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I can explain. For once I feel smart!
Posted By: rolandk73Date: 2/14/10 10:07 a.m.

In Response To: I have a question... (stan)


As I flash game programmer (retired), I experience many problems with running out of RAM. Over time, I discovered tricks that would allow me to save on RAM. For example, one object (IE elite) inserted into my game multiple times in a level would use RAM for each Elite. However, if I save the Elite in the file and tell it to duplicate the existing elite at the start, it saves the one file and just doubles it. The memory only needs the data from one Elite. In short, I found a little cheat that let me save on system resources without losing gameplay.

Here's a simpler example. Programming works through a series of Q&A's. It seems simple, but one level in even a small flash game can have hundreds of questions (which must be constantly asked as the player moves and plays) at the same time. Each action often has dozens or even hundreds of questions connected to it that must be answered in a split second. The processor must handle all of them simultaneously. Here is an example of such a question series. *Note they would actually be in C++ and seem like gibberish. Think of this as a translation.

If shot by sniper bullet w/ standard shields, ask headshot. If headshot, go to death animation, give point and medal to player and ask if player has gotten any other kills. Check for killing sprees and multikills. If player shot not in head, -all shields. If player had recent overshield, no damage. All cases, subtract one bullet from sniper cartridge. Sniper out of ammo? If player has more ammo, activate reload animation.

This series could go on and on. However, there could be ways to cut out questions that aren't completely necessary. As the team has time to remove more and more needless questions, they have more and more RAM to add other useful questions.

An improved engine would also lead to less lag. Lag is caused when the game is losing track of questions that are being asked by one xbox (representing one player) and sent to be answered by another xbox (representing another player). For example, when you shoot a player in the head with a sniper and he doesn't die, it's because your xbox was unable to get a response about the player's health. Therefore, it assumes he's fine. Glitches also arise from these questions. A crash can often be the result from a paradox in the question series. The system cannot decide the answer, so it ends the session.

I am a smart person! =)

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Message Index



Replies:

I have a question...stan 2/14/10 1:12 a.m.
     Re: I have a question...Wildcard Tim 2/14/10 1:43 a.m.
     Re: I have a question...Hawaiian Pig 2/14/10 1:47 a.m.
           You almost gave me a seizure! Careful with that! *NM*Avateur 2/14/10 2:18 a.m.
     Re: I have a question...Rosco-128 2/14/10 1:52 a.m.
     Re: I have a question...Stuntmutt 2/14/10 2:38 a.m.
     Re: I have a question...Blackstar 2/14/10 7:35 a.m.
     I can explain. For once I feel smart!rolandk73 2/14/10 10:07 a.m.
     Re: I have a question...Ibeechu 2/14/10 10:28 a.m.
     The million dollar questionCody Miller 2/16/10 1:48 a.m.
           Re: You buying Reach now are you? *NM*Hedgemony 2/16/10 2:14 a.m.
           Re: The million dollar questionSimpsons Rule 2/16/10 6:09 a.m.
                 If the NES could do it, I'm sure the 360 can.General Vagueness 2/16/10 9:52 a.m.
                       Re: If the NES could do it, I'm sure the 360 can.Stephen L. (SoundEffect) 2/16/10 10:59 a.m.
                             Re: If the NES could do it, I'm sure the 360 can.General Vagueness 2/16/10 1:17 p.m.
                                   Re: If the NES could do it, I'm sure the 360 can.Cody Miller 2/16/10 1:27 p.m.
                                         If you read Deadpoolrolandk73 2/16/10 10:58 p.m.
                 Re: The million dollar questionShishka 2/16/10 11:11 a.m.
                       Easy solutionrolandk73 2/16/10 11:17 a.m.
                       Re: The million dollar questionCody Miller 2/16/10 11:26 a.m.
                             Re: The million dollar questionRoss Mills 2/16/10 11:53 a.m.
                                   Re: The million dollar questionCody Miller 2/16/10 11:56 a.m.
                                         Re: The million dollar questionGeneral Vagueness 2/16/10 1:36 p.m.
                                         Wow. Bitter and disgruntled much? *NM*Phoenix_9286 2/16/10 3:10 p.m.
                                               You don't know the half of it. *NM*General Vagueness 2/16/10 3:23 p.m.
                                                     Apparently.... *NM*Phoenix_9286 2/16/10 4:01 p.m.
                                         Re: The million dollar questionDocument 2/16/10 7:12 p.m.
                       Re: The million dollar questionnash--housewares 2/16/10 11:28 a.m.
                       Re: The million dollar questionGeneral Vagueness 2/16/10 1:20 p.m.
                             Auto-save nightmareRockslider 2/17/10 1:09 p.m.
                                   Re: Auto-save nightmareMiguel Chavez 2/18/10 1:19 a.m.
                                   Re: Auto-save nightmareThorsHammer 2/18/10 12:19 p.m.
                 Re: The million dollar questionEvil Otto 2/16/10 11:25 a.m.
                       Re: The million dollar questionCody Miller 2/16/10 11:28 a.m.
                             Re: The million dollar questionShishka 2/16/10 11:34 a.m.
                                   Coffee power-up confirmed in Reach! *NM*rolandk73 2/16/10 11:43 a.m.
                                   SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINMiguel Chavez 2/16/10 12:29 p.m.
                                         Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINShishka 2/16/10 1:27 p.m.
                                         Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINMercury 2/16/10 1:34 p.m.
                                               Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINCody Miller 2/16/10 2:42 p.m.
                                         Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINDocument 2/16/10 1:58 p.m.
                                               Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINMercury 2/16/10 2:08 p.m.
                                               Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINGeneral Vagueness 2/16/10 2:18 p.m.
                                                     Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINnash--housewares 2/16/10 2:27 p.m.
                                                           Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINDrDoctor 2/17/10 5:29 a.m.
                                                                 Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINnash--housewares 2/17/10 7:44 a.m.
                                                     Ah, never mind.nash--housewares 2/16/10 2:42 p.m.
                                               Re: SHISHKA, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAINMiguel Chavez 2/16/10 10:46 p.m.
                                         Needs to be QUIT WITHOUT SAVING, not QUITRockslider 2/17/10 12:32 p.m.
                                               NOMiguel Chavez 2/18/10 1:09 a.m.
                                                     Re: NORockslider 2/18/10 7:51 a.m.
                                                     Re: NOThorsHammer 2/18/10 12:11 p.m.
                       Re: The million dollar questionThorsHammer 2/16/10 10:41 p.m.
                       Re: The million dollar questionSimpsons Rule 2/16/10 11:37 p.m.
                             Re: The million dollar questionThorsHammer 2/18/10 12:38 p.m.
                 Yes please, QUIT WITHOUT SAVING *longish*Rockslider 2/17/10 12:14 p.m.
     Simple solutionGeneral Vagueness 2/18/10 1:56 p.m.



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