Local Physics vs Server Physics

[HeyCori]

Posted at Build last month and apparently went right underneath my nose. Looks impressive. I hope some games actually implement it.

Cloud Assist Demo from Build 2014 | Andrew Parsons | Channel 9

Update:

Here's Phil Spencer confirming that the physics demo is related to Crackdown.

 

[Guytronic]

Interesting!

Had never known about Server Physics until this post...
Fascinating stuff!

 

[anon(7900571)]

I am not sure about this but whatever physics it is always welcome. And xbox is coming to my country by September 2014. Though lil expensive but I will try to save money and I have to impress my lovely parents for this console :winktongue:

 

[Reflexx]

Wow. What a HUGE difference.

 

[Moiz Mian]

Does anyone understand how this works exactly? I know rendering graphics in the cloud is almost useless because of the latency, but how can they render physics like this without any latency?

 

[Reflexx]

Does anyone understand how this works exactly? I know rendering graphics in the cloud is almost useless because of the latency, but how can they render physics like this without any latency?

There is latency, but it's not noticeable. Since the environment is initially static, it's easy and quick to calculate a collision before it actually happens.

Also, it doesn't have to be super precise. The collision just has to calculate for a general area. So that speeds up the calculation estimating where a collision takes place.

As soon as that projectile is fired, it can estimate where it will hit and tell there server.

 

[berty6294]

This is beautiful!

 

[Chregu]

Very impressive.

This opens up some questions though: What happens if there is no internet connection or the servers are down? Well, if a required internet connection works for games like Diablo 3, why not for other games too.

Wouldn't this only have a big effect on exclusive games, as the others would have to run on the PS4 too?

Can independent developers access the same resources? With some creativity this could lead to incredible games.

For Crackdown it could be awesome, let's see how this plays out in the final game.

 

[MobileVortex]

The New Crackdown Will Use The Cloud A Lot

 

[Coreldan]

Very impressive.

This opens up some questions though: What happens if there is no internet connection or the servers are down? Well, if a required internet connection works for games like Diablo 3, why not for other games too.

Wouldn't this only have a big effect on exclusive games, as the others would have to run on the PS4 too?

Can independent developers access the same resources? With some creativity this could lead to incredible games.

For Crackdown it could be awesome, let's see how this plays out in the final game.

People don't often come to think how many games in the end are online-only these days. MMORPGs and MOBAs for example make up a HUGE chunk of games being played and there's no playing those offline. Sure, a mostly SP game doesnt need to be online, some people genuinely have bad enough internet to care about online requirements, but most don't. Some people are just against it on a principle level and that is holding down the evolution