64-bit?

[XGOPAidanlol]

Is there a 64-bit version of this? If not... will there be?

[Captain Deathbeard]

Don't really know. Why do you want one? All it really does is unlock the 2GB ram limit, but I can't design the game to use more than 2GB of ram unless EVERYONE uses the 64-bit version only. (32-bit will crash when you reach 2GB usage)

[zibathy]

If I get more than 2 gigs of ram I'd be able to basically have 50,000 man wars cause I have 16 gigs so... lol. I dunno, can you make a version of each? The game would run smoother for most of us... I don't know too many people with 32-bit anymore. I mean, if you can't make two separate versions (because I have absolutely no idea how that works) don't even bother imo.

[Kanaro]

I guess it depends on the world size, the view distance & detail shown, and the overall number of running resources necessary.

The thing is - when comparing the number of in-use 32-bit procs vs 64-bit procs (and associated operating systems), the scale tilts very much in the 64-bit direction. There are a lot of people still using XP (though some of them are on a 64-bit version). We're talking about the gamer segment of computer owners as well - that demographic is decidedly 64-bit.

Ultimately, when the game is released in (2 years?) the scale will have swung even more towards 64-bit. XP isn't supported or easily bought anymore. Vista was never worth having. Anyone who has a clue about buying a new computer always gets the 64-bit OS with the 64-bit processors. Essentially it is hard anymore to buy a 32-bit machine. In 2 years, many will be replaced.

64-bit gets my vote. It'll make it easier on Chris to use whatever resources the machine needs, and enable the game to be extensible far into the future with enhancements and improvements that rely on more resources. The game's demographic largely supports it.

[Santaissick]

After hearing all information and opinions here, I'd say you making 64-bit first is wiser. If there are number of requests to make 32-bit version later, then making it might be smart.

Of course, I have no idea how to do different versions or how hard it is. But I'm guessing it is much easier to make 64-bit and later shape it (if needed) into 32-bit than vice versa.

[XGOPAidanlol]

I was just think that the game would run a lot smoother if it were 64-bit. Since a lot of people now days have a 64-bit computer, then i don't see why not make it run in 64-bit. Keep in mind, that i have absolutely no idea how hard it is to make it 64-bit; so if it is too troublesome, then you need not have worry if you have other things planned.

[Captain Deathbeard]

I don't think it would be any smoother, it might lead to less crashes caused by too much memory use. And video cards are usually only 1GB so 64bit wouldn't allow higher-res textures or anything.

[Marcuss2]

You can use CFF exploler to allow Kenshi.exe to use more than 2 GB RAM (It starts, it works )

EDIT: I used this way and loading are WAYYYYYY Faster (Look into my signature for my computer specs.)

[Blxz]

Interesting idea marcus. Can you do a little testing by enabling the >2gb option and then trying a game immediately after with it disabled again? If you could do that a few times and then report back here with some actual times, I'd love to see that.

I only ask because sometimes when you want to see something (such as faster loading times) either our mind plays tricks on us or there can be other factors as play as well. Plus I just love statistics and I'd like to see the difference numerically.

[toaster Assassin]

Kanaro said: Essentially it is hard anymore to buy a 32-bit machine. In 2 years, many will be replaced.

If I recall, most current processors have the ability to be 32 or 64bit.However, do the majority of the casual gamers really know the difference between a 64bit and 32bit OS? (Besides the ability to access more RAM)

[Kanaro]

I think most gamers (and I use that term to loosely describe PC people who game at least once a week) know that 64-bit is capable of running "more stuff faster". In a nutshell, that's not overly far from the truth - it can take advantage of more addressable memory, run more efficient threads for multiprocessing, and has more frequently updated code supporting it (given that 64-bit is us moving forward).

Do they know how that is accomplished, or why it is a good idea? Probably not. They only know "my game stutters all the time", whereupon someone tells them that their 32-bit game is constantly loading/unloading resources from the hard disk and that's why it stutters. They tell them to get an exe editor and turn on the >2gb flag. We've heard that for many a year with games like Oblivion, Skyrim, etc.. the big open-world games that use tons of resources.

So while they may or may not know that 64-bit is highly advantageous, nor why.. it can still benefit the game's perceived performance and stability to employ it when compiling an executable. Really though - it is up to Chris and how expansive and smooth he wants to make Kenshi, and if he feels 64-bit is an acceptable requirement. I certainly do.

[John]

least once a week)

Pff, casuals...

[Hellhound1]

You can use CFF exploler to allow Kenshi.exe to use more than 2 GB RAM (It starts, it works )

EDIT: I used this way and loading are WAYYYYYY Faster (Look into my signature for my computer specs.)

Sure it's kenshi.exe you wanna be modifying? What about _core.exe? Considering its _core.exe that crashes if the game crashes (and kenshi.exe being 12.kb...) im not sure which one...

(tried modifiying _core, now doesnt work woops.)

[Blxz]

I'll play a game at least a few times a week and was not even aware until this year that 64-bit meant it was more capable of running stuff. And this was only because I browse a lot of forums and have found out from other forumites. I think you might be assuming a level of knowledge from gamers/computer users that they may not have.....or perhaps I am just hopelessly uneducated about computers.

[Kanaro]

I'd rather give gamers the benefit of the doubt, than assume they're all blithering idiots. They are certainly smart enough to find out, if it intrigues them.

[toaster Assassin]

Well the term "gamer" is not the same as "computer/tech enthusiast". One uses the PC to play the games and the other researches,builds and fine tunes the PC. Its like saying a driver of a car and the car mechanic are one. (or very similar)

[Captain Deathbeard]

That unlocker program interested me. I looked into it, I think I now have Kenshi compiled to use up to 4GB.

[Kanaro]

That unlocker program interested me. I looked into it, I think I now have Kenshi compiled to use up to 4GB.

Actually Chris, if memory serves, that exe header switch only enables the game to take advantage of >2gb memory addressing. The code itself has to be designed (told) that it can use up to that much if it wants to. How Ogre would be told that I have no idea, but just flipping the switch only gets you halfway there in this case.

[Blxz]

I'm not so sure about that. I use CFF Explorer to run a few mods for Europa Universalis 3 and some other paradox games and the mod is almost unplayable without the switch (menus and stuff not appearing) but runs fine, if a little slowly, with the header enabled.

I don't pretend to know how it works but it DOES make a difference even if the code isn't originally set to use more than 2gb. Magic of computers I guess.

[Captain Deathbeard]

That unlocker program interested me. I looked into it, I think I now have Kenshi compiled to use up to 4GB.

Actually Chris, if memory serves, that exe header switch only enables the game to take advantage of >2gb memory addressing. The code itself has to be designed (told) that it can use up to that much if it wants to. How Ogre would be told that I have no idea, but just flipping the switch only gets you halfway there in this case.

Not sure what you mean. The code should be able to handle up to 4GB without alteration, right? Thats the 32-bit limit. >4GB would require a 64-bit conversion of all the code. 2GB was just an artificial limit imposed by 32bit windows, as far as i know.