Squad/team designation in comode
Whiskey_Tango_Foxtrot
Mr. Acronym Join Date: 2002-07-05 Member: 885Members
Mr. Acronym Join Date: 2002-07-05 Member: 885Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Ability to lasso select and bind a team?</div>***TO THE READER: Included at the end of this post for your convience is Coil's (PT) reply. I believe he has provided us with a reasonable assessment of my question.***
<b>.DiSCLAiMER.</b> I apologize in advance if this item of inquiry has been covered.
What I would like to know about the Commander Mode (COMODE) is whether the Commander will have the ability to create a 'Team' or 'Group' after Lasso Selecting players.
An important and fundamental organizational function in RTSs is the ability to group units and bind them to to a single key, usually [0]-[9]. You will then have the ability to call on the preselected group with a single key press, the advantages are obvious.
In NS this function could be used to give the players a sense of Squadsmanship. After the Commander <b>Binds</b> a Team, the members of that Squad could be given intelligence on the other members of the Squad via there Heads-Up Display (HUD). The Call Sign, Health, Armour, and Ammo Status of the other members of your Squad could be displayed bt them. Communication, whether it be Type, Headset, or Microphone, can then be limited to only the members of your squad.
A clear advantage is Newbie Teamplay Training (NEWTT). The more experienced member of the squad can do NEWTT Duty and take the NEWTTs through a day in the life of a TSA Marine. The could help to ease the initial learning curve of NS by having someone on your HUD to follow to the Arming Points (AP) or Resupply Points (RP). I think it would also cut down on Newbie wandering, lost and unsure of where to go, running into battles inadequately outfitted, it can be a tragic, messy and ultimately frustrating affair. A Newbie in a squad will experience Squadsmanship, Teamplay, Organized Assaults and all the goodness a TFPS can bring.
Another advantage is the Commander could then lay ammunition in a single RP for multiple marines. This in itself will promote a little more cohesion because you will need to be within the vicinity of the squad to access the RP quickly. A Commander will always designate the RP in a area accessible to the majority of the squad, if a DMer is off roaming about he will not have access to the RP unless the Commander specifically resupplies him.
I drifted into a Feature Fantasy near the end but I think my point is clear. <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
This is,
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Over and Out.
***UPDATE: Coil (PT) Reply)***
You know, now that I think about it... I'm not sure hotkeys are all that necessary. Two reasons come to mind.
1) Sadly, marines tend to have a short lifespan; this would require constant reassigning, which would be more annoying than helpful.
2) The major thing hotkeys are good for in an RTS is micromanaging. In Warcraft3, if you come up against some hippogryphs you're going to want to quick-select your Raiders and ensnare them (WHY isn't ensnare autocast??). In NS, however, your "units" micromanage themselves. (:
Here's an idea: you have two buttons. The first button selects a single marine; let's say, the marine closest to the Command Center (as you will probably use this button to tell someone to build something). The second button selects *all* your marines; this is used for troop movements and assaults.
Another idea (this was my original idea, from which I worked out the one I just mentioned) would be to have each marine selectable by pressing a number key. The first 10 marines would be 1-0, while the next 9 would be Keypad1-9. Keypad0 would select all marines; as servers would be 32-player or less, you're very unlikely to find teams larger than 19.
<b>.DiSCLAiMER.</b> I apologize in advance if this item of inquiry has been covered.
What I would like to know about the Commander Mode (COMODE) is whether the Commander will have the ability to create a 'Team' or 'Group' after Lasso Selecting players.
An important and fundamental organizational function in RTSs is the ability to group units and bind them to to a single key, usually [0]-[9]. You will then have the ability to call on the preselected group with a single key press, the advantages are obvious.
In NS this function could be used to give the players a sense of Squadsmanship. After the Commander <b>Binds</b> a Team, the members of that Squad could be given intelligence on the other members of the Squad via there Heads-Up Display (HUD). The Call Sign, Health, Armour, and Ammo Status of the other members of your Squad could be displayed bt them. Communication, whether it be Type, Headset, or Microphone, can then be limited to only the members of your squad.
A clear advantage is Newbie Teamplay Training (NEWTT). The more experienced member of the squad can do NEWTT Duty and take the NEWTTs through a day in the life of a TSA Marine. The could help to ease the initial learning curve of NS by having someone on your HUD to follow to the Arming Points (AP) or Resupply Points (RP). I think it would also cut down on Newbie wandering, lost and unsure of where to go, running into battles inadequately outfitted, it can be a tragic, messy and ultimately frustrating affair. A Newbie in a squad will experience Squadsmanship, Teamplay, Organized Assaults and all the goodness a TFPS can bring.
Another advantage is the Commander could then lay ammunition in a single RP for multiple marines. This in itself will promote a little more cohesion because you will need to be within the vicinity of the squad to access the RP quickly. A Commander will always designate the RP in a area accessible to the majority of the squad, if a DMer is off roaming about he will not have access to the RP unless the Commander specifically resupplies him.
I drifted into a Feature Fantasy near the end but I think my point is clear. <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
This is,
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Over and Out.
***UPDATE: Coil (PT) Reply)***
You know, now that I think about it... I'm not sure hotkeys are all that necessary. Two reasons come to mind.
1) Sadly, marines tend to have a short lifespan; this would require constant reassigning, which would be more annoying than helpful.
2) The major thing hotkeys are good for in an RTS is micromanaging. In Warcraft3, if you come up against some hippogryphs you're going to want to quick-select your Raiders and ensnare them (WHY isn't ensnare autocast??). In NS, however, your "units" micromanage themselves. (:
Here's an idea: you have two buttons. The first button selects a single marine; let's say, the marine closest to the Command Center (as you will probably use this button to tell someone to build something). The second button selects *all* your marines; this is used for troop movements and assaults.
Another idea (this was my original idea, from which I worked out the one I just mentioned) would be to have each marine selectable by pressing a number key. The first 10 marines would be 1-0, while the next 9 would be Keypad1-9. Keypad0 would select all marines; as servers would be 32-player or less, you're very unlikely to find teams larger than 19.
Comments
Sounds great! Newbies will rock the house with the help of their NEWTT leader... as long as they RTFM first.
What happens if a NEWTT leader dies?
Personally, I thought it was good up until the NEWTT thing.If the don't RTFM , it's their fault they keep dieing <!--emo&???--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'><!--endemo-->
:|
How interesting. Thank you for taking the time to come by and express your feelings.
I like them.
<!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
<b>.Coil.</b>
That sounds pretty reasonable. I considered, about halfway through the post, that I was "Feature Fantasizing" more then anything else. Perhaps I'll make note of this idea in the Ideas Forum once this Thread disappears into the abyss. Thanks for giving me the Down Low.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Out.
If an acronym forms an easy to remember sound like 'NEWbie Teamplay Training = NEWTT' all the better. I feel that Newbie (Inexperienced Newcomers if you need me to be PC) Teamplay Training is a prominent issue in NS. The recent addition of the Pop-Up Help Windows is one feature in a campaign to ease the learning curve of the game for beginners. When I use NEWTT in my post it is clear to the reader that I am addressing the very important issue of Newbie Teamplay Training.
And because it is an issue that is worth discussing and brainstorming ideas on, why not use a easy to remember, shortened representation of the words that I am bound to repeat throughout my composition.
I think it is just plain efficient. <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
And I'll admit it. It does sound kind of Military-like but since NS is a Sci-Fi/Military Themed Teamplay MOD I don't think it's unappropriate. <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot aka Mr. Acronym
Out.
-PD
That's a lot of acronym whorage (AW) <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
-PD
Besides, Natural Selection already *has* a bunch of acronyms...
NS(.org) - Natural Selection (www.natural-selection.org)
RR(.org) - Ready Room(.org)
CC - Command Console
MS - Marine Start
L/HMG - Light/Heavy Machine Gun
GL - Grenade Launcher
STC - Subject To Change
SUYF - Shut Up Your Face
... the list goes on... personally, I like *short* lists.
As for the squad leaders and such, its a great idea, but we all know that it just wouldnt work on a HL mod. Why? Because HL has a VERY large Dming comunity, and as such, every single llama out there would lead the newbies to certain deaths. "Yeah, walk into that gooey thingie and you get godmode for 1 min..... SPLAT!" "Oops, my bad, i guess that was an enemy turret"
So basically, i like the grouping ideas and a hud that goes with it, but the whole newbie training idea just wouldnt work in a mod.
Ohh!
<Us3r> Mart.. go down the sidewalk and do monkey tricks for the people
<Us3r> they'll throw money at you
<autolycos> Mart: Id go with the weirder option.
<Mart> User, shut up your face
<Jedisar> lol
<Jedisar> shut up your face?
<Jedisar> lol
<Us3r> Mart's ###### at me :(
<BoZmAn20> haha
<Mart> I remember hearing it somewhere
<Jedisar> Mart, where has your wit gone? :p
<Mart> thought it was relevant
*** Arch0n1us has joined #naturalselection
<DOOManiac> FLORIDA: AMERICA'S WANG
<Fam> Jedi, ive got a presnt for you.
<Arch0n1us> :(
<Us3r> wb Arch
<Jedisar> lol, Shut up your face
<Mart> Jedisar, the same place as users intelligence *boom boom*
<Arch0n1us> im on the laptop now
<Jedisar> that's runner
<DarkPenguins> i live in florida
<Fam> Let me just get it out my bag..
<Jedisar> funny, lol
<Arch0n1us> i think it wears Anti-l33t colone.........
<Jedisar> Fam: are you gonna shoot me again?
<Arch0n1us> err
<autolycos> well Im off for some BO2 now..
<autolycos> cya
<Arch0n1us> cologne :D
<Fam> Ahh, here it is:
<Fam> STFU!
<Jedisar> lol
<Fam> ohooho.
<Us3r> SUYF
<Jedisar> Fam: how about a nice warm cup of..
<DarkPenguins> wankers
<Jedisar> STFU?
<Us3r> SUYF!
<Arch0n1us> lol
<Jedisar> :p
<Us3r> SUYF
<Jedisar> lol
<Arch0n1us> suyf?
<Arch0n1us> wtf?
<Us3r> yes
<Jedisar> lol
<Us3r> shut up your face
<Arch0n1us> ah
<Arch0n1us> lol
<Us3r> lol
<Jedisar> lol, That's funny
<BoZmAn20> ahaha
<BoZmAn20> SUYF
<Arch0n1us> SUYF
<Mart> ...where did that come from ######
<Arch0n1us> :p
<Jedisar> Mart will never live "Shut up your face" down, ever :p
And so it was.
I didn't mean it as a personal attack, some of your ideas were quite good. But the overuse of the acronyms will confuse people.
ect:
Global Warfare - 3 vs me is good....but not more...
DragonModZ - heh, this is my fav. 7 vs me!
CounterStrike - dont like it anymore...boring
Sven-Coop - well, no DM...sorta...
well anyway, the point is that i dont like even ods...well, in this game (NS)i might like it if i was on the biggest team...cause you never know till the mod is out....
Lets call them Abbrevanyms! <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
Here is an Acronym that I think adequately describes the evolution of this thread.
FUBAR.
<!--emo&???--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'><!--endemo-->
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Out.
PS: I have edited in the Coil Reply (And thank you for your Reply) to my original Post for those who would like to know the answer to my proposed question without having to go through the entire thread.
I'm having trouble making sense of your Post so I'm not exactly sure what you mean...
Here is an explaination of how I employ Acronyms/Abbreviations, it is quite simple really.
Say I'm discussing Teamplay First Person Shooters in a post. The first time the term appears in my post it will be written out completely; Teamplay First Person Shooter. In brackets next to it I will define the Acronym/Abbrevations that I will use to describe the Term for the rest of my composition; Teamplay First Person Shooter (TFPS). For the rest of my post I will use the abbreviation. I will only abbreviate a term that I think is important and that I will use multiple times in my post.
It is not unlike the way you would use acronyms/abbreviations in an Essay.
GobyWan made a good point that I will adopt for the rest of my posts. I will include all the acronym/abbreviations I use at the end of my Post. I think I'll do that just to avoid potential confusion.
The point of my posts is to provoke discussion and hopefully pose some interesting questions to the Developers, Playtesters, and the NS Community. It is certainly not so I can pimp Acronyms and Apprevations. <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
I was conscious of the fact that I was using a lot of Acronyms/Abbrevations but I didn't think I was being excessive, I didn't forcefully abbrevate words I didn't need to.
I can't believe my Acronyms/Abbreviations has come under so much scruitiny, never have I felt so naked and vulnerable...
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Out.
So yeah, regarding the selectign and grouping. This is probobly pretty high on the to do list, but sadly, there just isn't time. Never fear, I haven't found myself needing it too much and marines do have will power and therefore intelligence. You'll be surprised at how a marine anticipates your orders and takes matters into his own hands for positionign himself in situations like defending a base or placing mines, or say . . .covering a building teamate. Less precision command is needed than in a general RTS game simply because the I isnt . . A.
But, yes. I would really love to have groupings, but it is probobly a feature for a later version. Hopefully the next one. <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->