22 replies to this topic

[DuckDuckMech]

tl;dr - Proposal: 3rd version view provided by targetable and destroyable UAV that floats above your mech

• It is an optional item that could be part your mech's equipment load out.
  
• Could be restricted in certain matches by player vote or as a match setting.

The original mechwarrior rebooted clip on IGN had a UAV launched from the mech that was looking down onto the battlefield.

Using a UAV was mentioned by a few members in the 3rd person view announcement post

Fearon, on 16 November 2012 - 03:19 PM, said:

That being said... what could be implemented to give an external view of the mech.... UAV. There was a trailer that showed a UAV being launched from a Warhammer. Now THAT is a practical 3rd person view.

Gowan, on 16 November 2012 - 04:43 PM, said:

Look, there are plenty of ways to make a third-person camera work without affording an unfair advantage. You could simply not display anything that you couldn't detect from first-person. You could make it a module unlock, a sort of UAV (which could perhaps be shot down?) that floats above and behind your machine.

Squidhead Jax, on 16 November 2012 - 07:57 PM, said:

Now, if they were going to make it a module with assosciated cost, opportunity cost, and risk of disablement, fitting into a spectrum of camera drones/UAVs, that'd be vastly different. It would, however, obviously not fall in the realm of newbie-friendliness.

Gatto Fatto, on 17 November 2012 - 07:32 AM, said:

well, put a new module that allow 'mechs to shoot one time per match an UAV for recon but is unable to lock and can be destroyed. so players can't switch to 3rd person to look toward obstacles and then back to first person, but who want to look at his own mech for satisfy the Hammer-feeling can simply do it. and it adds some strategic mechanics too, by not being fully destroyed from 2 lrm passing a cliff xD

I had been thinking along the similar lines, but have been busy with work so haven't been playing MWO or being as frequent on the forums as I have wanted to be.
A lot of people do not want to see 3rd person camera feature implemented, so I have taken the time to read the announcement thread posts and think I have come up with a solution that would work for everyone.

This poll is suppose to allow for open discussion for this particular solution and for others to contribute their ideas.
I think if the 3rd person view was going to be a reality, I believe this would be the best way to implement it.

Features of the UAV

• It will have the ability to be targeted just like a mech would be and be destoryed.
  
• Limited range in that it needs close range to be able to have "live" video feed.
  
• If the opposing team has some tech that does radio jamming the UAV will not be as effective or may not work at all.
  
• Potentially you could use them as scouts to hover and seek out enemy mechs.
  
• Each match could have an option to ban the use of the UAVs.
  
  • Just have a vote at the beginning of the match as to whether or not they can be used.
• Certain mechs can carry more than one UAV. Once they are destoryed that is it for the round.
  
• You could potentially give one of your UAVs to a team member if you wanted to.

I realise that some balancing in the mechanics would need to be done still.
ie: UAV could scout ahead only X meters away from one of your own team's mechs or your own.

Scenario
You have a team member with a Jenner who runs forward to try to search for the enemy, everyone has a UAV which follows along with the Jenner and helps to search out for the enemy while the rest of the mechs on your team are moving into position as they are slower.

UAVs are changing the way we do war in the real world today, it is not so far fetched that this is how they would be used in the MWO Universe.

Edit: Cleaned up post a bit

Edited by DuckDuckMech, 17 November 2012 - 08:30 AM.

[BLeeD]

no!

[Squidhead Jax]

Hitbox size would be a main issue. It should perhaps be larger than a reasonable size for the drone visually.

Having more than one player able to see the feed/having a 'mech able to herd more than one should be module-based (and expensive in scale with the costs across the rest of the system, which will hopefully be less insane eventually).

But it's actually something that fits in the design and has an opportunity cost associated with it.

[DuckDuckMech]

BLeeD, on 17 November 2012 - 08:35 AM, said:

no!

No to the whole idea? Or is there a particular item that you do not like?

[cmopatrick]

i appreciate that you have thought this through fairly. i still would vote "no" but perhaps i can explain the drawbacks of the idea as i see them:

first, i DO like the idea of a UAV, if it is used much like the one in the reboot trailer. it was NOT a 3rd person piloting option, more like a common drone sending back images and data.

ok, if we are doing 3rd for the sake of new folks who do not like ffp, how many times are they going to be willing to play when they are suddenly forced mid-match into ffp. not only will it be a rude awakening for them that they have no skill in that position, but it will likely anger them that they can not play the whole game in their accustomed mode. you and i both know that those of us who prefer ffp will target those things the moment we know they are there... and if ECM working on all targeting emissions also carries over to the UAV, you have to know that ECM mounted RVN-3L pilots like myself will be king of the maps by running in and out of those 3rd person types, disorienting them with a continuous back and forth between the disparate modes (if you think weapons shake is bad, imagine that).

in short, presuming they are going to do third, there should be better ways to do it that mitigates any advantage but still has consideration for the (dare i say it) 3rds themselves.

Edited by cmopatrick, 17 November 2012 - 08:55 AM.

[DuckDuckMech]

cmopatrick, on 17 November 2012 - 08:53 AM, said:

you and i both know that those of us who prefer ffp will target those things the moment we know they are there

Agreed, I could see this being a big problem.

cmopatrick, on 17 November 2012 - 08:53 AM, said:

in short, presuming they are going to do third, there should be better ways to do it that mitigates any advantage but still has consideration for the (dare i say it) 3rds themselves.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I always like to see other people's perspectives.

[Hidirian]

What you were seeing is what the drone saw not what the pilot saw so there was no 3rd person, what the pilot saw was 2 blips appear on his radar from information that the drone was (what I assume was a BAP UAV drone) relaying to the pilots Mech for him to see. As for the BAP drone it will probably enter the game as a module for Mechs that can be launched and provide information until they get shot down by they enemy but probably only visually and not target able otherwise it would be pretty much worthless.

[Squidhead Jax]

cmopatrick, on 17 November 2012 - 08:53 AM, said:

you and i both know that those of us who prefer ffp will target those things the moment we know they are there...

Shhh! That's why i voted yes!

[Stardancer01]

the uplink module/launcher on the mech could be destroyed as modules usual are
but I think the little hover bot/uav/probe should be too small or 'lunch another one' replaceable
0.5 ton 1 slot module is a big enough disadvantage

[DivineEvil]

Not needed, unless you're completely intolarable to learn anything new or somehow challenging.

UAV's might be implemented, but as a tool to detect enemy movement on bigger maps in future, not to bring the 3rd person into game.

[Oppresor]

The UAV idea could give the MechWarrior a massive tactical advantage, especially in (Fighting in built up areas) FIBUA battles. This was clear form the original IGN video.

[Squidhead Jax]

Oppresor, on 17 November 2012 - 02:19 PM, said:

The UAV idea could give the MechWarrior a massive tactical advantage, especially in (Fighting in built up areas) FIBUA battles. This was clear form the original IGN video.

As a module, being highly useful is sort of the point, especially if proper vulnerability and countermeasure drawbacks are implemented.

Not exactly new-player-friendly, but that's achieved better by actually improving the introductory gameplay and a tutorial.

[AnotherFineMechYouveGottenMeInto]

Check this video for an example of a realistic, useful recon UAV.



It's launched out of a standard M203 grenade launcher, deploys a parachute and operates until it lands or blows out of range. Can be accessed by anyone with the correct HuntIR console. Can also be destroyed by enemy fire.

Edited by AnotherFineMechYouveGottenMeInto, 18 November 2012 - 06:05 AM.

[Moonsavage]

No.

3rd person for training / new pilots only.
Mechassault destroyed the MW "franchise" - if you want an arcade game - go play that.

[Homeless Bill]

No. It needs to be there all the time for newbies. I don't like third person, and once the option is in, I'll never play against anyone else using it. That said, it's an invaluable tool for broadening the audience and making new players feel less disoriented.

[BalzaSteel]

keep it in the cockpit.

BalzOut

[Roadbeer]

Like the UAV idea as a module or consumable as a means for tracking enemy movement.

Hate the 3rd person idea.

[Gremlich Johns]

We already have overhead imagery via the console display, make that a better device and obviate the need for a UAV. I could see Infantry using such a device, but alas, no infantry in this game.

[Bhael Fire]

NOPE.

The ONLY third person view players should get is in training mode.

NEVER under ANY circumstances should third-person be available during live matches...EVER.

[Noth]

If this was ever put in, I'd shoot off of every single friendly that had it rigt at the beginning of the round.