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Megatexture was simply a technology before it's time. The problem is that there just isn't a way to ship the data set right now that you need to support it pro

Megatexture was simply a technology before it's time. The problem is that there just isn't a way to ship the data set right now that you need to support it properly. The hardware is there, the infrastructure is not. They really needed to ship several hundred gigs of textures to do it justice. Right now you can't realistically deliver that to players. Now certainly basing a game off a technology that isn't ready for prime time is a mistake, but the technology itself is very impressive and the underlying concept will come back when the internet is fast enough that you can realistically expect someone to download a half terabyte game.

ekianjo 12y ago
> Now certainly basing a game off a technology that isn't ready for prime time is a mistake, but the technology itself is very impressive and the underlying concept will come back when the internet is fast enough that you can realistically expect someone to download a half terabyte game. Well I agree with your statement, but I'm not sure the tech is worth it in the end. The current tech is advancing faster than the Megatexture one, and by the time the Megatexture becomes a reality again, we won't need it anymore. Look at all games coming out in 1 to 2 years, they look fantastic while still relying on traditional texture concepts. On a side note, it did not help to sell the technology that Rage was a notoriously bad game (just like Doom3, but hey, it's not a popular opinion apparently not to like having monsters jumping at you right when you open a door).
- teamonkey 12y ago
  What do you mean by the current tech? I bet every streaming world engine programmer has look at megatextures and some of its concepts are in open world games available right now. Similarly the fast hard-edged shadows from Doom 3 were ahead of the curve. And although I agree that as games Doom 3 and Rage were just OK, Carmack is known for his tech; I don't think he gets involved on the game design side.

ekianjo 12y ago

> Now certainly basing a game off a technology that isn't ready for prime time is a mistake, but the technology itself is very impressive and the underlying concept will come back when the internet is fast enough that you can realistically expect someone to download a half terabyte game. Well I agree with your statement, but I'm not sure the tech is worth it in the end. The current tech is advancing faster than the Megatexture one, and by the time the Megatexture becomes a reality again, we won't need it anymore. Look at all games coming out in 1 to 2 years, they look fantastic while still relying on traditional texture concepts. On a side note, it did not help to sell the technology that Rage was a notoriously bad game (just like Doom3, but hey, it's not a popular opinion apparently not to like having monsters jumping at you right when you open a door).

teamonkey 12y ago
What do you mean by the current tech? I bet every streaming world engine programmer has look at megatextures and some of its concepts are in open world games available right now. Similarly the fast hard-edged shadows from Doom 3 were ahead of the curve. And although I agree that as games Doom 3 and Rage were just OK, Carmack is known for his tech; I don't think he gets involved on the game design side.