40 replies to this topic

[CyBerkut]

I don't remember now if it was in the FAQ or the Dev Blog 0 post, but there was mention that the cockpit would be customizable. That is certainly good news!

On the off chance that the developers manage to read this... a few requests / suggestions for consideration:

1. Multiple screen support [ie. Adjustable Field of View settings for multi-screen users. Possibly the ability to put cockpit controls/indicators on a separate screen from the HUD/Out-the-Window view screen.]
2. TrackIR (headtracking) support
3. Clickable cockpit controls (which would enable touchscreen use)

The 3rd one might not be feasible with customizable cockpits... I guess it depends upon what they have in mind.

As for the TrackIR... I'm thinking of it more for looking around in the cockpit (or even looking out the left or right side windows if they are present), rather than moving the torso around. Torso twist should probably be handled via whatever joystick/throttle/pedals setup the pilot has/wants.

Of course, if click-able cockpit controls are not built-in, people can still build something for an extra touchscreen with TouchBuddy, Helios, or something similar (as long as keybinds are available).

------------

If this stuff isn't in the plan for the initial release, I would NOT suggest making a significant delay to the initial release to add it in [Feature creep is deadly to software development]. But if they get in, even if it is in a later patch/update... it would rock. With the prominent inclusion of Information Warfare in this game, the items listed are a natural partner.

To get a good example of how that stuff can be done well, take a look at Eagle Dynamics' DCS: Black Shark and DCS: A-10C. I believe the new BMS mod for Falcon 4 also does it well.

Edited by cyberkut, 01 November 2011 - 08:04 AM.

[GOZR]

1. Multiple screen support [ie. Adjustable Field of View settings for multi-screen users.
[i]Possibly the ability to put cockpit controls/indicators on a separate screen from the HUD/Out-the-Window view screen.[/i]

2. TrackIR (headtracking) support

3. Clickable cockpit controls (which would enable touchscreen use)



+1

[CyBerkut]

I see now that I should have posted this in a different forums section. Oops! I'll copy the original post into a thread over there.

[John Clavell]

I remember dreaming about what I would love from a MechWarrior Game some years ago, and what is being laid out here on the table is pretty close to that dream thus far. But one thing I really loved the idea of was the enviroment playing a big role in the game and how that effected you as a pilot in the cockpit. We saw some of this in the video from 2009 with the smoke acting to keep the Atlas from view.

I'd love to see this taken further, things like rain on the glass and windscreen and different intensities to restrict vision, or heat shimmer on hot planets. Or maybe even underwater effects in rivers and seabed combat?

Inside the cockpit, I love the idea you can look around inside your cockpit, customise it and make it your own. I want to interact with the cockpit and have HUD just to augment this information.

One thing which I liked from MW4 was the limited downward looking and backward facing cameras. I'd love to see this integrated into a monitor built into the cockpit. Or bring up a sub window on my HUD. It would be cool to see static controls augments via touchscreen iPad or something, would totally love that.

[MEGADEATH]

The original games got the cockpit gameplay just right. You dont want to create a cockpit sim with clickable buttons and deals because that costs processing power, it robs from the game.

[John Clavell]

MEGADEATH, on 01 November 2011 - 08:42 AM, said:

The original games got the cockpit gameplay just right. You dont want to create a cockpit sim with clickable buttons and deals because that costs processing power, it robs from the game.

Hardware has come a long way since the original game. Look how Hawken uses the cockpit to display information about what is happening. It's totally doable now.

[Brixx]

I think I have read in some of the interviews that you will actually be able to look around in your cockpit - might be a good sign for TrackIR.

[Darklord]

It should also support the VWE Battletech pods.


DL

[KingCobra]

Please by all the Mech Gods let this game have the Cockpits of MW3 overall i think they were the best this game series had to offer only with a animated character in the seat working the controls and a gradient head to look through out the cockpit.Real weather animations also please as rain,snow drops on the cockpit windows and lightning flashes in weather situations througout the persistant world.I cant tell you how many mmo,mmorpg,ect devs forget the visual&sound animations that make it a good game or a great game and the cockpit is the place to start becouse it is the fist sight&vocal point in the game? Or are we going to have a character creator and be able to walk around our mech bay,planet ,ect?

[Stalker]

All I can say about the cockpits (and most other aspects of what is known) is check out the 2009 preview video. No worries here

[Shai tan]

"Please by all the Mech Gods let this game have the Cockpits of MW3 overall i think they were the best "

Funny, i made a post about how we should have Mech 3s style incockpit view, and it looks like the post was deleted. Totally agree tho.

[TheRulesLawyer]

They can use any cockpit they like as long as I can turn it off and have a virtual cockpit with HUD.

[topgun505]

As far as controls. Hmm. It would be nice ... if there are any Multi-function displays within the cockpit, that they will support the Thrustmaster MFD units. As for Track IR ... I don't see the point of it given that your field of view is rather limited from within the cockpit ... unless Track IR would actually be able to take the function of the torso twist. Now THAT would be cool.

The other thing I would like to see (and I don't know if this is the same thing some people have mentioned above there), is making every mechs cockpit view appropriate to the model. So if you have a Shadow Hawk with a big gun slung over your left shoulder ... then you can't see diddly off to the left (unless of course the gun gets blown off, heh). Having the exact same view from every mech regardless of how it's configured detracts from the immersion.

[PropWash]

MFD Support would be cool

Edited by propwash, 01 November 2011 - 02:48 PM.

[PropWash]

[topgun505]

My setup for DCS A-10C ... I could see this easily being adapted to MW.

[Paladin1]

Wow, that's a nice flight sim rig ya got there topgun. Needless to say, I have to agree that if you can port that to MWO, it will rock long and hard.

[Zerik]

I would defiantly love a fully customizable cockpit, all the way down to the styrofoam coffee cup sitting precariously on my armor readout screen, since I rarely pay attention to that without drinking something.

[trycksh0t]

Not terribly picky, as long as it looks good and doesn't impose on my ability to put AC rounds on target.

[tigerwolf753]

One neat effect would be if your mech is overheating, the cockpit would noticeably steam up, air would start to shimmer, and especially immersive if the pilot would occasionally wipe sweat out of his eyes. Another incentive to avoid that situation since it would make it harder to see.