it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me?

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me?

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Distant Worlds 1 Series >> it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me?

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/3/2013 4:49:56 AM

Lonck

Posts: 106
Joined: 11/23/2010
Status: offline

Is it just me? Do I need to upgrade my comp? Its ridiculous that it takes 3 minutes to save a game. Played plenty of games in my life and this is the only game that takes 3 minutes to save. E8400 3.00 GHz, ATI HD 4800.

Post #: 1

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/3/2013 5:55:19 AM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

If you are playing on a 1400 star galaxy with a large number of empires, then it will take a bit as the game progresses. Keep in mind there are literally thousands of ships, troops, etc that the game must compress into the save file.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Fan

'When in doubt...attack!'

(in reply to Lonck)

Post #: 2

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/3/2013 6:40:30 AM

Starke

Posts: 147
Joined: 6/7/2013
Status: offline

Early in the game and in smallish games it doesn't take me more than 30 seconds to save. But as I get to mid and large size maps, especially late game, it can take a minute or two. I've found that a pretty huge factor in save time is pirates - in one game there were around four pirate factions that supposedly had 300-600 ships each - but as I set about destroying them I realized that 80% of those ships were just partially constructed bits of ships at spaceports (not sure if it also counts the 50 or so ships each spaceport had in queue =P ). I nuked six or eight such spaceports and my save time was cut roughly in half.

(in reply to Shark7)

Post #: 3

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/3/2013 10:15:18 PM

Jeeves

Posts: 940
Joined: 9/28/2010
From: Arlington TN U.S.A
Status: offline

I suspect that the disk drive speed is the most important factor. When my brother bought me new drives my save time was cut in half. Terabyte drives are fast and cheap now. You ought to look into that...

Lonnie Courtney Clay

_____________________________

Live long and prosper!

Lonnie Courtney Clay

(in reply to Starke)

Post #: 4

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/13/2013 2:22:40 AM

Keldun

Posts: 33
Joined: 8/13/2011
Status: offline

With an ssd it takes about 10 sec to save a 1400 stars, 20 player galaxy. So I think it is mostly affected by storage speed.
If you do not have an ssd you might want to try a ramdrive if you have some spare memory over 3GB, that would probably be even faster than an ssd, except that it would slow down the windows shutdown to save the changes.

(in reply to Jeeves)

Post #: 5

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/13/2013 2:29:48 AM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

Most likely. I'm still using SATA drives, so the save time doesn't surprise me.

In a couple more years when I'm more convinced that SSDs are stable and bug free, I might make the switch to the newer tech. Plus there is always that thing about not fixing something that isn't broke.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Fan

'When in doubt...attack!'

(in reply to Keldun)

Post #: 6

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/13/2013 12:09:53 PM

FireStarterXoX69

Posts: 24
Joined: 5/27/2013
Status: offline

I'm using a SSD with i7 980 @4.1g w/ 12 gigs of ram. In mid/late games with 1400 stars/largest maps my load/save times can take up to two minutes.

(in reply to Shark7)

Post #: 7

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/13/2013 1:25:53 PM

mSterian

Posts: 155
Joined: 7/25/2013
Status: offline

Nope. It's most probably the CPU that's slow in creating the save.
Just look at your HDD light. If it's constantly blinking while saving, then get a faster HDD. If not, it's your CPU.

(in reply to FireStarterXoX69)

Post #: 8

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/13/2013 3:15:57 PM

Erik Rutins

Posts: 37503
Joined: 3/28/2000
From: Vermont, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shark7
In a couple more years when I'm more convinced that SSDs are stable and bug free, I might make the switch to the newer tech. Plus there is always that thing about not fixing something that isn't broke.

They are amazing right now, don't wait if you have the opportunity to get one. They are well worth it, especially as a boot/system drive.

Large galaxy games will still take a while to save once you get into the late game though. There is just a lot for the game to record at that point.

Regards,

- Erik

_____________________________

Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC

For official support, please use our Help Desk: http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/

Freedom is not Free.

(in reply to Shark7)

Post #: 9

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/14/2013 12:04:05 AM

Keldun

Posts: 33
Joined: 8/13/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: FireStarterXoX69

I'm using a SSD with i7 980 @4.1g w/ 12 gigs of ram. In mid/late games with 1400 stars/largest maps my load/save times can take up to two minutes.

I' m not sure what would make that much difference.
But here is a video I captured of the load / save process of a 1400 stars 20 players galaxy in year 2202 with the cpu usage shown in windows task manager, it doesn't seem to be very high, never going higher than 35% cpu use during the save.
The ssd used was a samsung 840 pro. the load process seems to take about 45 sec and save 15 sec here with the capture software running in the background.
http://youtu.be/XTEoZ1dr7_U

< Message edited by Keldun -- 8/14/2013 12:05:03 AM >

(in reply to FireStarterXoX69)

Post #: 10

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/14/2013 12:13:20 AM

Darkspire

Posts: 1986
Joined: 6/12/2003
From: My Own Private Hell
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Keldun

quote:

ORIGINAL: FireStarterXoX69

I'm using a SSD with i7 980 @4.1g w/ 12 gigs of ram. In mid/late games with 1400 stars/largest maps my load/save times can take up to two minutes.

I' m not sure what would make that much difference.
But here is a video I captured of the load / save process of a 1400 stars 20 players galaxy in year 2202 with the cpu usage shown in windows task manager, it doesn't seem to be very high, never going higher than 35% cpu use during the save.
The ssd used was a samsung 840 pro. the load process seems to take about 45 sec and save 15 sec here with the capture software running in the background.
http://youtu.be/XTEoZ1dr7_U

The Steam client is hogging second place on the CPU and has absolutely nothing to do with Distant Worlds, and folks wonder why the there are so many anti-Steam posts ...

Darkspire

_____________________________

Darkspires's File Repository

(in reply to Keldun)

Post #: 11

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/14/2013 12:22:48 AM

Keldun

Posts: 33
Joined: 8/13/2011
Status: offline

Yes it takes even more resources than my av kaspersky which is reputed as bloated av but its a necessary evil because so many games are steam exclusive now :(

(in reply to Darkspire)

Post #: 12

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/14/2013 2:58:47 AM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

Not a necessary evil as I have nothing to do with steam. I just don't play games that require it.

There should be a way to turn the Steam client off when not in use though. If not then that is a major problem in my opinion.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Fan

'When in doubt...attack!'

(in reply to Keldun)

Post #: 13

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/15/2013 11:25:44 PM

vtecem

Posts: 3
Joined: 1/13/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Darkspire

quote:

ORIGINAL: Keldun

quote:

ORIGINAL: FireStarterXoX69

I'm using a SSD with i7 980 @4.1g w/ 12 gigs of ram. In mid/late games with 1400 stars/largest maps my load/save times can take up to two minutes.

I' m not sure what would make that much difference.
But here is a video I captured of the load / save process of a 1400 stars 20 players galaxy in year 2202 with the cpu usage shown in windows task manager, it doesn't seem to be very high, never going higher than 35% cpu use during the save.
The ssd used was a samsung 840 pro. the load process seems to take about 45 sec and save 15 sec here with the capture software running in the background.

The Steam client is hogging second place on the CPU and has absolutely nothing to do with Distant Worlds, and folks wonder why the there are so many anti-Steam posts ...

Darkspire

Actually it's second in RAM usage not CPU, and steam is not as bad as all the haters seem to believe. Since it only uses 100mb, thats a tiny tiny footprint. Yes it's DRM but is the least intrusive drm that has ever come out. It's not the lesser of 2 evils, it's (so far) the least of all evils. This is ofc referring to the drm option, not the drm free option which is best IMO. Just my two cents.

(in reply to Darkspire)

Post #: 14

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/15/2013 11:47:01 PM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

I just prefer not to choose any type of evil at all.

I'm just way too old school, back when DRM consisted of "What is the 3rd word in the 2nd paragraph on page 119?" Yep we had DRM way back then too, but it seemed less draconian than current versions...basically you didn't have to install a third party program to spy on you to just play the games you paid for.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Fan

'When in doubt...attack!'

(in reply to vtecem)

Post #: 15

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/19/2013 2:10:37 AM

necaradan666

Posts: 256
Joined: 5/28/2012
Status: offline

You're kidding right? I HATED looking through my drawers for that damn manual in the middle of the game, almost as terrible as 'turn over 5 1/4 inch floppy to continue.' That's the definition of intrusive DRM to me, Steam just sits quiet in the background. I remember installing things from like 30 discs omg. I'd turn and run from any product that required that kind of time and effort in this day and age... I'd choose modern over old skool in this case.

oh man, I just remembered waiting an hour between levels while a DAT tape loads, staring at a seizure inducing rainbow striped flashing screen.. wow, what I used to do just to game. It was so much fun though..

(in reply to Shark7)

Post #: 16

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/19/2013 3:39:52 AM

Anthropoid

Posts: 3107
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Secret Underground Lair
Status: offline

Hey Shark. I used to be a Steamophobe, or whatever.

Then when I realized that (a) it has improved a lot over the years; (b) they have tremendous selection and good prices; (c) there really doesn't seem to be anything 'evil' about it; (d) Fallout New Vegas and Skyrim were Steam exclusive: I finally became a Steam user.

I have honestly had nothing but good experiences . . . well there was that one time I 'accidentally' bought something (their e-commerce page was seemingly intentionally misleading to be honest) and had to ask them to refund my money (which they did as I had not downloaded the game). It was about $90 for a game I already owned if I recall. Basically it was some package and when it saw I was buying Skyrim it 'suggested' this package (previous TES games) and I already owned them. I realized what I had done almost as soon as I had clicked the button.

Other than that, which turned out to be a an overall good experience in that it showed they will listen when you complain, I have honestly had nothing but positive experiences.

When I don't want to play connected to their network, I select "Go Offline" and then no problem.

Not trying to sell anybody on Steam nor get into a debate about it. I was pretty 'anti-' for a long time and then as that kinda slowly wore down in the face of literally years of positive to neutral testimony from other forumites, it evolved into "Ah well. I'm not in need of any Steam games, there are plenty that don't need it." That is how I was for a couple years till a couple games I wanted were Steam only. Then I took the plunge and don't regret it. It is good to do it on your own terms and in your own time, I certainly did; but there is really nothing to worry about.

_____________________________

The x-ray is her siren song. My ship cannot resist her long. Nearer to my deadly goal. Until the black hole. Gains control...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIIlkyZ328&feature=autoplay&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CocLGbd6tpbuQRxyF4FGNr&playnext=3

(in reply to necaradan666)

Post #: 17

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/19/2013 4:47:10 PM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

Well, I'm probably never going to be sold on Steam, or anything like it. On the other hand, I've been able to play Skyrim and Fallout: New Vegas on console, so its all good for me. And next gen consoles are here, and I'm going PS4 this time in stead of Xbox...the new xbox just has too many negatives with it...the so-called 'new and innovative' which I honestly find to be 'creepy and intrusive'.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Fan

'When in doubt...attack!'

(in reply to Anthropoid)

Post #: 18

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/20/2013 12:43:21 AM

necaradan666

Posts: 256
Joined: 5/28/2012
Status: offline

They've done a lot of retracting on their so-called features, seems about the same deal as a PS4. I honestly can't bring myself to use a playstation controller but the xbone hasn't sold me either. I don't know if I'll buy next gen at all unless a game I need to play comes along.

(in reply to Shark7)

Post #: 19

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/20/2013 12:59:49 AM

Darkspire

Posts: 1986
Joined: 6/12/2003
From: My Own Private Hell
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: necaradan666

I don't know if I'll buy next gen at all unless a game I need to play comes along.

A good reason for a next gen

Darkspire

_____________________________

Darkspires's File Repository

(in reply to necaradan666)

Post #: 20

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/22/2013 4:20:18 PM

Flinkebeinchen

Posts: 109
Joined: 6/18/2013
From: Germany
Status: offline

Hmm, it takes me around 31s to load a 1400star-MID-game when I start DW:Shadows (with DW:Extended Mod) and around 8s to save it. (just timed it). Maybe your Antivirus slows you down? I use Norton Internet Security.

My System:
CPU: i5-2500k
RAM: Corsair 8GB DDR3(1600)
HDD: 2TB Seagate ST2000DL003
I also have a SDD but I don't use it for DW;Load/Save

Regarding Steam, I like to have all my Games in one place. With special offers you can save some money. I love the Steam Cloud (you can access your Saves from anywhere), it helped me alot when my Motherboard burned my whole HDD back in Oct 2011. I can stay in touch with my friends while playing games, I even put non-Steam Games on my list. With Steamworks you can easily have your Mods updated. I like the feature to get quickly in a friends game just by one click.

Well on the negative side, you must to be online to use these features.

_____________________________

My Steam Profile
Diablo 3

(in reply to Darkspire)

Post #: 21

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/22/2013 4:29:15 PM

Shark7

Posts: 7937
Joined: 7/24/2007
From: The Big Nowhere
Status: offline

It's the whole 'mut be online thing' that I don't like about it. There are days when I don't even turn my PC on, much less go on the internet. And I just don't like to change anymore, guess I'm getting old...and grumpy. Well in all honesty, I've always been grumpy.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Fan

'When in doubt...attack!'

(in reply to Flinkebeinchen)

Post #: 22

RE: it takes me 3 mins to save. Is that just me? - 8/22/2013 6:42:32 PM

Anthropoid

Posts: 3107
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Secret Underground Lair
Status: offline

I do agree that _more options_ is the best thing for we gamers. The fact that some publishers cut deals with Steam so that their games are only available to players who have a Steam account (else those who will engage in piracy) is in my opinion somewhat . . . erm . . . annoying. It takes options away from the consumer and I don't see that as a 'good thing.' But then, I cannot blame Valve if they want to improve their bottom line by offering special deals to publishers like Bethesda to make their games Steam exclusive; nor can I blame a publisher like Bethesda for taking advantage of the probably insanely good deal they were given by Valve to make Skyrim or Fallout New Vegas Steam exclusive. I don't like it, but I can't blame either one of them for going for the higher profits.

_____________________________

(in reply to Shark7)

Post #: 23