Leave "blue force tracking" for commander only

[Oak]

One of the things that immediately drew my attention when I started out PR was the need to check your fire. And I loved it. It made you think before every shot - "do I have a friendly in that direction?" or "it's too far, I can't tell if that's friend or foe - I better not engage".

Currently, every soldier on the field has the equivalent of a "blue force tracking" monitor - in 2 seconds they can check the position of every single friendly unit on the map. This is not very realistic - such systems should (realistically) be limited to vehicle operators only, and I'm counting the command-post as a vehicle.

This means that now you can't pop out your magical map to check, you actually need to make sure by pulling the binoculars or asking the SL to verify with the commander, before firing. This would also give a whole new, extremely-important role to the commander. It's not that the commander is necessary for that - you can still just look carefully - but it certainly helps a lot.

For gameplay sake, I think the display of your squad-mates should remain on individual soldiers' map, if it's possible to divide the information like that. In addition, if the system would prove to cause too many teamkills, perhaps some middle-ground can be reached, for example by being able to see all other squad leaders, but not individual squad members.

[Rudd]

I agree with taking the blue mob off the map

edit - my bad, need red bull: brain no worky today

[Oak]

Originally Posted by Dr2B Rudd

I agree with taking the blue mob off the map, but the 2seconds blue name thing is important for overcoming engine limitations.

What I meant by 2 seconds is that it is roughly the time it takes to bring up the map. I wasn't talking about the name above the head thing - I think it's great in its current form, the time it takes to identify distant targets feels right to me.

[Zegel]

I agree here. Its sensible, and takes the friendly- or enemy-recognition aspect of the game to a whole new level. And, also, I'm digging it giving the commander something to do - Anything to make that guy feel like he's doing something.

[HELPME7]

That's somewhat unfair to those with lower graphics settings. It effects anyone on and under moderate graphics settings. The soldier does not become clear (with helmet, uniform, etc) until they enter 100 metres. I believe it is great as it is. It is set to a certain distance where they are automatically shown, and they are shown if you have your gun pointed directly at them. Wait that 2 seconds. TKing is a problem because the player who was shot still suffers the same time as when the enemy kills them.

[daranz]

Oh god. I can already imagine the chaos this would bring to PR for the first 3 months.

[Priby]

This idea would be awesome with the hardcoded SL-to-SL-VOIP.

[[R-DEV]Masaq]

I suggested this as a non-Dev months and months ago. I'm still pushing for it... no idea if it's possible code wise, but well, we'll see.

[[R-DEV]Deadfast]

Originally Posted by HELPME7

That's somewhat unfair to those with lower graphics settings. It effects anyone on and under moderate graphics settings. The soldier does not become clear (with helmet, uniform, etc) until they enter 100 metres. I believe it is great as it is. It is set to a certain distance where they are automatically shown, and they are shown if you have your gun pointed directly at them. Wait that 2 seconds. TKing is a problem because the player who was shot still suffers the same time as when the enemy kills them.

Set your geometry to medium or high.


There's just a little (if any) performance impact.

Tested with my my old FX5700.

[Noobofthenight]

Hmmm, nice idea, but in practice? I dont know... could be just a little step too far perhaps.

And in real life you spend hours of training, understanding, briefing etc (at least in the British army xD) to avoid friendly fire incidents.

You'd know if there were other forces on your mission irl, in a game you dont get a briefing like that. (Unless you are in the PRT).