Day & Night Cycle (Experiments)
Added 2025-02-25 15:41:43 +0000 UTCHi!
Since I have plenty of extra development time for this Q1, I have allowed myself to play around with some "non-necessary" features.
The current dynamic time that I have implemented changes the time of day only related to transitions when certain game time threshold is exceeded.
This approach is really easy to control visually but it lacks that dynamic component where you can truly see the time of day changing.
For the past few days, I have been experimenting with actual day & night cycles and I have pretty polished prototype from this.
Here's the main two drawbacks for this fully dynamic approach:
Most of the static reflections (like water) would no longer be accurate, so they would need to be "simplified" to support the dynamic approach.
Between certain times, there would be really "flat" lighting since there's no sun or moon to cast shadows.
I have not yet decided whether I will connect this fully dynamic component to the commercial branch, but at least I have now a working prototype for that.
What's your opinion on this topic? Do you see a big value of providing the fully dynamic approach with the drawbacks or is this topic somewhat "I don't care that much" for you?
-Antti (Developer)
Comments
Dynamic ftw. It forces you consider what you wanna do each day and night. Since it is a survival game it should be implemented at some point but I like your original idea too but it takes away much immersion.
BlackVomit
2025-02-26 15:28:18 +0000 UTCI definitely like the approach in the video especially for realism it just feels natural
JuiceBox
2025-02-26 14:55:52 +0000 UTCI prefer when the time change when i play. If you are looting but you see the game becoming darker and darker you will skip looting to quickly run back home before you can’t see anymore.
Shamnolya
2025-02-25 22:32:52 +0000 UTCThis looks solid, very well implemented
securityCase
2025-02-25 20:48:45 +0000 UTCI'm for dynamic, since sleeping will be a thing you could see the time change in real time and it would really improve immersion
BomberDX
2025-02-25 18:45:04 +0000 UTCYes, I definitely support this dynamic time! It's a must for immersion, and as someone already said, if the simplification of reflections is the biggest drawback, I think it's quite likely worth it.
SamuK
2025-02-25 18:30:33 +0000 UTCI like both systems, I dont have a set opinion on this.
Feruen
2025-02-25 16:42:01 +0000 UTCI personally think a dynamic Day/cycle is important for immersion really helps that feel, same with a weather system, even if it takes a little bit more time.
Kaso
2025-02-25 16:31:20 +0000 UTCFor the realism a full dynamic cycle is needed. Games like kcd2 do it great where you can skip time by sleeping/waiting so you can decide when you wish to go and do certain things is a nice option
Marek
2025-02-25 16:23:27 +0000 UTCyes you are right with "timejump " . i mean the sleeping menchanic , also the day/night mechanic . i think that would be good but its your decision . :-) good evening from germany
Steffen Wilhelmy
2025-02-25 16:06:21 +0000 UTCCould you elaborate what do you mean by "intervene", are you referring the sleeping mechanics where the player can "timejump" that simulation or something else.
Road to Vostok
2025-02-25 15:52:08 +0000 UTCfor the Realism of the game i think it is important . but it must be implemented that you can intervene or switch off/on the automation of day/night cycle
Steffen Wilhelmy
2025-02-25 15:50:01 +0000 UTCThe water reflections and casted shadows are cool, but I personally believe that full dynamic time would add a HUGE sense of immersion and realism. If those are the only big drawbacks by this approach, I believe it is absolutely worth it :)
Infinity
2025-02-25 15:47:39 +0000 UTC
