Weather Conditions

[Merowingg]

We have this rain on urban maps and little snow on rocky mountains.

Why Arizona does not deserve a weather condition? A wind for example which would move the sand from sanded areas around? Also the rain from urban may be little or heavier. While snow is snowing on rocky mountains it could appear on trees and some other areas.

I do know there are important things to focus on now.

I am just giving the ideas.

[Saberuneko]

I like the idea, but heavier weather might mean the stuff could get harder to see, if you look the water closely, you'll notice it's solid, not translucid or transparent.

Anyway, I think there should be some way to make the weather look better... It would give another appeareance to the complete thing.

[Draco Nihil]

Sand storms in desert (or rather Arizona) areas would be a interesting tactical situation. Units would have decreased FOV and decreased direct firing range, they'd have to resort to sensors to be of any use.

There also could be weather situations where VToL craft are significantly disadvantaged and it's best not to use them until whatever the storm is passes, or risk them being damaged or ineffective against the enemy.

Also I remember the 3Dfx retail game having translucent (alpha blended) water but not in D3D. 3.1 beta has subtractive (or "Multiply" blend in Photoshop\PaintShop\GIMP ,etc terms) water.

[aubergine]

I'd like to see tumbleweeds in Arizona maps

[Draco Nihil]

I'd like to see tumbleweeds in Arizona maps :)

Just like the Old West huh? Let's not forget the appropriate gusts of wind too.



.......... rolling rolling rolling.

[Merowingg]

Hehe

Now also an idea o sand storm has comet my mind it could last few minutes and decrease visibility on the map

[Saberuneko]

Hmm, well I see it more like this:

Rain reduces visibility.
Snow reduces mobility.
Sandstorm reduces aim.

Each 5-10 minutes random(5,10) either no climate (like 50% chance) or a climate applies, making things more difficult while in effect...

What do you think about that?

[aubergine]

I'd have:

* Rain reduces mobility of wheeled/tracked/half-tracked units
* Snow reduces fire damage
* Sandstorm reduces sensor range and slows down VTOLs

[Merowingg]

Very nice ideas in two last posts.

But I think maybe tracked units shall be rather faster on the snow, as they have better grip due to tracks

[aubergine]

Different propulsions could be affected differently by the weather.

For example: Snow

* Wheels are slowed to 50% of their normal speed - the wheels can't get much traction
* Half tracks slowed to 75% of their normal speed - the tracks have better traction, but steering (using wheels) is still a problem
* Cyborgs slowed to 85% of their normal speed - they slip a little with each step, but nothing major
* Tracks slowed to 95% of their normal speed - due to the way tracks work, they're not really affected that much
* Hover speed increases by 5% - more uniform surface provides better lift and less bumps, it's like hovering over a Tarmac road

Note: I've not thought about what the actual percentage would be - the values above are just to illustrate that different propulsions would be affected in different ways.

With things like this, the best laid plans could be lain to waste by a sudden change in the weather. It would add a random and unexpected element to the game which on occasion would catch out even experienced players?

Another effect could be on certain technologies. For example, Thermal Imaging Sensor tech could be thwarted by sand storms, fog, etc.

[Saberuneko]

I still think that the main focus should be on enhancing the visual part first, before doing anything else to tweak the values... As it was already said in this topic, the weather graphics might need some changes!

[iamaloner]

I support this... Great idea, well Starcraft can suck balls, right?

[Merowingg]

Maybe some post-nuclear radiation storms? that jamm the radar, or slow down units? cook the scavengers

[C27]

High winds could potentially force VTOLs to stay grounded, interfere with hover movement, or make water too rough for hovers to cross. Possibly it could mess with missiles, artillery, and flamers as well.
Snow or cold snaps could freeze water, allowing lightweight vehicles and cyborgs to cross the ice. Make sure they get across before it melts, though.
Thaws in a snowy map could turn the ground into mud, bogging down wheeled vehicles and cyborgs. This would be better if there was some specific tundra/marsh terrain, though.

[Merowingg]

Very interesting ideas, especially the VTOL's ones. I like the all.

The case is to implement such great changes in the weather terms would occupy all and focus all only on this thing, not looking at any needing things from other parts of the game.

Anyway wery nice, and one day, one day..