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Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => FS2 Open Coding - The Source Code Project (SCP) => Topic started by: Lynx on August 10, 2003, 12:39:19 pm

Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Lynx on August 10, 2003, 12:39:19 pm
Would a Wing Commander-esque targeting system possible to add in the near future? This system targets automatically the hostile ship nearest to your crosshair, and the target doesn't get locked; if you turn to another target, the computer will lock onto
this. WCS would benefit from it.

If added, it should be made optional, like the "Primitive Sensors" flag for TVWP.

 From what I know it may be hard to implement,but please enlight me, you code-wizards.:)
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: an0n on August 10, 2003, 12:45:41 pm
Its the equivelant of holding down Y.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Lynx on August 10, 2003, 01:15:22 pm
No it isn't. And when TVWP can get away with its primitive sensors, why shouldn't we have our WC-style sensors if it's possible?
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Goober5000 on August 10, 2003, 01:28:37 pm
How is it not the equivalent of holding down Y?

If that's the case, then it should be simple to program a code loop that internally does that for each frame.  If you're thinking of something else, that might be a bit harder.

In any case, if this requires any different AI behavior, you're probably out of luck.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Lynx on August 10, 2003, 01:35:10 pm
It wouldn't affect the AI, just the targeting system of the player. It's only partially like holding down Y. All the stuff would be automatically. When you chose a target in standard FS2 it stays your target until you choose another one or it is destroyed.

This system targets automatically the next ship to you crosshair without you pressing a button or doing anything. If you want the target locked, you'll have to press special button. If not, the computer would automatically choose another target nearer to the middle of the screen if your current one moves further out.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: LAW ENFORCER on August 10, 2003, 01:36:43 pm
because this is a democracy. They get what they want and you dont get anything... :lol:


its just because Goober5000 does code for the TVWP... which is a it like an oil man invading a country for oil... ah democracy:nervous:
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Goober5000 on August 10, 2003, 01:42:22 pm
Quote
Originally posted by LAW ENFORCER
its just because Goober5000 does code for the TVWP... which is a it like an oil man invading a country for oil... ah democracy:nervous:


:wtf:
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: LAW ENFORCER on August 10, 2003, 01:47:52 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Goober5000


:wtf:


:wtf:
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Lynx on August 10, 2003, 01:50:00 pm
Goober5000, I think the way you described it would work. The more I think of it, it's just like continously pressing down the Y button.:)
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: redmenace on August 10, 2003, 01:50:40 pm
Quote
Originally posted by LAW ENFORCER
its just because Goober5000 does code for the TVWP... which is a it like an oil man invading a country for oil... ah democracy:nervous:

:wtf:
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Unknown Target on August 10, 2003, 01:51:22 pm
What's an oil-man? :D

BTW, I think that that targeting system would be VERY annoying. What if you wanted to stay on this guy's tail, but every time you looked at a different ship, you'd lock onto that one?
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Solatar on August 10, 2003, 02:01:35 pm
Quote
Originally posted by LAW ENFORCER



its just because Goober5000 does code for the TVWP... which is a it like an oil man invading a country for oil... ah democracy:nervous:

(http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc15.jpg)

I think this could be sorta cool, but what's wrong with just pressing Y?
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: an0n on August 10, 2003, 02:01:51 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Unknown Target
What's an oil-man? :D
The guy at McDonalds with 3 stars.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Lynx on August 10, 2003, 02:04:41 pm
It worked in Wing Commander, so it would work here too:p


Of course there should be a button("L" in WC) to 'lock' the target, so that it remains the target until you choose another one. It would be like shutting of this system down and using now the standard FS2 system. WCish targeting would be some kind of 'expansion' to the normaly system. You just press a button, and the ships are targeted in the normal manner.

This sounds  probably very complicated the way I describe it, but it isn't.:)

It would be very useful too in missions with huge battles and lots of fighters.

And that feature should be made optional. If you don't want that kind of targeting in your mission, just don't tick off the box for it in FRED.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Goober5000 on August 10, 2003, 02:44:35 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Solatar
(http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc15.jpg)


:lol:
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Woolie Wool on August 10, 2003, 11:06:56 pm
Quote
Originally posted by redmenace

:wtf:


:wtf: indeed.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Woolie Wool on August 10, 2003, 11:10:54 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Solatar

(http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc15.jpg)


I like this one better:
(http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/negative8.jpg)


Anyway, that targeting system sounds like a world-class pain in the ass for the pilot.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Lynx on August 11, 2003, 01:58:05 pm
Is there no one who has actually played Wing Commander once and knows what I'm talikng about?:rolleyes:
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Nico on August 11, 2003, 02:34:12 pm
I've played WC, but can't remember any target lock like that, sorry.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: IceFire on August 11, 2003, 02:34:23 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Lynx
Is there no one who has actually played Wing Commander once and knows what I'm talikng about?:rolleyes:

Most of us have played Wing Commander....and I've played all but one or two versions of the series (the one on 3DO and the one on Mac I haven't played) so I've seen EVERYTHING there is to see from Wing Commander.

What you describe is this: Targets show up in broken brackets and the target changes as you point your nose to the target.  Or rather, the lock on a ship that isn't directly infront of you is lost as you point away from it.  The only way to keep it from doing that was to lock a target.

In FreeSpace, all targets are always locked and you can always lock a new target.  Using Y makes it very easy to track your next target...in particular, the WC system was designed in the days of early VGA and the average computer screen being 14in or 15in.  Essentially, this system is outdated (Prophecy sort of did away with this system but not quite) and I see little reason to actual include a control element that is a step backwards.

The WC mod can definately use some other source code additions that would help them out...but this doesn't seem like a useful addition.  I'd rather see it spent elsewhere.

And by the argument that the Primitive Sensors are now present in SCP (why can't we do this), we can see that its actually a gameplay element reducing your sensors effectiveness almost completely to similate primitive sensor systems.  Thats a story/gameplay feature...the WC targeting system is meerly a control interface...one that FS does better.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: JudgeMental on August 12, 2003, 10:18:01 pm
OK...  I'm not sure if I'm getting this right...  Are you saying that you target a ship, and then the game automatically just puts brackets, and maybe a lead indicator, on whatever ship is closest to your reticle?

If this is true, then it might be vaguely handy in an escort situation.  But, as I have both the escort-target and reticle-target buttons mapped to thumb buttons on my joystick, it's practicality IMO would be limited.

However, in bouncing this idea from A to B to C, I just got an idea...  Let me think about it for a while, before saying anything more...
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Tolwyn on August 13, 2003, 03:34:18 pm
iin WC targets are not locked by default... pressing 'L' key will lock the target (just like in FS2)
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Flipside on August 13, 2003, 03:38:42 pm
Hmmmmm... I would of thought that would be a pain if you are trying to fight your way through a fighter escort to take out a beam cannon or the like? The last thing you need it to be glancing down at the keyboard, especially when in Mods like Inferno 'Glancing at Keyboard' = Death :)

Flipside :D
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Woolie Wool on August 13, 2003, 03:44:37 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Flipside
Hmmmmm... I would of thought that would be a pain if you are trying to fight your way through a fighter escort to take out a beam cannon or the like? The last thing you need it to be glancing down at the keyboard, especially when in Mods like Inferno 'Glancing at Keyboard' = Death :)

Flipside :D


Yeah. With all those big nasty guns and turrets, you don't want to divert your attention for more than a nanosecond in Inferno.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Tolwyn on August 13, 2003, 03:45:13 pm
well, you still do not completely understand this: if you press 'l' once, you will have the same targeting system as in FS2, pressing 'l' again would switch back to t´he previous targeting mode.
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Flipside on August 13, 2003, 03:54:14 pm
Oh right, it's a toggle :)

I wouldn't have a problem with that existing at all, but to be honest, I'm so used to using the old FS2 controls, I'm not certain if I'd use it.

Flipside :D
Title: Wing Commander-esque targeting system
Post by: Solatar on August 13, 2003, 04:13:59 pm
But why? If people want to do this, put a battery or something over your Y key.