Possible multiple monitor support for LAN play?

[Mapsking]

I'm not sure if this is the right place or not, but I've been using SuperTuxKart for a while, and I like the changes, and as always, it is a fun game. However, I had a question/suggestion about it that I'm not even sure would be possible, or how hard it might be to implement. I'm simply an end user, but regarding the multiplayer options, two things: First, whatever happened with the LAN play? Did it ever come to fruition? I think it would be more useful and feasible to do that, then a non-LAN type of internet play. Secondly, however, is it possible to create support for a dual-monitor setup, for a multiplayer match? It would be a lot more fun and a lot better if each person could use their own monitor, as opposed to a split screen. In my case, in our office/game room, we have the main computer monitor on one wall, and an HD TV on the opposite wall. That way, each player can be comfortable, and see the race on their own respective screen. Just a thought, and was curious to see if it is possible, or in fact likely. Please let me know.

Thanks, Mapsking.

[Auria]

Hi,

LAN play is currently not supported, but definitely is planned for the support; simply, the problem is that net play is rather difficult to code so it's not easy

Regarding dual monitor setups, we rely on irrlicht to create our rendering frame, and I don't believe irrlicht has support for multiple monitors

[hiker]

Hi,

...

but regarding the multiplayer options, two things: First, whatever happened with the LAN play? Did it ever come to fruition? I think it would be more useful and feasible to do that, then a non-LAN type of internet play.

The LAN mode we had (kind of unofficially) was more of a test. I won't put any effort in LAN mode, but instead internet play is on our milestone list (0.9) - though that is still quite some time off.

Secondly, however, is it possible to create support for a dual-monitor setup, for a multiplayer match? It would be a lot more fun and a lot better if each person could use their own monitor, as opposed to a split screen. In my case, in our office/game room, we have the main computer monitor on one wall, and an HD TV on the opposite wall. That way, each player can be comfortable, and see the race on their own respective screen. Just a thought, and was curious to see if it is possible, or in fact likely. Please let me know.

This is quite HW/OS specific. Sometimes the two monitors might actually be only one screen which is stretched, or they might be different screens. The first case could be supported (though it would be some work to get the logic right), the later would need support from irrlicht, which (afaik) doesn't support it. Chances for this being implement are slim - we are only two developers, so we would focus on the (arguably) more important things on our schedule - after all there are more people with one screen than with two (I'd guess). And if we support network play, you could probably hook up a 2nd computer to the TV and get the same effect. Saying that: of course we would accept a patch

Cheers,
Joerg

[Auria]

The only thing we'd need to check is whether irrlicht perhaps supports opening two frames, but I somewhat doubt it

[hiker]

The only thing we'd need to check is whether irrlicht perhaps supports opening two frames, but I somewhat doubt it

Well, my linux machines reports a screen of 3840x1080, and it would span STK over both screens. So this could be handled completely in the split screen code of the race gui (not sure what to do about menu though ... since this would be displayed across both screens as well). But I am not sure what would happen with windows (does it give you one big screen, or somehow two?), and what happens if the two screens have a different resolution So while some configuration could probably be supported inside stk already, it won't be enough for the more general case (e.g. laptop with a big screen attached etc).

Cheers,
Joerg

[mjminfo]

There is another game (the same style as STK) that is using irrlicht, and they say that they support CrossFireX in OpenGL

http://buggy-race.pl/downloads/buggyrace_tips_tricks.txt

As I've found that out now and I'm on my way out the door, it's worth too investigate and to ask irrlicht if indeed they support multiple graphic adapters/multi-monitors

Jorge