18.6.10 How often do you upgrade your test systems?

We keep a fairly wide range of systems around here. Some are designated specifically as test machines and others fill multiple roles (like development machines). Everyone here jumps in and checks out/tests the game, so I guess you could say that every computer here is a test machine.

On the server side, hardware specifications are a bit easier because we can load balance across a set of machines. Then, as hardware improves, we can just increase the world size manipulated by a given number of boxes.

Graphics, on the other hand, (I'm pretty sure that's the main target of your question) is the big problem that just about every developer faces. The best we can do is look at our projected release date (wouldn't you like to know) and estimate the state of hardware at that point.

Even though the newest snazzy hardware that will be present at release isn't present throughout development, we can talk with those in the industry most knowledgable about the future. And developers can often get pre-release cards to help out. Graphics APIs can help soften the transition between hardware accelerated features by providing software simulation of future features as well. - Amanda Poe, Senior Programmer

View Printable Version