33 replies to this topic

[sirxazor]

Hey,

I just purchased my elite copy for early access in the closed beta and before I started this thread I searched the forums for "TrackIR support" but all I found was unofficial chatting by the forum members.

Does anyone here have any official statements about TrackIR support? as in currently on, or currently working on it or work for later in a patch sort of thing?

Thanks in advance,

Max.

[Paul Inouye]

TrackIR support is low priority vs joystick. Joystick is low priority to stabilizing the game and making sure all features are ready for testing for Launch.

[Ricardo]

So is it fair to say that some time in the future it will be implemented?

[light487]

I guess the most simple answer would be: It's not out of the question.. but don't hold your breath.

[Willpower]

What I got from this post, and from previous ones, is that they have the TrackIR tools to add compatibility, and there is a plan to introduce it, but that it's way down on their to-do list, and we won't see it for quite some time.

While I admit it'd be nice (I dug out my trackIR from under my desk to try it out) for looking around the cockpit to see the instruments, gauges, side windows, etc, it's not really a necessary feature for gameplay. Not as much as say... flying in ArmA2.

[Draco Harkins]

Paul Inouye, on 08 August 2012 - 04:19 PM, said:

TrackIR support is low priority vs joystick. Joystick is low priority to stabilizing the game and making sure all features are ready for testing for Launch.

On a dev blog i read that Track IR was going to be ingame, you're saying now that it wont at all, or will it be at a later date? Sorry to poke this subject Paul but as a client of both MWO and TrackIR you can understand my interest.

[sirxazor]

Draco Harkins, on 08 August 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

On a dev blog i read that Track IR was going to be ingame, you're saying now that it wont at all, or will it be at a later date? Sorry to poke this subject Paul but as a client of both MWO and TrackIR you can understand my interest.

I second this,

I have been playing my games with my trackir 5 for about a month, for games like FSX, FC2, A10, cliffs of dover and when I play a game and turn my head around and nothing happens it kinda feels disappointing when nothing happens.

[Indy GosHawk]

dude, we're still in closed beta, how can he know if/when this will be done? might as well ask him for the lottery numbers...

[Neuromancerx]

I would much rather see track IR implemented than joysticks.

Let's face it, the idea of using a joystick, in what is essentially a first person vehicle shooter is a nice option but a complete novelty. Yeah, using the throttle from one of my HOTAS setups would be excellent, and running a full pedal + HOTAS setup would be fun for few times through, but it just doesn't compare to aiming with a mouse. The novelty would wear off quickly for me.

Track IR, on the other hand, would be fantastic. In fact, it could be arguably such an advantage that anyone without it might complain. Of course it would also be incredibly immersive, and I would use mine for every single match. (There are also inexpensive versions to allow people that can't afford the full setup a method to join in the experience).

Actually, isn't there already a "free look" button in game already? I'll have to see if that's what I'm thinking of, because a simple macro to engage that button and enable track ir to control the mouse, and stopping the pressing of it to return mouse control from track ir to the hand while snapping track ir back to its original position, might just replicate it on it's own. Dunno if that's something that would be allowed in game though.

[sirxazor]

Neuromancerx, on 08 August 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

I would much rather see track IR implemented than joysticks.

Let's face it, the idea of using a joystick, in what is essentially a first person vehicle shooter is a nice option but a complete novelty. Yeah, using the throttle from one of my HOTAS setups would be excellent, and running a full pedal + HOTAS setup would be fun for few times through, but it just doesn't compare to aiming with a mouse. The novelty would wear off quickly for me.

Track IR, on the other hand, would be fantastic. In fact, it could be arguably such an advantage that anyone without it might complain. Of course it would also be incredibly immersive, and I would use mine for every single match. (There are also inexpensive versions to allow people that can't afford the full setup a method to join in the experience).

Actually, isn't there already a "free look" button in game already? I'll have to see if that's what I'm thinking of, because a simple macro to engage that button and enable track ir to control the mouse, and stopping the pressing of it to return mouse control from track ir to the hand while snapping track ir back to its original position, might just replicate it on it's own. Dunno if that's something that would be allowed in game though.

If the free-look is the same as BF3 then we are out of luck. Currently in BF3 you can have "free look" when you are in a cockpit but you will be unable to control the vehicle while the free look key is being pressed. This makes it very useless as we need to be able to control the vehicle and be able to look around at the same time.

[Sr Digby Chicken Caesar]

Can I have the winning lottery numbers?

[MCXL]

Actually I read that response as 'we plan to support it, but at a later date'.

[DSADragoon]

Neuromancerx, on 08 August 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

I would much rather see track IR implemented than joysticks.

Let's face it, the idea of using a joystick, in what is essentially a first person vehicle shooter is a nice option but a complete novelty. Yeah, using the throttle from one of my HOTAS setups would be excellent, and running a full pedal + HOTAS setup would be fun for few times through, but it just doesn't compare to aiming with a mouse. The novelty would wear off quickly for me.

I'm really pulling for TrackIR so I'm not coming from an opposition - but your concept of the joystick is absolutely completely off base.

You may be right if you're talking about piloting heavies and assaults, you don't need maneuverability and the keyboard and mouse suffice. However when you pilot the lights and mediums, where your maneuverability is your premium asset, and the key to operating in a game, joysticks are completely invaluable.

I'm unable to get my joystick to work so I'm using mouse and keyboard and it's such a bummer getting into the small mechs. I used to play primarily scouts and LOVED it and really knew how to maneuver and manipulate the big slow guys out there. But without the joystick you don't have the same feel and control as you do with the joystick + throttle controls + torso twist. It's a more natural movement and really makes a difference, you don't loose track of your orientation, and much quicker at maneuvering around the field. Being stuck with a keyboard and mouse when trying to use a Jenner or Commando currently really blows and disappoints me. I am unable to perform up to the standard that I am used to and it's due to the control limitations and disconnect between the keyboard + mouse setup.

On top of that you have better control for your weapon groupings and cycling through them for difference situations. Using my left click, right click and other random little button on my mouse, or having to reach my fingers across the numbers on the keyboard holds absolutely nothing to rocking a joystick for that.

Besides, when you see the pilot get in his mech...what does he grab... a mouse? no. A joystick. There's a reason for that (I kid...but still kind of true)

[Roguewolf]

Paul Inouye, on 08 August 2012 - 04:19 PM, said:

TrackIR support is low priority vs joystick. Joystick is low priority to stabilizing the game and making sure all features are ready for testing for Launch.

You forgot to tell him he wasn't getting a MadCat/TimberWolf Paul.... your slipping!

Good priorities though.

[MadMurphy]

Paul,
Thanks for the feedback. I am a TrackIR user and purchased MWO in part due to a PC Gamer article where it mentioned that it would be supported in MWO. I read your comments as "when it's done" and I think most of us are very content with that. Please don't forget about us when your current priorities are met.

Since TRackIR users are most likely considered a small minority I thinks it's important for those of us looking forward to this feature in MWO to let our interest be known. I suspect even though we are a small minority in general gaming, that this community might have a much larger make up TIR users than one might expect.

TRackIr heads be counted:)

[JFlash49]

i dunno...

[Markocius]

Paul Inouye, on 08 August 2012 - 04:19 PM, said:

TrackIR support is low priority vs joystick. Joystick is low priority to stabilizing the game and making sure all features are ready for testing for Launch.

Thanks Paul, for mentioning where the TrackIR Support lies on the priority list. As a TrackIR User, I have found it an invaluable tool in a lot of games that support it. I am sure this one will not be any different.

I can see the TrackIR being really useful for the Scout Role, as the Scout can keep his head on a swivel and get more of the area around him to spot enemy mechs. For the Offense/Defense Roles, it kind of works like, "Where the eyes go, the hands will follow" type of mentality. Just making the game that MUCH more immersive. For the Command Role. . . being able to spot whats going on and being more aware can't hurt either.

Thank you for your efforts in this regard.
Marko

[Cbone]

Allegedly, TrackIR implementation is relatively easy to do with Naturalpoint's SDK, but this means you can probably count on seeing it much later in development than sooner. Being able to essentially drop it in means they are better off concentrating on working on the difficult and tedious bits and the bits more common to the average user than TrackIR.

Unlike in a flight or racing sim, I think head tracking in MWO would be more about immersion than situational awareness. I have to agree though that transitioning to a sim without it is a sort of buzzkill: you're back in "too small rectangle land".

As for the controller debate, no controller has managed to surpass the mouse when it comes to performing tasks that are pure "pointing" tasks. That said, stick/yoke/wheel inputs are necessary when you need to:
a) keep a constant input on the control surface (where a mouse would run out of room).
maintain a predicable center.
c) have graduated manipulation of more than 2 axes.
d) interpret tactile feedback.
e) mitigate gravity / g-force.

As only a few of these apply, I think it's going to largely come down to personal preference. Still, I don't see that as a reason to sacrifice time on joysticks to cover head tracking.

I love my TrackIR, but based on commonality and usefulness I think the devs' priorities are where they need to be. They seem to be aware of the desire for it (TrackIR users are pretty quick to point it out). If Naturalpoint's SDK is as plug-and-play as most folks claim, we should see it in the future.

Edited by Maruisz Zychon, 18 August 2012 - 04:47 PM.

[Aegis Kleais]

sirxazor, on 08 August 2012 - 04:14 PM, said:

Hey,

I just purchased my elite copy for early access in the closed beta and before I started this thread I searched the forums for "TrackIR support" but all I found was unofficial chatting by the forum members.

Does anyone here have any official statements about TrackIR support? as in currently on, or currently working on it or work for later in a patch sort of thing?

Thanks in advance,

Max.

TrackIR is neat in concept, I even did up a promo for it (which wasn't accurate, but funny)

Edited by Aegis Kleais, 18 August 2012 - 04:51 PM.

[Devoflow]

Created an account to note that I've been waiting for MWO for a while, but won't be spending any money on it until Track IR is supported. That's how important a feature it is to me. For others, I'm sure it's not so important. This will presumably mean I miss out on Founder's status but I can live with that. No TIR, no MWO for me.