28 replies to this topic

[Trauglodyte]

I'm curious as to how many people know about it, use it, and how they like it.

Edited by Trauglodyte, 27 March 2013 - 11:52 AM.

[WardenWolf]

I'm confused about the "how do you use it" question. I am pretty sure free-look just looks around in your cockpit - it does nothing for the movement of your mech or arms. It can be used to see out a part of your cockpit not visible when you are looking forward (depending on your mech and monitor aspect ratio), but cannot be used for aiming or defensive purposes. Am I missing something?

[Cato Phoenix]

Apparently someone else uses it exactly like me. I use it to look around sometimes, I don't really ever aim with it.

[Trauglodyte]

WardenWolf, on 27 March 2013 - 11:01 AM, said:

I'm confused about the "how do you use it" question. I am pretty sure free-look just looks around in your cockpit - it does nothing for the movement of your mech or arms. It can be used to see out a part of your cockpit not visible when you are looking forward (depending on your mech and monitor aspect ratio), but cannot be used for aiming or defensive purposes. Am I missing something?

This is what I was afraid of. Yes, you are absolutely missing something. Free Look moves your arms independent of your torso. It is essentially what happens when you torso twist but your arm reticle moves faster than your torso reticle. You can lock your torso and move your arms to target to limit damage AND you can, if your cockpit allows it (some mechs have a closed back end of the cockpit like the Commando), you can torso twist and then Free Look to extend your field of vision to directly behind you. It helps when you're getting shot at from behind.

[Adridos]

It's the first thing I do on a new mech. Observe the lovely cockpit.

It is the first thing I do at the start of the match, observing teammates behind me.

When I pilot the Cent, I simply love to do a shielded run at some poor fellow trying to destroy that arm.


So I naturally voted yes to all of it.

[WardenWolf]

Trauglodyte, on 27 March 2013 - 11:05 AM, said:

This is what I was afraid of. Yes, you are absolutely missing something. Free Look moves your arms independent of your torso. It is essentially what happens when you torso twist but your arm reticle moves faster than your torso reticle. You can lock your torso and move your arms to target to limit damage AND you can, if your cockpit allows it (some mechs have a closed back end of the cockpit like the Commando), you can torso twist and then Free Look to extend your field of vision to directly behind you. It helps when you're getting shot at from behind.

I think we are using the same name to describe two different things. You can move your arms without your torso (on mechs with lower arm actuators) already - assuming you uncheck that new option in the settings that was added last patch.

"Free look" is for looking around inside your cockpit, and requires holding down the left... shift button? or was it ctrl? I hardly ever use it, as you can see

Or... wait, am I maybe confused by your last paragraph and you are referring to a combination of both options? Do you mean turning your torso all the way, then your arms as far as you can, and then further 'free looking' to get a view out the side of your cockpit (in select mechs)? If so, I think I just don't ever do that since the mech I favor (Atlas) has no side view out the cockpit.

[Mercules]

WardenWolf, on 27 March 2013 - 11:18 AM, said:

I think we are using the same name to describe two different things. You can move your arms without your torso (on mechs with lower arm actuators) already - assuming you uncheck that new option in the settings that was added last patch.

"Free look" is for looking around inside your cockpit, and requires holding down the left... shift button? or was it ctrl? I hardly ever use it, as you can see

Or... wait, am I maybe confused by your last paragraph and you are referring to a combination of both options? Do you mean turning your torso all the way, then your arms as far as you can, and then further 'free looking' to get a view out the side of your cockpit (in select mechs)? If so, I think I just don't ever do that since the mech I favor (Atlas) has no side view out the cockpit.

Free Look will move your arms while keeping your torso pointed in the direction you are facing. If I want to shoot with my right arm but not turn my torso and risk a shot to my left torso, I can Free Look to the right and fire my arm mounted weapons. This only works for mechs with lower arm actuators though so many pilots would not be able to do that.

[Trauglodyte]

WardenWolf, on 27 March 2013 - 11:18 AM, said:

I think we are using the same name to describe two different things. You can move your arms without your torso (on mechs with lower arm actuators) already - assuming you uncheck that new option in the settings that was added last patch.

"Free look" is for looking around inside your cockpit, and requires holding down the left... shift button? or was it ctrl? I hardly ever use it, as you can see

Or... wait, am I maybe confused by your last paragraph and you are referring to a combination of both options? Do you mean turning your torso all the way, then your arms as far as you can, and then further 'free looking' to get a view out the side of your cockpit (in select mechs)? If so, I think I just don't ever do that since the mech I favor (Atlas) has no side view out the cockpit.

You're talking about exactly what I'm talking about. Using the Left Control button allows you to "look around your cockpit". But the cockpit screen is simply the camera view following your arms. Try it again next time that you're in game but pay attention to your arm reticle. You'll wonder what you've been missing. It isn't much but it does help, sometimes. Of course, this is only for mechs that actually have arms that work like this.

For mechs that don't, you just get to look around. You're not limited by anything except your arms don't move.

Edited by Trauglodyte, 27 March 2013 - 11:23 AM.

[Ransack]

Has no battle value to me. I can't aim where I free look, so it's useless. It's nice for looking around the cockpit though.

[Mercules]

Ransack, on 27 March 2013 - 11:30 AM, said:

I can't aim where I free look, so it's useless.

[Tabrias07]

WardenWolf, on 27 March 2013 - 11:18 AM, said:

I think we are using the same name to describe two different things. You can move your arms without your torso (on mechs with lower arm actuators) already - assuming you uncheck that new option in the settings that was added last patch.

"Free look" is for looking around inside your cockpit, and requires holding down the left... shift button? or was it ctrl? I hardly ever use it, as you can see

Or... wait, am I maybe confused by your last paragraph and you are referring to a combination of both options? Do you mean turning your torso all the way, then your arms as far as you can, and then further 'free looking' to get a view out the side of your cockpit (in select mechs)? If so, I think I just don't ever do that since the mech I favor (Atlas) has no side view out the cockpit.

The arms follow your free look until they hit their max angle. In some mechs it's further than you can get without free look, not so much in others. Very useful for trying to shoot down a mountain in a K2.

[Skyscream Sapphire]

Needs more cowbell TrackIR.


I'll play around with the free look to control arms while torso twisting thing, sounds like a good idea.

[Chavette]

Kinda embarassing...

[The Amazing Atomic Spaniel]

TrackIR support would be very nice indeed.

[Mercules]

Skyscream Sapphire, on 27 March 2013 - 11:35 AM, said:

Needs more cowbell TrackIR.

I wish there was support for a system like that.

[Noobzorz]

For Q3 you missed "to fire at mechs who are at a much lower elevation than I am.

[Nathan Foxbane]

Left Ctrl is my Push-to-Talk button, I really need to find a new binding for Free Look because I do like it.

[Funkadelic Mayhem]

I want an option of "i dont care one way or the other" for the last question.

[Ransack]

Mercules, on 27 March 2013 - 11:31 AM, said:

Mech no have moving arms.

[Soy]

Judging by the early results of these polls clearly people don't even utilize things like this to heighten situational awareness.

Which answers the question of why a lot of people wouldnt' like a 3rd person camera, they apparently wouldn't incorporate it into their playstyle.

Just lol.