Paper-scissors-rock
grepdashv
Lord of the Bugs Join Date: 2002-11-13 Member: 8487Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester
Lord of the Bugs Join Date: 2002-11-13 Member: 8487Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester
<div class="IPBDescription">or, motion tracking vs. alien upgrades</div> Short version: How does motion tracking behave in 1.1? Specifically, can it be negated by any alien upgrades?
Really, really long version:
<b><span style='color:red'>Warning:</span></b> I find it interesting to talk about the sci-fi reasons for why things should work a certain way in the game. <b>Game balance is not considered in the below discussion.</b> Topic? "Motion tracking" has always bothered me from the sci-fi point of view. Perhaps some discussion will help improve the sci-fi, and, if we're lucky, even the way that this technology is implemented in future versions (although that would involve later game balance discussions).
So, where to begin... Oddly enough, I'd like to talk about Kharaa sensory abilities first. A sensory chamber turns the marines into yellow circles on hive sight, as does scent of fear for an alien that has it. How? Well, let's say for sake of argument that a "ping" of sorts is sent out (could be based on sound or bacteria or scent or some frequency of radiation (how does hive sight propagate for that matter?) -- whatever you want) and that when a marine is nearby, the ping is returned. Let's further assume that the TSA "motion tracking" technology performs a similar function, only using its own mechanism. Depending on what this mechanism is, wouldn't it make sense for certain aliens/structures to show up but not others?
Now, onto motion tracking itself. I think that this term is <i>currently</i> a misnomer, since non-moving structures are detected by "motion tracking". Since that is the case, let's feel free to explore other reasons as to why the marine tech might work. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Silence: If the marine tech were actually motion tracking, and if that were based on sound, then silence would negate motion tracking based on sound. If another detection method were used, silenced aliens would show up as blue circles on marine HUDs.
Cloaking: If marine tech were based on an active ping for alien life signs, then only cloaked aliens/structures would not be detected (like stealth planes avoiding radar). Again, if a different detection method were used, blue circles.
Scent of fear, option 1: Yes, scent of fear. Perhaps only large sources of alien energy (hives?, sensory chambers, scent-of-fear aliens) would be detected by marine tech. Note the contradiction with the cloaking scenario above...there are logical reasons both for and against detection of sensory chambers by marine tech.
Scent of fear, option 2: OK, a different angle. Perhaps only the above mentioned stuff (give or take hives) would NOT be detected. In this case, the reason would be that those things create so MUCH radiation that they confuse the sensitive detection equipment. In that case, aliens with scent of fear would not be seen by motion tracking...
Scent of fear, option 2, sub-option A: ...but cloaked aliens would (since they can't jam the tech)...
Scent of fear, option 2, sub-option B: ...nor would cloaked aliens (since they avoid the tech like the stealth aircraft).
really evil marine tech scenario: Negated by nothing. All structures and beings are blue circles at all times. We know who you are, where you are, and agents have been dispatched to your location already. Do not pass Observation Bridge. Do not collect $200.
Confused? So am I, but I find this type of pondering enjoyable. If you read this far, hopefully you do, too. If not, please just write me off as a wacko rather than flaming.
Really, really long version:
<b><span style='color:red'>Warning:</span></b> I find it interesting to talk about the sci-fi reasons for why things should work a certain way in the game. <b>Game balance is not considered in the below discussion.</b> Topic? "Motion tracking" has always bothered me from the sci-fi point of view. Perhaps some discussion will help improve the sci-fi, and, if we're lucky, even the way that this technology is implemented in future versions (although that would involve later game balance discussions).
So, where to begin... Oddly enough, I'd like to talk about Kharaa sensory abilities first. A sensory chamber turns the marines into yellow circles on hive sight, as does scent of fear for an alien that has it. How? Well, let's say for sake of argument that a "ping" of sorts is sent out (could be based on sound or bacteria or scent or some frequency of radiation (how does hive sight propagate for that matter?) -- whatever you want) and that when a marine is nearby, the ping is returned. Let's further assume that the TSA "motion tracking" technology performs a similar function, only using its own mechanism. Depending on what this mechanism is, wouldn't it make sense for certain aliens/structures to show up but not others?
Now, onto motion tracking itself. I think that this term is <i>currently</i> a misnomer, since non-moving structures are detected by "motion tracking". Since that is the case, let's feel free to explore other reasons as to why the marine tech might work. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Silence: If the marine tech were actually motion tracking, and if that were based on sound, then silence would negate motion tracking based on sound. If another detection method were used, silenced aliens would show up as blue circles on marine HUDs.
Cloaking: If marine tech were based on an active ping for alien life signs, then only cloaked aliens/structures would not be detected (like stealth planes avoiding radar). Again, if a different detection method were used, blue circles.
Scent of fear, option 1: Yes, scent of fear. Perhaps only large sources of alien energy (hives?, sensory chambers, scent-of-fear aliens) would be detected by marine tech. Note the contradiction with the cloaking scenario above...there are logical reasons both for and against detection of sensory chambers by marine tech.
Scent of fear, option 2: OK, a different angle. Perhaps only the above mentioned stuff (give or take hives) would NOT be detected. In this case, the reason would be that those things create so MUCH radiation that they confuse the sensitive detection equipment. In that case, aliens with scent of fear would not be seen by motion tracking...
Scent of fear, option 2, sub-option A: ...but cloaked aliens would (since they can't jam the tech)...
Scent of fear, option 2, sub-option B: ...nor would cloaked aliens (since they avoid the tech like the stealth aircraft).
really evil marine tech scenario: Negated by nothing. All structures and beings are blue circles at all times. We know who you are, where you are, and agents have been dispatched to your location already. Do not pass Observation Bridge. Do not collect $200.
Confused? So am I, but I find this type of pondering enjoyable. If you read this far, hopefully you do, too. If not, please just write me off as a wacko rather than flaming.
Comments
ROTFL! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->