Map File Sizes

[Xenos]

I have a question for the level designers out there. What do you anticipate the average .zip file size will be for UT2003 maps? Do you think many of them will be over 2MB?

[Freakish]

I ain't no designer..but just with UT there are a LOT of custom maps over 2mb. I'd expect at least the same # from 2k3.

[FBMachine]

It really depends on how the mapper does their map. If they use all built-in prefabs and textures, it'll be pretty small, probably around the 1.5-2mb mark depending on how much crap they put in. Throw in some custom textures and high poly static meshes though and the file sizes will sky rocket, especially since the official textures will be at 1024x1024 so most people will probably follow that guideline. If the map is mostly terrain based though, it should be kinda small since the terrains are just heightmaps ( though the lightmaps for the terrain takes up a bit of space too ). It's hard to say though since there aren't any user maps out yet ( heck, not even official maps ), so this is just speculation. :)
Dan

[LoPing]

There have been official comments from Epic to the effect that new maps' file sizes will be smaller due to the use of prefabs. (Though the install size of UT2k3 is probably going to be MASSIVE to hold all those prefabs).

If you use current building techniques, then your file sizes will probably be about the same, but then the level-of-detail that you can put in your maps will be less. (The prefabs are meshes so they render much faster than brushes).

I'm not sure if normal brush rendering for UT2k3 will be any better than for UT1, but you can probably safely assume that the average UT2k3 user will have a better PC than the average UT1 user.

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My own personal target is a .utx of under 2meg, they typically zip down to a third of their unzipped size.

[IHopeToGod]

I agree with FBmachine as well. I know Epic says file sizes will be smaller but I think that will not be true at all - especially for user made content. In fact I would expect user levels to be 2-10 times larger than what they are currently for UT which does not bode well for mod makers if they are going to release maps individually. As FBmachine pointed out textures are larger - the average will be 512x512 or something like that, whereas in UT it was 256x256. Then I think the jump to ogg vorbis format will be a killer for custom music. I've been experimenting by converting normal .s3m files to ogg format with reasonable quality, and a 500kb file can be anywhere from 3-10mb depending on how much quality you are willing to lose. 56k users will never download maps from servers in time anymore. Its just not worth it.......:scratch: . Of course we can always make maps like CTF-andAction :D . Its possible they have devloped some amazing compression scheme but I doubt that........:scratch:

[Sinnical]

i would expect the lvl itself to be not much different, but when you include any prefabs the mapper might have added it will grow and its hard to determine how many ppl would include in maps (if any)

[Xenos]

Thanks for the input. My php install was limiting map uploads to 2MB. I will modify it to accept larger sizes. Once again, I appreciate the responses :D Hope to see some new map submissions when UT2003 is released!

[Lord_Simeon]

SIAB will have to have another 8X8 comp for UT2k so people with modems can download some maps LOL

[phalanx]

Originally posted by Lord_Simeon
SIAB will have to have another 8X8 comp for UT2k so people with modems can download some maps LOL
hey now that idea i like but i download them in about 3 seconds 2meg 30 seconds