So, we're on the brink of having v21 come in with its shaders, and having the terrains/interiors maps knocked out for good. There's a lot of arguing over this; if you don't believe me, you can check the thread in Development about v21. But what if we could please
both sides?
That's why I want you to delay v21 a bit so you can work on making the shaders optional.
Now, hear me out, because you're probably thinking that this is crazy, or maybe you were planning on it. But what I'm trying to suggest here is a simple add-on to v21 that will allow those who want shaders to have them, and for those who want terrain to keep and enjoy the terrain/interior maps.
In Graphics options, you should add a check-box that is titled as "Enable Shaders". Uncheck the box, and the terrain/interior maps will be open for you to play on. Check it, and those maps will be locked. You can't enter a server that's on a terrain/interior map if you have Shaders checked off, but you can if you don't.
Hopefully by now, you're getting my idea.
Of course, there will be criticism.
- "You can't do this with Blockland."
- "Just build the terrain."
- "There is a perfectly fine Terrain add-on you can download."
- "It won't look pretty."
- "It'll make absolutely no sense for slate maps to have shaders and terrain maps will not."
But, I'm here to beat down those points as well.
- Judging by what we CAN do in Blockland, I find this a lie.
- I want to have a Fort Wars server. You expect me to build the endless amount of terrain required for it?
- That terrain isn't natural terrain. It's just a bunch of wedges and flat pieces.
- Some people don't WANT it to be pretty, because they want a very great game gameplay-wise, not a graphics powerhouse.
- This is a game. Things don't have to make sense. You think that in real life, you can hit an object with a wrench and have a loaded gun pop out of it?
And yes, I can expect that this is on the wrong forum. But think; do you have any idea how many more people will view this than if it were on Suggestions? Do you think Badspot would view this if it were on the right forum, as compared to if he had to move it because it was on the wrong forum?
Think about this. Because sometimes things on terrain are more beautiful than shaded things.
Comments and criticism appreciated.
