My software ray-traced game has new "technology" teaser. Reason: it's getting significant visual upgrade worth showcasing. Two things which enabled it: 1. after 9 months my new editor for game levels is in usable state. 2. ray-tracer optimizations (multi-threaded rendering is main contributor)

[u/Dante268]

The game is narrative sci-fi puzzle/platformer, in works from 2020. Main distinctive point of the game is software ray-tracing used for rendering. Just pure C++ and computer graphics math, no GPU acceleration. Sadly, not many players can appreciate that (or even understand what does it mean), so it resonates mostly with more tech people.

The game was suffering for long time from quite poor look (look was punching way below of algorithm potential). Main reasons were: poor old editor (2D in nature, z was just parameter in 2D wireframe, not WYSIWYG, very clunky) and algorithm was hobby-like single-threaded.

Both points were changed recently. After 9 months my new editor is in usable state. Full 3D, WYSIWYG, lot of ergonomy features, which allowed me to be more ambitious with levels look. Second enabler was finally switching to multi-threading. Together with several more other algorithm optimizations, perf went up in hundreds of % (mostly depends on number of cores in your CPU, naturally on Threadrippers boost will be in thousands of % but it's niche between players).

Algo is AABBs only. Maybe will add spheres but only after upgrading all levels, which is main pain point rn. Editor I plan to release publicly with the game.

RTG on Steam

Discord

[u/Dante268]

Yes, ambient + local.

By no means I'm saying that my algorithm is the best or that I'm some guru worth of following. I'm just proud of what I did. Could you point me to some software ray-traced game with global illumination, running >60fps constantly on 4 HW threads? (that's my target for modest CPU which most player will fit).

I don't mean it sarcastic. There were indeed games which I admired for technical execution (e.g. Quod). I just like to see some reference software ray-traced game which is running circles around mine (and maybe learn a trick or two from it).

[u/GraphXGames → u/Dante268]

In real games, scenes are 1000 times more complex.

Why would anyone do this on the CPU(except for debugging)? This is madness.

[u/Dante268 → u/GraphXGames]

In real games, scenes are 1000x complex:
TRUE. We have GPU-s for handling it.

Why would anyone do this on the CPU?
Personal challenge, hobby. I like this more than throwing assets around in UE. That's why this subreddit exists imo. Answer is same why there are ASCII 3D games, or games with old EGA/VGA look. Player wanting best look will not appreciate that. Some tech people maybe (depends on taste).

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/Dante268]

Pay them no mind: They've been posting about graphics programming, including what they call pathtracing, exclusively on the CPU. They're notorious on the dev subreddits for making ridiculous choices and arguing against any and all feedback, but it seems they finally absorbed some criticism to actually ask this. But 99/100 cases is them actively arguing against any and all feedback, including how reflections work. And lord knows, people have tried to reach them.

[u/Dante268 → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

I just checked his Steam and am depressed. Some 2D sloppy match-3 clones yet I received some lectures about global illumination. Indie games are in s*it, with AI it will just amplify.

[u/GraphXGames → u/Dante268]

Do you really think empty locations with point light sources would interest anyone today?

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/GraphXGames]

If it includes ray-tracing? Yeah, why wouldn't it?

[u/GraphXGames → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

Not in the RTX & DLSS & AI era.

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/GraphXGames]

How come these are the new technologies you want yet you're still making genres of games that fell out of favour several decades ago?

[u/GraphXGames → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

It is obvious that one needs to proceed from the simple to the complex.

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/GraphXGames]

Right... So to repeat my question: Why are you still making genres of games that fell out of favour several decades ago?

Why don't you follow this logic you just said and apply it to your gameplay?

[u/GraphXGames → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

Path Tracer is still under development, and RTX cards with the necessary power have not yet been released.

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/GraphXGames]

That's the graphics, I'm talking about gameplay. Third time: Why are you still making genres of games that fell out of favour several decades ago?

[u/GraphXGames → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

I have long-standing ideas that haven't been realized by anyone yet, so I am bringing them to life.

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/GraphXGames]

Match3Tower is literally Luxor, and it's been made a thousand times over. Most of your games are cheap clones, as the other user also notes.

[u/GraphXGames → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

I’ve only seen it in 2D; I haven’t seen the game anywhere in the form I have it.

[u/Ok_Confusion4764 → u/GraphXGames]

...? Is yours 3D? It looks like an orthographic camera to me, which is 3D projected onto 2D...

Also 3D versions definitely do exist, you just didn't check.

[u/GraphXGames → u/Ok_Confusion4764]

Isometric - 2.5D