[Bf-committers] Bug tracker stats + engine future...

[Mal]

Hi Kester,

>I just don't have a lot of time at the moment.  I've just committed some stuff 
>from Erwin (mail me if it breaks stuff) for abstracting the physics engine so 
>hopefully we can make progress, and use eg ODE as well.  There are still some 
>major bugs, but it is a start.  I'll look at it some more over Easter 
>weekend.
>  
>
That sounds very cool, if you and Erwin are on the case, that is a good 
sign for the future of the physics in the games engine ( which in effect 
should be the basis for eg prototype engines for new artists to use... 
FPS, character, driving etc ).  I think most game engine issues stem 
from the current physics engine ( unstable, slow etc ).  With eg ODE 
integrated, the GE would have a really excellent physics solution, as 
well as maybe making it more appealing to research students etc for 
non-game, simulation work.

>I don't think splitting it off is a good idea - it will just be easier to let 
>it die.
>  
>
Ton wrote...
 > What do you mean with the 'easier let it die' alternative? To just  
stick to current status quo?

I think he means that, if the cord was cut between Blender and the 
Blender Game Engine, the number of users would really decrease, and the 
development would probably halt.  If there was a rumbling about cutting 
the games engine from the main distro, I'd say give it until the next 
point release before discussing further.

Mal