jon_the_d
23rd May 08, 4:55 AM
kind of following on from the discussion about how far units should be able to see and shoot, I realised how much I would love for them to implement variable weather (choosable in multiplayer, or set to random).
The different weather conditions would not only affect the look and feel of the whole battle, but could also be used to drastically change the strategies players will adapt.
For example:
Clear - The sun(s) are out and it's a beautiful day, units can see much further than usual.
Cloudy - There's a slight haze and dimness, units can't see quite as far as on a clear day.
Rain - The rain makes it hard to see very far, and accuracy and movement speed could have slight penalties all round (for troops at least).
Snow - even worse visibility than rain, and a greater penalty to movement.
Fog - Thick fog makes it hard to see further than your pistol will shoot. severe penalties to visibility (Fog of War very close to the units)
Storm! - The skies are blackened and the heavens have opened. The map is dark and the rain hinders visibility and movement to a greater extent than just "rain". Lightning flashes intermittently, briefly illuminating the map and giving the units a split second of increased visibility, before the darkness returns to envelope them.
Night! - Darkness, severe penalties to visibility, and a very ominous feel to the map, with the small glowing lights of weapons and armour dancing through the blackness. explosions would briefly illuminate areas, and weapons fire will trace through the dark.
-Or...
Time of day could be implemented separately (chosen for MP, or randomly selected for campaign missions, unless you launched the attack in which case you can choose), and then players would set time of day and weather condition for each battle. eg:
Day - daylight
Twilight - slightly dimmer with a slight penalty to visibility, and with a nice sunset flare to all the buildings and units, long shadows etc.
Night - night (as earlier)
The time of day needn't be a separate setting, perhaps just the settings listed at the top of the page would be enough.
Anyway, If visibility was implemented so that units can see a lot further than what they can currently in DOW(ie, Fog of War is much further back), but that weather conditions will dramatically reduce this visibility range (effectively of course, fog of war being closer to the units), it will mean that certain maps will have to be approached in vastly different ways, with long range snipers and heavy support weapons not being much use in the Fog or dark for example, and CC troops being much more sensible. but on a clear day, they can stan da top of hill and rain hell down on the enemy, and the enemy will have to be prepared to take them out asap, or make use of the terrain and buildings to avoid their fire.
overall, this would breathe so much life into just a few maps, would add so much atmosphere to the game, and add so many extra levels to tactics and strategy.
I think it would Rock.
what do you guys think?
The different weather conditions would not only affect the look and feel of the whole battle, but could also be used to drastically change the strategies players will adapt.
For example:
Clear - The sun(s) are out and it's a beautiful day, units can see much further than usual.
Cloudy - There's a slight haze and dimness, units can't see quite as far as on a clear day.
Rain - The rain makes it hard to see very far, and accuracy and movement speed could have slight penalties all round (for troops at least).
Snow - even worse visibility than rain, and a greater penalty to movement.
Fog - Thick fog makes it hard to see further than your pistol will shoot. severe penalties to visibility (Fog of War very close to the units)
Storm! - The skies are blackened and the heavens have opened. The map is dark and the rain hinders visibility and movement to a greater extent than just "rain". Lightning flashes intermittently, briefly illuminating the map and giving the units a split second of increased visibility, before the darkness returns to envelope them.
Night! - Darkness, severe penalties to visibility, and a very ominous feel to the map, with the small glowing lights of weapons and armour dancing through the blackness. explosions would briefly illuminate areas, and weapons fire will trace through the dark.
-Or...
Time of day could be implemented separately (chosen for MP, or randomly selected for campaign missions, unless you launched the attack in which case you can choose), and then players would set time of day and weather condition for each battle. eg:
Day - daylight
Twilight - slightly dimmer with a slight penalty to visibility, and with a nice sunset flare to all the buildings and units, long shadows etc.
Night - night (as earlier)
The time of day needn't be a separate setting, perhaps just the settings listed at the top of the page would be enough.
Anyway, If visibility was implemented so that units can see a lot further than what they can currently in DOW(ie, Fog of War is much further back), but that weather conditions will dramatically reduce this visibility range (effectively of course, fog of war being closer to the units), it will mean that certain maps will have to be approached in vastly different ways, with long range snipers and heavy support weapons not being much use in the Fog or dark for example, and CC troops being much more sensible. but on a clear day, they can stan da top of hill and rain hell down on the enemy, and the enemy will have to be prepared to take them out asap, or make use of the terrain and buildings to avoid their fire.
overall, this would breathe so much life into just a few maps, would add so much atmosphere to the game, and add so many extra levels to tactics and strategy.
I think it would Rock.
what do you guys think?