13 replies to this topic

[Szaesse]

This is something I would love to see in MWO. Many Mech's in canon are designed with rear-mounted weapons. The Archer is a prime example of a Mech that has 2 rear mounted lasers as it's primary config. These weapons were fired accurately by using Compressed 360 view. This is described in the canon fiction as being a video strip that provides the pilot with vision outside of the standard 90-180 degrees available to most mechs via their view screen.

Perhaps compressed 360 vision could be included as a Pilot Tree perk that can be unlocked (maybe tied in to the 360 Target perk. With this in mind, you could allow a pilot to select the rear sector of a mech in the mechbay, and use the hardpoints located in the selected torso to mount specific rear facing weapons. At that point, you just have a reticule in the compressed 360 that links to your rear facing weapons.

It would make for an interesting addition to tactics, as sneaking up behind an enemy mech may leave you in the arc of weapons you hadn't been expecting.

[IceSerpent]

It would be cool in theory, but using this kind of setup is very awkward and it takes a while to get used to. There was an old space sim game that used a similar system (can't recall the name right now) and figuring out what's on your rear-right and what's on your rear-left was a royal pain.

[Szaesse]

It might be a little tricky to get used to, but it would be very helpful. Even without the rear facing weapons, the 360 would be very strong.

All you really have to do is set up a strip at the top of the HUD, The far left side starts up where your view screen cuts off. The far right side is the right side of your view screen, and whatever is in the middle is directly behind you. It only really needs to be about 2 inches wide to be useful. You're not going to be using it for long range spotting, just keeping track of your unit, and your enemies

[Apoc1138]

IceSerpent, on 13 December 2012 - 08:40 PM, said:

It would be cool in theory, but using this kind of setup is very awkward and it takes a while to get used to. There was an old space sim game that used a similar system (can't recall the name right now) and figuring out what's on your rear-right and what's on your rear-left was a royal pain.

wing commander privateer... they were rubbish and difficult to use

[IceSerpent]

Apoc1138, on 14 December 2012 - 07:51 AM, said:

wing commander privateer... they were rubbish and difficult to use

Yep, that was it! Thanks, the name just kept escaping me.

[Mechteric]

rear facing weapons would be absolutely terrible in reality, many people already have a hard enough time as it is dealing with 2 reticules, let alone adding a 3rd that isn't even in the same firing arc.

[Falanin]

Wait, you guys are playing Mechwarrior and you're scared of a higher skill ceiling?

[Scarlett Avignon]

The devs purposefully removed rear-mounted weapons to promote teamwork in the game. Instead of being able to engage enemies behind you, you now have to rely on your team to cover each other's "six." While it may be a slight change from cannon, I do think it promotes teamwork, just as intended, and introduces a completely different skill set that is needed to play the game.

[Falanin]

Franklen Avignon, on 14 December 2012 - 12:32 PM, said:

The devs purposefully removed rear-mounted weapons to promote teamwork in the game.

I'm gonna have to ask for a source.

[IceSerpent]

Falanin, on 14 December 2012 - 11:20 AM, said:

Wait, you guys are playing Mechwarrior and you're scared of a higher skill ceiling?

Yup. According to devs, new players have trouble just figuring out the torso twist - compressed 360 view would be way beyond their capabilities. On the other hand, it might cause trolls like yourself to rage quit, so there is a silver lining to the idea...

[Scarlett Avignon]

Falanin, on 14 December 2012 - 12:50 PM, said:

I'm gonna have to ask for a source.

Read the early dev blogs.

[Micheal Hessek]

Falanin, on 14 December 2012 - 11:20 AM, said:

Wait, you guys are playing Mechwarrior and you're scared of a higher skill ceiling?

I'm with you on this. The rear firing will help the out manned light mech escape, I wouldn't even need a compressed rear camera (though I would like one) to hit chasers. A good pilot could just time the hit to the amount of time from turning a corner or other choke point.

Don't chase zippy. He will smack you between the eyes.

[Jadel Blade]

Micheal Hessek, on 14 December 2012 - 08:08 PM, said:

I'm with you on this. The rear firing will help the out manned light mech escape, I wouldn't even need a compressed rear camera (though I would like one) to hit chasers. A good pilot could just time the hit to the amount of time from turning a corner or other choke point.

Don't chase zippy. He will smack you between the eyes.

Buff light mechs more?

mmm

No.

[Szaesse]

IceSerpent, on 14 December 2012 - 12:55 PM, said:

Yup. According to devs, new players have trouble just figuring out the torso twist - compressed 360 view would be way beyond their capabilities.

This is why I suggested tying the compressed 360 camera to the 360 Target Retention perk bought with GXP. If you've spent enough time in game to purchase that perk, and you haven't figured out the torso twist yet, there is something horribly wrong.