Chojun wrote:
Yes, either way drive mode is coming. On our end, we're (almost) completely redesigning drive mode, so although it will function similarly to the PSX version, it will be much easier to use and more intuitive than what Pumpkin offered us in the existing code. We're spending more effort in this area because, largely, we're following the ARTS ideology (Rman can point anyone interested to some good documentation on this) which essentially mandates more of what could essentially be viewed as 'tight no-strings-attached game control/interaction'. Drive mode is good for this because it affords more direct control over the battlefield without having to worry about all the bothersome, counterintuitive micromanagement. This is one thing that most RTS games studios to-date haven't been able to understand or figure out. Most RTS games are a contest of micromanagement, stress, and speed rather than careful design, structure, and support of a military force.
At the risk of being a little off-topic, I offer what I call the MLOC (Minimal Level Of (direct) Control) concept. This is essentially the fact that top-star generals aren't giving orders to specific soldiers on the battlefield, and the player shouldn't have to, either (to a certain extent, even though they are more like a field commander).
Anyway, back on topic, the community at-large will see this sometime in the near future, but I don't speak for the WRP.
By redesign, you mean a new interface, along with extra data on the radar (or some other kind of HUD) to keep you more informed?
While I was screwing around with the code, I realized that while I was busy squishing (sorry babas!) and basically joy riding around, I didn't have enough information telling me that the enemy is coming at me from behind, until after the fact, when they started to fire at me. I didn't quite have the rear view mirror code working just yet.
Even in MP, while it may be fun for a bit, without more information, you will soon get your arse whipped pretty easily, since the AI is still pretty dumb without you controlling everything, and what they should be doing.
This is kinda like the warcam being 'attached' to projectiles, it is fun for a bit, watching where you shoot, and going through mountains, but I quickly got tired of it. Perhaps if instead of the main window, I would have rendered into a smaller window, it would have been nicer. Dunno.
And getting even more OT, what are your guys thoughts on a all VTOL level? That would mean VTOL construction units, and everything else.
And just for the record, I need to clear something up, that perhaps has been missed.
I am not officially aligned with any of the current warzone groups. I am more or less a free agent.
What I say on here or IRC or whatever else, I do *NOT* speak for the Warzone 2100 Resurrection Project people. They can do that themselves.
I am just a enduser/member of the community who does a bit of coding & a bit (too much) of jabbering.
However, once you've messed around with it a little you begin to realize why Pumpkin left it out of the PC version. Although I have no doubt that it would've risen to greatness like any other GPM in Warzone, I guess they simply didn't have time to polish it down to their accepted standards before releasing it. This is an important distinction between a commercial and community driven project.