10 replies to this topic

[GrizzlyViking]

The beams on the dynamic capture points seem a bit too prevailing. In other words, they are too much in your face. Should they be lower to the ground, thinner, more transparent, or some combination of these?

[Sulf]

Let me answer this by reposting something I wrote for a previous thread:

Quote

Personal I find the new capture beams to be distracting and ugly. I imagine the idea behind them was to make the game environment seem more immersible, but franking it failed.


Here's the setup: Five drilling platforms are in the process of mining valuable resources. Two apposing forces are attempting to take and hold these platforms for their faction. In the process receiving resources for holding them.

Lets pass over the fact that even though you receive resource points for the amount gathered it really doesn't simulate you gaining those resources simply because there is no evidence that any resources ever left the platform via transport nor can any mech pick up resources. (An they should. Adding a small shuttle that lands and flies off would be very cool. Especially if shooting it down became an element of the game.) On the same line 750 resources is simply an arbitrary amount you can reach to win the game and has no logical bearing on whether the other team is going to give up or not. (Personally I'd change resources to some measurement for firewall hacking progress. It makes slightly more sense.)

Now back to the laser beam pylons. In what world do these make sense? It's a sensor which detects your faction and decides that if you stand near it, it will swear allegiance to your side...

Who builds these?

For that matter, what is the point of the changing colors? Either you're on the point and capturing or fighting, or you're somewhere else and see it on your HUD. This is pointless and detracting.

It's far more logical to assume that an operator outside of the battle can connect through a mech's wireless network and begin hacking into the network on the automated drilling platform. Which would mean that there would not need to be any boundaries to stand in. Since we have the platforms to look at, we really don't need the box.

But, please not the pylons. They're silly.

[skullman86]

Instead of laser beam pylons, why not just put a beacon at the top of the rig that changes color? Seems like it would be easier to implement.

[Lentil]

skullman86, on 05 March 2013 - 08:09 PM, said:

Instead of laser beam pylons, why not just put a beacon at the top of the rig that changes color? Seems like it would be easier to implement.

Nothing is easier to implement than what has already been implemented.

Still, I think it's way too 'in-your-face'. Couldn't the ground overlaid boxes change color instead of lasers at light-mech-eye-height? Frankly, it seems unnecessary and a bit to "glam".

[Hammer Hands]

Personally I think they are a nice touch. Dropping them a little lower to the ground is a good suggestion, but combine that with the extra nice details of these rigs, i.e. the flames out the top, the driling dust and cloud at the bottom, and the electricity flashes around the generator, and it look cool and immersive to me.

[Deathlike]

FYI, prior to this, you have to stare at the ground to figure out the outlines of the capture area. Already, this version is superior to the previous one.

Lowering the height of the laser beams should be sufficient.

[Sulf]

There's really no reason why the orange ground square didn't work. I mean, we have a virtual overlay helmet. The new laser pylons is about the same as having little robots with neon signs floating over enemy mechs, screaming: "Shoot this one! Shoot this one!" Instead of target icons.

[Herr Vorragend]

In thermal- and nightview those beams look like lasers. Very annoying when you´re entering the area and can´t see any difference at first, wheter thus are lasers of just those beams. Even in normal view they look like ml or sl. It´s far too much. I guess I gonna call it "the noob zone" now, cause I think the beams were implemented to show new players where to go.

But hey, this could be part of the training grounds I personally dislike the new look :/

[GrizzlyViking]

Seems like most people prefer lowering the beams at least. Some would like the beams to be on the ground again, which I think was sufficient. The beams on the ground could change color like the new beams. After considering the posts above I am not sure this was an issue that needed to be fixed in the first place. Maybe the development time spent on this modification would have been better spent on something more useful?

[Loc Nar]

I'll save you my thousand words on the subject.

[Acrius]

I was hoping for a HUD overlay, and not a realy object.

Shooting into the sky would be useful, but would look realy out of place... not to say fance fits in.