7 replies to this topic

[MCXL]

I was thinking about this the other day, but here is a pretty simple (albeit possibly difficult) idea to implement.

Plugin apps for the screens in the mech.

If PGI was to commit to the idea and develop a way for a program to target a render output path to the in game cockpit screens it would open up an amazing potential for immersive plugins.

Want your teamspeak/C3 status to show up on a screen? Build a little app.

Maybe the song that's currently playing ala

At this point I don't know what type of rendering the screens support but there are a few simple options that would allow something to hook in without getting access to game files.

The method used in the youtube vid is literally iTunes outputting its currently playing item via a plugin to a .txt file, and then you add some script tags for xsplit to see it. That same methodology could be applied in MWO for anything text based (IRC, iTunes, RSS feed, etc.) It would simply pull the text and display it with the in game font on the screen. As a streamer it would be really neat to be able to see the chat, in the game. No looking at a second monitor etc.

Additionally you could have it look to a direct x feed, or similar like xsplit can too hook into a program directly. This would allow you to, for instance, have a live stream or a video playing through the in game monitors.

Obviously this is all completely dependent on some back end work, or might not be possible based on what the Cryengine can do (I'm not that familiar with Cry)

Obviously these thing wouldn't be communicated to the server, so people spectating the player would still get the 'No Signal' message. Or possibly you could set a message or decal to display on the screens? I know a lot of the cla-... Merc Corps would like to display a recruiting URL or so on on the screens.

Yea, I know it's pretty wishful thinking, but there you have it.

[MCXL]

Wow, a no vote.

[Red squirrel]

If there is an option like: 'This idea... Is the best thing I have ever heard, and now I can die with peace in my soul.'

I immediatly vote that option and stop reading the thread.

[Starkad10]

If I just could get a back-camera on one of those screens, I would be happy.

[FrostCollar]

Starkad10, on 12 May 2013 - 07:50 AM, said:

If I just could get a back-camera on one of those screens, I would be happy.

Apparently a back camera isn't possible because of engine limitations.

[Blair]

I like this idea, but I know that API development of this nature would be a time and resource intensive process. I think once we're past launch, post-Clan invasion, and looking at the next expansion, it would be interesting to see if this is something they could implement. Many games have a vibrant development community that extends the functionality of their game in areas were the games devs can't or won't commit time, to everyone's benefit.

[Farpenoodle]

As a flash developer, this would be pretty fun. So I would love to be able to put interesting **** on my in game monitors. However it'd be pretty hard to police if you allow anyone to submit their own stuff. And if other people scpectating can't see that also limits it's usefulness.

That said. It would be cool if PGI made a specific set of "screen plugins" that people could use to further customise their mechs. They could show useful information like the current ones or they could show things like custom text or images. They could even charge MC for the ability to do this.

[MCXL]

I suppose you could have a dev api and then people could submit ones to a steam green light like program to be put in the game on a server basis (so everyone could see what you got on the screen)

Get this game steam workshop activated already PGI, this is a money making opportunity for you and users!