About compatibility, I doubt that lasertank wouldn't be able to play old
levels. Take Microsoft windows for example: If you run a program made for
windows 3.x on windows 9x, it would work! no, the program wouldn't be able
to use any of windows 9x's features, but it will run just like it would on
windows 3.x!
And about the file size... you make it sound as it there is NO way to make
the levels any smaller, so here is some idea's I've thought of:
Compression: If this is possible, you might be able to decrease size of
level files greatly. Perhaps lasertank could come with a built in
compression tool? All of this IS possible in my eyes. Even if lasertank
couldn't compress level files with layers (which I don't agree with), people
can always count on separate compression tools like WinZip to compress their
layered levels.
Format: This is almost very similar to compression. Changing format of the
level files could also change file size. Take audio files for example. A
single audio track on an Audio CD can have up to 40 MB!!! BUT... when the
format is converted to MP3, you save approximately 36 MB of file size,
making the audio file about 4 MB! This is also VERY possible.
Layer Limitation: If none of the above are agreeable (this doesn't include
possibility), then limiting the number of layers in a level to maybe 2 could
be a last resort on conserving file space. Although this is very possible
also, I disagree with this because of what you said about the over 1000
levels packed into one level file.
Yes, I realize although all of these are possible, a great deal of work is
involved in creating what I have mentioned. But if people get lazy then
lasertank will not be able to keep up with technology! Perhaps minds will
change.
_____________________________
--MrDoomMaster
levels. Take Microsoft windows for example: If you run a program made for
windows 3.x on windows 9x, it would work! no, the program wouldn't be able
to use any of windows 9x's features, but it will run just like it would on
windows 3.x!
And about the file size... you make it sound as it there is NO way to make
the levels any smaller, so here is some idea's I've thought of:
Compression: If this is possible, you might be able to decrease size of
level files greatly. Perhaps lasertank could come with a built in
compression tool? All of this IS possible in my eyes. Even if lasertank
couldn't compress level files with layers (which I don't agree with), people
can always count on separate compression tools like WinZip to compress their
layered levels.
Format: This is almost very similar to compression. Changing format of the
level files could also change file size. Take audio files for example. A
single audio track on an Audio CD can have up to 40 MB!!! BUT... when the
format is converted to MP3, you save approximately 36 MB of file size,
making the audio file about 4 MB! This is also VERY possible.
Layer Limitation: If none of the above are agreeable (this doesn't include
possibility), then limiting the number of layers in a level to maybe 2 could
be a last resort on conserving file space. Although this is very possible
also, I disagree with this because of what you said about the over 1000
levels packed into one level file.
Yes, I realize although all of these are possible, a great deal of work is
involved in creating what I have mentioned. But if people get lazy then
lasertank will not be able to keep up with technology! Perhaps minds will
change.
_____________________________
--MrDoomMaster