Games development

[Antler]

I was wondering if someone could answer a quick question for me. I don't know much about games development, so I was wondering: Is it up to the individuals in the development companies to buy the hardware? I can see this as being quite expensive, as they'd need to buy new graphics cards each time one with new effects came out. Also, what do you do with the old cards, CPUs, etc?

Or do you have some kind of agreements with hardware manufacturers to get new equipment as long as you return the old, or something like that?

Thanks in advance.

[Aragorn]

Most of the time, this stuff can just be stolen.



Hope this helps.



Ara'

[jhook]

Antler,
Please don't attempt to steel anything as the Troll would suggest. I think most of the modern card will be just fine running "Fighter Ops". But to get the full set of graphics, I think, only the newer cards will be able to display all of the graphical eye candy. As for recycling your old stuff, well, I'm putting together a second computer that will run all of the older games on a Voodoo 5 5500 card I still have lying around. The newer cards/computers are having more problems running older games. :cry:

[Vlerkies]

I also got one of those at home purely for all the older games, it ain't even running XP it's running Win 98 :D

:military:


~S~

[Stuntie]

The company buys the hardware.

Often they will will have separate dev machines which can be 'cleaned' and reconfigured easily.
The case will not be screwed up, so you can open it and repalce a card or two, or add/remove memory etc.
Also you can get software that can 'reload' an OS to create a clean system onto which you can install the product to be tested. (and any drivers for the changed cards etc.)

If you have a couple of these to represent the major CPU types you can swap cards and stuff to check with various combinations (e.g. AMD + nVidia card).

You will only need to buy the occasional card as most are 'families' that have little real difference apart from speed and memory- e.g. the nVidia 9xxx series.

Testing on a 'wide range' of systems is one of the Beta tester tasks, as most Beta testers will have a different system to each other.



I have a 'cleanable' system that I use at work when I need to test stuff.
We don't do card changes as the stuff I work on doesn't need it.

[Vlerkies]

Very well and clearly explained bud :thumbsup:

:drink: :drink:


:military:

~S~

[Antler]

Antler,
Please don't attempt to steel anything as the Troll would suggest. I think most of the modern card will be just fine running "Fighter Ops". But to get the full set of graphics, I think, only the newer cards will be able to display all of the graphical eye candy. As for recycling your old stuff, well, I'm putting together a second computer that will run all of the older games on a Voodoo 5 5500 card I still have lying around. The newer cards/computers are having more problems running older games. :cry:
I guess I'll have to put away my black balaclava then... :lol:


The company buys the hardware.

Often they will will have separate dev machines which can be 'cleaned' and reconfigured easily.
The case will not be screwed up, so you can open it and repalce a card or two, or add/remove memory etc.
Also you can get software that can 'reload' an OS to create a clean system onto which you can install the product to be tested. (and any drivers for the changed cards etc.)

If you have a couple of these to represent the major CPU types you can swap cards and stuff to check with various combinations (e.g. AMD + nVidia card).

You will only need to buy the occasional card as most are 'families' that have little real difference apart from speed and memory- e.g. the nVidia 9xxx series.

Testing on a 'wide range' of systems is one of the Beta tester tasks, as most Beta testers will have a different system to each other.

I have a 'cleanable' system that I use at work when I need to test stuff.
We don't do card changes as the stuff I work on doesn't need it.

Thanks Stuntie!

:drink: :drink: :drink: :drink: :drink: :drink:

[Charlie_VFP]

I was waiting for someone to mention beta testers. :)

[Aragorn]

Jsook..... DUDE....!!?

SPELLING..... 'k...?


SPELLING.......... :roll:

[Charlie_VFP]

ARAGORN.... DUDE.....

RELEVANCY!!!

Sorry, couldn't help it.

[Aragorn]

HAH.........!!!! :mrgreen:

ONE POINT to TEZZA..........!!!!



I've been VERY VERY mean to Captain Hook, and I must apologise.

I "must" - but I shan't.


ANYWAY - TEZZA......... You're leading "1" point to "NIL".




BUT - (as you may have noticed) I'm TOO MATURE to respond.


Ara G. Orn. OUT. :thumbsup:

[Charlie_VFP]

So I noticed. :mrgreen:

[the.joker]

Hi all :)
I'm a noob :D
Is this game in beta testing now? :P

[Aragorn]

Hi all :)
I'm a noob :D
Is this game in beta testing now? :P

HAH....!! :mrgreen:


And who are you REALLY - behind that black leather mask.....?


8)

[the.joker]

And who are you REALLY - behind that black leather mask.....? 8)
You confuse with Batman... The Joker don't have a "black leather mask" :D

But, is it the right place to talk about it? ;)

[Aragorn]

But, is it the right place to talk about it? ;)

Is it the right place to PRETEND you're a "Noob".....?

My "bat sense" tells me otherwise.... :wink:


Psychic Smurf :|

[jhook]

Aragorn wrote,

I've been VERY VERY mean to Captain Hook, and I must apologise.

I "must" - but I shan't.


Captain hook?, :lol: nope, that's not me, but I am hooked!!! :drink:
So, everyone, get "hooked", get "J hooked" :lol:

[the.joker]

Is it the right place to PRETEND you're a "Noob".....?
And what about my first question? Can you use your "bat sense" for it? :P

Edit: not necessary... I've read the faq. No hornet flyable... it's a great deception :(