After two years of development, the OpenMW project version 0.49 has been released, advancing the free implementation of the engine for the fantasy role-playing game The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. Compared to the original engine, OpenMW features a modernized user interface, improved graphics, a proprietary editor OpenMW-CS for creating new games and mods, utilizes the Bullet physics simulation engine, adds support for macOS and Linux platforms, and enhances bot behavior.
The project code is written in C++ and is distributed under the GPLv3 license. The OpenMW-CS editor interface and launcher use Qt, while the in-game interface employs MyGUI. SDL is used for input device handling, and OpenAL is used for sound output. Prepared builds are available for Linux (PPA, flatpak), Windows, and macOS. To run the game, files from the original Morrowind resources are required or an alternative resource pack must be installed.
Among the changes in the new version:
- AI capabilities have been expanded; for example, bots can now drink potions.
- Support for smooth transitions between animations has been implemented, enhancing animation realism through interpolation of states between key frames of animation groups in different styles. The animation logic during combat has been reworked.
- Expanded capabilities for creating extensions in Lua: Lua scripts can now control and interact with animation, sound, magical effects, quests, the virtual filesystem, object teleportation, object creation, loading data in YAML format, saving games, and loading saved games.
- Melee combat mechanics have been changed to more closely resemble those of the original Morrowind game, particularly in features such as bots' inability to attack up or down. The hit system has been simplified, incorporating environmental scanning around the player using a hit cone. It is now easier for players to hit flying enemies, while flying enemies can more easily attack players. The realism of hit evaluation in melee combat has been enhanced; the evaluation now occurs after the hit has finished, allowing for evasive maneuvers.
- The ability for sea creatures to appear in areas beyond the main map has been implemented.
- The lighting system during rendering has been upgraded — increasing the realism of highlights and reflections from point light sources, along with more beautiful wave and ripple effects on water. Settings have been added to mimic the original appearance of the game Morrowind.
- The physics engine has improved accuracy and predictability in collision detection when characters interact with their environment.
- Stability of post-processing has been enhanced. Shader uniforms for sky color and the surrounding environment have been added. The preservation of target renders between frames has been ensured to support temporal effects.
- The console now supports searching through output and allows saving command history between sessions.
- Support for saved games recorded in OpenMW versions prior to 0.45 has been discontinued.
- The game editor and graphical utilities have been ported to Qt 6. A Russian language translation has been added to the launcher and installer.
- Work has begun on implementing support for games on newer versions of the Bethesda engine, such as Oblivion (2006), Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and Fallout 4. Resource files from these games can be used to create mods for Morrowind or examples from OpenMW.
Source: opennet.ru
