35 replies to this topic

[Skylarr]

Wolf Reverend, on 05 April 2012 - 02:38 AM, said:

The 360 degree display is in the novels. It isn't in the game for purposes of giving people the opportunity to get the drop on you.

In all the tech read out books each Mech has a Computer System. In one of the Battletechology magizines, now considered non-canon, it list the abilities of each computer systems. I think the min each Mech had was 45 degree, not including radar, IR, Thermal, Seismic. Some mechs had a widr viewing range, but, not have some of the other sensors. It was allot to keep track of so ost did not want to use it.

[Outrider01]

Functionality > Form

Why design individual cockpits for each individual mech when you can just roll with it and use a single cockpit that looks the same as every other ? Use some mumbo jumbo about optimized video feeds and there you go...Less time spent in the graphic department. That cannon can fire shells passed the view of the hunchback, but because the Atlas is taller you are "standing" above the gun fire instead of having it roar next to your ear.

Blocking out part of your view just because its "iconic" is not as good as just a quality product that works from the get go with minimal time spent that can be better spent putting out other newer mechs / maps.

[Volume]

I don't think it will be a problem.

1: There are cameras showing what is on the left and right of the 'mech (See the tilted "static" screens on the hunchback concept art)
2: Our pilot's FOV is the red box in the concept art. Turn your pilot's head to the side and it will show the cannon in a more obvious fashion.
3: Our 'mech gets knocked around and we will see other parts even if we only want to focus on what is directly in front of us.
4: Each 'mech has its own individual cockpits designed for them so far (at least in the video it looked like it) but again, the directly ahead front-and-center view should be very similar between 'Mechs.

[Ghost73]

CoffiNail, on 04 April 2012 - 03:10 PM, said:

it is on the side




Check out the gameplay footage again, the view is the redbox on the concept art and it is right on the right side, the edge of it.

You can see it even better when the hunchback gets hit with a AC20

I want to add that if you compare the concept with the gameplay, it actually is the same cockpit. It just looks different because the view in the concept was much furthur back so that you could see the whole interior of the cockpit, whereas in the gameplay, the pilot is much more forward, so that he only has to see the important screens. You can also see the torso cannon on the Hunchback comes to the same point along the brace in the side window.

[MaddMaxx]

My take would be that if you hit Free-Look, the gun would appear much more restrictive. The Pilots view is locked in that video image and head turning moves the whole field with it. Like in the MW games, just hit the Right Camera Button to see past the Cannon.

As to the internal view, I understood it to be a compressed 360 degree view (down to 270 degrees) and that it took a lot of practice to get use to it. It often caused disorientation.

[Bryan Ekman]

It does block the view when you free-look to the right. Unlike the Catapult, the Hunchback has a nasty blind spot to the right in game, because of that AC.

[WiredKnight]

Outrider01, on 05 April 2012 - 09:18 AM, said:

Why design individual cockpits for each individual mech when you can just roll with it and use a single cockpit that looks the same as every other ?

Ew, what a terrible idea. Half the appeal of MechWarrior is customizing your mech and making it feel unique. The idea of personal ownership is very important. If they just make all the interiors the same, it will seriously cripple a key aspect of why people enjoy MechWarrior games.

[Eximar]

It will be quite humorous watching people walk into trees, buildings, other mechs, etc.

Lots of "Give me 3rd person view" whines will be inc, I suspect.

[Deaths Touch]

Bryan Ekman, on 05 April 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

It does block the view when you free-look to the right. Unlike the Catapult, the Hunchback has a nasty blind spot to the right in game, because of that AC.

Now because of this (and as I have seen in the concept art) it will have a right and left view screen correct? My next question would be would all 'Mech's have these even if they do not have blindspots (i.e. Atlas) or will the screens show the rear or something else?

[Mchawkeye]

I like that physical elements of the chassis interrupt views; it adds character and give one fifty ton chassis an advantage over the next, or what not.

It just makes it much more interesting and to my mind, fun.

[Mr Smiles]

Bryan Ekman, on 05 April 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

It does block the view when you free-look to the right. Unlike the Catapult, the Hunchback has a nasty blind spot to the right in game, because of that AC.

I hope every 'Mech has the opportunity for little quirks like this. I'm not one of the people who thinks every 'Mech needs to have identical hitboxes and blind spots.

But at the same time, I hope that you devs are willing to, shall we say, TWEAK those things post-release if it turns out that the Catapult is one giant headshot or the BattleMaster always loses its big gun within 10 seconds of starting the game.

[Deaths Touch]

Mr. Smiles, on 05 April 2012 - 11:01 AM, said:

I hope every 'Mech has the opportunity for little quirks like this. I'm not one of the people who thinks every 'Mech needs to have identical hitboxes and blind spots.

But at the same time, I hope that you devs are willing to, shall we say, TWEAK those things post-release if it turns out that the Catapult is one giant headshot or the BattleMaster always loses its big gun within 10 seconds of starting the game.

A big headshot I can understand but having to loose your big weapon because someone knows it's there and hits it is a different story. I'm sure that there will be balancing on how hard they have to be hit but they would not change the hitboxes because the weapon gets hit to often.

[Pht]

Aegis Kleais™, on 04 April 2012 - 02:56 PM, said:

If you notice the Hunchback's design should basically have the large canon be on the right side of the screen, but in gameplay footage it wasn't there. Realistically, losing part of your field of view on the side would have been something the pilot would have to deal with. Like the Dragon having that large jutting center torso in front of them. So my question is, Would you want to see any plausible FOV obstructions replicated from the 1st person view in the game's final product?

They should only obstruct view out of the windows.

The visuals sensors otherwise completely negate these problems and provide all the way around view on visual readouts, on the main viewscreen or in the helmet hud.

[KuruptU4Fun]

LOL, maybe PGI can hook up with Google to use their new prototype "Project Glass" headsets in game.... Oh wait, I bet Googles' TOS/EULA would require you to opt out of in game advertisements...

Heaven forbid that your Atlas headshot be blocked for an advertisement for Mesothelioma lawsuits!

Edited by KuruptU4Fun, 05 April 2012 - 03:42 PM.

[Tannhauser Gate]

Pht, on 05 April 2012 - 11:49 AM, said:

They should only obstruct view out of the windows.

The visuals sensors otherwise completely negate these problems and provide all the way around view on visual readouts, on the main viewscreen or in the helmet hud.

+1

I want to see window obstruction from my chassis and equipment. On my radar/sensor displays, def not.

[Insidious Johnson]

Agreed with OP!! Compromises are made in mech design! This had better be a SIM! I should hit the look right and see a big honking ac20 blocking my view, unless it has been shot off and then I want to see twisted metal and broken supports! Great eye OP!