my avatar appears to have disappeared again...though it worked on the other computer...o well, I 'spose it doesn't matter much
anyway here's my current comparison:
key:
+ is advantage
= is equal
-+ is arguable
- is disadvantage
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Cipher:
+ open source engine code (you can modify the engine itself)
+ $100 for
full license
+ shaders (more advanced graphics than Dark, and not dependant on coding the shaders -> ie it has a shader GUI)
+ shaders can morph very impressivly (eg: tranparentcy, reflections, "swelling", etc -> see tech demo for shader, its on the website somewhere), and such shaders are supposedly derived from the similiar technology as Quake III - remember how Quake III photon machine-gun had a glowing blue ammo clip on top?
+ tools for converting to its file formats
+ camera is slightly smoother than typical Dark program
+ demos show engine in strong environment (ie the engine is tested in a more complete form, rather than the isolated demos of Dark)
+ BSP collision (reputed to be very flexible, controlable, and effective)
+ support for 3rd party physics engines, even for state-of-the-art physics like Havok (and you can always use a system of your own to augment the physics system)
+ Dark tools such as Treemagik, Plantlife, and of course the basic imaging tools can be used with Cipher (thus you can still have a symbiotic relationship with "thegamecreators")
+
beta Linux build of Cipher is available
= tool support
= source code of demos
= particle system
= lighting
= audio, with distance relative sound
= memory control
= animation control
= community tools and contributions
= "open genre"
= Windows OS
-+ network/multi-player supports 1-32 players (but can be modifyed to support more, if you know how to code the networking system you intend)
- smaller community
- openGL only (does not support DirectX)
- few file types directly supported (only supports .ase; you can only use 3ds max, milkshape, or anima8or to model, except
convertion tools are often created and made available, such as for Blender and Maya)
- API and some other main website features cannot be used until you have purchased Cipher
- less pre-made content available (ie beyond basic prototyping you must create your own models and art)
- no 2D graphics system
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Dark:
+ large community
+ $60 for
limited license (ie its more basic forms are cheaper than Cipher)
+ supports/"advocates" various tools (ie Treemagik, graphic editors, etc)
+ such tools often allow for an exceptionaly broad range of file types
+ content packs (ie DarkMATTER, SoundMATTER, etc)
+ 2D graphics system (which is reputed to be exceptionally fast)
+ network/multi-player supports 2-256 players
= tool support
= source code of demos
= particle system
= lighting
= memory control
= animation control
= audio, with distance relative sound
= community tools and contributions
= "open genre"
= Windows OS
-+ BASIC is
not better to learn than C++ and C, despite of hype
- no open source engine code
- $140 for
full license ($200 total vs $100 for Cipher)
- moderate hype and advertisment (irritates me at least, might not apply if you actually enjoy such)
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here's some information about my own endeavors that might further explain my current reasons:
I intend to program my own 2D engine anyway (so the lack of a 2D engine for Cipher does not concern me much)
I only use Windows because the other OSs have become lacking in support due to the monopoly (which the possibility of an eventual full Linux version may offer an alternative to Windows)
I intend to code as innovative as I am able, thus a closed source engine is a programatic burden I don't want to bare
Yes, Cipher will probably take more work and time to use, but I think the differences favor Cipher (at least for me and pertaining to my endeavors).
However, "thegamecreators"'s tools such as Treemagic, Plantlife, and the basic graphic editors such as the "pixel-perfect" editor and the texture maker seem very effective. (so I will probably continue to use those)
Regardless, I recommend looking at the demos and videos from the website (just for the sake of "eye candy", if not for anything else). -
http://www.cipherengine.com/
[during the "temple demo"]
press "1" on your keyboard to view the demo in wire-frame or "dot" mode
press "2" to display your frame-rate, if it doesn't hit 60 occasionaly, then your video card suxxor
press "c" to reduce light
