6 replies to this topic

[Turbo Corvair]

I'm hoping for an official reply here =)

I have a triple monitor eyefinity setup and have nearly completed my simpit (sitting in it now, pics coming in a week or so once the new keyboard gets here).

I know that there was an official post about custom FOV's giving an unfair advantage (but then so does having high frame rates vs. <30fps =P). Does this mean that those of us with multi monitor setups will be restricted to playing on one monitor?

I'm somewhat torn on this, as having all three screens up and running will be great for immersion, but will require that I run the game on lower graphics settings.

What I'd really like to see is the ability to use the 2nd and 3rd monitor for modules and such, a full screen diagram of my mech showing damage etc. would be awesome and not really an unfair advantage vs. another player having a small version on their single screen somewhere. Having a full screen map up on one of the side screens would also be really cool. I wouldn't think it'd be too hard to make this happen if instead of adding things for multi monitor users the devs just allow us to have a bigger version of an existing item.

Lastly, for those of us with simpits, could anyone please verify (link if I missed something) that we will be able to select a "HUD" only mode instead of the graphical cockpit (with all the same info available)?

I've always felt it was silly to have a joystick or steering wheel in my hand, and another on the screen in front of me =(. In racing games (using my MOMO wheel) I always select the HUD view, usually with the hood visible but no interior elements as I consider the screen my windshield.

Thanks for all the great work guys, and great job on the forums too! I love the real time parallel and the news flashes etc..... great for immersion and as you can tell by this post I'm really big on that stuff!

[Dr Killinger]

I'd doubt that you can turn the cockpit off, since much of the information is given through there (HUD only has vital data).

I'd also lvoe to be able to use myu extra monitors for other data (Radar, mech/target status, etc) rather than a full-blown multi monitor setup, but I doubt that as well.

I'm sure they would allow for triple monitor setups though. Crysis 2 has it, and this is running on it's engine! As for the extra FOV... meh, it won't be that much of an advantage... I'm sure it will be great, but you won't be able to tell who's using it by their deadliness on the battlefield!

Please post pics of your simpit asap, I'm also contemplating making one, and I'd love to see some inspiration!

[CDR Baird]

As a dual monitor user and having played other games that support that, I would love to see it implemented.

As for an advantage I wouldn't say there is any inherent advantage to using multiple monitors. Sure it makes things easier to see, but there are plenty of great players who use one monitor happily. I say play with what you have and what you like.

[Acer Lerxt]

dual/tri monitors can't be any more of an advantage than programmable gamepads (nostromo, etc), mice, or keyboards.

If there's a reason not to support them, I don't think it should be on that basis.

[Turbo Corvair]

well, cockpit off mode would have to have HUD versions of the cockpit items you mention =)

As soon as the new keyboard (and g13) gets here and installed I'll post pics. My simpit doesn't have a bunch of toggles and whatnot wired to the computer, the only buttons etc. for the computer are those on my peripherals..... gamepad (currently a well used nostromo but new g13 in a couple days), keyboard, and the HOTAS+rudder pedals. That sounds like less than it is really.

There are some other items filling out the space a little better, switches for my lighting and ventilation fans, indicator lights for modem and router, clock, etc.


The thing isn't perfect by any means (my skills, space, and resources are quite limited) but I think it came out awesome. I want to fill all the screw holes and paint them over but it's likely I'll have to move sometime in the next couple years and I don't want it to be too difficult to disassemble the thing to move it.

Dr.Killinger, on 25 March 2012 - 10:49 PM, said:

I'd doubt that you can turn the cockpit off, since much of the information is given through there (HUD only has vital data).

Please post pics of your simpit asap, I'm also contemplating making one, and I'd love to see some inspiration!

Edited by Turbo Corvair, 27 March 2012 - 02:01 AM.

[FlareUKCS]

I dont think they will allow for a hud only view ( cockpit off ) as it would give the user of such a mode more screen estate than one that prefers the more immersive cockpit view.

See this image :

Note the supports and windowframe , plus monitors that impede vision... the red outline indicates the default screen size ( if I am not mistaken ) , and you mouseview inside to view the rest of the cockpit.
If one can switch off the extra eye candy and gain screen estate, you get an advantage and if you want to compete you will need to switch it off yourself and so then the optional eye candy may as well not be there.

... not many pilots will be happy to sacrifice a mech so thier cockpit looks cool.
Least thats my opinion... I once read a developer who said about that if you need to give players the option to disable a feature, then you should reconsider if you need that feature at all rather than give the option to disable it.
( obviously we are not talking about options you need to tweak to run the game at a decent framerate, like FoV , resolution , aspect ratios etc. etc. )

EDIT: Just to clarify , the developer I am talking about wasnt on this project... it was some dev delivering a talk at the GDC years ago... cant recall his name but the comment stuck in my head.

Edited by FlareUKCS, 27 March 2012 - 06:53 AM.

[MaddMaxx]

In a 3 monitor setup, as long as they disallow the Left and Right External camera views from being permanently active, then I can't see why internal visual screens couldn't be unlocked and moved to either the left or right screens and blown up.

If you take the image above, moving the enemy and driven mech Damage Readout screens, one left and one right, the visual gain from the cockpit is marginal at best.

Edited by MaddMaxx, 27 March 2012 - 06:59 AM.