Things you found in the in-game screenshots and your impressions | Forums

[atacms]

Ok, in the Electronic Gaming Monthly article, they showed some screenshots that gave some HINTS or allowed some specualtion about how this game will be in terms of graphics and MAYBE gameplay. I say MAYBE as I'm aware it's hard to extrapolate gameplay from a picture, it isn't a video after all, but you can speculate.

Anyway, here's what I thought:

there's a screenshot that shows JSF tanks, some infantry and the Comanche helos going up against the Russian forces. Anyway, the screenshot may be bad, but, the Comanche doesn't look very detailed. In fact, one of the best units with details I've ever seen in an RTS is Joint Task Force's Apache helos.

-the range in which the Comanches fire their missile at the tank is pretty close, maybe the distance of 4 tanks. Wish it were MUCH farther. Maybe I'm wrong, but I hope the missiles fire at longer distances rather than the typical short distance RTS games fire at.

- the same thing can be said about either the US or Russian tanks. They seem so close to each other.

- As they mentioned in this article, line of sight is important as there is a screenshot with infantry in a crater in one of the streets. They're JSF troops who are being backed up by a solider wearing an exoskeleton outfit equipped with a minigun. So the question is, was the crater part of the original map or was it created by an artillery shell with deformable terrain so that craters are just for graphics but have gameplay results due to reduced line of sight. Hopefully craters can be created on the go via artillery rounds. here's the screenie

Anyway those are my observations and impressions, what have you guys noticed or thought about the in-game screenshots in the EGM article.

In case you don't have the magazine, there are pictures and the same article now on the web. If you want to see the screenshot with the Comanche firing a missile at a RIDICULOUSLY short range as well as the tanks pretty close to each other, see p. 3 of this link or this shot

Oh and what with the desert painted tanks for the JSF, guys we've left the deserts of the Middle East, if there's no adaptive camo for tanks, I KNOW they had the money to paint tanks in less inconspicous colors for Western Europe. LOL.

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3160171

[atacms]

Ok, in the Electronic Gaming Monthly article, they showed some screenshots that gave some HINTS or allowed some specualtion about how this game will be in terms of graphics and MAYBE gameplay. I say MAYBE as I'm aware it's hard to extrapolate gameplay from a picture, it isn't a video after all, but you can speculate.

Anyway, here's what I thought:

there's a screenshot that shows JSF tanks, some infantry and the Comanche helos going up against the Russian forces. Anyway, the screenshot may be bad, but, the Comanche doesn't look very detailed. In fact, one of the best units with details I've ever seen in an RTS is Joint Task Force's Apache helos.

-the range in which the Comanches fire their missile at the tank is pretty close, maybe the distance of 4 tanks. Wish it were MUCH farther. Maybe I'm wrong, but I hope the missiles fire at longer distances rather than the typical short distance RTS games fire at.

- the same thing can be said about either the US or Russian tanks. They seem so close to each other.

- As they mentioned in this article, line of sight is important as there is a screenshot with infantry in a crater in one of the streets. They're JSF troops who are being backed up by a solider wearing an exoskeleton outfit equipped with a minigun. So the question is, was the crater part of the original map or was it created by an artillery shell with deformable terrain so that craters are just for graphics but have gameplay results due to reduced line of sight. Hopefully craters can be created on the go via artillery rounds. here's the screenie

Anyway those are my observations and impressions, what have you guys noticed or thought about the in-game screenshots in the EGM article.

In case you don't have the magazine, there are pictures and the same article now on the web. If you want to see the screenshot with the Comanche firing a missile at a RIDICULOUSLY short range as well as the tanks pretty close to each other, see p. 3 of this link or this shot

Oh and what with the desert painted tanks for the JSF, guys we've left the deserts of the Middle East, if there's no adaptive camo for tanks, I KNOW they had the money to paint tanks in less inconspicous colors for Western Europe. LOL.

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3160171

[pettyofficerj]

thanks for the dig, as I was NOT going to buy a magazine just for that one exclusive preview..

Now, I have some more material to read..

[pettyofficerj]

..I like the bit about the cutscenes involved when you take-down buildings...

what I would like to know is if you can take them down with enemy troops inside, or just enter buildings that are empty like in other games "cough."

as far as the commanche not being that detailed, i'm sure that the game will make up for the graphics in other areas.

[Vth_F_Smith_]

It's still in development!

[pettyofficerj]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Vth_F_Smith_:
It's still in development! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

totally forgot it's not due out until next year..

perhaps if that was made more clearer, people wouldn't start judging the screenies...

[atacms]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Vth_F_Smith_:
It's still in development! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Graphics I can handle since they can always tweak that, but the firing distance of missiles and tanks and other units to me maybe a problem because it reflects the DEV's philosophy on how the units should fight.

This is a representation of 2020, tanks shouldn't have to close in to KNIFE-FIGHTING distance to destroy another tank especially if there is a clear LINE OF SIGHT to destroy their target at much farther distances. If they are going to make an issue of line of sight, they should give you the sense of how big the battlefield is and your firing range limited or not limited by that line of sight. There's not much to brag about line of sight if you can only shoot a tank that's about 60 feet away from you. Lol.

Again, I will get this game, but it's my constructive criticism that I hope the devs look at and consider.

thanks

[pettyofficerj]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by atacms:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Vth_F_Smith_:
It's still in development! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Graphics I can handle since they can always tweak that, but the firing distance of missiles and tanks and other units to me maybe a problem because it reflects the DEV's philosophy on how the units should fight.

This is a representation of 2020, tanks shouldn't have to close in to KNIFE-FIGHTING distance to destroy another tank especially if there is a clear LINE OF SIGHT to destroy their target at much farther distances. If they are going to make an issue of line of sight, they should give you the sense of how big the battlefield is and your firing range limited or not limited by that line of sight. There's not much to brag about line of sight if you can only shoot a tank that's about 60 feet away from you. Lol.

Again, I will get this game, but it's my constructive criticism that I hope the devs look at and consider.

thanks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Another game called Theatre of War, pushed the envelope as far as engagment distances were concerned. Units could literally engage each other at opposite ends of the map according to their weapons. Anti-Tank guns can bombard you back at your starting point as you are still trying to develop a plan for the way you want to begin the fight. This causes would-be commanders to spend less time planning and more time thinking on their feet while constantly trying to move their units behind cover and out of the line of fire.

The same goes for tanks. They can engage other tanks and units from really far away distances. And if you think long-range meetings are only for the big guns, you're wrong. Infantry can engage other units from ranges way beyond what is seen in typical RTS games. Couple that with the fact that ONE well placed bullet can kill a man, and you'll come to appreciate the mad scramble that takes place. I spend lots of time with my infantry just laying prone while trying to figure out where to move them without being shot half way across the map by a rifleman taking potshots.

The devs will want this game to be as accessible as possible, so I would not expect the ranges from Theatre of War to be put into this game. Too many people would get slapped silly by veteran players miles away.



The best example of ToW's ranges could be seen in a regular First Person Shooter, to give you some example of how far away someone can shoot you.

One nice moment recalls me assaulting a german Stug tank with a small team of infantry and a bazooka, around the middle of the map. As I was doing this, explosions started happening around my men, and I notice a german anti tank gun shooting on my position from the other end of the map.

[pettyofficerj]

Also, maybe the close range fighting you came across for Endwar represented just a quick instance. Perhaps they were in a situation where they were getting mad-rushed (zerged) and were just knee-deep in the s**t and had to engage at close ranges.

Maybe initial firing ranges are longer than what can be obtained from a few sample images.
Don't want to dumb-down this game too much.

[atacms]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by pettyofficerj:
Also, maybe the close range fighting you came across for Endwar represented just a quick instance. Perhaps they were in a situation where they were getting mad-rushed (zerged) and were just knee-deep in the s**t and had to engage at close ranges.

Maybe initial firing ranges are longer than what can be obtained from a few sample images.
Don't want to dumb-down this game too much.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, I thought about that too, but I just thought that the two screenies that I posted both seem to show very close range engagements and I'm just hoping not everything is in your face fighting although that can be fun, but so can shooting from far because it's within your LOS. I'm not even asking for across the map shooting, but hopefully you can fire at an enemy tank from more than half a block away.

2 or 3 would be good.

I get the impression alot of times this limitation isn't really the veteran vs. noobie issue that you mentioned, but just plain size of maps, although the point you raise is a good one. Who knows maybe I'm wrong. Would be nice if M.dePlater popped up and let us know.