Themes

[Frag_68]

How do we turn them off?  I heard a lot of lag complaints on the Fireflies one especially.

Is there a client side option or would it have to be done server side?

[crazydog]

Clients can turn off weather effects in options->multiplayer->advanced, or we can turn off the weather effects that the plugin creates (although I like them! and so do most people! )

[Mustard]

They're neat.

[Smurfette]

While I do like them and think they are cool, I to have heard some complaints on how they effect ppls graphics.  I think that maybe we should remove them just since we are starting to hear the complaints on them.  It may be something we can do on fun nights or just for a little while on a night when we are just goofing off.  But as for keeping it on all the time, I don't think it would be a good idea due to the complaints we are starting to get.

[crazydog]

As I said, clients can turn off the 'laggy bits', or we can turn them off on our end. I don't think there's a need to remove it entirely.

[Spevf]

First off why are they on here? We did not vote nor were we asked about it. I don't like them and would like it removed. Just my personal opinion. Crazy you do great work for the game and server but still its not right to just add something on the server cause you think it looks cool. I think we have way too many plug-ins as it is and I really think this should go bye bye. It would be nice to lets us know what you plan on doing to the server once in awhile and lets us vote on it as well.

[Frag_68]

Typically if a plugin has an adverse affect on anything, it is removed.  Turning off effects client side in the suggested manner is a poor fix... people won't do that just to play on one server.  Additionally, you should consider that adding these themes means one more thing to download.  If I'm server hopping and I can't be in game in 30 seconds, I move on to the next server.

But I would think community complaints alone would be reason enough...  And those fireflies are annoying. 

[skrizach]

maybe it can be a voteable thing on the server?
For starters, how does it happen?  Is it just something an admin turns on, or is it random?
Maybe if it is on, people can request a vote: "votetheme" and choose to turn it off.

[crazydog]

We talked a while back that if there's something that can be added to the server that doesn't really affect gameplay, it could be added immediately and discussed at the next meeting (why DIDN'T this come up at the meeting?). Things that DO affect gameplay can't go on until they are discussed at a meeting.

"we have way too many plug-ins as it is" - The source engine (and sourcemod, more specifically) are BUILT to be extendable. Adding a shit-ton of plugins to the server will NOT cause adverse effects. Plugins can cause adverse effects, but not solely the amount of plugins.

"Typically if a plugin has an adverse affect on anything" - Agreed. I've turned off the particle effects. We will still get custom soundscapes, skyboxes, and lighting. None of those should make ANYONE lag, as every maps already has them. We're just changing them.

Note that by turning off particle effects, this means the clients wont have to download anything (they were downloading the particles).

skrizach -
It randomly picks a theme, and is always on.
A vote wouldn't really be feasible, as the theme cant change until the next map loads.

Methinks turning off particle effects should be enough, but what do I know, eh?

[Taso]

We should ust have a vote while were playing and ask people if they like the themes because i've heard both sides.

[crazydog]

We do. Check out the link in the private section about polls to see how it's doing.

For non-members, here's the current results:
Q: Do you like the custom weather?
No: 12 (18%)
Yes: 31 (47%)
Don't Care: 23 (35%)
Total Votes: 66

[SConforti]

TAKE IT OFF OF THE SERVER IMMEDATELY  UNTIL IT IS DISCUSSED FURTHER IN THE PRIVATE SECTION.  IT AFFECTS GAME PLAY IF PEOPLE LAG DUE TO IT.  END OF DISCUSSION I AM LOCKING THE TOPIC. 

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