Stacking special effects

Is it possible for there to be an option that removes this?

https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/307642
This is described in the link provided, but I thought it would be useful to actually create a thread requesting this.

To put this in perspective, here are my specifications:

2.2 GHZ C2D
160 GB 7200 RPM HDD
8600M GT 512MB DDR2
3 GB RAM

I run the game on max settings, excepting anti-aliasing and bloom, at a resolution of 1680 x 1050.  I will happily say that this game runs spectacularly, and with beautiful graphics.  Beyond that, I simply love it, and will continue to for some time.  I can't possibly stress enough how pleased I am with Stardock, Ironclad, and Sins.

With my disclaimer of love out of the way, I'll move on to my criticism and request.

The game's special effects are generally well-done, but when they stack . . . oh boy.  Especially with the Advent effects (specifically, the Guardian's shield boost, as mentioned in the link), I have found this to be a huge performance issue that has no aesthetic value.  It becomes difficult to see what is happening when these effects are triggered in a large fleet, but more importantly, it crushes performance.  What is smooth gameplay becomes staggered and choked.

I realize that there are many workarounds for this problem.  I could zoom out, I'm sure, and I could of course reduce my resolution.  I could also turn these abilities off, and auto trigger them myself (whoo!  fun one!).  That said, it would be much, much more convenient to simply be able to set it so that only once instance of this effect can run at once.

I recognize that these effects usefully show the area that they are affecting, and so I would suggest that the size of the effect be scaled to cover this area.  It's simply not necessary, and is unpleasant, to have this trigger in ten places at the same time.

Besides, I think that if not for this problem, I could probably turn bloom on and AA to max.  What an exciting prospect!

Anyways, I love this game, and hope you'll consider this.  I realize that it may be difficult to do, and I'll live if this doesn't happen, but it'd be nice.

:D
8,236 views 9 replies
Reply #1 Top
I have to second this, if I am Advent fighting Advent with large fleets, I cant even see my ships, it just becomes a blinding pure whiteness. And if I zoom in I can barely see them, and Ive had my computer lockup. I have a 2.4 duo with a 8600mt card, and no graphical issues except for this.

My suggestion would be for the computer to only draw new areas filled in by the aura, so that overlapping auras dont ever become more opaque. Or for the opacity to be capped at 2x or 3x the normal opacity of the effect, not reaching the "where are my ships blinding whiteness" of now.
Reply #2 Top
I don't even get any noticeable graphical issues from this. It is, for me, a matter of performance.
Reply #3 Top
I realize that this is bad manners, but . . .

. . . bump.
Reply #4 Top
agree on this.

my system also can't handle very large advent fleets with loads of guardians.

2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo
GF8600 GTS 256 MB
2 GB RAM DDR2-667

it's usually barely playable - no total lockups but extreme fps dropdowns from my usual 40-60 down to 10 and below.
Reply #5 Top
does the latest patch address this at all, or perhaps make it worse now that Illuminators are stronger? Has anyone checked?
Reply #6 Top
no it doesn't
Reply #7 Top
badunkabump
Reply #8 Top
It should be noted that those are hardly high end video cards (8600) - the 7800/7900 series had better DX9 performance then they do.

I have 't been able to get any lockups like this
Q6600
8GB RAM
3870X2
Vista Ultimate
Reply #9 Top
It should be noted that those are hardly high end video cards (8600) - the 7800/7900 series had better DX9 performance then they do.I have 't been able to get any lockups like thisQ66008GB RAM3870X2Vista Ultimate
End of quote


and is this with large Advent vs Advent fleets? the only time i have massive slowdowns are during these fights.