[MUD-Dev2] [DESIGN] Ray traced environments

[John Buehler]

Blue sky time.

Processors are fast.  They're getting more numerous per box.  We have
graphics coprocessors.  Physics coprocessors are also out there.  It may be
time to start talking about raytracing in games.

Here's one man's commentary on some current activity related to realtime
raytracing.

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=334

My questions to the list are:

1. Are we still another 5-10 years away from rendering games with
raytracing?

2. Is there any real value in going with raytracing?  Are photo-realistic
environments a niche feature for games?  Is this the point where the visuals
just make the rest of the game look bad by comparison?

3. If raytracing becomes the standard for game rendering, how will it affect
the industry?

4. Is raytraced gaming the killer application for all the
multiprocessor/multicore stuff that's coming down the pike?

JB