Graphics for mobile devices

[semyonkirov 29,038]

We are sure many of you have already heard about the new graphics being developed for Tanki Online.
It’s not a secret anymore than the game will be available both on desktops and mobile devices (smartphones and tablets).
Providing the same gameplay for TO on different platforms is a truly challenging task. Same goes to graphics.
 
Vitaly Semyonov, our 3D artist, decided to tell us more about it:



"It is commonly known that mobile devices are significantly weaker than desktop PCs in terms of performance, which makes launching a modern PC game on a smartphone with decent FPS impossible.
This circumstance forces developers to do completely different versions of games for specific platforms. Of course, this approach leaves interaction between players of different platforms (or even same gaming experience) out of the question.
However, when it comes to a PvP-oriented game with relatively simple gameplay and contents (like Tanki Online), making it work and look the same way on all possible platforms is a feasible task.
The main challenge in this case is to adapt the initial and perfect desktop version for mobile devices. To do this, there are several commonly known techniques in video games industry."



"Optimization methods are:
- Levels of detail (LOD). All assets made for the game initially have several levels of detail that can be used in case it is necessary to follow the “weaker hardware - lуыы details” rule. Usually each next LOD has 2 times less polygons than the previous one.
- Simplifying materials. Weaker software is capable of processing less shader materials and effects (such as volumetric textures, glares, reflections, translucency, etc.). That is why most of them are disabled in mobile versions.
- Simpler lighting algorithms. Using things like vertex lighting and light-mapping allows for acceptable graphics on relatively slow hardware."



Obviously, the information provided can be considered technical or even boring by some tankers. Let us know in comments if you want to read more articles like that later!

[JL6H 1,220]

Epic

[vineet.devil2 14]

Thanks for sharing this info.. Now i and some other players can play tanki on smartphone and tab so much thanks to you :) hope it will come soon 

Edited February 19, 2014 by vineet.devil2

[POWERFULLSOUL 78]

nice :) 

TO keep improving daily :P 

[r_aby120 25]

Nice

[Afro_Samurai 240]

Will it be playable on older mobile devices, such as a 2nd generation iPod?  The older mobile devices are slower than the ones today.

[emre-bmx 485]

Cant wait !

[robke866 2]

Awesome! (Y)

[kskli 325]

hayırlısı be  gülüm  :)

[sKy167 10]

Awesome

[zhyarmarf 3]

niceee (y) :wub:

 

 

[TariQ99 104]

:p idk , don't know what to say 

[nomoko 1]

YEEAaah

[semyonkirov 29,038]

Will it be playable on older mobile devices, such as a 2nd generation iPod?  The older mobile devices are slower than the ones today.

It's unknown yet. The current prototype is aimed at iPhone 4s and Samsung Galaxy S2, but final version will be a lot better optimised most likely.

[The_PlayMaker 657]

Yeah! Now I can play Tanki even if i am out of station :D ;) Thank You Tanki

[blasterbros 7]

best devs ever keep it up , semyon sir how do u guys manage these many tasks????

[Peace 50]

Leave mobile .. manage desktop ..

[doughnut2100 763]

This is cool. But I think this would not be the same as playing on a PC. Just not. TO is not for mobile devices, IMO.

[rokar123 11]

Cool.

[Galaxy_Optmus 0]

good :fire_l: :fire_r:

[superninjatanker 1]

please the articles comeing! this is very exciting, I cant wait to here more about it! :D :)

[whizclips 232]

Amazing. And finally.

[Aero.v2.0 1,456]

This will be epic once it's out. We'll read anything you give us :P

[AkiliW 210]

This is epic. While I dont have a mobile device to play on, I really like these updates you are giving us. 

 

And the descrption of the level of details is awsome too;)

[ColdWheel 82]

looks cool