Maybe some masked sprites with an animated texture on it.
Also maybe you have to glue some together for minimizing the data flow to the graphicscard. Some kind of single-surface system with precalculated z-order could make it. Or manage the
sprites with a simple octree or the like.
At least you have to try to reach a minimum of data flow, eg take the FIFA series, the whole game will run suitable with low detailed or no crowd, but if you change it to high crowd the older computers have trouble with the performance.
A small idea, create sectors (maybe out of cubes and parent the sprites to them(the cubes alpha should 0.0. Then you could test if the cubes are in the Viewfrustum. If yes then show all sprites, if not hide them.
Also maybe you have to glue some together for minimizing the data flow to the graphicscard. Some kind of single-surface system with precalculated z-order could make it. Or manage the
sprites with a simple octree or the like.
At least you have to try to reach a minimum of data flow, eg take the FIFA series, the whole game will run suitable with low detailed or no crowd, but if you change it to high crowd the older computers have trouble with the performance.
A small idea, create sectors (maybe out of cubes and parent the sprites to them(the cubes alpha should 0.0. Then you could test if the cubes are in the Viewfrustum. If yes then show all sprites, if not hide them.