34 replies to this topic

[Karlack26]

I am proposing a simple method for lance and team commanders to call targets in pugs.
Allow the commanders to broadcast what ever Mech they are currently targeting with a single push of a button,
A simple visual cue of a light blue bracket around the designated Mech, along with an audio cue of Bitching Betty saying "target alpha, beta", ect ect
Though Bitching Betty does say a lot as it is so perhaps this idea sans the audio cue.

This could also help to cut down on chatter in VOIP, Allowing the Commander to issue general commands and having the lance commanders calling targets with the in game system,


I see some 400 views, and only 68 votes so far. Good thing is all are yes zero are no.
Don't to forget to vote when visiting this thread.
Also I do not think i have seen a thread with so many agreeing on a topic.

Edited by Karlack26, 28 April 2013 - 10:26 AM.

[Delas Ting Usee]

Karlack26, on 23 April 2013 - 04:45 PM, said:

I am proposing a simple method for lance and team commanders to call targets in pugs. Allow the commanders to broadcast what ever Mech they are currently targeting with a single push of a button, A simple visual cue of a light blue bracket around the designated Mech, along with an audio cue of Bitching Betty saying "target alpha, beta", ect ect Though Bitching Betty does say a lot as it is so perhaps this idea sans the audio cue. This could also help to cut down on chatter in VOIP, Allowing the Commander to issue general commands and having the lance commanders calling targets with the in game system,

This is one of the better suggestions EVER!

[Sparks Murphey]

I like the idea, but I can't vote for it if you don't have a poll...

[PanzerMagier]

Yes, get a poll running, every suggestion needs one! :>
Good idea, outstanding... Why didn't the devs think of this?

[Karlack26]

I have added a poll now.

[IceSerpent]

Uhm...you guys do realize that one can't target a mech under ECM umbrella without countering ECM first, right? Just checking...

[SmoothCriminal]

great idea

[Caviel]

IceSerpent, on 24 April 2013 - 01:48 PM, said:

Uhm...you guys do realize that one can't target a mech under ECM umbrella without countering ECM first, right? Just checking...

Yes, although that still isn't a good reason to skip this feature. I fully endorse this idea, and would like to subscribe to Karlack26's newsletter.

[Karlack26]

IceSerpent, on 24 April 2013 - 01:48 PM, said:

Uhm...you guys do realize that one can't target a mech under ECM umbrella without countering ECM first, right? Just checking...

I did think of that, but it also an issue using VOIP to call out targets when you can not highlight them. One usually just yells kill that *$%@$ Atlas.
But it is better then nothing and will improve PUG play a lot and perhaps can add another layer to Information warfare if they ever adjust ecm and its counters

[IceSerpent]

Caviel, on 24 April 2013 - 01:51 PM, said:

Yes, although that still isn't a good reason to skip this feature. I fully endorse this idea, and would like to subscribe to Karlack26's newsletter.

How exactly do you expect this feature to work?

Scenario #1: commander spots an ecm-carrying mech 500m out, is unable to target it, therefore can't designate it as a target - starts a new QQ thread on forums.

Scenario #2: commander actually gets close enough to ecm-carrying mech to target it, designates it as a target only to find out that his teammates are too far away and are unable to tell which one is "target bravo". Commander starts a new QQ thread on forums.

[Caviel]

IceSerpent, on 24 April 2013 - 02:00 PM, said:

How exactly do you expect this feature to work?

Scenario #1: commander spots an ecm-carrying mech 500m out, is unable to target it, therefore can't designate it as a target - starts a new QQ thread on forums.

Scenario #2: commander actually gets close enough to ecm-carrying mech to target it, designates it as a target only to find out that his teammates are too far away and are unable to tell which one is "target bravo". Commander starts a new QQ thread on forums.

Not sure if trolling or serious...

It is no different than target calling by letter designation in voice chat, you have to be able to target a mech within the ECM rules to even know the letter designation, and be outside of the bubble for others to know what mech you're talking about.

You could expand on this and include an automated text chat to all saying something like "Target Bravo - Grid C4" to help with this as well. The more recent abundance of in-use PPC weaponry also helps to combat this issue, as well as TAG being available at 750 meters.

Your complaints have to do more with ECM functionality over if this target calling feature is a good idea or not.

[TOGSolid]

Karlack26, on 23 April 2013 - 04:45 PM, said:

I am proposing a simple method for lance and team commanders to call targets in pugs.
Allow the commanders to broadcast what ever Mech they are currently targeting with a single push of a button,
A simple visual cue of a light blue bracket around the designated Mech, along with an audio cue of Bitching Betty saying "target alpha, beta", ect ect
Though Bitching Betty does say a lot as it is so perhaps this idea sans the audio cue.

This could also help to cut down on chatter in VOIP, Allowing the Commander to issue general commands and having the lance commanders calling targets with the in game system,

I've been wanting this for a while. It could be as simple as pressing R again on a target you already have selected. This then pings everyone else and puts a message into team chat saying "FOCUS FIRE ON ***********." With the target's name and grid location.

Edited by TOGSolid, 24 April 2013 - 02:37 PM.

[Buckminster]

I would love to see a system that changes the HUD to show who should be targeted. Right now we have the hollow triangle for untargeted mechs, the filled triangle for targeted mechs, maybe make it an arrow for designated targets?

It'd be easy for new guys if they are looking at their HUD and the see that one of the enemy mechs has an arrow pointing at them.

It doesn't address the confusion ECM would cause, but I think it's a good addition nonetheless. Especially since PUGgers can't hear other people on VOIP, it'd be nice to have something up front and visible, rather than trying to read the chat.

[IceSerpent]

Caviel, on 24 April 2013 - 02:35 PM, said:

Not sure if trolling or serious...

*sigh* I sure hope that you are trolling and are not really that slow...

Quote

It is no different than target calling by letter designation in voice chat, you have to be able to target a mech within the ECM rules to even know the letter designation, and be outside of the bubble for others to know what mech you're talking about.

This exactly why everybody who is anybody uses designations along the lines of "target that green Atlas on the left" when targeting is unavailable due to ECM. On voice comms you can describe targets differently, depending on the current situation. An in-game system of any kind is nowhere near being that flexible.

Quote

You could expand on this and include an automated text chat to all saying something like "Target Bravo - Grid C4" to help with this as well.

You could, but that would effectively defeat one of the ECM features (preventing data transmission) - a scout that has taken commander's role would be able to broadcast locations of all targets to everybody on their team. Given that PGI is apparently very attached to the current ECM implementation, this is not likely to happen.

Quote

Your complaints have to do more with ECM functionality over if this target calling feature is a good idea or not.

It's not a good idea given the current game mechanic (ECM, etc.) - it simply won't work as-is. It might become a good idea if OP figures out how to make it work without breaking everything else in the process (and without making it too complex for PGI to implement, which is a non-trivial task all by itself).

[Psikez]

IceSerpent, on 24 April 2013 - 06:07 PM, said:

*sigh* I sure hope that you are trolling and are not really that slow...



This exactly why everybody who is anybody uses designations along the lines of "target that green Atlas on the left" when targeting is unavailable due to ECM. On voice comms you can describe targets differently, depending on the current situation. An in-game system of any kind is nowhere near being that flexible.



You could, but that would effectively defeat one of the ECM features (preventing data transmission) - a scout that has taken commander's role would be able to broadcast locations of all targets to everybody on their team. Given that PGI is apparently very attached to the current ECM implementation, this is not likely to happen.



It's not a good idea given the current game mechanic (ECM, etc.) - it simply won't work as-is. It might become a good idea if OP figures out how to make it work without breaking everything else in the process (and without making it too complex for PGI to implement, which is a non-trivial task all by itself).

I'm going to delve into ad hominem territory and call you a negative nancy.

ECM or not I would prefer this functionality as a drop commander

[Spades Kincaid]

IceSerpent, on 24 April 2013 - 06:07 PM, said:

*sigh* I sure hope that you are trolling and are not really that slow...



This exactly why everybody who is anybody uses designations along the lines of "target that green Atlas on the left" when targeting is unavailable due to ECM. On voice comms you can describe targets differently, depending on the current situation. An in-game system of any kind is nowhere near being that flexible.

It's not proposed to be as flexible. It's proposed to be a tool for those who aren't on voice coms. ie - standard pugs. It gives them a way (however limited) to call targets on the fly. Without the need to type. Anyone who has ever played World of Tanks is quite familiar with it. If you can target an enemy, you can press T (or whatever assigned key) and it will briefly both highlight them on the mini-map and visually designate them to anyone looking at them.

It's nothing but a way to call your team's attention to a particular enemy. For whatever reason, be it to focus fire upon or to watch out for, they are trying to flank/cap/whatever. And it's immensely useful for pugs.

Quote

You could, but that would effectively defeat one of the ECM features (preventing data transmission) - a scout that has taken commander's role would be able to broadcast locations of all targets to everybody on their team. Given that PGI is apparently very attached to the current ECM implementation, this is not likely to happen.

Now you're just attempting to make a point that conflicts with your last. If it requires a target to use, then you can't use it on a mech under ECM cover. You can call out anything you can see on voice....ECM or not.

You made no sense at all here.

Quote

It's not a good idea given the current game mechanic (ECM, etc.) - it simply won't work as-is. It might become a good idea if OP figures out how to make it work without breaking everything else in the process (and without making it too complex for PGI to implement, which is a non-trivial task all by itself).

It's a fine idea, and it breaks nothing. Neither is it all that difficult to do.

If you can target a mech, you can press a key to mark it as a desired focus for your team. If ECM prevents you from targeting it, then you can't mark it. Pretty simple. It's actually very much in keeping with ECM's use. The fact that ECM cover would prevent it is no reason to not make it an available feature for all the times it can be used.

[Kaspirikay]

Basics such as this is not even in the game yet, really where is this game going?

[Caustic Canid]

Voted very much yes.

It would also be nice if they had a system in place to ping the map at whatever point someone is looking at. It wouldn't have to give any information other than a momentary blip on the map to draw peoples attention to it.

[Karlack26]

bump

[Kaspirikay]

IceSerpent, on 24 April 2013 - 02:00 PM, said:

How exactly do you expect this feature to work? Scenario #1: commander spots an ecm-carrying mech 500m out, is unable to target it, therefore can't designate it as a target - starts a new QQ thread on forums. Scenario #2: commander actually gets close enough to ecm-carrying mech to target it, designates it as a target only to find out that his teammates are too far away and are unable to tell which one is "target bravo". Commander starts a new QQ thread on forums.

Someone has never played any battlefield games.