HobbesHK

joined 2 years ago
sorted by: new top controversial old
EXO-6 Showcases Star Trek Figure Prototypes, New Full-Size Costume Replicas at STLV in c/startrek@startrek.website
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 2 points 4 months ago

I would just like them to finally release the Boimler and Mariner statues that have been on pre-order since October 2023 and for which the release date keeeeeeeeeeps slipping. Q2 2024 was the last we heard, but that’s definitely some time ago. Again.

Not impressed with Exo-6. They have my money (granted, a 25 USD pre-order) and have delivered NOTHING for almost a year now. Original planned release was Q4 2023 back when I ordered.

[SOLVED] How to apply a shader to a sprite without it becoming a rectangle? in c/godot@programming.dev
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 5 points 4 months ago

This worked perfectly - thank you!!

For anyone else looking here later, the final shader code (confirmed working Godot 4.2) is:

shader_type canvas_item;

uniform sampler2D screen_texture : hint_screen_texture;
uniform vec4 water_color : source_color;
uniform sampler2D wave_noise : repeat_enable;

void fragment() {
	vec2 water_wave = (texture(wave_noise, UV * TIME * 0.02).rg - 0.5) * 0.02;
	vec2 uv = vec2(SCREEN_UV.x , SCREEN_UV.y - UV.y) + water_wave;
	vec4 color = texture(screen_texture, uv);
	float mix_value = 1.0 - UV.y;

	float avg_color = (color.r + color.g + color.b) / 3.0;
	avg_color = pow(avg_color, 1.4);
	mix_value += avg_color;

	mix_value = clamp(mix_value, 0.0, 0.7);
	COLOR = vec4(mix(water_color, color, mix_value).rgb, texture(TEXTURE, UV).a);
}

Credits to Single-mindedRyan for creating this shader in the first place.

35
[SOLVED] How to apply a shader to a sprite without it becoming a rectangle? (startrek.website)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by HobbesHK@startrek.website to c/godot@programming.dev
3 comments fedilink
 

I have been looking for a 2D reflective water shader for some time and was delighted to see that this tutorial was posted on YouTube to create just that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPr5PvSgxFo

I've had a go at implementing it and have got the reflective water rendering. It's very "Kingdom: Two Crowns" like when spread across the full width of the scene.

However, as you can see from the image above, I've drawn a pond (as a separate Sprite2D) and I've applied the water shader to the pond. It's done that, but draws the water as a rectangle.

Is there a way to apply this shader to the Sprite2D, but conform to the actual sprite (only the light blue), rather than as a rectangle?

It's almost the week-end, what are you guys going to play? in c/patientgamers@sh.itjust.works
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 0 points 6 months ago

It's not a patient game yet, but I caved and got Alan Wake 2 the other week. In the early stages so far (the game's quite scary!) but loving it.

[Solved?] Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? in c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 2 points 6 months ago

I'd done that a few days ago, but you're right, not specifically to these suggestions. I tried the export VKD3D_DISABLE_EXTENSIONS=VK_EXT_mesh_shader VKD3D_FEATURE_LEVEL=12_0 VKD3D_SHADER_MODEL=6_5 %command% and variations of it. It reduced performance significantly, so would not suggest people on more recent Mesa versions try this anymore. When I looked into it, it seemed to mainly be in place for Mesa 22.x which was still lacking mesh shader support.

[Solved?] Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? in c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 1 points 6 months ago

Thought I'd post an update. Performance is better now, playing in 1440p with FSR2 on Balanced, graphic settings on Medium. I'm getting around 45FPS.

I'm not quite sure what the fix was in the end, but I've installed proton-ge-custom-bin from the AUR, so I've got Proton GE installed onto my system (not just within Heroic). Both the AUR and Heroic are on Proton-GE 9.7. I then added the AlanWake2.exe file to Steam, and forced compatibility to use Proton GE. So whatever extra was happening with Heroic was taken away.

I tried changing my Mesa drivers, but it appears Manjaro is even with the nonfree repo at this point, so I'm still on Mesa 24.1.1, only on the Manjaro-approved version, not the mainline Arch version.

It appears that somewhere within that combination of (1) running the game directly from Steam, (2) using the system-installed Proton-GE package, and (3) reverting to the Manjaro Mesa package the framerate got bumped from lower 20-s to mid-40s. CPU and GPU usage still hover around the 40%, so I feel there would be more improvement to be had perhaps?

I tested the game on my second PC, which is running ChimeraOS, has a 5800X3D chip, 32Gb RAM and a 7600 XT card, where it's easily hitting these framerates and better (but with higher GPU usage, hardly any CPU usage, that 5800X3D is a beast). So I wonder if my 10700K might be a bit of a bottleneck? ChimeraOS' version of Mesa is on 23.2 so maybe there are just some kinks to be worked out in the 24.1 branch?

Anyway.... long story short: I'm happy with the overall performance at this point. Happy to dive into the Overlap and deal with Nightingale!

[Solved?] Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? in c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 1 points 6 months ago

Hi, I’ve checked but the Manjaro nonfree branch is the main one, just more up to date with the Arch main branch. Or are you suggesting a particular version?

[Solved?] Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? in c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 3 points 6 months ago (2 children)

These all sounds like good ideas to play with, thanks! I'll have a go later tonight and will update here. It would be bonkers if the mesh shaders were at fault, since I got my 7800XT specifically for that feature...

[Solved?] Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? in c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Hi, sorry, the non-free is a very Manjaro-specific thing.

TLDR: They removed a lot of proprietary video codecs from Mesa, which means that Manjaro's Mesa tends to lag behind the Arch repo. By using nonfree, the Mesa installation is pulled and compiled straight from Arch.

So yes, I'm using RADV through Mesa 24.1.1 instead of version 23.x (which is where Manjaro is still at). I wanted to be on a newer version since 24.x packed in a lot of 7000XT improvements.

Out of curiosity, have you tried AW2 with your 7800XT? How does it run for you?

22
[Solved?] Alan Wake 2 - Performance seems poorer than it should be? (startrek.website)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by HobbesHK@startrek.website to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
12 comments fedilink
 

I was wondering if anyone could offer some insights.

Bit the bullet and purchased Alan Wake 2 on the Epic Game Store. With the DLC on the way I just can't wait any longer and maybe this one will never come to Steam? (With Epic as publishers, who knows)

I've installed Heroic Game Launcher, downloaded the latest Wine-GE and Proton-GE, downloaded the game and managed to get it running. Tried it with both Wine-GE and Proton-GE. No noticeable difference.

My specs:

  • Intel Core i7 10700K
  • 48Gb RAM
  • Radeon RX 7800 XT 16Gb
  • Manjaro Linux, kernel 6.9
  • Mesa 24.1.1 (using the mesa-nonfree repo)
  • Game is installed on my 1TB NVME drive

I'm running things on Medium/High, with FSR2 on Balanced, in 2560x1440

No raytracing enabled anywhere.

Honestly, it doesn't matter what resolution I choose. Even when running is 720p on Low, the framerate is the same.

I get around 27 fps with regular dips into the lower 15-20 when I spin the camera around quickly.

I've finished the first chapter (just in the morgue) and the framerate got choppier and choppier. I get Bright Falls has a lot more going on than the intro woodsy bit. But at this rate, I'm just not sure what to do.

When I look at other people on YouTube, their framerates are much higher. Even on Linux. And with less powerful hardware. Other games run MUCH faster. I get AW2 is demanding, but I can play CP2077: Phantom Liberty at 140+ fps in Dog Town on High in 1440p with FSR2 enabled, so I don't feel that AW2 should tank my PC that hard.

Is there something I'm overlooking here? I've tried the CyberFSR as well, made no noticeable difference.

Mangohud shows my CPU is consistently around 50% and my GPU is around 40% so there's definitely room to push things more, I feel. So why isn't AW2 using these resources?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I love this game and want to play it, but the framerate is stopping me from really enjoying it.

Canon Connections: DIS 5x10 - Life, Itself in c/startrek@startrek.website
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I think Burnham was referencing Book, not Tyler, when she said she knows what it’s like to lose someone but got him back. Book died during the final events of 10C, but they magically zapped him back into existence, if I recall correctly.

Detroit: Become Human in c/patientgamers@sh.itjust.works
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 9 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I prefer the world-famous song “Press X to Jason”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_56257iS77A

Since it’s about the first 5-10 minutes of the game, it’s not a big spoiler.

Stupid Jason.

Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Discovery | 5x10 "Life, Itself" in c/startrek@startrek.website
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 2 points 6 months ago

Not sure either, ENT rewatch was some years ago… I think that might’ve been another time version / shapeshifter or something something?

Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Discovery | 5x10 "Life, Itself" in c/startrek@startrek.website
[–] HobbesHK@startrek.website 8 points 6 months ago

Hah, yes! Or O’Brien, the most important Starfleet officer in history!

1
Best way to play Civ 6 on TV? (startrek.website)
 

I own a Switch, PS5, and a beefy PC and have been playing Civilization since the first one on MS-DOS.

I love playing games on my TV and using a controller nowadays. I've been playing the Switch version and it works great (controls-wise) but there are obvious performance issues. My PC has no difficulty playing Civ6 regardless of map sizes or number of AIs. But I dislike playing with the KBM when I'm in front of the TV. Since I've already double-dipped (well, triple, since I also own Civ6 on my iPad), I'm reluctant to buy the PS5 version as well.

Does anyone know if there are any good controller mods out there for the PC version? I've even tried emulating the Switch version on my PC, which works well, but doesn't quite give the performance level I would expect to get, since it's emulating a Switch now.

33
Trying to get into Act 2 (startrek.website)
 

I scoured all the Act 1 areas (probably still missed stuff) but finally decided to jump into Act 2. I'm struggling to feel "connected" to it, to be honest. I went down the ladder into the Underdark and just sailed my way across to some ancient Shar-worshipper place and I feel... lost?

I remember this was exactly the issue I had with D:OS2 as well. Played Fort Joy, loved it, made it off the island and couldn't figure out where to go, what to do, etc. The sense of direction left me.

I feel similar vibes here arriving in Act 2. Anyone have any tips or advice, or is it just a case of "stick with it, you'll be all right"? I'm asking because I've played a lot of Act 1 and barely touched the game since making it into Act 2 a few weeks ago.

1
Ahsoka Episode 8 Discussion (startrek.website)
 

It's been a few days, sorry about that!

I'm curious to hear what people thought of the finale (season finale?) of Ahsoka.

I could write a lot about it, but actually found that (for once) Polygon captured my thoughts much better than I would be able to write it myself... Ahsoka never bothered telling anyone it was just the middle of a story

The tag line for that season-review seals the deal for me: "What was Ahsoka, but eight hours long?"

As I mentioned before, as someone who's been a fan of the character for years and consumed every piece of media she's been in, this was simply such a letdown for me.

1
Ahsoka Episode 7 Discussion (startrek.website)
 

And we’re back, another week, another Revels reunion!

I didn’t check the time on this episode, but was it shorter than most? Does that mean we’re getting a feature length episode next week?

I do hope so, since I felt this episode didn’t really move the plot forward at all. Characters moved around, interacted, but nothing got pushed forward much or was resolved. Ahsoka made it to the planet though.

Hera’s side plot also… happened. Moving swiftly on from a very nice but pointless cameo. I think we get it, the New Republic can’t hunt for a massive hyperspace engine but can send three massive warships and organise a tribunal for one general. Because. Anyway.

Loved the camera work, the banter, the hugs, but… let’s hope next week makes things happen. Knowing Filoni, I’m expecting an exciting finale.

1
Ahsoka Episode 6 Discussion (startrek.website)
 

What a shame there are only 2 episodes left. Someone wrote earlier that this has been Filoni’s weakest outing so far. I tend to agree, but more because this episode, I finally, finally didn’t want it to end. The pacing felt good, some character motives came to light and yes, finally, the Chimaera, Thrawn and Ezra make their live action introduction.

For a show called Ahsoka, she was stuck in transit for the hour we had with her. So. Maybe a better title would’ve been “Ahsoka and friends”. Or “Sabine, with a side order of Ahsoka”

Can’t believe we now need to get a good feel for Thrawn in this new domain, have Ahsoka battle it out with the evil Sith, jump back (?) to the main universe and - God, the pacing for this season has been really, really poor. Ahsoka comes to grips with Anakin’s turn, finds her mojo and has a cameo sitting in a cockpit of her own show?

At least we had a cute animal and new alien race. And the Night Sisters are clearly still alive and kicking. Loved that part and the lore around it.

Sabine being coy with Ezra about the “how did you get here” felt quite poorly done. The only reason was plot, because that is clearly for next week so Ahsoka can actually do something.

Helmet-Sith was clearly not Ezra then. Don’t think we’ll ever figure that one out.

I do want all of them to get back to the SW universe though. It’ll be cool to see Thrawn work on establishing the foundation for the First Order. And Ezra to join up with the gang and kick some solid Rebel ass.

Just seems we may need to wait for 2027 to see the show we thought we would be watching now. Stop drawing things out!

Anyway. Can’t wait for next week. Which is a first this season.

1
Ahsoka Episode 5 Discussion (startrek.website)
 

Well, we finally got there. An episode where Ahsoka gained agency, made decisions and took hold of the story. For me, this was the first episode this season I thoroughly enjoyed.

Not going to lie, the first time Anakin called her Snips? Big moment!

And was that Rex commending her on a job well done? I do believe it was!

I really liked what Hayden Christensen did with Anakin here. I know he's a good actor (from roles besides Star Wars) but it's nice to see him given the freedom to bring some subtlety to Anakin here.

Seeing Clone Wars outfits & hairstyles? Now I need a remake of Clone Wars as live action.

Loved the classic Chopper responses, where it's not clear whether he's swearing all the time or just mumbling.

Jacen's force sensitivity played an important role, but was subtly done. But for Kanan & Hera's son to play a role in saving Ahsoka? Great.

It was an episode of Ahsoka fully focused on Ahsoka, which was great. As much as I like seeing Sabine in action, this focus on Ahsoka is why we're here—it's in the show's title and this week it was absolutely the focus of the show.

It seems like we're moving into tighter plotting, with Hera now back to the fleet, our focus will be solely on this strange new galaxy. And we know what that means.

Thrawn.

(And hopefully Ezra)

The pacing issues with this season meant I still would've liked for us to get to this point two episodes ago, but let's see what the final three episodes will bring. Where last week felt like a 6 / 10 for me, this one's felt more like an 8 / 10. Good character work, subtle integrated callbacks, and a clear path forward into next week. Bring it on.

1
Ahsoka Episode 3 discussion (startrek.website)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by HobbesHK@startrek.website to c/starwars@lemmy.ml
0 comments fedilink
 

Well. That happened.

I'm really not sure what to say about this one. I loved Clone Wars and I loved Rebels. But they were zingy, tight shows with a lot of life to them.

This episode... was not that.

There was a space battle between a ship and a few smaller ships.

There was some clattering of wooden swords between a Jedi and a non-Force-Padawan-because-erm... didn't we do the "Let Sabine be Sabine" story already on Rebels?

Oh. And there was something about Hera and the New Republic being ineffective. But we got to see her lovechild from Kanan. So wink-wink he wants to be a Jedi.

I don't know. I feel very conflicted because I desperately want to love this show. But... this episode felt very empty. Boring.

And why do I feel like I'm going to be proven right and masked-evil-Jedi-person turns out to be fallen Ezra?

That would be disappointing.

If this show is trying to tell an exciting story travelling across galaxies, finding Thrawn, adding new layers of mysticism to the universe, then... give me that show. Not this plodding stilted whatever-this-is.

1
Ahsoka Episode 1 + 2 discussion (startrek.website)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by HobbesHK@startrek.website to c/starwars@lemmy.ml
0 comments fedilink
 

Well - it’s here! The first two episodes are on Disney+

Keen to hear what everyone’s thoughts are. Needless to say, there will be lots of spoilers in this discussion.

I really liked it. Felt like a solid continuation of Rebels, a bit slow at times, but overall a solid setup for what could be a very interesting and exciting series.

I feel like we should be able to guess the identity of the masked third Sith-esque villain. Don’t think it’s a fallen Ezra (too boring a plot line) but the stance and mannerisms seemed very familiar…

Also - great to see Kevin Kiner doing the music! Nice callback to some Rebels motifs here and there.

I would’ve liked to see Vanessa Marshall as Hera, I felt her voice was so uniquely matched. This Hera seems way too girly for a maternal older Hera. And where is her son?

Hoping for a Freddie Prinze Jr cameo.

Dave Filoni must be so happy to finally tell this story. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

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