Sky Configuration During Game

The current sky animation parameters, in an extended way, should be executed at any time during a game, as soon as a new configstring is transferred to the client.

Advantage:

Makes the current sky more lifely, adds to atmosphere at negligible expense.

Disadvantage:

If used heavily, adds to network traffic. Adds to setup costs for sky rendering.

Implementation:

Requires rewrite of handling of sky related configstrings during the game.

Comments:

Decals/patches (a sun) for the sky would add a lot, but that is not a mere extension of an existing rendering step like the proposed changes above, and might be difficult due to the projection details required for environment mapping. Tumbling skies and accelerating rotation as well as varying blends/lighting would animate the existing static sky and contribute to illusions of being immersed in a moving vehicle/pod/space station.

Submitted 980407, revised 980420, comments to bk@gamers.org.