Config Settings/In-game Config Update

[Fensfield]

Restarting the game is still faster than exiting the game, starting up a separate program, changing the setting(s) you want, closing that program, and then starting the game up again.

Without an external config program:
1. Change Settings
2. Exit Game
3. Start Game

With an external config program:
1. Exit Game
2. Start Up Config Program
3. Change Settings
4. Exit Config Program
5. Start Game

Really, I don't know why you think an external config program would make things faster, because it wouldn't. In fact it actually slows things down.

You're uh.. why are you so set against having both?

And it does make things faster. Here, lemme fiddle with your chart a little...


Without an external config program:
1. Start Game
2. Wait for game to load [Variable time, may be some time depending on various factors. Even the best-coded games can have long initial load times and there is no way it won't be a 'noticeable' load period at the absolute minimum, on a good system]
3. Change Settings
4. Exit Game
5. Start Game
6. Wait for game to load

With an external config program (And starting the game first):
1. Start Game (presumably? This whole bit of the example is forgetting the possibility in the next scenario)
2. Wait for game to load
3. Exit Game
4. Start Up Config Program (instant)
5. Change Settings
6. Exit Config Program (instant)
7. Start Game
8. Wait for game to load

Yes, the second example is slower, obviously. You loaded the game first. BUT, and this what you aren't acknowledging:

With an external config program and not launching the game first:
1. Start Up Config Program
2. Change Settings
3. Exit config program
4. (Optional) Start Game
5. (Only if 4) Wait for game to load.

See? That is why I'm in favour of an external program and an in-game config, especially in the face of there already being one (and thus why I'm opposed to removing non-restart options from the external config). In scenario 3, because I knew the changes I wanted to make, I didn't have to start the game and wait for it to load twice. Further, I can not load the game at all if I don't want to - an unlikely possibility but still possible, and very convenient in the event.

Also...

And I've never seen any game except for FFXI and FFXIV that had an external config program, so your claim that such is the fashion these days is completely false.

In order of age (roughly):
- Ragnarök Online (admittedly not recent at all, but significant in the genre and still operating)
- Final Fantasy XI
- Phantasy Star Universe
- Sins of a Solar Empire (sort of)
- Recettear
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Chantelise
- Phantasy Star Online 2 (Alpha 2) - (added since Bahn confirmed as much - thanks!)
(And I wouldn't be surprised if Batman: Arkham City had one and all, play it though I have not)

That's just off the top of my head the ones I'm certain about. I'm sure I could find more in my game library alone if I went hunting, and recent at that. I realise some of those are pretty old, but some aren't, and you did say never... At the very least Arkham and PSO 2 undermine your getting to suggest I'm being dishonest with your 'completely false'.

Oh I do. Because I build my systems myself and know their limitations. I think we should just agree to disagree on this one, I don't want to full another page with this.

Oops. Point and good idea. Sorry I started writing this before noticing your post (or, hell, this whole page >.>) so.. yeah, goodo, won't be posting on the argument again - but my voice is still with having both and not stripping the config program of its current functions, but rather just adding everything possible to the client as well.

[Bahn]

I wonder if Phantasy Star Online 2 has one.. again, wouldn't really surprise me. 'Seems to be their design philosophy. Doesn't really count toward the argument though.

PSO2 Alpha 2 has an external config program, but some settings can be changed within the client. I have a hard time navigating all the kanji during the alpha since I can't tell WHAT settings can be changed within the client, but yeah, it went from *everything* needing to be changed in the external config in PSU to being able to change certain settings from the external config AND within the game for PSO2.

Before you ask - the Alpha 2 agreement allows us to freely talk about the game. They have some rules on screenshots and video (make sure to put a copyright notice, etc) but that's it.