Question: Average (map) loading time

([ls.leodavinci]) #1

There has been some beta testing till now, so I wonder if there are any figures about the average loading time. Maybe it has been in an interview and I didnt read it well… then please post a link for me, much appreciated. 8)

Hope someone can me help out on the following questions.

  1. How long does it take to load the game - from the join server screen till you are in the game? (on a new gaming PC - on an average PC)
  2. How much will higher detail settings have impact on the average loading time? (on a new gaming PC - on an average PC)

If you consider CS:Source and BF2 … there is a huge difference in loading times. I wonder how the ETQW-code performs when it comes down to loading time.

Have a nice Easter all !

(NoControl) #2

I would say it will be about the same as Quake4 loadings, maybe a tad longer, let’s say ~15-20 secs on latest hardware, ~25 secs on older. I don’t see why they would be insanely long.

(RosOne) #3

Bigger maps maybe? Megatexture? More/less shaders? More/less sounds? More/less models? More less vehicles? More/less textures?

I don’t think you can compare the loading times with any other D3-engine title.

(Bongoboy) #4

Obviously, with all the Beta Testers under NDA’s and unable to say anything, you wouldn’t want to put them in an impossible moral dilemma, would you?

Anway, until our code monkeys have finished their Optimising songs and dances, the Beta load times really aren’t going to tell you much about the finished game. We wouldn’t want you to get your hopes down, any more than up.

(ToonarmY) #5

bf2 loading takes anything from 45secs to 5 minutes :o

(kamikazee) #6

BF2 is no reference. Tell me, how long does it take to open the menu?

(McAfee) #7

It takes about the same time it takes a Tapir to cross the road.

The slower the computer the fatter the Tapir.
High details makes your Tapir gain too much carbs.
If you have integrated graphics, then your tapir only has 1 leg.

(Nail) #8

now, that’s funny

(murka) #9

:rofl:

(space) #10

If the game actually has decent multiplayer… then I will wait FIVE FUCKING MINUTES PER MAP.

The games on the market suck ass SO FUCKING MUCH RIGHT NOW that I’m back to playing q4 freeze tag.

If splash damage can deliver on 12% of thier promises then this game will KICK THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF EVERY PIECE OF CRAP TITLE I HAVE WASTED MY MONEY ON IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF!!!

/end rant

(ktr) #11

5 mins = Initial caching of most used files + caching of specific files to map + PB file check to check for modified files

45 secs = specific files to map + PB file check to check for modified files

PB file checks are so retarded, i would say about 75-85% of the loading time is do to this. See it for yourself, time it how long it sits and waits on “verifying client data.”

It would been ideal to do file checks when the game starts up (intro video, log-in screen, producer logo, dev logo…etc)…

(Nail) #12

those are sever enabled checks, hard to do when you’re not connected

(Sauron|EFG) #13

I’d say there’s no limit to how long time loading a map can take given bad enough hardware. :smiley:

Lots of people have had problems with ET map loads taking so long time that PB times out (>3 minutes I think), while it only takes a few seconds for people with enough RAM in their machines.

(ktr) #14

Ideally, faster hard drives such as raid 0 multiple drives, WD raptors, or ram drives (gigabyte I-RAM) would be highly beneficial to loading times.

(murka) #15

better hardware=better load speed

(Strogg) #16

dude CHILL Take a riddle’n :huh:

(CodE-E) #17

Raptors are indeed pure ownage when it comes to game (and general) loading performance. I bought a 150GB Raptor about a year ago and it was totally worth it.

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2690&p=7 - there are some Doom 3 loading time benchmarks there at the bottom which shows how much of a difference a good harddisk can make.

(CodE-E) #18

bah, misclicked >_<

(FireFly) #19

I’ve never played bf2 but my god: 5 mins to load a map?

(murka) #20

i tried the bf2142 demo and only time it took 5mins was when i first played and then it had to optimize shaders