4 replies to this topic

[Nik Reaper]

The free camera mode is a good acceptable way to go about it , and while realizing that this is a unfinished first version of a spectator mode, there is a number of needed features to consider for the future, I would like to point out to a few:

1) "health" and name bars above mechs , absolutely needed , created so that the they rotate due to the camera position so as to keep the letters and numbers readable from any position.

2) Tracking camera, as the name says the option to keep the camera locked to a point behind/above a mech one selects , and or the upper torso of the selected mech, so as the mechs twists the torso the camera fallows.

3) On many maps the mechs them self's are too dark, barring the ones dyed in hot pink (lol) so it might be needed that the mechs in spectator mode have some kind of an bright outline , or at least a self illuminating element to the texture.

4) The spectator user interface, the last thing needed to make the spectator mode a real "thing" , at least 2 bars on each side of the screen with the names of the players, there health % , and if possible a small paper doll showing the current state.

Even though if research was done on how World of Tanks does this most of this should be welll known but hey, even redundant extra info can't hurt... unless you plan to tell us none of that is technically possible at this or any near future point... witch would kinda sting.

[Fooooo]

Pretty much agree with all you said.

I found it a little hard to see what was going on at times when they were zoomed out above the battle.

Having something like you said, health bars or indicators above the mechs, or even a slight outline (all of which could be toggled on and off by the shoutcaster) would make it a lot easier for people watching to see whats going on, and the casters as well. + all the other things you mentioned......UI info etc etc...

Overall tho it really did add to it, I loved the panning shots and above shots when stuff was getting fired. It has a lot of potential, just needs......more.


As you said at the end there, I'm sure they have researched other games with shoutcasted games, ala WoT, CS, ET , BF etc etc, just haven't got around to completing it all, however its not a bad thing to bring it all up anyway........as you mentioned.

Edited by Fooooo, 27 September 2013 - 12:47 AM.

[Firewuff]

I still worry a bit about this being abused by players using it for a tactical advantage and communicating to active players. If it locks out chat its a start but doesnt stop voice comms. That said it almost adds an "eye in the sky" Mech Commander meta game to it ;-)

I do like the idea of the additional features (name +%)

[Nik Reaper]

Well, just do it like the others that allow for spectator mode, a time delay, witch seems a bit hard because it would require some kind of recording of movement and streaming it to the player ( but that would allow for post battle replays .... DO WANT! ) .

Most games adopted a 3 min time window that is enough to make any info given by the spectator obsolete.
Can't wait for these features to be implemented (+ the lobby for private matches) so we could have some semi pro shoutcasted mwo matches.

[Antasius]

If this felt like a satellite view or a high flying drone, then I could see a real benefit to adding a "commander position" as a viable Lance +1 option in game. Make the satellite/drone destructible/jam-able, then you add a whole new dimension to the game!

Yes, I do like this idea. And thank you for showing us this view in it's early stages PGI!

\salute