[Lynx]

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.

[an0n]

Its the equivelant of holding down Y.

[Lynx]

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?

[Goober5000]

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.

[Lynx]

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.

[LAW ENFORCER]

because this is a democracy. They get what they want and you dont get anything...


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:

[Goober5000]

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:

[LAW ENFORCER]

Originally posted by Goober5000

[Lynx]

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.

[redmenace]

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:

[Unknown Target]

What's an oil-man?

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?

[Solatar]

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:

I think this could be sorta cool, but what's wrong with just pressing Y?

[an0n]

Originally posted by Unknown Target
What's an oil-man?

The guy at McDonalds with 3 stars.

[Lynx]

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.

[Goober5000]

Originally posted by Solatar

[Woolie Wool]

Originally posted by redmenace

indeed.

[Woolie Wool]

Originally posted by Solatar

I like this one better:



Anyway, that targeting system sounds like a world-class pain in the ass for the pilot.

[Lynx]

Is there no one who has actually played Wing Commander once and knows what I'm talikng about?

[Nico]

I've played WC, but can't remember any target lock like that, sorry.

[IceFire]

Originally posted by Lynx
Is there no one who has actually played Wing Commander once and knows what I'm talikng about?

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.