16 replies to this topic

[Product9]

Hey guys.

We have voip now, which has been great for coordinating with randoms. However, even before voip there was the issue of complicated player names, only now there is the added dimension of pronunciation. I find it really puts a damper on things when I'm trying to shout a warning to a teammate, but can't quite figure out how to say his name. Sometimes I just say what mech he is, such as "watch out, Highlander, you have a strike on you!", but since there could be multiple Highlanders (as if), it causes undue confusion.

So, I suggest we get callsigns. Instead of the simple blue marker above a friendly, it can be a simple blue marker with an abbreviated callsign inside of it, so it can be there at a glance. Since we have lances, it could be something like Alpha-3, or Charlie-2. Then, the marker can say "A3" or "C2" so it doesn't take up any more space than the marker already does. That way, I could shout a warning to Charlie-3, instead of trying to figure out how to say "Fuhugwagas."

I know this could cause some confusion what with grid numbers and all, but I still feel like it should be a thing. We already have callsigns for the enemies, so why not friendlies?

Well, that's my suggestion. Take it or leave it.

[LordKnightFandragon]

So as not to confuse with the map, put M1-M12 above the mechs, and in CW, 1-48, as in Mech 1-48....idk...does the map ever get A-M in size?

[GreyNovember]

The notion has merit, however your current suggestion wold get it mixed up with Map Grid names. I always used the Chassis instead of a name. Easier to recall that you have a locust on your side, instead of , -namehere-.

[Hydrocarbon]

I usually just say "hey dumbsh** in teh raven, GTF back here!" or "Hey lost boys, join up with the group ASAP plz"

I make certain my adjectives & pronouns are crystal clear and it requires very few extra brain cells.

[Xetelian]

I cringe when people mispronounce my screen name.

[Flutterguy]

Xetelian, on 27 May 2015 - 11:06 PM, said:

I cringe when people mispronounce my screen name.

You only have yourself to blame, Zetehlien.

[Khobai]

callsign idea is stupid, just do it properly...

1) you should be able to target friendly mechs to see their loadouts.

2) there should be hotkey macros that have variables for player names and grid locations. using the hotkey macros youd be able to warn the targeted friendly mech. you could also use the hotkey macros to tell friendlies your grid location. or announce the grid location of the targeted enemy mech to your team. etc...

Edited by Khobai, 27 May 2015 - 11:24 PM.

[Product9]

As usual, I'm suggesting a 'lowest possible effort' solution to what I see as a problem, but I would be fine with renaming the lances to something more distinct than A through C. Something benign like gemstone, for example. You could have Ruby, Emerald, and Diamond, which wouldn't get confused with grids.

Though Mike-1 through Mike-12 would probably work, too. Unfortunately, though, enemy mechs are already called out with the phonetic alphabet, so something more distinct would probably still be better.

Khobai, on 27 May 2015 - 11:22 PM, said:

callsign idea is stupid, just do it properly...

As far as radio communication is concerned, callsigns would be doing it properly. That's how it's done in the real world.

Edited by Product9, 27 May 2015 - 11:27 PM.

[Alistair Winter]

Why not just the lance names? Alpha One, Bravo Two, Charlie Three.

Of course, you know what the best option would be.

Red, Gold and Blue lance.
"All lances report in."
"Gold Leader standing by."
"Red Leader standing by."
"Switch to targeting computer."
"The guns! They've stopped! Stabilize your rear deflectors!"

<labored breathing> "I'll take them myself. Cover me!"
"Yes sir.... killstealer."
<labored breathing> "What!?"
"Nothing."

[MeiSooHaityu]

Honestly, you would still have to pay attention to your callsign, some don't even pay attention to their team chat period.

Well, at least you know your lance, that might be enough coordination sometimes. You can always abreviate a complicated name anyway and somone shoud know it's them. Lastly, when all else fails, just call out their mech.

"Charlie lance, form up"..."Hey Jager, where the hech do you think you're going? Stay with the group!"

[Triordinant]

Alistair Winter, on 28 May 2015 - 02:05 AM, said:

Why not just the lance names? Alpha One, Bravo Two, Charlie Three.

Of course, you know what the best option would be.

Red, Gold and Blue lance.
"All lances report in."
"Gold Leader standing by."
"Red Leader standing by."
"Switch to targeting computer."
"The guns! They've stopped! Stabilize your rear deflectors!"

<labored breathing> "I'll take them myself. Cover me!"
"Yes sir.... killstealer."
<labored breathing> "What!?"
"Nothing."

[SnagaDance]

Product9, on 27 May 2015 - 10:33 PM, said:

That way, I could shout a warning to Charlie-3, instead of trying to figure out how to say "Fuhugwagas."

[LordKnightFandragon]

Flutterguy, on 27 May 2015 - 11:07 PM, said:

You only have yourself to blame, Zetehlien.

lol thats how I say it to, wonder if its wrong =D

[Xetelian]

Flutterguy, on 27 May 2015 - 11:07 PM, said:

You only have yourself to blame, Zetehlien.

LordKnightFandragon, on 29 May 2015 - 09:51 PM, said:

lol thats how I say it to, wonder if its wrong =D

Yeah, that's how you'd pronounce it.

Doesn't mean I don't often hear Exetelyon, which I guess isn't that far off...either.


Oh yeah, on topic, probably would be cool.

Edited by Xetelian, 29 May 2015 - 10:10 PM.

[WazOfOz]

sure, I'll call you prod & you can call me waz

[Khobai]

Quote

As far as radio communication is concerned, callsigns would be doing it properly. That's how it's done in the real world.

dude this isnt the real world. this is a game. we dont need callsigns because youre incapable of reading and pronouncing peoples names.

adding callsigns to the game is an unnecessary and overcomplicated way of doing something that could be handled far more easily and intuitively with friendly targeting and macros.

Edited by Khobai, 30 May 2015 - 01:01 AM.

[Joseph Mallan]

Product9, on 27 May 2015 - 10:33 PM, said:

Hey guys.

We have voip now, which has been great for coordinating with randoms. However, even before voip there was the issue of complicated player names, only now there is the added dimension of pronunciation. I find it really puts a damper on things when I'm trying to shout a warning to a teammate, but can't quite figure out how to say his name. Sometimes I just say what mech he is, such as "watch out, Highlander, you have a strike on you!", but since there could be multiple Highlanders (as if), it causes undue confusion.

So, I suggest we get callsigns. Instead of the simple blue marker above a friendly, it can be a simple blue marker with an abbreviated callsign inside of it, so it can be there at a glance. Since we have lances, it could be something like Alpha-3, or Charlie-2. Then, the marker can say "A3" or "C2" so it doesn't take up any more space than the marker already does. That way, I could shout a warning to Charlie-3, instead of trying to figure out how to say "Fuhugwagas."

I know this could cause some confusion what with grid numbers and all, but I still feel like it should be a thing. We already have callsigns for the enemies, so why not friendlies?

Well, that's my suggestion. Take it or leave it.

A call sign is given to you from your command and or friends. So if you only PUG getting a call sign is going to be difficult there "Ginger".

Edited by Joseph Mallan, 30 May 2015 - 06:33 AM.