Show the commander's viewpoint on the map
Cim
Join Date: 2012-02-25 Member: 147403Members
I think that showing the marine commander's viewport on the map/minimap would improve a lot of things. First and foremost, it would make the commander feel more present. Not just an invisible force that generates medpacks out of thin air. Overall it fits well with the theme of the marine commander being more "hands-on" than the khamm.
It would also have a few, but important, gameplay ramifications. You would no longer have to guess if the commander is looking at your location waiting to drop medpacks/ammo. It would also help with standing around waiting for the commander to drop structures. You could easily discern from the map if the comm is busy supporting in a fight or building elsewhere. We already have the build-log on the left, but this would give a much better idea of what the comm is doing at any given moment.
It would also have a few, but important, gameplay ramifications. You would no longer have to guess if the commander is looking at your location waiting to drop medpacks/ammo. It would also help with standing around waiting for the commander to drop structures. You could easily discern from the map if the comm is busy supporting in a fight or building elsewhere. We already have the build-log on the left, but this would give a much better idea of what the comm is doing at any given moment.
Comments
it would be kind of intimidating to see that the enemy commander is watching you, as well as comforting to know that a commander is look over you
and of course give a real presence on the field.
LOL that would be hilarious but it would also be so incredibly game-breaking to know where the enemy commander's attention was. The particle effect would probably get irritating fast, too
What I'd like to see is the infestation "bubble" faster when the alien commander is viewing it. Maybe even increase the idle animations of the structures slightly. That could make the alien commander's presence felt more.
Then again, that's probably a lot of work for no practical purpose what so ever.
Also, on the flip side to what your saying... it would make tutoring new commanders a lot easier.
I feel his presence watching me at every step
when someone starts backseat commanding I mute them, and I tell the team to mute them.
yeah something a bit more subtle would be cool though - i've always wanted this
Not gonna lie, that's how I felt when I played Nuclear Dawn for the first time. That game has this feature and seeing it sort of glide across the map as it examined each area was a bit unsettling. Especially as it watched me fail at combat.
The idea does sound cool. In all seriousness, it does seem to work out for ND. It would be neet to see the thought process and playstyle of other commanders, too. Whenever I comm, I'm often flying across the map. I wonder how many other people do that too.
I would, however, recommend it being an option disabled by default. New players would be unlikely to benefit from knowing what their commander is up to, and it would be one more thing to trip over in learning an already high curve for a shooter. Not to mention its more attention-grabbing than the player's own position. Leave it as something to discover in the options.
"Oh, the commander is watching me! I must be his favorite!" *promptly dies to an ambush*
I just remembered playing Black & White. You could see your "gods" hand, and your "enemy gods" hand. and you where able to slap/stroke your pet creature and you could pick up things and throw them around.
I would like to see a mod which adds that to NS2. "A skulk eating my extractor?" *pickup skulk, throw away* "A marine shooting my lovely gorges?" *slap marine, fondle gorges belly afterwards*
u click options
u check the box "Show Commander viewpoint on Map"
????
PROFIT