[Mongoose]

I really appreciate the work Gamma39er put into this, and it's remarkable just how faithfully they were able to recreate the retail effect...but at the same time I genuinely prefer the aesthetics of the current animation. I don't know if it's recency bias talking, because I'd almost forgotten the specifics of the retail effect until Gamma39er's work, but the slowly-expanding wavy lines just don't come across as dramatic enough for my tastes, particular when it comes to capital ships.

[Nohiki]

I always thought of jump nodes as space being twisted into a onedimensional tunnel. It fit well with the Knossos too. So I prefer the current version from lore perspective.

As for aesthetics, the swirling one is more dynamic and attractive to me. So as agreat general once said: I want it to spin.

[Colonol Dekker]

If the tunnel is spinning I always thought the opening should spin to match it.

[Iain Baker]

If the tunnel is spinning I always thought the opening should spin to match it.

Yup, agreed.

[Iain Baker]

Is there a way players can choose which to use? For example, as a tickbox on the media VPs or something?

[Nohiki]

Is there a way players can choose which to use? For example, as a tickbox on the media VPs or something?

We already have the radar icons as precedent on how that could be done, no?

[Colonol Dekker]

It could be as simple as Ticking a launcher box depending on the teams method of implementation.

[Antares]

[Gamma39er]

If the tunnel is spinning I always thought the opening should spin to match it.

Huh, interesting. Personally, I've always thought that was because they had two flat textures that didn't animate and that it looked a little lifeless if they only translated the tunnel instead of also rotating. I think the tunnel is more poorly done the warp effect in retail and the tunnel needs to be updated to match the warpmap, while still maintaining the overall feel of the tunnel. Like maintaining the low frequency colors and shapes, but changing how it animates and the details of the textures.

[Ulala]

Welp, I brought the poll back to a tie. I prefer Gamma's version as it feels more like the original intention of retail and how I first played FS2. But that's my own preference and bias. Whichever way it goes, I think both effects work well.

[manwiththemachinegun]

Not really a fan of the new one? The current version has the effect like a portal storm tearing through subspace. The new one is a gentle ripple which is... fine? But the bright white light and tornado like edges is a stronger visual IMO.

[Gamma39er]

Ok, so I made a version that attempts to address the critique everyone has given in this thread. My hope is to find a version of the effect that will satisfy both sides, current version and proposed version.

In making this version, I took the following critiques into consideration:

- Needs to be more 3D looking
- Needs to be more dynamic
- Needs to have more tertiary detail
- Needs to match the more modern style of FSU

I also had a couple of ideas on how to improve the effect base on my experience recreating the retail version, so I gave it a shot. I also changed the warp model while I was at it. It's now 25 meters in radius, and is slightly bigger than the retail effect as well as smoother looking.



Feel free to critique it. I don't mind. I appreciate everyone being honest.

[EatThePath]

While I can appreciate the qualities you admire in the original, when seeing it side by side in the comparisons I was struck by an odd sense of unreality, something about the way it moves feels wrong in a way that is only heightened by seeing it more clearly in your version. It's hard to put into exact words, but it's not the kind of wrong that makes it more effective as a piece of sci-fi spectacle.

I say all that as context to say this: The new new version I think captures a lot of the good and unique qualities of the original while looking more 'credible' and shedding that feeling of wrongness.

[Vidmaster]

Unfortunately, there is no button to vote for Gamma39er's version from today, two posts above mine. I think it is very good and surpasses both the OP and the current MediaVPs one. So, my vote goes for "proposed" but meaning the new proposal by that.
I like that the proposed version looks more violent, like a whole being wripped into space, like reality distorting. While the MediaVP's current version is certainly better than vanilla, it looks a bit too orderly and always reminded be to much of Babyon 5. Or of the drain in a bathtub 

[Colonol Dekker]

I voted for current, but I want to change it to the one above.

[perihelion]

I would like to see that one in the same context as the video linked on the first page, if possible.  Like the others who have commented so far, this newest version looks a good deal more unstable and violent, and I'm liking it.  I'd voted for the ASW version, but I may want to change my vote now.

[Antares]

[xenocartographer]

I'd love to see this proposal at capital scale.

[Gamma39er]

Here's a Hecate jumping in:

[Colonol Dekker]

That's definitely the one for me.