This video shows the prototype shadow system being developed as part of the new graphics system in the new game engine. The video includes tests for two cockpits and one spacecraft model with local shadowing applied at a high detail level. The system is adjustable to allow for lower levels of detail in efforts to improve performance on older/slower system configurations. Other elements of the new graphics system are also adjustable for balancing between performance and quality/detail.

 

It's likely the shadow effects in conjunction with other possible planned features will likely require pixel shader model 3.0 minimum, but the benefits of the new graphics systems can be seen in this test video with effects like shadowing. It's well worth moving to a newer graphics minimum to implement such effects and such a move would also be appropriate timing for the possibility of incorporating such a new graphics system into a new game in the series, providing a fresh start with a new framework.

 

The original graphics systems of Evochron Mercenary, which were largely developed more than 5 years ago, were designed when Vista was the latest version of Windows, most gamers were still on XP, and gaming resolutions were commonly below 1920X1080. The new graphics system is being designed with 1920X1080 as a baseline minimum, so elements like special effects, texture resolutions, and object details are being created with that target goal in mind. So increases in the minimum requirements would also likely apply, compared to EM. However, it's not yet established what those requirements might be as there are many elements left to be finished before final analysis and testing can and may be completed.