44 replies to this topic

[Dimento Graven]

Roland, on 15 August 2013 - 10:17 AM, said:

The reality is that real world physics doesn't matter in a video game.

But you were actually going beyond trying to use real world physics to justify poor gameplay balance, and had moved into the realm of using incorrect real world physics to justify poor gameplay balance.

Who's to say that a 'mech doesn't have a full sensor suite (most do according to lore), capable of sensing a broad spectrum of inputs and that the beams of the lasers are detected by that sensor suite and projected on your screen in a HUD like manner?

Anyway, it's not a good idea to make the beam invisible.

[Tskeet]

I think we can agree the beam shouldn't be invisible

[Mister Blastman]

Dailey, on 15 August 2013 - 09:35 AM, said:

Please make the tag laser invisible so that when a scout tags an enemy, they simply cant just follow the laser line back and start sniping.

No.

[Damocles]

mrbounce, on 15 August 2013 - 10:19 AM, said:

I struggle to plausibly present a vision system that presents 100% "normal" vision and simultaneously singles out, not only certain wavelengths, but their refracted properties from a large number of potential reflectors.

Well keep struggling, but the mechs and the technology they utilize is known as fiction.

they don't have to be plausible.

[Dimento Graven]

Damocles, on 15 August 2013 - 11:55 AM, said:

Well keep struggling, but the mechs and the technology they utilize is known as fiction.

they don't have to be plausible.

I mention this again, because it's 'plausible':

Quote

Who's to say that a 'mech doesn't have a full sensor suite (most do according to lore), capable of sensing a broad spectrum of inputs and that the beams of the lasers are detected by that sensor suite and projected on your screen in a HUD like manner?

Anyway, it's not a good idea to make the beam invisible.

[Clit Beastwood]

You know that you can turn tag off, right? Like, by letting go of the button?
So - if you're scouting, go behind people and tag them until a teammate gets a lock. Stop tagging but keep your lock. Before the missiles hit, start tagging again. Even better, when the missiles hit, add your own alpha to the barrage. Since they're taking missile damage, they won't notice your other damage. You don't have to leave the TAG on 100% of the time.

[Screech]

Sorry gonna say no. Game play balance issue only real reason. I would however allow the extended sensor range module affect tag.

[Mystere]

Dimento Graven, on 15 August 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

How do you think we're seeing the Small, Medium, and Large laser beams now?

Heat-induced ionization of the atmosphere?

[Khobai]

Quote

It's impossible to make 'invisible' because it's a LASER

And yet every modern day system for guiding missiles uses an invisible laser so the target doesnt know its getting marked.

Actually science fiction takes huge liberties with laser based weapons. The reality is, any futuristic laser weapon is going to be completely invisible to the human eye, because humans cant see extreme ultraviolet or xrays and those are the types of lasers that do the most damage.

But that said, this is still just a game, and TAG is visible for game balance reasons.

Edited by Khobai, 15 August 2013 - 03:33 PM.

[Molossian Dog]

10m tall robots, remember?

Real world science went out of the window a good while ago.

Most likely it will not come back.

Edited by Molossian Dog, 15 August 2013 - 03:35 PM.

[Psikez]

[LauLiao]

So it's been mentioned that real lasers are practically invisible unless reflected by an intervening mass. What hasn't been brought up is that a laser doesn't necessarily have to be made of visible light at all. Infrared and ultraviolet both make keen lasers and neither are in the visible spectrum.

That being said, TAG is fine.

[Angel of Annihilation]

tuffy963, on 15 August 2013 - 10:09 AM, said:

Just as a side point... Modern laser targeting systems are almost impossible to detect with the human eye. You can only see the beam if you are the target, or something refracts the beam (like fog).

Yet simple IR screening will detect a laser which is seems like the sensor suite in just about any battle mech would be equiped with.

[JimboFBX]

yes it should be invisible

[MoonUnitBeta]

Dailey, on 15 August 2013 - 09:35 AM, said:

Please make the tag laser invisible so that when a scout tags an enemy, they simply cant just follow the laser line back and start sniping.

No.1 RULE FOR ALL LASER POINTERS - DO NOT SHINE IN ANYBODY'S EYES.
Same for Mechwarrior. don't put the pointer where you don't want people to see it.
However, i do sometimes use it to purposely get peoples attention since I've though ahead and placed myself in an area with sufficient cover and an escape route.

[Shakespeare]

kuangmk11, on 15 August 2013 - 10:03 AM, said:

I'm not really against or for this. It could be an interesting change, maybe you can only see the beam in infrared.

I'm all for the vision modes having additional uses. Gives a little depth to the visibility game. The new thermal we've got feels incomplete, carries way less info compared to 'bluevision', and is boring as hell.

[Thomas Dziegielewski]

Would like to see its opacity level be due to the atmosphere it is passing through.

[Taemien]

Do like MWLL did it. Tag isn't visible in normal vision, but is visible in Night Vision. Would make night vision a bit more useful.

[Joseph Mallan]

Mystere, on 15 August 2013 - 03:16 PM, said:

Heat-induced ionization of the atmosphere?

Smart Assery will be judged and voted on!

Edited by Joseph Mallan, 15 August 2013 - 09:43 PM.

[MrZakalwe]

Roland, on 15 August 2013 - 10:15 AM, said:

You think that laser target designators use visible wavelength lasers?

Being a laser does not mean that it's visible.

While you could theoretically use a special vision mode to see that wavelength, it wouldn't just magically show the laser while still showing everything else normally.

For instance, if you were firing an infrared laser, you'd need to go into what is effectively the thermal view mode to see it.

Now this is an idea I could get behind- make the tag only visible in thermal view.