tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959356083618071167.post7221838638177303276..comments2024-02-24T04:33:15.835-08:00Comments on Beautiful Pixels: Is Gamebryo Good Middleware?Vincent Scheibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14142807255428586912noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959356083618071167.post-1134025708035415732009-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:002009-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:00Hello anonymous customer, you've got a range of po...Hello anonymous customer, you've got a range of points. Thanks for commenting. I moderate comments on the blog (after noticing spam getting through) but I've still posted your criticisms. I hope you've contacted support to discuss these issues, but let me respond publicly to some of these.<BR/><BR/>Live source branch: No, we don't currently offer this. We offer major, and minor versions (e.g. 2.6) after robust internal testing. Incremental releases (e.g. 2.2.1) have limited changes, and selective testing. Patches are released frequently on an as needed basis, rolling up critical fixes and all bug fixes up until that time. Customers are delivered individual fixes for any priority items for them via support email.<BR/><BR/>Roadmap, and knowing what we're working on: We have product managers who will respond to customers with our roadmaps. Before implementing a feature, we recommend customers write into support to see what Emergent may be doing with that feature, the time frame, and receive suggestions for how clients might best implement the feature.<BR/><BR/>Animation code: Gamebryo 2.6 had a significant optimization pass, and we are happy to report improved memory and speed in our animation system. Regarding "code keeps rebuild matrixes", I'm not entirely sure what you mean there, it is easy to use the system in a non-optimal way. Again, contact support with your use case.<BR/><BR/>Fixed function and legacy code: Yes, Gamebryo supports AAA games across PS3 and 360, down to much older fixed function PCs popular in Asia. Gamebryo has also been on the market over 10 years. We do regularly rearchitect and clean up legacy systems -- but that doesn't mean we gut everything. The most significant examples are the 2.0 release that required shader capable hardware which split from the 1.x version. Also, the 2.5 version that contains a complete geometry system rewrite. There are fast code paths that ignore older fixed function architectures, again, contact support with your particular use case.<BR/><BR/>It's hard to offer a perfect product at a competitive price, but we do strive for that. In the end, I believe customers are receiving significant value for their dollar, and are saving years of redundant engineering time to have a solid starting point.Vincent Scheibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14142807255428586912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959356083618071167.post-72832521238106488992009-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:002009-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:00Gamebyro doesn't provide a live readonly source br...Gamebyro doesn't provide a live readonly source branch. Getting updates or fixes are a crap shoot. We never know what you guys are working on so we have to write our own fixes. Animation code is sooo slow; code keeps rebuild matrixes. Lots of Fix Function and legacy code.<BR/><BR/>I agree on the tools the Max exporters are good. The sceneviewer/animation viewer are lacking and need to combined.<BR/><BR/>PS3 code barely functions. Xbox/PC code is very stable and works. Animation system being the problem area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959356083618071167.post-17156538075241037472008-10-07T11:30:00.000-07:002008-10-07T11:30:00.000-07:00I would add too more very important features: int...I would add too more very important features: integration with other middleware and tools. <BR/><BR/>I would give Gamebryo a B for middleware integration... you guys do a good job of initial integration, but sometimes don't keep up with changes by the middleware companies. <BR/><BR/>I would give Gamebryo a D for tools... your exporters from Max, Maya, etc are fine, but the rest of the tools have a lot of problems - most glaring is the non-standard camera that is difficult to use and even flips around as you change camera tools.<BR/><BR/>As for all of the other items mentioned in the article, I would give you guys a B or better in all of those categories.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the great work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com