Curse

Reverend Dr · Jul 05, 2009, 01:27 AM // 01:27

Right now my main system is having its motherboard RMA and I am running Guild Wars on my old system. This system ran GW just fine back during prophecies, however since factions it has struggled to keep up in this game. Moving through maps it will stop and lag for several seconds upon loading new parts of the map or new models.

I am wanting something that will reduce all weapons/armor to a set of default skins such that the system will no longer strain and no longer often have 1-3 seconds of lag.

If it were possible I would even consider turning off skill effects. While not seeing when a guardian or spirit bond lands isn't ideal, it is a much better scenario than having constant lag spikes.

I am well aware of the model hack that will swap skins around and that it can be configured for everyone to look the same. This will not alleviate any of my issues as the game would still be trying to look at multiple files rather than one file for each.

This is the same computer that I used to run GW on perfectly fine and I am running it at settings lower than I have in the past, yet the game still bogs down and PvP options are limited.

Nerel · Jul 05, 2009, 02:16 AM // 02:16

You might be able to eek a little more performance out of an old system with some command line switches...

-noshaders
-mute
-dx8

Come to mind, probably best to check the list of switches and their use on Guild Wiki if you you're unsure of how to use them.

http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Commandline

Bob Slydell · Jul 05, 2009, 02:46 AM // 02:46

What kind of specs is the old system sportin?

Reverend Dr · Jul 05, 2009, 05:35 AM // 05:35

We're talking P4 2.8 GHz 512 ram, radeon 9600 with 256

The only thing different in Wizard's Isle GvG is the addition of extra skins and skill animations. If there was a game mode where the client would look for "default hammer skin" instead of each separate skin for every swap it should clean up this mess.

There is an option to turn off post process effects (Drunk, poison dark), but none to turn off skill animations. (of course I would much prefer to see guardians and SB land, but not seeing it beats 1-3 seconds lag often during play)

gameshoes3003 · Jul 05, 2009, 07:02 AM // 07:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverend Dr

We're talking P4 2.8 GHz 512 ram, radeon 9600 with 256

According to the box:
Minimum System Specifications
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP - Intel Pentium III 800 Mhz or equivalent - 256 MB RAM - CD-ROM Drive - 2GB Available HDD Space - ATI Radeon 8500 or GeForce 3 or 4 MX Series Video Car with 32 MB of VRAM - 16-bit Sound Car - Internet COnnection - Keyboard and Mouse

I don't get it... what's your problem? Your computer seems to exceed these specifications...
Well anyway, on my laptop I turn off Anti-aliasing, texture filters, post processing, and bloom effect.
Generally I can set textures to High and set everything on low and the game looks decent enough.

Reverend Dr · Jul 05, 2009, 07:22 AM // 07:22

Those haven't been updated since factions came out while the actual minimum required to run the game has gone up. However this isn't a tech thread to figure out why my system won't work. TF2 has several low setting options for lower end computers or those that are obsessed over getting more FPS and right now I am very disappointed with the options that GW has.

I may be incorrect, but I do believe cutting down on the skins should alleviate the problem. Something that instead of looking for the particular warrior armor and character model for each of the warriors will just go searing for a default set; then apply this to all classes, armor, and equipment.

bhavv · Jul 05, 2009, 12:39 PM // 12:39

Ati 9550+ is perfectly capable of running guildwars. The problem is not the game if it doesnt play well on that spec, it will be your PC.

The minimum specs are low enough for this game to work on your system, it really isnt that demanding a game that an ATI 9600 wouldnt run it decently.

MithranArkanere · Jul 05, 2009, 07:48 PM // 19:48

GW is VERY friendly with old systems.

With everything tuned down and 800x600, it runs in my old PII700 + GeForce4 (32MB) at 10..20 FPS.
And it goes 30..60FPS in my laptop (GeForce5200Go) with the "Detect" options.

If you are having trouble with your performance, it must be caused by something different. You should do some maintenance to your system.

The minimum to run the game goes up in each campaign, and each campagin has different minimums. That's cause by the differences in detail in monsters, armor and terrain and the higher requirements in memory caused by more detailed skins, and more different armor and weapon skins, and more variety in monsters.

Reverend Dr · Jul 05, 2009, 09:38 PM // 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MithranArkanere

GW is VERY friendly with old systems.

It used to be. It no longer is. Pre-Factions it ran perfectly fine, as soon as factions released, that beta weekend, it changed. I've had GW Prophecies run perfectly fine on a P3 1GHz with 256 ram and I don't even know the name of the off-brand piece of crap video card.

Why did the minimum reqs go up for EotN? Its the same exact game, same exact system, same skills and skins that can be used anywhere. The answer is that Anet finally acknowledged that effectively the minimum required to run the game has gone up over the years.

But: This isn't a tech thread. I'm not asking for help with my system, I'm not asking if my system should be able to run this.

What I want is something that exists for many FPS games already, exceptionally low resolution options. Check out TF2 low resolution options. Currently there is no control panel, very little in game options, and no community support for client modding for guild wars.

Nerel · Jul 05, 2009, 10:32 PM // 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverend Dr

snip... Moving through maps it will stop and lag for several seconds upon loading new parts of the map or new models.

256 MB of system RAM just doesn't seem to be enough nowdays, I was doing some testing on a spare system (Athlon XP 2500, Barton core, stock speeds with an old GeForce4 Ti and 256 MB DDR system RAM) and it was nearly unplayable... added a second stick of RAM (Total 512MB) and it became very playable, even let me go above the minimum resolution and bump up the graphic settings while still being playable.

GW today really does need more RAM then GW of yesteryear. And there isn't anything you can do to reduce the sheer volume of weapon/armor skins and textures being used in the game.

Reverend Dr · Jul 05, 2009, 11:49 PM // 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerel

And there isn't anything you can do to reduce the sheer volume of weapon/armor skins and textures being used in the game.

This is what I am wanting.

hitsuji182 · Jul 06, 2009, 12:34 AM // 00:34

I have similar PC, even with lower graphic card - Radeon 9200 and i run GW with max details in 1024x768 very smoothly (ofcourse except AA). The main issue is RAM. I have been playing around one year with only 256MB RAM and only Proph was playable. I had decided to bought additional 512MB RAM and change was really really big. I think you should do this too, just buy RAM for funny cash and enjoy GW within freezes and long loads.

AtomicMew · Jul 06, 2009, 12:44 AM // 00:44

Since you have an ATI card, check out ATI Tray Tools. It has a bunch of video card registry tweaks, and you can eek out probably a few more FPS. BTW, arguably an even bigger performance bottleneck than video card is RAM, especially in spamadam and major towns. If you can, get at least 1 GB of ram and you'll notice a DRASTIC difference from 512.

refer · Jul 06, 2009, 01:30 AM // 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverend Dr

Why did the minimum reqs go up for EotN? Its the same exact game, same exact system, same skills and skins that can be used anywhere. The answer is that Anet finally acknowledged that effectively the minimum required to run the game has gone up over the years.

I agree. NF and EOTN mess with my system. 20fps usually in those games.

Bluefeather · Jul 06, 2009, 03:48 AM // 03:48

My old system is way "older" than that (AMD 1.1Ghz 256MB RAM 64MB Display). I played on it from Prophecies up to EOTN. I only purchase new box last year because I purchased CIV4 which i cant play on that old unit.

I just auto-detect the graphics (F11) and i unchecked all the items in the startup tab of MSCONFIG.

I got my first Legendary Survivor using that box (after million attempts of course

i named that character L A S T O N E and he made it to LS).

Unreal Havoc · Jul 06, 2009, 07:53 AM // 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameshoes3003

According to the box:
Minimum System Specifications
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP - Intel Pentium III 800 Mhz or equivalent - 256 MB RAM - CD-ROM Drive - 2GB Available HDD Space - ATI Radeon 8500 or GeForce 3 or 4 MX Series Video Car with 32 MB of VRAM - 16-bit Sound Car - Internet COnnection - Keyboard and Mouse

I don't get it... what's your problem? Your computer seems to exceed these specifications...
Well anyway, on my laptop I turn off Anti-aliasing, texture filters, post processing, and bloom effect.
Generally I can set textures to High and set everything on low and the game looks decent enough.

This is the current minimum requirements taken from the box of Eye of the North:

Minimum System Specifications
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista - Intel Pentium III 1GHz or equivalent - 512 MB RAM - DVD-ROM Drive - 4GB Available HDD Space - ATI Radeon 8500 or GeForce 3 Series Video Car with 64 MB of VRAM - 16-bit Sound Car - Internet COnnection - Keyboard and Mouse - Direct X 8

With that said just because your PC meets minimum requirements it doesn't mean it will run it efficiently. You should be aiming more for reccommended to get the best experience in game.

Reverend all you probably need is a bit of extra RAM and a system cleanup. Asking Anet to make changes, and devote time and resources with their already limited teams just to cater to your systems lack of performance is never going to happen.

Reverend Dr · Jul 06, 2009, 07:26 PM // 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unreal Havoc

Asking Anet to make changes, and devote time and resources with their already limited teams

I will gladly accept this be closed and deleted if the rest of this suggestion forum also went by this guideline.

In so many way I can sum up the history of GW as "There was a game I used to enjoy, now I cannot play it."

Considering what is required all it should take are redirects and the client would no longer be keeping up with all of the extra weapon and armor skins.

gameshoes3003 · Jul 06, 2009, 11:22 PM // 23:22

Well, if you had posted this suggestion 2 years ago, I would've put a sign on it.
My friend use to have a craptastic computer and he played this game at 7 fps.
But now you can buy a computer that can run this game dewcently for just $300.
I know $300 is a lot even for me, but now the pricing of computers make this suggestion slightly obsolete.