 PM

Did I miss it asking me whre to put the game? I hate games that dont ask.

If it didnt ask, will it mess up patches and such if I move it to my game drive?

I also saw registry entries? Sorry, I should have looked closer but I was in a hurry. Does that mean I wont be able to have more than one copy on my machine?

Daynarr

October 27th, 2003, 03:09 PM

Just a tip for all of you guys:

- Use ? shortcut to see a list of all shortcuts in game. It will help you a lot.

Pocus

October 27th, 2003, 03:10 PM

the windows Version ask you were you want to put the program, you are under Linux, Gandalf?

Vodalian

October 27th, 2003, 03:13 PM

Ran into a problem right away. Dom 2 starts up, but then unexpectedly quits. I have SDL so that shouldn't be a problem.
I'm using mac os x

[ October 27, 2003, 13:21: Message edited by: Vodalian ]

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Did I miss it asking me whre to put the game? I hate games that dont ask.

I also saw registry entries? Sorry, I should have looked closer but I was in a hurry. Does that mean I wont be able to have more than one copy on my machine? You missed it, so that's no reason to hate the game.

If you don't like registry entries you can remove them. The only drawback is manual uninstall and having to find the game executable manually when patching. But you won't unistall it, right?! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Dominions II itself doesn't use any reg entries, only the install programs does.

Nerfix

October 27th, 2003, 03:23 PM

53% downloaded...
AAAAAAAHAHHHHHAHAHHHHHH!!!!!
My heart can't take it!
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

PhilD

October 27th, 2003, 03:46 PM

I tried downloading the Linux (Intel) Version, and got an error along the way. Now I get a "page does not exist" error.

I have also downloaded the Windows Version, but I wanted to try this under Linux first http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Richard

October 27th, 2003, 03:51 PM

There is a problem wih the Linux and Sparc demos, they have been removed for now. New Versions will be up this morning once Illwinter ftp's them to us.

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 03:52 PM

It was removed due to some problems with the packaging. A new one will be up shortly.

Edit: Richard beat me to it!

[ October 27, 2003, 13:52: Message edited by: Johan K ]

Kristoffer O

October 27th, 2003, 03:53 PM

There are some problems with the linux Version. The tgz file was corrupted when it was converted. A new one is on its way right now. I'm not sure about when it can be downloaded, but it will be pretty soon i think.

Edit: I'm slow.

[ October 27, 2003, 13:53: Message edited by: Kristoffer O ]

Kristoffer O

October 27th, 2003, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by Vodalian:
Ran into a problem right away. Dom 2 starts up, but then unexpectedly quits. I have SDL so that shouldn't be a problem.
I'm using mac os x I sent you a mail. If you have solved the problem already let us know and inform the other Users here so they will know what to do if they have the same problem.

MythicalMino

October 27th, 2003, 04:26 PM

oh great, thanks alot IW....

now I am for sure gonna be having nightmares of spiders....(I HATE SPIDERS!!!!!)

Actually, out of all animals, spiders freak me out the most, probably even more than snakes...

DominionsFan

October 27th, 2003, 04:34 PM

AAAAAAYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!
DEMOOOOOOOO! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

DominionsFan

October 27th, 2003, 04:39 PM

Hey! Whats up with the resplutions? I mean regardless that I play in 800x600 or 1280x1024, the gameplay screen is the same!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif Isnt the gameplay screen supposed to be smaller on higher res.? Like in other games?

Also I dont like that the main map is on a wooden table. It is so weird. I think the map should have some cool edge, if you know what I mean. (map + edge + wooden table)

[ October 27, 2003, 14:40: Message edited by: DominionsFAN ]

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 04:46 PM

The size of the GUI panels stays the same. But it will become sharper and the sprites/letters will be easier on the eye with higher resolution. You can also zoom the map with page-up/page-down to suit your resolution and personal preference.

Vodalian

October 27th, 2003, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Vodalian:
Ran into a problem right away. Dom 2 starts up, but then unexpectedly quits. I have SDL so that shouldn't be a problem.
I'm using mac os x I sent you a mail. If you have solved the problem already let us know and inform the other Users here so they will know what to do if they have the same problem. <hr /></blockquote>Here you go :

-------------------------
----- DOMINIONS ---------
-------------------------

dbglevel 2 m68k_endian
datapath='./dominions2demo.app/Contents/Resources'
savepath='/Users/mikko/dominions2'
temppath='/tmp/dominions2_16882'
SDL_SetVideoMode failed: Failed creating OpenGL pixel format
N?got gick fel!
Failed to init OpenGL
Abort
[ua184d112:~/desktop/dom2demo_osx.tar-1] mikko%

Seems like Something is wrong with my openGL

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 05:03 PM

Vodalian, what type of mac do you have and what graphics card is in it?

atul

October 27th, 2003, 05:06 PM

I'm not very tech-orientated, but is there somewhere else than the 'video preferences' where you can adjust the graphics settings? I'm having a frame rate of 6.5 frames per sec on lowest settings with no filter, and think that it should be more, just two months old comp and all. Of course, my Windows settings can be to fault, probably even.

Btw, start a game with some AIs playing with nations not allowed to humans in demo. Go to pretender screen (F4), click on some pretender of a restricted nation. Got stuck in that screen for a while until tried the esc key - 'ok' probably isn't supposed to work like that on that screen. Ok, minorminorminor detail, but had to say it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Anyway, looks great, even with my aforementioned problem.

Vodalian

October 27th, 2003, 05:11 PM

imac 333 mhz powerPC G3
I think I have an ATI Rage Pro graphics accelerator (with 6MB of SGRAM).

[ October 27, 2003, 15:22: Message edited by: Vodalian ]

DominionsFan

October 27th, 2003, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by Johan K:
The size of the GUI panels stays the same. But it will become sharper and the sprites/letters will be easier on the eye with higher resolution. You can also zoom the map with page-up/page-down to suit your resolution and personal preference. Oh..hm maybe if the GUI would be smaller on higher res. would be better? In some games it is working very well.

I noticed some graphical errors. On some 'panels' -when you are making an action- [example: adjusting the various dominion scales at new god creation] the size of the panel is acting weirdly.
I hope that I was clear enough.

Pocus

October 27th, 2003, 05:18 PM

MythicalMino

October 27th, 2003, 05:20 PM

shortcut key list: ? key

oh, and is the manual going to be released as a download?

[ October 27, 2003, 15:21: Message edited by: cpbeller ]

Kristoffer O

October 27th, 2003, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by DominionsFAN:
Oh..hm maybe if the GUI would be smaller on higher res. would be better? In some games it is working very well.

I noticed some graphical errors. On some 'panels' -when you are making an action- [example: adjusting the various dominion scales at new god creation] the size of the panel is acting weirdly.
I hope that I was clear enough. Weird in what way? Grow/shrink/flutter/changing colours ?

MythicalMino

October 27th, 2003, 05:23 PM

i don't remember having any problems with it so far....created 2 Gods....

DominionsFan

October 27th, 2003, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by DominionsFAN:
Oh..hm maybe if the GUI would be smaller on higher res. would be better? In some games it is working very well.

I noticed some graphical errors. On some 'panels' -when you are making an action- [example: adjusting the various dominion scales at new god creation] the size of the panel is acting weirdly.
I hope that I was clear enough. Weird in what way? Grow/shrink/flutter/changing colours ? <hr /></blockquote>Grow / shrink.

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by atul:
I'm having a frame rate of 6.5 frames per sec on lowest settings with no filter, and think that it should be more, just two months old comp and all. Without knowing much about your computer I'm still pretty sure that you do not have the correct graphics drivers installed. Most graphics card manufacturers provide their own drivers that are superior to microsoft's especially when it comes to OpenGL.

I know for sure that ATI and Nvidia has some very good drivers on their home site and that the default microsoft drivers are very crappy.

Edit: Nvidia makes the GeForce cards. With a new computer and good drivers I think you should expect about 10 times your current frame rate.

[ October 27, 2003, 15:44: Message edited by: Johan K ]

Vodalian

October 27th, 2003, 05:41 PM

This is really going to complicate things for me. I have already pre-ordered Dominions II, but it seems like my hardware is too dated to run it. Has anyone got any suggestion on what to do?

johan osterman

October 27th, 2003, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by DominionsFAN:
[QUOTE]Grow / shrink. In the dominions scale case the panel is making room for the additional dominions types that becomes available when you change your scale. Was there any other panels acting strange?

[ October 27, 2003, 15:41: Message edited by: johan osterman ]

DominionsFan

October 27th, 2003, 05:47 PM

Yup lot more. I will try to post them. [Cannot touch my comp right now, I am in my friends house.]

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Edit: Didn't realise it was the mac guy I replied to.... Vodalian, I'll send you a mail later

[ October 27, 2003, 15:56: Message edited by: Johan K ]

October 27th, 2003, 07:01 PM

Cool (although I'm a bit late as it seems). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
I'm off to spread the word.

Tim Brooks

October 27th, 2003, 07:13 PM

Hi Guys. There will not be a release of the manual. We sell the manual as part of the product. If we release it electronically it just makes the pirates lives easier.

Sorry.

Tim Brooks

October 27th, 2003, 07:15 PM

If you are having frame rate problems, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video cards. Both computers here that had these problems were resolved by downloading the latest drivers.

MythicalMino

October 27th, 2003, 07:17 PM

NP....I will have the game in a few weeks anywayss....i will look at the manual then....

RadiantFleet

October 27th, 2003, 08:19 PM

Does anyone know how long until folks that pre-ordered recieve their full copies of Dom 2?

Pocus

October 27th, 2003, 08:21 PM

Pocus

October 27th, 2003, 08:54 PM

Why Me, O why me!! Gods of Mercy, spare me!!!

I have a meager 6.7 FPS on lowest settings. My PC is a rather powerful one, with Mobility radeon 9000 (64 megs) video card. The problem is that its a laptop, and that the latest drivers (that I have installed) are from 2002. (for those who dont know laptop drivers are differents from standard ones).

Tell me there is an ugly trick to run openGL apps faster. ??? I have no solutions as of now.

Gandalf Parker

October 27th, 2003, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by Tim Brooks:
Hi Guys. There will not be a release of the manual. We sell the manual as part of the product. If we release it electronically it just makes the pirates lives easier.One of the reason that alot of games have gone to a bare-bones game with a bare-bones starter guide, and a seperately sold "strategy guide", and a seperately sold "expansion" that was obviously nearly finished when the game was released...... is that pirates do buy strat guides and upgrades.

October 27th, 2003, 09:37 PM

Well, I have a serious problem with running the demo. I double click the .exe file, my monitor changes the resoluion, and then simply nothing happens - the game doesn't even start. It stays that way, with resolution changed, and I have to ctrl-alt-del out to restart the comp. Interesting thing is that I actually see the ctrl-alt-del menu, and the game is not listed as running.

I have Win98SE, Athlon 800MHz, ATI Radeon 7200 with 64MB RAM, 256 RAM, and the latest Direct X and drivers.

Any help would be appreciated.

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 09:52 PM

Maybe some problem when changing resolution.

Try running Dominions II with this switch --window.

If it doesn't work the try with all these together --window --res 640 400.

October 27th, 2003, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by Johan K:
Maybe some problem when changing resolution.

Try running Dominions II with this switch --window.

If it doesn't work the try with all these together --window --res 640 400. Thanks for a prompt response. Unfortunatelly, it didn't work. I see a window appearing for a very brief moment and it's titled "SDL_app" or something like that, and then it disappears, and nothing happens. Weird http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

[ October 27, 2003, 19:59: Message edited by: HJ ]

-Storm-

October 27th, 2003, 10:07 PM

I think this is some OpenGL error.

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by Pocus:
I have a meager 6.7 FPS on lowest settings. My PC is a rather powerful one, with Mobility radeon 9000 (64 megs) video card. The problem is that its a laptop, and that the latest drivers (that I have installed) are from 2002.

Tell me there is an ugly trick to run openGL apps faster. ??? I have no solutions as of now. There is a clean and efficient way to make your OpenGL apps run 10 times faster and your other 3d apps will most probably benefit as well. The trick is to go to www.ati.com (http://www.ati.com) , download and install their latest driver for your card.

Johan K

October 27th, 2003, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by HJ:
Unfortunatelly, it didn't work. I see a window appearing for a very brief moment and it's titled "SDL_app" or something like that, and then it disappears, and nothing happens. Weird http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif The try running with this switch -dd. It will create a file called log.txt which you can then send to me and I'll take a look at it.

October 27th, 2003, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by Johan K:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by HJ:
Unfortunatelly, it didn't work. I see a window appearing for a very brief moment and it's titled "SDL_app" or something like that, and then it disappears, and nothing happens. Weird http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif The try running with this switch -dd. It will create a file called log.txt which you can then send to me and I'll take a look at it. <hr /></blockquote>File sent.
Once again, thank you very much.

WraithLord

October 27th, 2003, 11:06 PM

I was trying the demo.
When I tried to forge a magic item, the game froze and I had to use the task manager to end it.

October 27th, 2003, 11:08 PM

Oh I also found some stderr.txt file in the dir that reads "Fatal signal: Segmentation Fault (SDL Parachute Deployed)". Maybe this is related, since the window was titled SDL?

atul

October 28th, 2003, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by Johan K:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Pocus:
I have a meager 6.7 FPS on lowest settings. My PC is a rather powerful one, with Mobility radeon 9000 (64 megs) video card. The problem is that its a laptop, and that the latest drivers (that I have installed) are from 2002.
There is a clean and efficient way to make your OpenGL apps run 10 times faster and your other 3d apps will most probably benefit as well. The trick is to go to www.ati.com (http://www.ati.com) , download and install their latest driver for your card. <hr /></blockquote>Well, it seems I have exactly the same problem. And it isn't solved that easily. You see, ATI doesn't support their mobile family, because laptops are too customised, as they say on their web pages. And the Fujitsu-Siemens (my laptop is from their product line) has Last driver update from 2002. And that seems to be the only one that works...

(sorry for the grammar errors and not being clear enough, just came from bar. And why I was in a bar on monday - don't ask)

Johan K

October 28th, 2003, 01:02 AM

I see, well if they don't supply a driver with accelerated OpenGL and you can't find one then I guess you will have to run a very slow Dominions II.

The -x switch might help if it runs too slow for you.

WraithLord

October 28th, 2003, 02:04 AM

Can DOM-II be run in window mode? - similiar to DOM-I?

johan osterman

October 28th, 2003, 02:05 AM

Originally posted by izaqyos:
Can DOM-II be run in window mode? - similiar to DOM-I? Yes

Mortifer

October 28th, 2003, 02:05 AM

Downloading it right now! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

WraithLord

October 28th, 2003, 02:10 AM

The "intro" and quit screens are really nice http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

MythicalMino

October 28th, 2003, 02:17 AM

Is there a some way to slow down the turns, to read the tips? (i know, probably a stupid question, but would still like to read them, as they are now, I barely am able to read the first word...not a fast reader)

Kristoffer O

October 28th, 2003, 02:21 AM

Turns will take more time after a while. And you can always add many computerplayers if you want a slower game.

MythicalMino

October 28th, 2003, 02:25 AM

ok, thanks...oh, so far, it is much prettier than Doms1

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 02:26 AM

sorry to be a nuisance (it start to be a bad habit I know), but there is no manual included in the demo. Is it on purpose?

NTJedi

October 28th, 2003, 02:26 AM

I've seen the screenshots and the game looks like it will be pretty good.
I am new to this forum and to Dominions... I have looked around for the new DEMO... but no luck.

Can someone please provide the link for where us newcomers are able to find it. Not all of us are long-time fans of this game.

Vodalian

October 28th, 2003, 02:26 AM

MUST....TAKE......ASTMA......MEDICINE

johan osterman

October 28th, 2003, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by NTJedi:
I've seen the screenshots and the game looks like it will be pretty good.
I am new to this forum and to Dominions... I have looked around for the new DEMO... but no luck.

Can someone please provide the link for where us newcomers are able to find it. Not all of us are long-time fans of this game. It should be available at http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/d2/6.htm

[ October 27, 2003, 12:28: Message edited by: johan osterman ]

NTJedi

October 28th, 2003, 02:32 AM

Nothing at this location except for :

Demo coming soon.

Kristoffer O

October 28th, 2003, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by NTJedi:
Nothing at this location except for :

Demo coming soon. Try to update the page. It works for me.

Mortifer

October 28th, 2003, 02:53 AM

In fact I already played with it a few mins.

I am really impressed, the new gfx + UI is very good! I love the demo so far. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Gandalf Parker

October 28th, 2003, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by NTJedi:
Nothing at this location except for :

Demo coming soon. There should be an update or refresh button on your browser to tell it "no I dont want to see the Cached copy, I WANT you to go get a fresh copy". Its one of those "user friendly" (user obnoxious) things

PvK

October 28th, 2003, 03:57 AM

I think my work computer definitely needs a video driver update for OpenGL programs! 550MHz computer, ATI 128 graphics (I think on-board video...), and I get about one or two frames per second, in theory, even running at all the lowest settings.

Well, I'll be more productive at work! ;-)

Seems like the Shrapnel "Requirements" page may need some more detail.

PvK

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by Johan K:
I see, well if they don't supply a driver with accelerated OpenGL and you can't find one then I guess you will have to run a very slow Dominions II.

The -x switch might help if it runs too slow for you. I was going to post that you didnt read my post to the end Johan, but somebody cleared the issue.

So some of us are stuck with ATI 2002 drivers. Do you know some other tricks :

open gl generic drivers for example?

if I install a linux partition, which driver will it use? the ATI provided one, or something delivered by the linux install?

if I use a linux install, AND I run WINE to run the windows Version of DomsII, which driver the emulator use? A proprietary one, or the one used by linux?

I'm searching for work around solutions... As of now the tactical battle are barely viewable (6 FPS and 3 seconds delay between each spell casting)

Saber Cherry

October 28th, 2003, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by atul:
Well, it seems I have exactly the same problem. And it isn't solved that easily. You see, ATI doesn't support their mobile family, because laptops are too customised, as they say on their web pages. And the Fujitsu-Siemens (my laptop is from their product line) has Last driver update from 2002. And that seems to be the only one that works...

(sorry for the grammar errors and not being clear enough, just came from bar. And why I was in a bar on monday - don't ask) Why don't you try downloading the Catalyst 3.8 (which is supposed to support the whole Radeon family)? Try installing it, and if it works, great... otherwise, it should detect during installation that it does not support your chip, and refuse to install. Worst case scenario, you have to go into safe mode to reinstall the 2002 drivers.

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 08:33 AM

what really p... me is that at work I have a windows 2000 station with an old nvidia vanta card, and without any update it manage to run at 14 fps. Thats too injust http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by atul:
Well, it seems I have exactly the same problem. And it isn't solved that easily. You see, ATI doesn't support their mobile family, because laptops are too customised, as they say on their web pages. And the Fujitsu-Siemens (my laptop is from their product line) has Last driver update from 2002. And that seems to be the only one that works...

(sorry for the grammar errors and not being clear enough, just came from bar. And why I was in a bar on monday - don't ask) Why don't you try downloading the Catalyst 3.8 (which is supposed to support the whole Radeon family)? Try installing it, and if it works, great... otherwise, it should detect during installation that it does not support your chip, and refuse to install. Worst case scenario, you have to go into safe mode to reinstall the 2002 drivers. <hr /></blockquote>been there done that. The catalyst will tell you that it dont support your video card (the mobility sub family of radeon family). We are not that simple to not have tried...

Saber Cherry

October 28th, 2003, 08:39 AM

The other possibility is to find other laptop makers that aren't lazy bums, and actually support their products... find one with a Mobility 9000... and try their drivers, if they are more recent. When I had an Ensoniq sound card, I used drivers from various places... and with my Gateway Riva 128, I used Dell drivers once, and it worked fine...

Mostly, I think ATI is protecting itself legally, and any drivers will work with any Mobility 9000. But, I've never had a laptop.

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 09:08 AM

not a bad idea, worth the try anyway.

--- launching a pack of sleuths thru the internet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 12:58 PM

it worked! I fetched a generic (laptop related I mean) driver for mobility radeon

omegacorner.com

posting in a brand new thread for those which have the problem!

Thank Saber for pointing me on this solution. I will offer you a brand new wakisashi.

Saber Cherry

October 28th, 2003, 05:13 PM

I am grateful for your generous offer, but actually it is very dangerous to be near me when I'm armed so you'd have to send it in the mail, and then make sure the delivery person left it on my porch rather than handing me the box. Bladed weapons just bring out that killer instinct, you know... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Jasper

October 28th, 2003, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by Tim Brooks:
Hi Guys. There will not be a release of the manual. We sell the manual as part of the product. If we release it electronically it just makes the pirates lives easier.

Sorry. I can understand why you're not giving it away, but I hope you consider some sort of streamlined "quick start" rules, so that people aren't simply overwhelmed by what this complex game. This is even turning off some of the normally hardcore gamers on usenet...

All you'd need would be some brief blurbs walking new players through getting a game started, and their initial first moves. A stock tutorial would do the trick.

Gandalf Parker

October 28th, 2003, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by Jasper:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Tim Brooks:
Hi Guys. There will not be a release of the manual. We sell the manual as part of the product. If we release it electronically it just makes the pirates lives easier.

Sorry. I can understand why you're not giving it away, but I hope you consider some sort of streamlined "quick start" rules, so that people aren't simply overwhelmed by what this complex game. This is even turning off some of the normally hardcore gamers on usenet...

All you'd need would be some brief blurbs walking new players through getting a game started, and their initial first moves. A stock tutorial would do the trick. <hr /></blockquote>There is that quick start PDF in the doc directory of the demo but its awfully bare-bones. Plus Im not a big fan of having such a small file be a PDF.

I think that alot of complaints could be cut off if there were default gods made and provided, plus a game in progress. That way if they start on the wrong button (not the Create God button) they still have a choice there and can get in to look.

The default game might be an Ulm player on simple settings. Slight learning curve on that one.

Pocus

October 28th, 2003, 08:33 PM

quite right. A quick start less meager, perhaps 4-5 pages, along with default gods (can be made in half an hour), and a sample Ulm game would do much for newbie friendliness.

All these cant be detrimental to the game, and can be wrapped in 4 hours max. Good return to investment I would say.

Jasper

October 29th, 2003, 02:25 AM

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
]There is that quick start PDF in the doc directory of the demo but its awfully bare-bones. Plus Im not a big fan of having such a small file be a PDF.I missed that, although I didn't really go looking for it. It would be a good idea to provide a link to it from the installer, and include a text Version.

PvK

October 29th, 2003, 03:00 AM

Hmm. Speed is acceptable but not really very good on my 1.4 GHz Athlon with GeForce 4 card... so... how is a person supposed to find better OpenGL drivers?

PvK

Saber Cherry

October 29th, 2003, 05:14 AM

www.nvidia.com (http://www.nvidia.com) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Saber Cherry

October 29th, 2003, 06:59 AM

Oh, make sure your windows is updated... you never know. Also, install Direct X 9.latest, because even though the game uses OpenGL, sometimes the latest drivers require the latest DX to install or function properly.

PvK

October 29th, 2003, 11:58 PM

No improvement from latest nVidia drivers. 9.5 FPS at 1024x768, Normal detail, no filtering. Usable, but not very good. I must need some sort of OpenGL driver.

PvK

Saber Cherry

October 30th, 2003, 12:07 AM

Try disabling sound, or updating your sound card drivers. I have a GeForce 4 4200, Athlon XP 1700+, and 512 MB DDR ram. I'm running XP Pro with all the latest updates, and... hmmm, several-month-old video drivers.

Basically, it sounds very similar to your system, but it flies on my computer. But then, what kind of GeForce 4 do you have? There are some discount models that have reduced functionality, and narrow datapaths...

At any rate, I suggest running scandisk, updating Windows (through Windows Update), defragging, updating your sound drivers, changing the sound mode (in the game) to waveout, possibly turning off the sound, and possibly disabling some features in your video card driver control panel. In that order. Good luck!

PvK

October 30th, 2003, 01:41 AM

No luck. Turning sound off even doesn't help. It's actually not really bad in practice - just the benchmark still shows 9.5 FPS, so I guess just the combat replays will be choppier than they should be. This system performs excellently with all my other 3D games. My video card is a pretty good GeForce 4, I think: Ti 4200 w. 64 MB VRAM, on AGP bus. I think all the games I usually run use DirectX rather than OpenGL, though.

PvK

Phoenix-D

October 30th, 2003, 01:42 AM

PvK, what else is on your system? I have pretty much the same setup, only with a 128MB card (its actually slower than your 64MB one though), and get around 50 FPS in the benchmark.

Psitticine

October 30th, 2003, 02:02 AM

This is weird. I have just an old GeForce 2 in my older machine, and I can get 15 fps even with the settings on the high side of neutral. I'm just using the vanilla drivers and everything too.

Could it be a sound issue? Do you get any oddities out of the audio, and have you tried benchmarking with sound turned off? (pondering)

Saber Cherry

October 30th, 2003, 02:03 AM

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
PvK, what else is on your system? I have pretty much the same setup, only with a 128MB card (its actually slower than your 64MB one though), and get around 50 FPS in the benchmark. What's the benchmark command?

PvK

October 30th, 2003, 04:47 AM

Psitticine, yep I tried turning off the sound and it didn't affect the benchmark speed.

Saber Cherry, benchmark is a button available from the Options/Graphics/Battle Detail menu - press it and wait a few seconds for the FPS measurement to appear.

Phoenix-D, my system has a Sound BLaster Live Value sound card, a joystick, a printer/scanner, and a network card. Laser mouse. 256MB DDR system RAM. 1637 MB page file, mostly not used. I shut down practically every process besides the game before running. Windows reports 92-94% resources free. Runs practically all graphics pig games quite well. The machine isn't busy doing anything else - it's just taking forever to render these graphics, as if it is using a lame driver and/or not using 3D acceleration properly, or something. I notice too that the graphics of the magic swords and spears are "wiggly" - off every six pixels or so - does it look that way on your system?

PvK

[ October 30, 2003, 02:48: Message edited by: PvK ]

LordArioch

October 30th, 2003, 05:35 AM

I'm not having as much trouble but I still wonder why my radeon 9600 pro runs normal battle detail at 14fps. This number doesnt change with changes in filtering or resolution strangely enough...but I can run Unreal Tournement 2003 at 45 fps max settings so I'd surely hope I could get a little more from dominions 2, seeing as how other people are getting 50 fps.
Low detail gives 25 fps and to get 50 i need very low detail.
I've got newest drivers and all that so it eludes me what the problem is. I blame opengl. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Saber Cherry

October 30th, 2003, 05:57 AM

I got 33 in normal, 50 in lowest, and 15 in highest. I'm running high quality now at 25. Do the battles take longer at lower framerates, or do they take the same time but play more choppily?

Phoenix-D

October 30th, 2003, 06:15 AM

"Phoenix-D, my system has a Sound BLaster Live Value sound card, a joystick, a printer/scanner, and a network card."

About the same as mine, except my stick isn't plugged in.

"Laser mouse. 256MB DDR system RAM. 1637 MB page file, mostly not used."

Close enough.

"I shut down practically every process besides the game before running. Windows reports 92-94% resources free. Runs practically all graphics pig games quite well."

Ditto..

"The machine isn't busy doing anything else - it's just taking forever to render these graphics, as if it is using a lame driver and/or not using 3D acceleration properly, or something. I notice too that the graphics of the magic swords and spears are "wiggly" - off every six pixels or so - does it look that way on your system?""

No, it doesn't seem to. Hmm..I assume you're using the latest drivers. Other than that, I'm stumped.

October 30th, 2003, 07:41 AM

Hmm, I'm running old Radeon 7200 64MB on Athlon 800 with 256 RAM, maxed filter and normal detail, and the battles run at 14-15 fps - pretty decent. Don't Nvidia drivers have something to balance out the OpenGL performance, like choose between picture quality and performance? Maybe you can tone down something like that? Is there a way to adjust the hardware acceleration through software for Nvidia cards? Maybe this is toned down?

Do the battles take longer at lower framerates, or do they take the same time but play more choppily? On low framerates (such as 4-5) they become choppy, but the difference between 14 and 30 is only in speed - arrows fly longer, e.g. but everything is still smooth.

Btw, filter affects the look of the unit sprites, while the detail level refers only to the background viewing distance, as far as I was able to tell. Is this true? If it is, than I don't mind running lower detail, since the units will still look their best with maxed filter.

LordArioch

October 30th, 2003, 08:05 AM

If your framerate is low like mine is, you can use the w key as a battle speedup of sorts. They tend to run faster at 50fps.

Pocus

October 30th, 2003, 08:26 AM

before installing a new driver, be sure to desinstall the old one, then reboot. Windows should switch to standard vga display then.

after doing that, install your new driver. If your official driver dont fix your problem, take an unofficial one at omegacorner.com

if fixed the problem for me, I downloaded an unofficial ATI driver, and now I have FPS wich shoot thru the roof!

edit :
http://www.omegacorner.com/index_nvidia.html

can do the trick

[ October 30, 2003, 06:27: Message edited by: Pocus ]

PvK

October 30th, 2003, 06:52 PM

Thanks Pocus. I saw your post in the sticky thread about that site, and visited but haven't tried it yet.

Phoenix-D, what Version of DirectX are you running?

I figured out the wiggly swords problem. I had the "filter quality" video preference set to "None", in an attempt to improve frame-rate. It actually has no effect on my frame-rate, and when I turn up the filter quality, the wobbly swords smooth out nicely.

PvK

Johan K

October 30th, 2003, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by PvK:
benchmark still shows 9.5 FPS, so I guess just the combat replays will be choppier than they should be. This system performs excellently with all my other 3D games. My video card is a pretty good GeForce 4, I think: Ti 4200 w. 64 MB VRAM, on AGP bus.Your performance is defenitely lower than it should be on a system like that. Maybe it is some timer error, try to start the game with the --fps 100 switch and see if it makes any difference. My bet though is that your driver from nvidia hasn't been installed properly.

Saber Cherry

October 30th, 2003, 07:47 PM

I should mention that the Nvidia drivers are hard to remove fully. Try this utility:

http://www.guru3d.com/detonator-destroyer/

It is designed to fully remove Nvidia drivers, and I always run it before I install new ones.

Pocus

October 30th, 2003, 08:27 PM

Saber, you are a resourceful man ... er woman ... er being.

Saber Cherry

October 30th, 2003, 08:39 PM

I'm actually a cybernetic marionette http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

LordArioch

October 30th, 2003, 09:19 PM

I tried the --fps 100 switch myself with no effect. I also tried using the omegadrivers for ati just to see if they really were optomized, but they just lowered my fps and upon reinstall of my old drivers i still get 15 fps on normal. Even running it on low i only get 25 so I find myself using the 'w' key to get battles to run at a good speed.
I have a 1.2ghz amd, 512mb ram, directx9, fresh new ati drivers, radeon 9600 pro w/ 128ram, running windows xp, etc. I also tried turning off the Anti-aliasing and anti-insotropic filtering for opengl in the control panel and it made things ugly but had no positive effect on fps.

Anyone besides me and PVK having strange framerate issues?

The NVIDIA drivers are probably hard to remove because NVIDIA is stupid. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Daynarr

October 30th, 2003, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:
I'm actually a cybernetic marionette http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I thought you are a construct. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

PvK

October 30th, 2003, 09:44 PM

Ok, I'll try to try the switch and the nVidia-driver-purge etc. tonight when I get home.

Thanks,

PvK

LordArioch

October 31st, 2003, 08:27 AM

Nobody has a clue about my speed issue?
I also had someone try it on their radeon 9700 pro and they got 20fps on normal.
Is anyone with an ATI card getting better fps than that or is dominions II part of some NVIDIA conspiracy to take over the world? I'm just noting the people running it well all have geforce cards of some description.
Course it could just be because the geforce 4 ti 4200 sold alot.

[ October 31, 2003, 07:33: Message edited by: LordArioch ]

TomWChick

November 12th, 2003, 03:41 AM

Did anyone figure out a fix for this? I just installed a Radeon 9800 card and now the same thing happens to me. I can't run the game in full screen or windowed mode. I've tried the 3.8 and 3.9 drivers, as well as those Omega drivers someone linked in the sticky thread, but nothing.

-Tom