Chaos UT2 Turret Idea...

[ViperDragon]

Been reading on the Chaos UT2 web site and thought I would throw you guys an idea. I loved that you guys added the team colors to the turret guns in CUT version 1.1. If you plan to include the turret on CUT2 (which I hope you do!) would it be possible to display a damage report on the turret gun? One way could be through the HUD, like a small image of the turret and it's damage level (more red indicates the turret's about to explode) and how much ammo it has (though having multiple turrets would probably make the HUD idea impossible). Or, the better idea, when looking at the turret up close, as to reload, show a small status output of the turret's damage level (%?) and weapons inventory (% or #?). Keep up the great work guys!

ViperDragon

[jb]

Hi there thanks for your post and yes we have plans for the turret. Right now its more of the open stage as we have not decided on features. We thought to have two type. One stationary (like in CUT and in the Q2 ChaosDM mod) and maybe one a bit more mobile. Again we are working to get some other things wrapped up so for now anything is still possible with the turret. And if you run a CUT Gametype in the old CUT you will see we already have displayed the current turrets stats, health/ammo, if your the owner (or its on your team). We we try to ensure that happens again.

[R.Flagg]

...... Or, the better idea, when looking at the turret up close, as to reload, show a small status output of the turret's damage level (%?) and weapons inventory (% or #?).

Ok, I like this idea, as it sort of touches on a pet peeve of mine. And it's something I've been thinking about lately about how we should handle it.

You see, I myself am not a fan of big, huge, take-my-whole-screen HUDs that hide the game I came to play. While I agree with you, that turret info is nice, I simply want us to do it so that's it's not in the way.

Now, in UT, when you looked at your teammates, you got their name and health below your crosshairs. And since we like to try and 'blend' into original game when possible, it was a natural fit when a team member suggested we add some turret info there in the same manner. And so we did, and life was good.

But...., here comes UT2003, and it's shoulder lamps and yellow triangles. Arrgghh! Personally, I hate those things. To me, they ruin the beauty of some of these new maps and stuff. Looking out over some great terrain, and instead of the 'natural' view of my teammates gettin' it on towards the enemy, I've got these yellow triangles and names all over the place.

My point is that in this case, I will lobby for us not to match the original game like we did last time. I really don't want to see lamps and triangles over my turrets. ( I don't want them over the players either, see my thread here entitled 'Stop the Pain!', hehe )

So, back to your actual post. For these reasons, I agree that your 2nd idea, of putting the turrets health and ammo indicators right on the turret itself, is the better one. If it can be done, it's got my vote as of now.

I would still want the turrets to be team colored of course, so I know it's safe to approach, but this way I would have to actually come out from behind my hiding spot to go and check it's ammo count. That would be neat I think.

Long post? Perhaps. I just think the HUD is important, and that it deserves some thought.

Keep up the great work guys!

Thank's man, very cool of you to say.

[RigR.Mortis{FU}]

<sniff, sniff--sob>

god, I miss the turrets...sure, sure there are turrets in Natural Selection but Chaos turrets <sigh> those were the dayz.

[Sir Tahngarth]

while i personally like the UT HUD (shrunk to a certain percentage) and the team beacons, i agree the beacons should be able to be toggled off. after all, team beacons were an optional mutator in UT, and while helpful, were on the ugly side. if you think UT 2k3's hud is big and cluttered, you havent flown a fighter jet or been at the helm of a battleship. people need information, and you cant help but have it take up some space. as long as the area around my crosshair is clear, i can play the game (not that im saying thats good enough for me). Think [-will-]'s fake aimbot picture if youve seen it: the whole screen is blackend except for a circlular area in the middle, and in big font are the words:
"When enemy appears here -> <- press [ FIRE ] "

my proposal is have turrent statistics always appear in transparent text when looking at your own turrets, and any turrets you spawned should have a (hideable) status window of some sort that lets you see the info if you want to see it, but you can hide it if you dont want it (or have it hidden by default and press a key to see it.)

[R.Flagg]

if you think UT 2k3's hud is big and cluttered, you haven't flown a fighter jet or been at the helm of a battleship. people need information, and you cant help but have it take up some space

Ah, but I'm doing neither of those.

I don't have a problem with those who like HUDs going ahead and designing and using the most fabulous HUD they desire. Why, even with all the colors of the rainbow. Within honorable bounds of course. Timers and whatnot are a whole separate issue.

My whole complaint is having it forced on those of us who prefer minimal HUD info. If all I want is a very small ammo, health, and score indicators, I should be able to chose that.

Those who want a battleship HUD should be able to chose that.

Unless of course, I jump into a vehicle or something. Then fine, bring on the 'vehicle or something' HUD. I would love to see a couple of hands holding a steering wheel inside one of these bulldogs or something like that. 1st person driving.

Or maybe couple of tattoed hands holding the handle bars of a big Harley driving thru a city map. Or one hand on the bike, one hand with weapon. Be all like Mad Max and stuff. I could get all dressed up for the part before playing map. The wife really likes Mel too, hmm......,

Sorry, rambling. Going back to server now.

[Lothar{Moo}]

...options are nice but I too like a small uncluttered HUD. I want to see the map and the players... big HUDs get in my face.



RigR.Mortis! How ya doin'? -You old stiff!
It's about time you hauled your carcass back to Chaos!

[Sir Tahngarth]

ill admit, ut2k3s hud with the default settings is a bit on the clunky fat side. but scaling it to 90% size and 60% opacity, it doesnt really get in the way at all. its not often that i find myself looking at the very top and bottom edge of the screen, lateral perherpial visioon is whats most important and its clear with the hud as it is. having the hud be transparent helps a lot too. if i really hated how much space the hud took up, i would just make it 90% transparent so you can barely see it. its going to be just as hard to see if your'e making it tiny, so...

whatever your preference.