Marine Aquarium 3 Rumors and Speculation - Page 57

Jim Sachs · 02-09-2008, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, Leon. Currently, MA3 has no user interface and all 28 fish are in the tank. I am taking suggestions for the type of interface that would allow a large number of fish to be chosen, as well as multiple copies of each fish. The Beta testers are coming up with some pretty good ideas.

Regarding the new fast PCs and cards -- yes, that is the whole reason for MA3. There will be some sort of minimum-equipment requirement, but it will still include most cards made in the last 5 years, and DirectX 9.

debavocet · 02-09-2008, 04:34 PM

Having more fish on sceen sounds great, but a lot of us don't have high-end video cards. My Mac's VRAM is 32 MBs., and it isn't interchangeable. If it can't handle 28 fish, I REALLY hope you will consider users being able to select the number of fish on screen - if technically practical to design.
Same goes for groups or schools of the same species traveling together - that would look great.

Jim Sachs · 02-09-2008, 06:49 PM

Sure, you'll be able to have any number of fish on the screen up to the max. All I'm saying is that the max will be much higher than it is now.

There will be SOME minimum equipment requirement -- the whole point of MA3 is to take advantage of hardware that has come out since I wrote the original version 8 years ago. For those with lesser equipment, there's always MA2.6.

I'm currently under a lot of fire for making those equipment requirements too LOW, instead of too high. Since you have a Mac, I really have no idea yet whether it will work on your machine. First I have to finish the PC version, then turn it over to Jim O'Connor to do a Mac conversion (if it's even possible).

memilm · 02-10-2008, 12:13 AM

please don't forget to implement the keyboard shortcuts for all functions in the user interface... I think that I'm not the only one who is really pleased to use or set program functions with the keyboard without any mouse clicking.

Jim Sachs · 02-10-2008, 12:21 AM

Yes, it will have a full compliment of keyboard shortcuts, but not all will be the same as the old program. For example, the left and right-arrow keys, which formerly controlled the background lightis, now scroll the scene left and right.

Stew2000 · 02-10-2008, 08:40 AM

Is it possible to have a ui where the fish are swimming in single smaller tanks, like in pet shops and such?

Jim Sachs · 02-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Sounds like a lot of work.

Marian Nichols · 02-10-2008, 12:11 PM

I would think so!

Leon · 02-10-2008, 01:36 PM

Hi All,

I love the friendly and positive nature of this forum - and thanks for the welcome, Marian!

I agree with Memilm - the keyboard feature allows a lot of control over the aquarium. I am constantly playing with it and "trying out" new fish in the tank.

I suppose I am a frustrated marine tank fan. I have always wanted one but I do not think I would be capable of running one without the fish suffering. And we don't want that! Time is also an issue. Maybe when I retire...

One thing that keeps cropping up on the forum is the idea of feeding the fish in the screensaver. You have my vote for that one!

When I was fortunate enough to dive in the Seychelles, I fell in love with the Octopus. They are highly intelligent creatures and able to camouflage themselves and some even mimic other animals like lionfish and sea snakes. Good luck with animating one of those, Jim!

Leon

Jim Sachs · 02-10-2008, 02:39 PM

The octopus is the most difficult creature on the wishlist, and will almost certainly be the last one to be added. I have fairly strong theories about how to do all aspects of it, including camouflage, but putting those theories into practice is another matter.

Dabombguyman · 02-10-2008, 07:53 PM

I was wondering if your making it so that some fish are shy, some are agressive or some just don't care where they are, like give them personalities. And yes I know it would be difficult to do.

Jav400 · 02-10-2008, 08:20 PM

All the fish should have distinctive personalities before everything is said and done. They should generally be acting like their real life counterparts.

Jim Sachs · 02-10-2008, 11:03 PM

Yeah - what he said.

Dabombguyman · 02-11-2008, 10:37 AM

What if you could select a personality type for your fish. Instead of programing it into the fish, make it a separate piece of code that just explains how the fish should act and react.

feldon34 · 02-11-2008, 10:40 AM

I'm looking forward to the behaviors being roughly equivalent of how the fish behave in real life.

Jim Sachs · 02-11-2008, 11:41 AM

Many books on tropical fish list the general behavior type (agressive, passive, timid, etc.). I'll use these to make the behavior as realistic as possible. There may be a little chasing, but no violence, even among fish that are really not recommended for the same tank.

Andrew Jenkins · 02-11-2008, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Many books on tropical fish list the general behavior type (agressive, passive, timid, etc.). I'll use these to make the behavior as realistic as possible. There may be a little chasing, but no violence, even among fish that are really not recommended for the same tank.

WOW!!!
This is getting is more & more exciting by the minute! Virtual characteristics... and you don't even have to clean the tank... or may be I missed something in earlier threads...
I remember the once buying a tamochochi for my youngest which was forever 'passing on' because it was not fed & cleaned properly- I became something of an expert in tamachochi parenting!
Chasing sounds good.
Schooling/shoaling sounds good also.
Fish that appear different size by virtue of how near they are to the front of the tank.
Fish that grow or infant fish?
Fascinating just how many factors come potentially in to the equation when you start to develop the concept further. Where does it stop?

cjmaddy · 02-11-2008, 05:20 PM

"Where does it stop?" ....

Well, I'm fully expecting MA3 to require my desk to need strengthening, in order to support the added weight of the larger tank!

Jim Sachs · 02-11-2008, 05:51 PM

"Fish that appear different size by virtue of how near they are to the front of the tank." -- They have always done this (it's what makes them 3D).

"Fish that grow or infant fish?" -- Probably not, at least in the short term. However, when several of the same type of fish are chosen, they will probably have some size variation.

Dabombguyman · 02-11-2008, 09:38 PM

I was wondering. In 2.6, which I have, the edges are sharp and rectangular like the edges of this smilie

. Are you going to make it so that the edges are smooth on any screen (like this O)? Because that would make the experience alot easier to look at.

PS: It doesn't look like the fish in the screenshot have shadows. Are they supposed to?

02-09-2008, 10:36 AM	#1121
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Thanks for the suggestions, Leon. Currently, MA3 has no user interface and all 28 fish are in the tank. I am taking suggestions for the type of interface that would allow a large number of fish to be chosen, as well as multiple copies of each fish. The Beta testers are coming up with some pretty good ideas. Regarding the new fast PCs and cards -- yes, that is the whole reason for MA3. There will be some sort of minimum-equipment requirement, but it will still include most cards made in the last 5 years, and DirectX 9. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-09-2008, 06:49 PM	#1123
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Sure, you'll be able to have any number of fish on the screen up to the max. All I'm saying is that the max will be much higher than it is now. There will be SOME minimum equipment requirement -- the whole point of MA3 is to take advantage of hardware that has come out since I wrote the original version 8 years ago. For those with lesser equipment, there's always MA2.6. I'm currently under a lot of fire for making those equipment requirements too LOW, instead of too high. Since you have a Mac, I really have no idea yet whether it will work on your machine. First I have to finish the PC version, then turn it over to Jim O'Connor to do a Mac conversion (if it's even possible). Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-10-2008, 12:21 AM	#1125
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Yes, it will have a full compliment of keyboard shortcuts, but not all will be the same as the old program. For example, the left and right-arrow keys, which formerly controlled the background lightis, now scroll the scene left and right. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-10-2008, 10:36 AM	#1127
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Sounds like a lot of work. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-10-2008, 12:11 PM	#1128
Marian Nichols ~Author~ Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 7,429	I would think so! Write paranormal mysteries. Six books so far.

02-09-2008, 04:34 PM	#1122
debavocet Welcome to the Quack House! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 56	Having more fish on sceen sounds great, but a lot of us don't have high-end video cards. My Mac's VRAM is 32 MBs., and it isn't interchangeable. If it can't handle 28 fish, I REALLY hope you will consider users being able to select the number of fish on screen - if technically practical to design. Same goes for groups or schools of the same species traveling together - that would look great.

02-10-2008, 12:13 AM	#1124
memilm Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: germany Posts: 259	please don't forget to implement the keyboard shortcuts for all functions in the user interface... I think that I'm not the only one who is really pleased to use or set program functions with the keyboard without any mouse clicking.

02-10-2008, 08:40 AM	#1126
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	Is it possible to have a ui where the fish are swimming in single smaller tanks, like in pet shops and such?

02-10-2008, 01:36 PM	#1129
Leon Registered Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11	Hi All, I love the friendly and positive nature of this forum - and thanks for the welcome, Marian! I agree with Memilm - the keyboard feature allows a lot of control over the aquarium. I am constantly playing with it and "trying out" new fish in the tank. I suppose I am a frustrated marine tank fan. I have always wanted one but I do not think I would be capable of running one without the fish suffering. And we don't want that! Time is also an issue. Maybe when I retire... One thing that keeps cropping up on the forum is the idea of feeding the fish in the screensaver. You have my vote for that one! When I was fortunate enough to dive in the Seychelles, I fell in love with the Octopus. They are highly intelligent creatures and able to camouflage themselves and some even mimic other animals like lionfish and sea snakes. Good luck with animating one of those, Jim! Leon

02-10-2008, 02:39 PM	#1130
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	The octopus is the most difficult creature on the wishlist, and will almost certainly be the last one to be added. I have fairly strong theories about how to do all aspects of it, including camouflage, but putting those theories into practice is another matter. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-10-2008, 07:53 PM	#1131
Dabombguyman Registered Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	I was wondering if your making it so that some fish are shy, some are agressive or some just don't care where they are, like give them personalities. And yes I know it would be difficult to do.

02-10-2008, 08:20 PM	#1132
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	All the fish should have distinctive personalities before everything is said and done. They should generally be acting like their real life counterparts. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

02-10-2008, 11:03 PM	#1133
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Yeah - what he said. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-11-2008, 10:37 AM	#1134
Dabombguyman Registered Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	What if you could select a personality type for your fish. Instead of programing it into the fish, make it a separate piece of code that just explains how the fish should act and react. Last edited by Dabombguyman; 02-11-2008 at 02:54 PM.

02-11-2008, 10:40 AM	#1135
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	I'm looking forward to the behaviors being roughly equivalent of how the fish behave in real life. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

02-11-2008, 11:41 AM	#1136
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Many books on tropical fish list the general behavior type (agressive, passive, timid, etc.). I'll use these to make the behavior as realistic as possible. There may be a little chasing, but no violence, even among fish that are really not recommended for the same tank. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-11-2008, 05:03 PM	#1137
Andrew Jenkins Registered Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 18	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Many books on tropical fish list the general behavior type (agressive, passive, timid, etc.). I'll use these to make the behavior as realistic as possible. There may be a little chasing, but no violence, even among fish that are really not recommended for the same tank. WOW!!! This is getting is more & more exciting by the minute! Virtual characteristics... and you don't even have to clean the tank... or may be I missed something in earlier threads... I remember the once buying a tamochochi for my youngest which was forever 'passing on' because it was not fed & cleaned properly- I became something of an expert in tamachochi parenting! Chasing sounds good. Schooling/shoaling sounds good also. Fish that appear different size by virtue of how near they are to the front of the tank. Fish that grow or infant fish? Fascinating just how many factors come potentially in to the equation when you start to develop the concept further. Where does it stop?

02-11-2008, 05:20 PM	#1138
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	"Where does it stop?" .... Well, I'm fully expecting MA3 to require my desk to need strengthening, in order to support the added weight of the larger tank!

02-11-2008, 05:51 PM	#1139
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	"Fish that appear different size by virtue of how near they are to the front of the tank." -- They have always done this (it's what makes them 3D). "Fish that grow or infant fish?" -- Probably not, at least in the short term. However, when several of the same type of fish are chosen, they will probably have some size variation. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-11-2008, 09:38 PM	#1140
Dabombguyman Registered Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	I was wondering. In 2.6, which I have, the edges are sharp and rectangular like the edges of this smilie . Are you going to make it so that the edges are smooth on any screen (like this O)? Because that would make the experience alot easier to look at. PS: It doesn't look like the fish in the screenshot have shadows. Are they supposed to?