Just Cause 2 : PC Exclusive Eye Candy [Archive]

H.Bogard

03-03-2010, 01:13 PM

If you've read the interview (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=15963), you'll know that Avalanche's approach to the PC version of their upcoming game Just Cause 2 is to provide the best possible performance/eye candy ratio for PC players who are sour over the crappy ports we've seen in the past. Nvidia and Avalanche have just released a new trailer showing off some of the graphical improvements made to the PC version, which is listed in big fat jibberish below:

Enhanced DirectX10 and 10.1 render path
Support for 32Bit and 64Bit Windows 7 and Vista
Optimized for Dual and Quad Core Processors
Certified for Nvidia 3D Vision (Not available on console)
Support for Window and Full Screen modes
Enhanced for SLi
Enhanced for Crossfire
Enhanced for multi-screen setup (Not available on console)
Enhanced GPU Water effect for Nvidia Systems (Not available on console)
Enhanced Bokeh filter for Nvidia Systems (Not available on console)
Increased detail setting (Not available on console)
Soft Shadows (Not available on console)
Soft Particles (Not available on console)
Point Specular (Not available on console)
SSAO (Not available on console)
Benchmark Mode (Not available on console)
DLC support via Steamworks
Achievements via Steamworks
Auto patching via Steamworks

View the HD trailer here at VE3D. (http://ve3d.ign.com/videos/play/68261/PC/Just-Cause-2/Trailer/Nvidia-PC-Trailer/Flash-Video)

Dukefrukem

03-03-2010, 01:15 PM

I'm officially in on PC. Claimin' it!

H.Bogard

03-03-2010, 01:31 PM

I'm wondering if I'll get those fancy water effects on an ATI card. :(

Karak

03-03-2010, 01:36 PM

I am 100% behind them utilizing the PC finally. However, I am not going to begin slobbing their knob so soon. I loved the first one so anything to improve is a positive in my book

But what bad ports have Avalanche had on the PC? Or is that just a weird sentence?

EDIT: I did NOT see the Nvidia stuff. Jezuz. So three ports now...or versions?
Console
Nvidia
ATI?

Damn. And I have an ATI.
This only really bothers me because I do indeed love well done water effects. I am not sure why but it actually is something I notice more than other things.

Ravenlock

03-03-2010, 02:42 PM

I was a big fan of Just Cause 1, even with its jankiness, so I'm probably in for one of these on Steam.

Grifter

03-03-2010, 02:50 PM

Just in time to put my new GTX275 to the test.

SilentScreams

03-03-2010, 03:24 PM

I really want a Nvidia card now. I may get one when the dual-GPU wonkiness of my 4870X2 finally annoys me enough to spring for a replacement.

nabokovfan87

03-03-2010, 03:38 PM

I'm wondering if I'll get those fancy water effects on an ATI card. :(

I really want a Nvidia card now. I may get one when the dual-GPU wonkiness of my 4870X2 finally annoys me enough to spring for a replacement.

I was actually about to create a thread about this news story that I just read on kotaku.

http://kotaku.com/5484795/just-cause-2-pc-loves-on-nvidia

Basically, the video is talking about standard pc features like soft shadows (standard post F.E.A.R.), ambient occlusion, specular highlighting, etc. and how nvidia has "allowed" this game to have very high quality visuals thanks to their GPUs. Lastly, the game has nvidia's 3d support, which, of course will only run with special stuff.

Now, there are two ways this can end up:

1. The game has these features lock out for ATI owners, much like Anti-Aliasing in Batman: AA or mass effect. Which, is complete bullshit.

2. The game has these features for both GPUs and it is all a marketing ploy. Which, is still complete bullshit and is basically false advertising in order to sell graphics cards.

It is kind of like when Nvidia put out that mirror's edge physx trailer and then locked out ati owners who have nvidia as a physx card and basically made everyone drool in order to get the response of person number 2 up there.

DarkDay

03-03-2010, 03:45 PM

Karak

03-03-2010, 03:58 PM

I was actually about to create a thread about this news story that I just read on kotaku.

http://kotaku.com/5484795/just-cause-2-pc-loves-on-nvidia

Basically, the video is talking about standard pc features like soft shadows (standard post F.E.A.R.), ambient occlusion, specular highlighting, etc. and how nvidia has "allowed" this game to have very high quality visuals thanks to their GPUs. Lastly, the game has nvidia's 3d support, which, of course will only run with special stuff.

Now, there are two ways this can end up:

1. The game has these features lock out for ATI owners, much like Anti-Aliasing in Batman: AA or mass effect. Which, is complete bullshit.

2. The game has these features for both GPUs and it is all a marketing ploy. Which, is still complete bullshit and is basically false advertising in order to sell graphics cards.

It is kind of like when Nvidia put out that mirror's edge physx trailer and then locked out ati owners who have nvidia as a physx card and basically made everyone drool in order to get the response of person number 2 up there.

Gametrailers has that Nvidia Document video and it's junk. If that's what Nvidia is "offering" then anyone with an ATI should be fine and shouldn't worry.
Also...the water surface rocks, but man the spray is still terrible. Then again I do not think I have seen a game do true water spray correctly before. But if there was a game that should, its Just Cause 2.

Karak

03-03-2010, 04:00 PM

This makes me so happy, almost makes up for no alan wake,...no, it does. Get to see what my pc can really do also.

edit. Just read that about the ati/nvidia. I have a brand spankin newish ati, if this is the case and its locked out due to nvidia, then I will pass and keep killing me zombies, this might make me a very sad panda.
Purely on principle.:(
Hope its not the case.

Ya. Wierdness. But we will see. For me its for sure the 360 as my primary platform, with the PC second, but I have an ATI and was a bit worried. I am glad what they show in the video doesn't look like it will be missed.
I am excited to see some new HD pics and videos, because their move to Vista so far has been bullshit at least from their videos and pics.

MagGnome

03-03-2010, 07:13 PM

I really hope we don't start seeing a ton of games with features locked out for ATI cards. It annoys me that Batman: AA has "Nvidia only" features like physics and AA....you know those things that PC gamers have been enjoying for years with cards from BOTH companies. It's ridiculous that suddenly Nvidia is teaming up with developers and locking out ATI customers. If this trend continues I'm going to be very annoyed.

H.Bogard

03-03-2010, 07:25 PM

I was actually about to create a thread about this news story that I just read on kotaku.

http://kotaku.com/5484795/just-cause-2-pc-loves-on-nvidia

Basically, the video is talking about standard pc features like soft shadows (standard post F.E.A.R.), ambient occlusion, specular highlighting, etc. and how nvidia has "allowed" this game to have very high quality visuals thanks to their GPUs. Lastly, the game has nvidia's 3d support, which, of course will only run with special stuff.

Now, there are two ways this can end up:

1. The game has these features lock out for ATI owners, much like Anti-Aliasing in Batman: AA or mass effect. Which, is complete bullshit.

2. The game has these features for both GPUs and it is all a marketing ploy. Which, is still complete bullshit and is basically false advertising in order to sell graphics cards.

It is kind of like when Nvidia put out that mirror's edge physx trailer and then locked out ati owners who have nvidia as a physx card and basically made everyone drool in order to get the response of person number 2 up there.

Its just the water. Apparently they're using code written by Nvidia engineers for CUDA... thus the exclusivity.

Don't worry... our ATIs can handle SSAO, AA and all that other jazz just fine. ;)

Expugnare

03-03-2010, 07:30 PM

There are usually ways to trick the program into thinking you have to other brand or flat out forcing the extras through modded INIs or other programs (RivaTuner comes to mind).

nabokovfan87

03-04-2010, 02:26 PM

There are usually ways to trick the program into thinking you have to other brand or flat out forcing the extras through modded INIs or other programs (RivaTuner comes to mind).

Definitely, there always is a means of getting around it, but to me, it holds games on pc back. By this I mean, when you have someone from the outside looking in at pc games and you have the developer bashing you with NVIDIA does this this this this this, powered by INTEL, works best with.... type shit. It's false advertising and people can easily get the wrong view on things right away.

Hell, even in the thread, two people did it already. Just for the sake of pointing it out, I want to say I should by no way have to go to a trailer for a game and have to say your full of shit my hardware can do this too, you just unticked the checkbox.

Expugnare

03-04-2010, 02:40 PM

Definitely, there always is a means of getting around it, but to me, it holds games on pc back. By this I mean, when you have someone from the outside looking in at pc games and you have the developer bashing you with NVIDIA does this this this this this, powered by INTEL, works best with.... type shit. It's false advertising and people can easily get the wrong view on things right away.

Hell, even in the thread, two people did it already. Just for the sake of pointing it out, I want to say I should by no way have to go to a trailer for a game and have to say your full of shit my hardware can do this too, you just unticked the checkbox.
But since I am informed, I am content to let NVidia waste money on exclusive eye candy while ATI actually releases a DX11 line up at a fair price point.

nabokovfan87

03-04-2010, 03:02 PM

But since I am informed, I am content to let NVidia waste money on exclusive eye candy while ATI actually releases a DX11 line up at a fair price point.

The point is, the people who go on forums and such is a very small percentage.

It's not like ATI is putting out videos of eyefinity and such talking about the only way to play the game is with 6 monitor setup and a 600 dollar graphics card. Sure the game can do that, but the point in the video is all that it is based on the game ONLY working because of nvidia's tech.

Expugnare

03-04-2010, 03:44 PM

The point is, the people who go on forums and such is a very small percentage.

It's not like ATI is putting out videos of eyefinity and such talking about the only way to play the game is with 6 monitor setup and a 600 dollar graphics card. Sure the game can do that, but the point in the video is all that it is based on the game ONLY working because of nvidia's tech.

My point is, I am a selfish cock and don't care about people convinced one way or another based on marketing claims. ATI is the best value by a long shot now and that's what I am looking for.

Karak

03-04-2010, 07:18 PM

My point is, I am a selfish cock and don't care about people convinced one way or another based on marketing claims. ATI is the best value by a long shot now and that's what I am looking for.

Ya its a weird weird thing. I will be getting it but it sucks to split the platforms even more, even if its just small things.

SilentScreams

03-04-2010, 07:30 PM

Expugnare

03-04-2010, 10:09 PM

Well I just mentioned this in the thread for the demo, but I'll post it here too.
Turns out that they've decided not to support Windows XP with this game. It's DX10 only.

Seems like a big mistake to me. There's still a very large portion of the PC market that uses XP (around 40% based on Steam hardware surveys), so as well as annoying ATI users, they've also completely cut off anybody using XP.
It's almost like they want the PC version to do badly.

I see at as the opposite. They are trying to push through DX10. It has been here forever and still no one uses it even though it presents some decent extras. While it might hurt them, I hope more people start taking advantage of the newer technologies.

Karak

03-04-2010, 10:21 PM

I see at as the opposite. They are trying to push through DX10. It has been here forever and still no one uses it even though it presents some decent extras. While it might hurt them, I hope more people start taking advantage of the newer technologies.

I do as well. Having a sledgehammer of a system being held back sucks. However, this is obviously not that game so Xp should have of course been utilized. DX10 needs a Crysis 2 or something TRULLY unique for people to just sit back and say "oh now I get it."

H.Bogard

03-04-2010, 11:09 PM

Just played the demo.

So beautiful! Oh, and Karak, the water isn't half bad on my ATI card either.

H.Bogard

03-05-2010, 02:42 AM

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m255/HarryBogard/JustCause22010-03-0514-54-50-57.jpg

Some silly stuff I recorded:

ig0ka7LImCo

And this one's for Karak... WATER!
PVQ4owpPpjw

Second video not fully processed at the time of posting, so it'll be HD-ified later.

muddi900

03-05-2010, 03:25 AM

I see at as the opposite. They are trying to push through DX10. It has been here forever and still no one uses it even though it presents some decent extras. While it might hurt them, I hope more people start taking advantage of the newer technologies.

I think its bullshit that most games that are released on the 360 should lock out XP. DX10 will not make headway this console gen, because most AAA games are for consoles.

Seika

03-05-2010, 04:48 AM

Man, the Demo runs so good, and looks truly great at 1080P. (On Nvidia Card btw :p)

I might get this. :)

MagGnome

03-05-2010, 06:17 AM

Just played the demo.

So beautiful! Oh, and Karak, the water isn't half bad on my ATI card either.

That's great news! I might end up picking this up at some point. I could use an open world game to play around with on my new rig. I'm glad to hear that it's not gimped on ATI cards.

Voodoo

03-05-2010, 07:17 AM

Ravenlock

03-05-2010, 07:35 AM

Installed this last night on Steam and got about 15 minutes with it before going to bed waaaaay too late.

Those were a really fun 15 minutes, though. Stuff blows up real nice, the grappling hook is crazy fun and much better than in the first game, the island is gorgeous, and everything ran smooth as silk on my almost 3 year old rig (GeForce8800 GTS 512MB, Win7 64, 2.3Ghz, 4GB RAM). Really, really nice engine.

This has become a very likely purchase for me.

RandoM51

03-05-2010, 08:02 AM

But since I am informed, I am content to let NVidia waste money on exclusive eye candy while ATI actually releases a DX11 line up at a fair price point.
It really isn't a waste of resources for Nvidia to work with developers like this. They've already got the software engineers on staff. In terms of outlay it probably isn't much more than co-marketing funds, which work for both Nvidia and the developer/publisher.

...and Nvidia's lateness to the DX11 party isn't a question of software. :p

ATI owners shouldn't give a shit about this when you get right down to it. I can count the good games on one hand that make real use of anything beyond DX9 and even that handful of games still look/play fine using the last couple gens of hardware from either camp.

After the dismal support DX10 has received I'm not sure why anybody is worried about DX11 support. With the PC market in the shape it is in I don't see any major titles just saying no to all those DX9/DX10 only customers out there.

Speaking of DX10, the 40d19 version of dwarf fortress adds a DX10 shader path. :)

nabokovfan87

03-06-2010, 12:20 AM

ATI owners shouldn't give a shit about this when you get right down to it. I can count the good games on one hand that make real use of anything beyond DX9 and even that handful of games still look/play fine using the last couple gens of hardware from either camp.

When they take basic video settings out because I own an ATI card, I will. When someone says to the general public "buy this game and use this hardware so that you can set xxxxx" I think I will do more then just ignore it.

nabokovfan87

03-06-2010, 12:53 AM

H.Bogard

03-06-2010, 01:19 AM

Here are some screens of the game on max with my 4850. Was getting 45 avg fps, hardly ever dipped, and I won't be buying the game unless its on sale (controls are effing terrible with the kb/mouse, highly recommend you get a pc gamepad with the game if you do buy it).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12835742@N07/sets/72157623563880342/

Are you kidding me? Once I got the hang of it, I've been pulling off all sorts of cool stunts that I can never imagine doing with a gamepad.

Spectre-7

03-06-2010, 01:29 AM

Are you kidding me? Once I got the hang of it, I've been pulling off all sorts of cool stunts that I can never imagine doing with a gamepad.

Minus the key-remapping problems, I have to agree with the above. Controlling Rico is just a joy, and the cars and what-not are also quite good. Not too wild about the helicopter controls, but they're survivable.

MagGnome

03-06-2010, 10:25 AM

When they take basic video settings out because I own an ATI card, I will. When someone says to the general public "buy this game and use this hardware so that you can set xxxxx" I think I will do more then just ignore it.

This is my problem as well. It's silly that Batman: AA doesn't have a physics engine unless you are using an Nvidia card. I'm playing the game on my rig right now, and while it looks amazing overall, the environments are static. It makes the game feel very dated.

Karak

03-06-2010, 06:32 PM

What a blast. I cracked it so I had no timelimit and have been playing for 3 hours. Amazing amazing fun. Just super slick.
No reason whatsoever for them to have not stretched their legs a bit and put in DX9 support as the game does nothing that couldn't be done with older hardware and XP.

Solid.
Also very surprised at how well the 360 holds up. Utterly impossible to tell the difference between the PC and the 360 except for a couple texture drops on very specific things. Gonna be a happy couple weeks.

CHAOS

Hotcod

03-06-2010, 06:41 PM

i just tried flying a plane with a keyboard... it failed...

I hate having to run in dx10 since it means my settings end up looking worse than if it was dx9 since my card was a first gen dx10 card that doesn't really have the grunt to deal with it. That said the game is very purdy, you've got to try taking a helicopter up at some point just to take a look at how the LoD is handled.

Think i'll have another go with a gamepad maybe and see how it plays that way... won't be buying day one or such but it is on my "to pick up when i can/steam sale" list

Karak

03-06-2010, 06:44 PM

Here are some screens of the game on max with my 4850. Was getting 45 avg fps, hardly ever dipped, and I won't be buying the game unless its on sale (controls are effing terrible with the kb/mouse, highly recommend you get a pc gamepad with the game if you do buy it).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12835742@N07/sets/72157623563880342/

I am sure you can get used to them. After playing both, the 360 is indeed a good deal more responsive so I am assuming a PC with a controller might be the correct style. Sometimes it seems like they can't figure out how to handle the sensisity between the PC and the console versions.
But man what fun.

Expugnare

03-06-2010, 09:01 PM

Karak

03-06-2010, 09:06 PM

Could you point me in the right direction for a working crack? The one I tried crashed the game repeatedly.

I used the one at GCW. And the trainer from there as well. The trainer turns off the 30 minute trial as well.

H.Bogard

03-06-2010, 09:09 PM

What a blast. I cracked it so I had no timelimit and have been playing for 3 hours. Amazing amazing fun. Just super slick.
No reason whatsoever for them to have not stretched their legs a bit and put in DX9 support as the game does nothing that couldn't be done with older hardware and XP.

I'm spoiled I guess. Any title that doesn't have SSAO options these days looks just washed out to me. Oh, and the best thing about the PC version is the frame rate. I averaged about 80FPS on 1440x900... can't beat that.

Karak

03-06-2010, 11:13 PM

I'm spoiled I guess. Any title that doesn't have SSAO options these days looks just washed out to me. Oh, and the best thing about the PC version is the frame rate. I averaged about 80FPS on 1440x900... can't beat that.

Ya that is cool. I can't see much above 60fps. And I am not sure what its running at on the 360 but its smooth as hell. We will see if it stays that way of course once the full game is out.
To me all that matters is fun. I love things like SSAO but if its a blast and I can play it on my Projectrr in HD, that usually wins out:)

I either do 1900x1200 on my 27 or just say fuck it and do the 360 and just enjoy the massive screen.

The thing about this game is, and I was hoping it was going to be like this, its fun. Its just amazing. I can honestly say even if this was on my Wii I would love it.

H.Bogard

03-07-2010, 12:58 AM

Ya that is cool. I can't see much above 60fps. And I am not sure what its running at on the 360 but its smooth as hell. We will see if it stays that way of course once the full game is out.
To me all that matters is fun. I love things like SSAO but if its a blast and I can play it on my Projectrr in HD, that usually wins out:)

Actually, I've been making some comparisons today and I realized that the 360 version is guilty of screen tear and jittery shadows as well. And according to digital foundry, the frame rate is locked at 30. (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-justcause2-demo-analysis)

As a matter of fact, upon going through the aforementioned article... it seems that the PS3 version does quite a few things better than the 360 counterpart. Have a look at these screens here. (http://www.videogameszone.de/aid,706038/Just-Cause-2-Screenshot-Vergleich-zwischen-der-PS3-und-Xbox-360-Version/Bildergalerie/?menu=browser&mode=article&article_id=706038&entity_id=213423,213422&image_id=1255867&page=1&order=)

I'll post some comparing screens in a moment.

H.Bogard

03-07-2010, 02:06 AM

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m255/HarryBogard/Dads%20pace/comparison.jpg

Karak

03-07-2010, 04:29 AM

Actually, I've been making some comparisons today and I realized that the 360 version is guilty of screen tear and jittery shadows as well. And according to digital foundry, the frame rate is locked at 30. (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-justcause2-demo-analysis)

As a matter of fact, upon going through the aforementioned article... it seems that the PS3 version does quite a few things better than the 360 counterpart. Have a look at these screens here. (http://www.videogameszone.de/aid,706038/Just-Cause-2-Screenshot-Vergleich-zwischen-der-PS3-und-Xbox-360-Version/Bildergalerie/?menu=browser&mode=article&article_id=706038&entity_id=213423,213422&image_id=1255867&page=1&order=)

I'll post some comparing screens in a moment.

Weird that I haven't noticed screen tearing. Especially on such a massive screen. Tearing usually makes me ill. Seems to be that each version sucks in some way, and is awesome in some way.

Just an FYI I think you posted the wrong first article. That one states that both version do things better than one another in random places and the drops below 30 are consistent between both.
Different article perhaps concerning the PS3 version doing many things better?

The comparison pics really show the higher res on the PC and 360 compared to the PS3 especially the rocks to the right.

H.Bogard

03-07-2010, 07:45 AM

Just an FYI I think you posted the wrong first article. That one states that both version do things better than one another in random places and the drops below 30 are consistent between both.

I said the 360 version had a framerate lock. The PS3 does variable... apparently.

The comparison pics really show the higher res on the PC and 360 compared to the PS3 especially the rocks to the right.

I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. Though it isn't surprising considering the amount of RAM they have to work with on the PS3.

For a game with lots of explosions and zipping around doing wild stunts, I feel that frame rate is the most important factor here. The game looks satisfactory across all platforms (my disdain for jittery shadows aside). I believe that along with Crytek and 4A, Avalanche is one of the most talented Euro studios when it comes to making stellar technology.

roboninja

03-07-2010, 08:57 AM

Damn, that trainer does not have invulnerability. That could be fun in this game.

Karak

03-07-2010, 11:10 AM

I said the 360 version had a framerate lock. The PS3 does variable... apparently.

I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. Though it isn't surprising considering the amount of RAM they have to work with on the PS3.

For a game with lots of explosions and zipping around doing wild stunts, I feel that frame rate is the most important factor here. The game looks satisfactory across all platforms (my disdain for jittery shadows aside). I believe that along with Crytek and 4A, Avalanche is one of the most talented Euro studios when it comes to making stellar technology.

When I wrote the part about the "afore mentioned article". I stated first as that one had all the writing, the other with the random screenshots is in German:) I assumed thats not the one you meant just cause its in German:) so I can't tell if it says the PS3 is so uber compared to the 360 as you were saying.

Ya framerates very important, I would personally argue and say they are important in every game not just this but if I notice it its usually bad enough to give me a raging headache so I am sensitive to that kind of thing. One reason why playing Fable at times makes me sick.
That's what I was so happy with the 360 demo in comparison to the PC. Totally unnoticeable so far, I will have to look for frametearing as I usually notice that. I will wait for the final since the demo might be more or less optimized.

You know I didn't notice jittery shadows but that's because, as you said, shit was blowing up! :0 I will have to pause the anarchy and look around once I get both versions. I hate jittery shadows in slower games like Fable and such. I am not sure I will care in this, but its a fucking pet peeve of mine.