We're introducing a new WebGL game renderer based on PixiJS library. You can read more about the motivation behind it in the this blog post. In short, it allows to make game animations smoother, less CPU-consuming, and add epic visual effects.

This experimental feature is still work-in-progress. You can switch to the new renderer using this option in the sidebar:

Things to be done:

• Missing game object details and animations;
• Render quality is not good enough yet;
• Room dynamic lighting;
• Special effects (see examples here).

Since it's still in early development, there's no need to report missing features (e.g. incorrect objects behavior and animations), we're actively working on them. Instead, what we'd like to test is general WebGL compatibility on your setup. Please try this new WebGL display mode and give us feedback about your general experience using it.

Moving forward we want to take this new client one step further. We are considering open-sourcing the toolkit and adding an ability to create mods for Steam client. This will allow private server owners to easily modify game graphics on their servers, add special effects and animations. We also would like to explore the possibility to add room decorations and creep animations into the game. And PixiJS rendering capabilities will allow to make them really visually appealing.

• screen scrolling/pan, zooming, object clicking and direct interaction is INCREDIBLY fast.
• as above, world map interaction is fantastic. (clicking into a room to view it, very snappy)

Really exciting beginning.

edit: safari 10.1.2 (12603.3.8) works fine.

My System:
OS: Ubuntu 16.04
Browser: Chrome 61
CPU: Dual XEON X5570 @ 2.93GHz
GPU: Nvidia GTX 750 Ti

I kinda like the creep being spawned appearing on top of the spawner. Can we keep that part?

I did "empty cache and hard reload" in chrome (Version 60.0.3112.113 (Official Build) (64-bit)).

BTW, Chrome is broken the same way even when I go back to main server now (with more hard reloads).

The sim on PTR is broken now. When it starts the controller isn't claimed, the "choose location" prompt for the first spawn isn't active, and even if you claim the controller and place a spawn the pause button is grayed out.

Fixed.

@unfleshedone said in PTR Changelog 2017-09-14: WebGL renderer (WIP):

Works great on the same machine in Opera 47.0.2631.80 (PGO).

BTW, Chrome is broken the same way even when I go back to main server now (with more hard reloads).

Any console errors?

< div class="game-field-container" ng:class="{'pan-active': Room.panActive}" >

Also works fine on the same machine in Vivaldi 1.10.867.38 (Stable channel) (32-bit).

I have Screeps-SC extension in broken browser (https://github.com/stybbe/Screeps-SC), but disabling it doesn't change anything.

Since you are not looking about specific bug reports about details I'm not adding any .. just let us now if you want to have something specific tested .)

This is on Chrome (completely up to date).

The only reason I care is because the performance is SO GOOD even in its incomplete state compared to the existing technique. Toggling back and forth between both rendering methods seems to have no impact.

I have seen the jerky creep behaviour on PTR that @tedivm showed only when bringing that tab back to focus, however it returns to a stable state in less than 2 seconds, often before the next actual tick. (Chrome Version 61.0.3163.91 (Official Build) (64-bit) )

Is the new renderer entirely client side, or is there a server impact that prevents releasing it??

also getting an error:

build.min.js?bust=1506510255327:1 Uncaught (in promise) TypeError: a.setTerrain is not a function
    at build.min.js?bust=1506510255327:1
    at <anonymous>

I found out by accident yesterday that portals are not yet rendered in the new client.

Only a few minor improvements and bug fixes are remaining. We expect to deploy it to production on the next week.

UPDATED:

Integrated: VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 4th Gen Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 06) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])

NVIDIA: GForce 740m