10 replies to this topic

[Threat Doc]

Developers, in one of the recent IGN vids from this past Monday, I noticed a Catapult -a K2 variant, I believe- that rolled over on it's top and then disappeared from the game. I don't know whether this was done on purpose or not, is something that's not been fully addressed, so forgive me if this steps on your toes a little bit, but while there is real-world precedent for that to happen, a BattleMech, any 'Mech, should have it in their program to do what's necessary to prevent falls.

Having been a Blackhawk Helicopter mechanic and crew chief in the Army, we had to learn about what is termed Dynamic Rollover. If you land, nose-up, nose-down, or side-long on a hill with a 15-degree or greater angle, the air mass beneath the uphill portion of the rotor-disk has a tendency to condense air exponentially to that of the downhill portion of the rotor-disk, and the mass of the aircraft being unbalanced is further pushed by that heavier air, and the aircraft will roll over, unless of course you're able to recover and get her into the air. Likewise, because it is a natural tendency of pilots to keep the rotor-disk as level with ground as possible, the rotor blades become far more likely to contact the ground on landing or take-off, making the maneuver treacherous, at best.

When I saw the Catapult roll over on its back the other day, it didn't really phase me, but I've been thinking increasingly about it since then, and I have a suggestion or two about arresting that sort of thing.

First, the sheer mass of the 'Mech would pull it closer to the ground and it would hit the bottom of its chin before it would roll over on its back. Second, wouldn't a control program be in place that would force the 'Mech into a crouch, or hull-down position, rather than allowing it to roll over? Even if it did, and the rollover was really fast, wouldn't the same program, as informed by the 'Mech's gyro, force the 'Mech to extend its upper body in an effort to arrest the roll over?

I don't really ask these questions in an attempt to keep my beloved Catapult on its feet, but rather because it seems more like a toy in the game than it does an amalgam of a 65-ton advanced war machine.

Anyway, just sayin'.

[Bryan Ekman]

Joys of a physics engine. The Catapult is top heavy, causing it to roll over on its head on death. Just a bug.

[Armored Yokai]

Now if i shot a catapult with a ppc and it died would the bug cause it to fly to mech heaven while looking like its having a seizure?
in the video go to 0:58 and see what happens

Edited by Cementblade, 11 May 2012 - 02:27 PM.

[Sychodemus]

I noticed it, too. It made me smile since I have seen that pose on a TT board before.

Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't want that to be the default animation or anything, but it honestly wouldn't be a video game without one or two silly screenshots from time to time.

[Opus]

Bryan Ekman, on 11 May 2012 - 07:58 AM, said:

Joys of a physics engine. The Catapult is top heavy, causing it to roll over on its head on death. Just a bug.

So ""Like a Bug"" in death we can see more fun graphics like that?... aka a Hunchy tilted on its right side, a Atlas face down in the mud,.,,.,.,

[Kenyon Burguess]

if there is video of a cat tipping over with its legs still running in the air, it would be a crime against comedy not to put that on the forums

[Kiyoshi Amaya]

Saw it as well, and did you guys also notice the two hunchies trying to river dance at the start of the light mech vid?

[Felicitatem Parco]

Bump to merge with : http://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/7779-despawning-of-dead-mechs-will-it-really-be-that-fast/

Edited by Prosperity Park, 11 May 2012 - 09:09 AM.

[Threat Doc]

Bryan Ekman, on 11 May 2012 - 07:58 AM, said:

Joys of a physics engine. The Catapult is top heavy, causing it to roll over on its head on death. Just a bug.

Thank you for answering that so quickly, Mr. Ekman. I would have made this reply, earlier, but we went to see Dark Shadows as a family... (shakes head and holds breath before continuing) don't ask. I'm still trying to make a decision about whether or not it was worth the $50 total we spent to see it. The popcorn was really good, as was the Mr. Pibb; but, I'm still trying to nail down the genre of the movie, if there is one to nail down.

Anyway, you're saying it's just a bug, so I presume that would be fixed prior to launch. I have to tell you, though, that it was very funny to watch it go over like that... at the time I couldn't help but ask, "***?!" Now, I think about it and giggle; cool giggle, not derisive giggle.

Oh, and also, I don't know if it was the guys at MekTek who did this or IS3028, though it was clearly meant as a joke, but for your viewing pleasure...

Edited by Kay Wolf, 11 May 2012 - 12:30 PM.

[Coralld]

I saw that as well. At first I was just like oh god no. But after a while of thinking about it I started to crack up because all I could think of while picturing that in my mind was..."DO A BARREL ROLL!!"

[chunklugnut]

just wait until jump jet bouncing starts happening

or mech bouncing lol and yes after using the cyteck 3 engine SDK I know this can happen

Edited by chunklugnut, 11 May 2012 - 04:29 PM.