Jumping into the 3d era

[Lexx]

(or: how we learned to not be that flat anymore.)

A long time has passed since we released our last developer video and really, it was about time this changed. The new developers video features a topic that we have been working on for some months and we are proud to finally have it in a shape to present it to the public: 3D models.

We decided to move the FOnline engine from a pure 2d to a 2.5d engine, due to the fact that sprite editing is a long and tiresome job. With every change on the player characters, it is nesaccary to edit more than 10.000 single images, even if it's something simple like a different hair color or a new armor type. The use of 3D models helps us in developing more and diversified content in a shorter timer span and still keep the look and feel of the original games.

After the release of the first 3d model converter for the Van Buren models (Van Buren - the code name of the cancled Fallout 3 by Interplay, for the ones who don't know it), we thought it was a great idea to reuse the material we could get out of the tech demo that has been released in 2007. Even if not complete, the build featured character models with already more than 90 animations and a lot customisations for body type or hair and beard styles.

In the third developers video, Anton "Cvet" Tsvetinskiy, FOnline main programmer, is talking about the details of how the new 3d critters are working and will work in the future of FOnline: 2238. Check it out:

Videos & Audio on ModDB or YouTube.

The first update-wave will introduce 3d models for the animal creatures, such as models for the rats, ants, venus mantrap, thorn slinger, desert stalker or the lovely rad toads. Also a big content update is going to hit the server, which includes new game features and quests for both, PvP and PvE-friends.

In combination with this, the server has to undergo a full wipe. This will happen in approx one or two weeks at most, when the update will be available on the public server.

As an appendix, beside the video, here are some actual ingame screenshots:

Image 1, Image 2,
Image 3, Image 4,
Image 5, Image 6,
Image 7, Image 8

- Cvet & Rotators

[Izual]

Maybe the best and biggest news since the first FOnline engine was released. Awesome.

[Neuromancer]

Ace dude, I love it. Hope to see this implemented for everyone ASAP.

BTW. I would like to see more blood there in scene where 3 paladins kill those creatures ... they should rip them into pieces.

Best regards.

[Winston Wolf]

As I said on the NMA forum, I love it and I can't wait for it.

[Lexx]

BTW. I would like to see more blood there in scene where 3 paladins kill those creatures ... they should rip them into pieces.

Gore animations and particle effects are still on the to do list. Right now, there is no blood or splatter visible on the 3d models.

[GroeneAppel]

Just wow!
Great work! Will the server crashes be fixed aswell when the wipe happens?

[Wipe]

(...) Will the server crashes be fixed aswell when the wipe happens?

I will quote Ghosthack here and i hope he don't slap me for that:

We hope that crashes are gone after wipe. If not, we'll hunt it until it is.

[Winston Wolf]

Stupid question:

Will all NPC's get the new models or just a few? (like BoS-Soldiers.)

[bikkebakke]

Really nice, animations looks really smooth with 3d models. Also like your armor and helmet idea

 Cant wait to see more updates about it.

[Pozzo]

AWESOME !!!
you devs of FOnline 2238 told us few weeks ago that you were working on big new features. Were you talking about that or will you add something new on your side ?

[Lexx]

AWESOME !!!
you devs of FOnline 2238 told us few weeks ago that you were working on big new features. Were you talking about that or will you add something new on your side ?

It's the 3d and some other new content, which will be addressed to later.

[Kharaam]

nice nice nice! Awesome job, however- wipe "and no refunds" i guess? this is no trouble...
I really like the Rad Toads- hilarious!
keep up the good work!

[cerberix]

Very good, however, these models look a bit strange. This event certainly try but well, it will be possible to create an interesting character. There will be no problems with doing new characters and editing 10,000 sprites  . The only pity is that it is in Van Buren. Here, too, are interesting models http://fonline2238.net/forum/index.php?topic=670.15

[bikkebakke]

I  hope you do a "sit" animation, the one most important animation that doesnt exist in current fonline

Just a question, will there be only standing in fonline or will you add crouching/lying down for extra aim, or is that too much work

[cerberix]

I understand that players will only models in 3D? the rest should be no changes to save the climate F1 & F2:)