The computer requirements are always going to be an issue. But the fact is, modern computers are fast. I know there's a strong desire to provide a place for people trying to play DF with a Commodore 64 or an Amiga, but Toady's already done away with graphic requirement issues, which is a big deal by itself.
Commodores and Amigas? Come on now. A LOT of people have trouble running DF at playable speeds on relatively modern computers. Not everybody has a brand-spanking new computer. Granted, I don't think the new underground features are going to kill people's computers as much as others might think, but that's not the point. DF is, in fact, extremely processor-intensive.
Also, the graphics requirement issues are only "done away with" for the people for whom the new graphics options
actually work. There are a lot of combinations of options, and not all of them work for everyone; in fact, in my case, it seems like none of them do.
I haven't had a brand new computer since the 90's, and I've been saving up for a great one for years (almost $1800 at $12.50 a paycheck, when I could afford it.). I want DF to live up to it's potential, and to the investment that I'm making. I also don't want Toady's vision of the game to be compromised.
I understand this, but if Toady didn't make any concessions at all we'd be in a real mess. The question is where to draw the line, and HOW these new features might impact processing. The post you quoted also mentioned other concerns anyway, like irrational pathing.
I know people can't afford new computers (I'm one of them, it's a computer or a new bed, and I'm pretty tired of sleeping at a 45 degree angle on broken box-springs), and I don't want to sound mercenary, but people with higher end computers are more likely to have more money to donate, so I think our needs should be considered, too.
I know it's probably not what you're getting at here, but you make it sound like people with high-end computers "need" more CPU-intensive programming than the rest of us. They don't. They're just able to handle it better. It's not as if you're actually suffering anything for having a computer higher than the base system requirements.
I say, if you're playing DF on a Tandy or some shit, then stop. Just stop. Save up, collect cans, sell blood, do what you need to do, and get a stripped down computer with a good processor, a lot of ram, a high-end heat sink, and absolutely no frills. It will free your life.
There you go sounding insulting again, especially with the Tandy bit.
Not everybody can afford to blow even 2-3 hundred bucks on a newish, decent computer. Some of us have to work, pay for college, living, etc. and don't have that kind of disposable income, period. From what you've said, you seem what that's like, so try not to sound so condescending. The fact that so many people have trouble running DF at playable framerates shows that it ISN'T just a problem with the extreme low-end of the spectrum.
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Topic: Future of the Fortress: List of Remaining Items (Read 3578314 times)