T-Ray Tweets New NC Asset (Wants our Feedback!)

[Hamma]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/main/psnext/twitter/20111113_4ebfe128b8e5d.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/viewer.php?img_id=1739

[Corax]

Awwww man that is sick! GO NC MAX Gattling Cannon of DOOOOOOOM!

Actually this might be our Heavy Gauss Rifle?

I dunno It looks like a MCG that a NC dude jacked..... HAHAHAHA suck it TR!
(Of course they did say that you can not loot other players weapons....)

Or could this be the jackhammer?

Although I think I would place my money on it being a MAX weapon of some kind. Like that top bar is a mounting point for some servo assisted arm unit on the MAX's back, that can take all of the recoil / 'holster and draw' the weaon into place?.... So that way the Max can use it one handed.... Kinda like a Techpriest from 40k or something.....

I dunno....

[Baron]

Hamma,

You may want to delete my post ...we created threads simultaneously

[Hamma]

Yea I got it :D

[Sardwyn]

Max arm mount for sure

[Baron]

Max arm mount for sure

I thought the same thing at first Sardwyn, however at the back you can definitely see a joystick type of handle with a button. Still could be a MAX attachment but also maybe held by heavy assault?

Looks intersesting.

[Corax]

Aye, from the top of the weapon you can see a grab bar, and then the rear is the joystick/trigger.... So either it is a 2 handed heavy weapon .... or some kind of mountable MAX weapon

[Baron]

I think that branded " X " under that top handle bar looks out of place.

[Mirror]

I think we are looking at the NC HA weapon.

[CutterJohn]

My thoughts? Too much junk around the barrel. Its unnecessary, the barrel is self supporting. Go with 3 barrels, not 6. Make a motor off to the side to drive it.

Something closer to this configuration..

http://images.wikia.com/deusex/en/images/2/2e/Kaiga556mmM404HeavyRifle.png

[Corax]

I think that branded " X " under that top handle bar looks out of place.

I actually do like the X there. Personal Preference though.

[T-Ray]

I think that branded " X " under that top handle bar looks out of place.

Noted

[T-Ray]

My thoughts? Too much junk around the barrel. Its unnecessary, the barrel is self supporting. Go with 3 barrels, not 6. Make a motor off to the side to drive it.

Something closer to this configuration..

http://images.wikia.com/deusex/en/images/2/2e/Kaiga556mmM404HeavyRifle.png

yeah, thats pretty sweet. Ima have to go pick up dX now ;)

thanks

[Corax]

Well the question is, what kind of HA is it?

Could it be a shotgun type weapon?

Or is it a Gauss Gatling cannon?

Actually reminds me of the original hand crank machine gun from back in the day.

If it is a Gauss Gatling Cannon or something akin to that..... would it be to close to the TR MCG in terms of looks/game play?

Other then that I do find it artistically appealing. The "closed in" look of the barrels gives it a very sturdy solid feel to it. Like if I run out of ammo, I can and will beat you to death with it. I do like the metal stamped New Conglomerate words of the side of the barrel.

Overall I think this asset fits in very well artistically with the NC look....

Now the question is what is it?

[Baron]

I think I get what they are going for ....

NC weapons & personal armor are like re branded mining / industrial equipment. Not sure what you would replace the "X" with (or just remove it).

[Mirror]

I'd maybe push the top handle a bit further forward and perhaps make the magazine (I assume that the magazine is the bit at the bottom) a little biggar.

[Baron]

I like the "exposed" aspect of CutterJohn's picture example, but personally the front and middle part seems a little too "curvy" for NC :p

the back section of the Kaiga looks perfectly NC, similar to Tray's but more exposed components.

[CutterJohn]

yeah, thats pretty sweet. Ima have to go pick up dX now ;)

thanks

T-Rays new hobby: Seeing how many unconscious people he can fit into a ventilation duct, and imagining their reaction when they wake up.

Also, the pistol is probably the best weapon unless you want to rambo.

Seriously awesome game.

[T-Ray]

I'd maybe push the top handle a bit further forward and perhaps make the magazine (I assume that the magazine is the bit at the bottom) a little biggar.

got it

[MgFalcon]

The barrels are in the shape of a hexagon... which makes it look like a Gatling gun from the mid 1800's.

I know NC are supposed to be "square-like" but the barrels make it look a bit awkward.

[T-Ray]

I like the "exposed" aspect of CutterJohn's picture example, but personally the front and middle part seems a little too "curvy" for NC :p

the back section of the Kaiga looks perfectly NC, similar to Tray's but more exposed components.

yeah, i look at the "idea" behind the design, what was their thought process when they put it together? I like the exposed bits, that is VERY NC. I think I need to balance our design a bit with some rounded shapes or some more 45's

[Corax]

Perhaps remove the top 'spine' of metal running the length of the barrel and in its place put something akin to a rail mount? Make it look less like a dorsal fin.

[T-Ray]

The barrels are in the shape of a hexagon... which makes it look like a Gatling gun from the mid 1800's.

I know NC are supposed to be "square-like" but the barrels make it look a bit awkward.

gotta it

[CutterJohn]

So is today just an artists block day?

[Mastachief]

The block at the end covering the exit of the barrels in my opinion is just not needed and it would weight the gun really heavily.

My opinion of course.

Removing the block to expose the barrels and shortening the top rail.

[Corax]

The more I look at it the more im behind the idea of making it open air.


Id be curious to see it with out the enclosing on the front half of the barrel only. And then with all of it open air.

However this comes to mind. Keep the spinal fin thing. Make it a bet more squatter and rectangular. Then remove the front 2 silver enclosing metal pieces.

Essential leave the "housing" in place but make it open air.

It would be akin to having the scaffolding remaining around a building that isnt quite finished yet. It allows to the player to see the spinning barrels, but also retains its heavy powerful feeling.

[Corax]

Also I wonder if it would look better without the handguard under the handle bar?

[NCLynx]

I may have missed something, but has it been confirmed for what it is yet? Because to me that looks like something that could be mounted onto a lightbuggy as opposed to it being a HA infantry/MAX weapon.

[T-Ray]

So is today just an artists block day?

I'm not sure what you mean by that

[T-Ray]

The block at the end covering the exit of the barrels in my opinion is just not needed and it would weight the gun really heavily.

My opinion of course.

Removing the block to expose the barrels and shortening the top rail.

The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks

[Mod]

I would speculate that this was originally intended to be mounted, probably on battlement or some sizeable fixture (It looks quite heavy). Would really have to see it as an in-game asset to get a proper comparative size.

Definitely remove that "X" as has already been stated, seems out of place. Depending on what exactly it is going to be used for, could potentially have an outfit logo there if something is really required.

Maybe 5 barrels instead of 6?

And, not sure on the colour of that metal that is prominent across the top, bottom and side struts of the barrel.

[Corax]

At the bottom of the screenshot it has writing in green.

I think that it might be a clue as to what this weapon is/for.

It looks like it reads 312 Pan/Ze...n gear sp

Or like 213 Fan/Se...n 3 gear sp

can anyone else tell?

Heh and also check out the tabs at the bottom of the screen..... you can almost make out NC............

[Corax]

TRay ... Could you cut down on the thickness of the frame? More open air but still holding true to its current design. Ie: Keep the configuration you have now, but remove as much bulky metal as you can? I imagine it would be akin to just making the frame/housing less wide.

Basically go for the minimalist approach while maintaining current the current look and feel.

The NC have that scrapyard, miner mentality, so as long as it looks and feels sturdy, it'll get the job done. And it will stick to that spirit of re-purposing anything we can get our hands on

[Mod]

Also, if that really is a handle at the top, wouldn't that leave someones poor hand a little exposed compared with the triggered hand being covered by that plating?

[TiberiusAudley]

I feel compelled to photoshop the Me Gusta face onto an NC Soldier's body and post that in this thread.

I'm not a fan of the Smurfs, but...that thing looks like one hell of a mounted turret.

[Corax]

If this is meant to be hand held, and the hand shield were to stay.... It would need to be projected outwards and upwards. It would then be able to screen the forearm of the forwards hand up to the elbow as well as the abdomen of the shooter.

[Senyu]

Love the pic. Love even more that the development team actually comes and gets feedback from us. It's not even in beta!!! You guys are perfect for this game, so much love,detail, and determination to make this the best game possible.

Costemitcally for the screenshot, I suggest that after firing last shell or reloading there is a small section on near the end of the weapon but before the joystick and X blast shield, have a piston like thing expell the shell(s) or burst of air giving it a hydralic feel as it resets to fire. I'm sure it would be classic if after blowing your ammo you hear gears click and piston pops out releasing a *ssssssss* burst of air then locking back in place ready to fire again.

And for gameplay options this paticular screen shot have the varation of 6 barrels: more shots but weaker. 3 barrels: fewer shots but hits harder. Or the 6 is less acurate but is better at mowing down. And 3 is more accurate but you reload more often than 6.

On side note if its not already in the plans, someday allow small individual customization to weapons. Such as having the option (through unlocks or shop) of say for example having the X on the weapon blast shield bit like it is in original screenshot. Minor decals would be great for individuals to customize their equipment. Even having a variety of frames for the peices.

[Corax]

on side note.... it would be cool on that circular piece under the handguard that I am guessing is the motor, that if it spins in game, the players should be able to slap the NC logo or outfit logo or personal hearldry on there.... so it would be spinning in game..... might look cool

[FIREk]

The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks

Well, since only one barrel is firing at a time in a minigun, the magnets could be mounted on top of the barrels, thinner, mounted lengthwise and possibly shiny. ;)

[KCTitan]

The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks

Nice hint. ;) Magnets make me think Gauss. Gauss with 6 barrels = Heavy Gauss Shotgun? Two fire modes. 3 barrel or full 6 barrel blast. Possibly even a single barrel fixed spread rapid fire cannon?

[Trolltaxi]

That must be something NC personel use to travel backwards at a high speed. They just shoot with it and whooom!!!, they are 10 meters behind.... :)

I really do hope it is a mounted weapon, it simply looks way too heavy to wield, unless you are in a max. But as a mounted AV/AI turret weapon on a buggy or on the walls it feels ok.

[Raymac]

I like it. I think a more open air design might me cooler though. Maybe get rid of those light grey brackets to expose the barrels to make it look a little more like the Reaver gun. I wouldn't want to see any major changes to it because it looks mean.

On a side note: People, look at how this gun is held with the handles, and then the multiple barrels. This IS a Mini Chain Gun, or MCG. Don't let the NC colors fool you.

[T-Ray]

TRay ... Could you cut down on the thickness of the frame? More open air but still holding true to its current design. Ie: Keep the configuration you have now, but remove as much bulky metal as you can? I imagine it would be akin to just making the frame/housing less wide.

Basically go for the minimalist approach while maintaining current the current look and feel.

The NC have that scrapyard, miner mentality, so as long as it looks and feels sturdy, it'll get the job done. And it will stick to that spirit of re-purposing anything we can get our hands on

will do

[FastAndFree]

Take note, NC, this is what happens when you put a mining foreman in charge of weapons development.

-Put a guard plate there to protect the operator from shattering rock fragments.
-But this isn't a drill, this is a chaingun...
-WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE?!

[Mastachief]

The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks

I get ya, what i mean is to shorten the top rail to the furthest magnet along and perhaps having a metal plate there to fix top to bottom rails leaving the barrels exposed up the front with that huge lump of metal gone then the gun would be better weighted. The shape as a whole leads me to remember the arm on the NC max units in planetside1.

[Redshift]

If it's a MAX arm then it looks ok, although the joystick is irrelevant then.
However if this is a HA weapon then it's going to be far to front heavy to realistically be usefull, to me it seems you'd need to shift weight backwards maybe slide the mag back, the front could do with loosing some bulk.
Is this suppose to be a gattling gun or is it supposed to fire all 6 barrels at once at a slower rof?

[TiberiusAudley]

Are those actually barrels? They look more like completely solid rods to me.

[Raymac]

It's definitely an MCG. Either the NC colors are a red herring, or NC are also getting an MCG. I think the latter is more likely. Give the NC a type of MCG with lower rate of fire and harder hitting, and give the TR a type of JH with higher rate of fire with lower damage. VS will just be playing with their rainbows, unicorns, and bunnies anyways.

[Bags]

I don't know if I'm too late to weigh in, but I think it'd look better with three barrels and no X.

Well, if the NC get an MCG there goes any reason for me to stay TR!

[Baron]

I've thought a little more about the "X" part of the model (and also had some coffee).

I'll stick by my original assessment that if this is the standard weapon template, then the "X" is out of place (like when the original NC command loaded the weapon template into the nanite creation machine, the only one they had was a busted metal plate so they quickly arc-welded an X to patch it? hmmm, doubt it)...so every single weapon pulled at any terminal would have a "X".

however, if that space is meant to be a custom graphic area then I could see someone putting an X, model #, outfit logo, or some other symbol they bought in the cash shop...this would make more sense.

[Marth Koopa]

I never liked the style of gun where you hold a handle jutting upwards, it just seems so uncomfortable, inefficient, and clunky.... just like the NC, so I guess it works perfectly.

[Gwartham]

If its a portable weap it sure would be clunky and awkward to use without a gyro/gimble/harness....

[morf]

Dear T-Ray:

Like everything else, this weapon would look much better in Red & Black.

Please fix.

[SKYeXile]

yeah, i look at the "idea" behind the design, what was their thought process when they put it together? I like the exposed bits, that is VERY NC. I think I need to balance our design a bit with some rounded shapes or some more 45's

Yea, i like th idea of NC been all sQuares, but that gun is overdoing it.

[HELLFISH88]

This asset perplex's me. Multi-barred Gatling style weapons Scream Terran to me. While I'm not opposed to a "NC Style Gatling weapon" I would hope the Terran's receive some kind of crazy belt fed Auto-shotgun in return.

http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/aa-12-combat-shotgun-frag-12-automatic-0.jpg

Think AA-12 but even faster and more Terran.

(Belt Fed, Drum fed...either kick ass IDC)

Also: T-Ray is bossing it up again. SOE might as well just cut him an additional check for Customer service aswell.

[Senyu]

Needs a splash of purple

[Tapman]

This gun makes me think of the Heavy from TF2, however I think that some of the confusion about it being too front-heavy might just be due to a perspective issue. TRay, can we get a front/top/profile picture with this one and perhaps a little more information from Higby about its functionality? I could come up with small modifications all day based on this image but I'm not even sure how each part affects it beyond the trigger, top handle, and the business end.

Just focusing on those, I would extend the shield up a little more to protect the handle, it is very exposed. I assume that the window on the bottom could be used for an iron-sights aiming system but the top/center of the barrel sticks way too far into the field of vision of that window. It would look weird for a solder to hold a heavy weapon up to his face with their arm cocked up overhead, will this machine gun be mountable on walls and rocks or only carried at the waist?

One thing that needs to be noted is the magnets, I will try to keep this simple. A railgun would not necessarily have true magnetic substances, the magnetic force would be generated in a circuit. If you coil part of your circuit evenly, running a current through it will create a magnetic force that is perfectly lined up at the center of the coil. The image below shows a small number of magnetic field lines but if you were to illustrate them, the closer towards the center you got the more accurate it would be for a longer distance.

http://www.practicalphysics.org/imageLibrary/jpeg450/586.jpg

I bring this up because the frame around the barrels looks HEAVY! The only reason for such bulk would be for essential circuitry, possibly actual magnetic substances, and to serve as armor for the barrels. Each barrel looks thick enough on their own that it could house a thick and long coil to generate a magnetic force powerful enough to accelerate a round through to a kill-velocity which actually turns out perfectly for our empire, the rate of fire will be much lower because it takes a short amount of time to go from zero to full power for each individual barrel and then back to zero so that the residual magnetic field wouldn't affect the next shot. I don't have a solution to keeping the connecting wires from being tangled up as the barrels rotate but that is much more easily explained away through the genius of NC corporate technology. What this allows you to do design-wise is to make the barrel frame thinner and more indicative of protecting the weapon which will help balance the weight issue many people have brought up.

[BorisBlade]

Well, if the NC get an MCG there goes any reason for me to stay TR!

They said long ago that all empires will have access to common pool shotguns/mcg's. Doesnt mean that nc cant have their tripple barreled version in the JH, and the TR cant have a higer RoF + Larger Clip size MCG.

Now this makes me wonder what will be comin into play from the VS, and what exactly we will see as far as common pool variants of VS weapons. Energy weapons werent exactly common pool before. (aside from the cave junk)

[Bags]

Well if that's true, NC it is, because MCG is all the TR had going for them.

[HELLFISH88]

Well if that's true, NC it is, because MCG is all the TR had going for them.

How do you not find the stryker sexy? Or The prowler?

[Tapman]

Well if that's true, NC it is, because MCG is all the TR had going for them.

We welcome you with open arms, but seriously if you are unsure about your choice I would wait until we have the full picture of vehicles/weapon/armor and see them in action before declaring your loyalty to one empire over another.

[HELLFISH88]

ITT: People want what they can't have. Terrans <3'ng NC equipment, NC <3'ng TR equipment.

That settles it. Our entire community is composed entirely of teenage girls.

[Galapogos]

I believe it was in an rps article that Higby said each empire will have their own MCG, as well as sniper rifle and every other type of basic weapon (god I hope that includes SMGs and shotguns). Personally I think the NC would be better suited by an LMG modified from the guass, since it is my understanding that multi barrel weapons are produced for extreme rof, and that it wouldn't be cost effective to make a weapon with multiple barrels when the same rof can be achieved with just one, but I know this is a video game. If nothing else I just hope that if it stays they can make it fit the visual style used for the guass and mag pistol a lot better, cause they are both really good looking.

[Rivenshield]

Feh. I call bullshit. Higby *should* be saying each Empire can have a SUPPORT WEAPON. The MCG is an iconic Terran weapon (one I was never any good with, frankly, but still part of our corporate culture). The NC should have some kind of machine shotgun or.... something.

>gauss LMG

Something like that. Good answer, Galapagos.

[Brusi]

Looking good so far, but i would have to agree with Mirror...

I'd maybe push the top handle a bit further forward and perhaps make the magazine (I assume that the magazine is the bit at the bottom) a little biggar.

Same thing with the old Terran MCG... the animation of the carrying and firing stance looks wrong for something that long/heavy.

The weight distribution with the supporting handle closer to the middle of the weapon and held closer to the torso, while the firing hand is held back past the torso may look more believable.

[Bags]

MCG looked fine.

[Carbanu]

I agree some kind of shield (from debris/shrapnel) would make this seem more aligned to the NC lore.

A bulky unorganized mess is what I think goes best for the NC and from an artistic stand point I think the NC weapons will have the most interesting looking weapons.

As for what this weapon does, I think a slower firing mini-cannon would be awesome, if any of you have seen that episode of pawn stars when they fired that revolving cannon that's exactly what I have in mind. Slower rate of fire but packs a punch!

[Sirisian]

That looks awesome. Good thing heavy assault armor is mechanized. Looks heavy.

[NewSith]

Though I doubt I can suggest anything about the design, I can suggest that it would sound perfect as futuristic hydraulic hammer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaker_%28hydraulic%29). The sound is very close to hammer-anvil sound.

[Ajaks]

When looking at the configuration of the barrels, in keeping with the "square" theme of the NC, how about if the number of barrels was dropped to four, or bumped up to eight and arranged to form a square instead of the circle we have now?

The same thing could also be applied to the reaver which has three barrels forming a triangle. I'd say give the scythe the three barrel (which it may already have considering we have yet to see it) and the reaver a four barrel, leaving the mossy as is.

Also that ammo box looks way small, I'm assuming this thing has a pretty high cyclic rate and that box is going to have to be switched out way to often for the gun to be practical. Making it belt fed, and maybe adding a backpack to go with it. Think Jesse the Body in Predator. You would lose mobility, but a hard hitting, slow moving, heavily armored NC juggernaut goes along with the theme.

Unless it's some king of supersized guass shotty. Then the box would just need to be bigger, and the RoF slower. Even then you would still expect a pretty hefty reload time.

Just like it's already been pointed out, exposed parts would make it look more industrial. And grimier. I'm thinking of the mining equipment in Total Recall. Like somebody took one of those drills, removed the bit and slapped a few barrels on it, retaining the rotary components. Thing should be dripping oil and raining death.......

[Steel]

As a VS, this is a gun I should be afraid of.
I think it needs more yellow.

[CrystalViolet]

Thoughts:

The first thing that popped out at me was the over all bulk and imballence of the design. From an over all composition standpoint, I'd move the front handle forward, slim down the entire front assembly, and leave a bit more barrel sticking out the end.

The piece of frame running along the top should definately go or be split into 2 smaller tubes running at 45 and 135 degrees from the gun's main axis. It also might look interesting to use a smaller magnet up front, and have the frame do a few bends in order to follow the change in size. This would give a more "graduated" look to the frame assembly, and give it a more contoured look without having to use curves in the design.

If the gun is intended to be fired from the hip I'd change the rear handle design to something more like the motorcycle grip trigger from the Aliens "Smart Gun".

color wise, I'm not too big on the light colored magnets, and I'd probably reverse the colors for the frame and barrels. Having pitch black barrels makes them hard to see and draws the eye more towards the gun's frame.

[Tapman]

Quick idea, would you consider adding a "Big Red Button" on the end of the top grip to be a secondary function. My first thought was a self-destruct mechanism a la The Fifth Element that requires a few seconds of not shooting/holding the button down to warm up while a LOUD alarm beeps quicker, obviously it would obliterate the person holding it if they weren't already shot to bits due to being defenseless but it could have a small/medium kill radius as a good last-stand option that opponents have a chance to defend themselves from.

[Captain1nsaneo]

The handle needs to be moved up the barrel to try to balance the ammo box with the barrel. Otherwise the recoil will play havoc and carrying it around with two handles at the back will kill your arms. The trigger should probably be a handle as well so the whole weapon isn't held by one arm. I can see this being re-assembled parts. The box that holds the magnets and barrels can be a re-purposed fuel carrier. Both ends can be cut open and the barrels fed through. Those white things shouldn't cut through the case if they are meant to be magnets probably want them contained by the box.

[moosepoop]

I say dump it.

its too similar in appearance to the mcg, the multi barrel is too TR. the minigun design itself is not very creative after all these years in countless games.

i think a giant single barrel is better.

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Heavy_Gauss_Rifle
http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/news/2011/08/heavy-gauss-gun/
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080906025942/andromeda/images/thumb/a/a9/Tyrsbiggun.jpg/180px-Tyrsbiggun.jpg

looks much more imposing and rugged

[mefy]

Tray wants our feedback? Well...

I'm assuming its an infantry weapon, please correct if wrong.

My feedback - looks too much like the MCG. How does an infantry weapon like this fit the role of the NC empire? I think you're treading over thin ice here, remember what happened when you gave BFR driver weapons different balancing factors then the empire is used to? i.e. Peregrine got lowest dmg per shot, but most damage over time weapon, TR got opposite, etc... when it should have been the other way around.

This doesn't fit the 'theme' of the NC at all and if this is to be one of their standard heavy infantry weapons then I hope you got a 20 barreled MCG that will trump this gun in just about every way. I say scrap it, or use a similar model as this for the MCG- this may have an NC logo on it but does not shout 'NC' in any way whatsoever.

[CutterJohn]

I'm not sure what you mean by that

It is uncommon for the art designer for a major AAA studio to ask random internet people for their thoughts. I was just curious if you'd run out of inspiration for the day or something.

;)


If I may make one more suggestion... As a way to differentiate it from the MCG, why not just have multiple barrels, but make them not rotate? The specific requirements of a railgun would make this not a fun thing to design, since you'd need to power the barrels. Just make them fire sequentially in a circle.

[Talek Krell]

It is uncommon for the art designer for a major AAA studio to ask random internet people for their thoughts. I was just curious if you'd run out of inspiration for the day or something.

;)I think what you need to consider is that shut up. :p

[EASyEightyEight]

I almost feel he was asking if it seemed right for the NC to have a long range suppressive weapon, as opposed to whether or not this single, angled (skewed) shot looked alright. I mean, from an Empirical standpoint, it seems blasphemous that the NC would get an MCG, and the TR may just get their own jackhammer, but also from an Empirical standpoint, each of these two weapons could still have their own unique feel for each of their own factions much in the same way the assault rifles do. PS2 is based heavily on PS1, but PS2 is not PS1. Diverging a little from what we've grown accustomed to can be a good thing.

I'm not sure how the lasher would work out though.

Gun looks great to me, save for that X which looks like a bubble honestly (possible placeholder for personal emblems?) Guys shooting at me with this gun will be wearing bulky power armor, and I expect their guns to be just as horrifyingly intimidating to look at. I guess I can just suspend my disbelief better than most :rolleyes:

EDIT: I lean more towards style than how believable in functionality a weapon, armor, or vehicle looks, as long as it's not outrageously over the top.

[Canaris]

anyone suggested RGC for it "Rotary Gauss Cannon", fraid you know where I stand if you want every faction to have a MCG style gun, it fine of course ;) but the MCG should be the TR's version.

My first thoughts on it when I saw it was, Pretty kewl but it's massively bulky at the front and I'd hate to have to carry it into combat for any long periods of time but then it's supposed to NC,

maybe the length of the barrel is a bit to long

another small thought was to have an enlarged metal gun shield protecting the fore grip / ammo magazine / rear barrel
wouldn't do anything except look good

http://www.air-sharp.com/PDW%20Shield3.JPG

http://cdn8.wn.com/pd/35/47/93ec5285823a91b9f60232a0b284_grande.jpg

I wouldn't make it too big as you no doubt have seen the Mossy / Reaver side by side thread about area / Hitbox size debate. We'd have the NC raining tears about how big there ass looks lol :D

[FastAndFree]

I agree that would be a welcome change that all empires have similar versions of the heavy weapons, but they don't necessarily have to be versions of the very same weapon. Just close enough.
For example, it the NC's MCG equivalent could be a Metal Storm-like barrelmination

http://regmedia.co.uk/2007/11/19/metal_storm_3.jpg

(Although I guess that would be a bitch to animate and implement, as the bullets would have to come from all the barrels, not to mention it would also outperform the TR at their own game)

[Bruttal]

kinda curious what changes he makes to it ;)

[MooK]

Tray wants our feedback? Well...

I'm assuming its an infantry weapon, please correct if wrong.

My feedback - looks too much like the MCG. How does an infantry weapon like this fit the role of the NC empire? I think you're treading over thin ice here, remember what happened when you gave BFR driver weapons different balancing factors then the empire is used to? i.e. Peregrine got lowest dmg per shot, but most damage over time weapon, TR got opposite, etc... when it should have been the other way around.

This doesn't fit the 'theme' of the NC at all and if this is to be one of their standard heavy infantry weapons then I hope you got a 20 barreled MCG that will trump this gun in just about every way. I say scrap it, or use a similar model as this for the MCG- this may have an NC logo on it but does not shout 'NC' in any way whatsoever.

I feel similar to this. Rapid fire, round per minute concentration, etc. does not fit the NC theme to me. If this indeed designed to be similar to a chaingun, I do not personally believe it should be designated to the NC.

[morf]

I really don't see the problem with NC getting an MCG so long as the TR MCG is capable of shooting shotgun shells. Seems like a fair trade.

[Heaven]

its hard to give feedback when you dont know what kinda weapon it is, it looks like it should belong to a max for sure but the the joy stick and handle look out of place if it is for a max, the colours look good but if thats the new NC heavy HA then i dont like it, it looks clumsy and bulky and i cant imagine a troop carrying it aroung, on the other hand if its a shot gun for the max units i think it looks sweet...

[Vancha]

If I may make one more suggestion... As a way to differentiate it from the MCG, why not just have multiple barrels, but make them not rotate? The specific requirements of a railgun would make this not a fun thing to design, since you'd need to power the barrels. Just make them fire sequentially in a circle.

I like this idea, but for some reason I'm imagining it with 4 square barrels working that way...

Edit: Also, people need to stop whining about this. It's a new game, people. Stop imaging things in the context of Planetside 1.

[CplVars]

so long as the TR MCG is capable of shooting shotgun shells


eeeYEEESSSSS! lol

[Geist]

Just sort of skimmed the thread, so I may have missed it, but has it been confirmed that this is an MCG weapon?

First off, there are no holes in the barrel(although the model may just not be finished), as well as the barrels being a strange shape. It's just not right, even with NC aesthetics.

Second, is this:
The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks
Is it possible that those barrels aren't barrels at all, but actually magnets? There could be a shorter barrel behind the "barrels" we see that fire a large caliber round, while using the magnets as a way to accelerate it, a railgun basically.

This is all speculation of course, it probably is an MCG or something similar, although if it is, I'd be a bit disappointed(that our exclusive high rof minichaingun was no longer exclusive).

Edit: I really think that TRay is screwing with us and that's the TR MCG in NC colors. If you look closely enough, it's pretty obvious.:rolleyes:

[Redshift]

Edit: I really think that TRay is screwing with us and that's the TR MCG in NC colors. If you look closely enough, it's pretty obvious.:rolleyes:

If he is then it looks terrible, there's no way that looks the shape of a TR weapon.

[Mutant]

Just focusing on those, I would extend the shield up a little more to protect the handle, it is very exposed. I assume that the window on the bottom could be used for an iron-sights aiming system but the top/center of the barrel sticks way too far into the field of vision of that window. It would look weird for a solder to hold a heavy weapon up to his face with their arm cocked up overhead, will this machine gun be mountable on walls and rocks or only carried at the waist?

One thing that needs to be noted is the magnets, I will try to keep this simple. A railgun would not necessarily have true magnetic substances, the magnetic force would be generated in a circuit. If you coil part of your circuit evenly, running a current through it will create a magnetic force that is perfectly lined up at the center of the coil. The image below shows a small number of magnetic field lines but if you were to illustrate them, the closer towards the center you got the more accurate it would be for a longer distance.

http://www.practicalphysics.org/imageLibrary/jpeg450/586.jpg



That would be a diagram for a Gauss/Coil gun, a Rail gun is different.

Gauss use solonoid coils and Rail guns use Transverse flux or Channel coils to reinforce the B field.

Read up on magnetic weapons; http://www.intalek.com/AV/Railguns-Tim-Ventura-1994-2.pdf

I could be way off on this but i think what we have here is a rail gun.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/railgun-7.gif

Are those actually barrels? They look more like completely solid rods to me.

I agree to me it looks like 3 pairs of rails (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=195620) firing a single large projectile.
This makes sence as is in keeping with the NC theme.

As for the design, presuming this is a rail gun we have here; if using magnets they need to be perpenducluar to the rails so their B Fields are aligned. The Whitish gray octogons which i presume are the magnets dont current do this. they need to be a hexagon to match the 3 pairs of rails. (gotta have some Sci in the Sci-Fi)

Insted of magnets you could use magnetic flux concentrators as shown in this paper;
Here is some more info on using multiple rail pairs.
http://www.utexas.edu/research/cem/IEEE/PR%20113%20Beno%20Publications.pdf


BTW, I design coils for multi MW Induction heating equipment.

[kaffis]

I love it. Two things to note:

I disagree with CutterJohn -- I like the stuff around the barrels. Some of the bits look like they might be magnetic field inducers for a gauss weapon or something, the semi-circular "rings" around the mid-barrel section, namely.

My criticism, though, is that the handle on top looks like it's too far to the rear for the weapon to balance well, which would mean you'd be putting a lot of vertical force on the handle with the trigger. I don't think that would make for a very stable aiming platform. Shift the top handle forward 4-6", and it would look a lot more stable.

[kaffis]

The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks
Keep the magnets, however you mount them!

[FastAndFree]

magnets was a strong hint. And no railgun would ever need more than 2 rails. Plus the 6 "barrels" are solid...

This must really be a coilgun! But then that barrel is massive :eek:

[SniperSteve]

this model reminds me of something i would expect to see on a vehicle or a base, not something hand-held.

[Raymac]

this model reminds me of something i would expect to see on a vehicle or a base, not something hand-held.

Except for, you know, the handles.

[EASyEightyEight]

Another thing we (may) have to keep in mind: they may limit the number of "holding" animations like they did in Planetside 1. If you'll remember, player characters only ever held weapons in 2 ways: pressed against the shoulder, or at the hip. It's why the MCG was designed the way it was, and I felt it looked goofy and off balance then (yet no one complains? Hrmmm....)

We could very well see those same 2 again + maybe 2 more (foregrip, Minigun balance bar.) If we look at it that way, it's forgivable for the weapon to seem a bit off balance.

And my thought processes on all factions getting similar weapons are as follows:

SOE wants everyone to play on a single server ala EVE (Possible? Stay tuned to find out!)

A player will only have access to one empire per server.

Far as we know, there is no weapon looting in game. By extension, vehicle hijacking.

If we assume one massive server, with only one empire per account, and no weapon looting/scavenging, it makes sense for SOE to give everyone an MCG that performs how one would expect an MCG to perform for that given Empire: TR's wall of lead vs NC's miniature cannon shells vs VS' rainbow laser beam of death. A TR jackhammer would be fast (think PS1's,) the NC sporting a weapon once used for mining that instead emits a sound wave that shatters bone and metal alike, and damage is simply determined by distance from the weapon, not pellets hit, while VS get the switch modes of the Scat Max! Going from a dozen needles at short range to a lasher plasma ball for long range!

In short, I believe, unless most players are willing to shell out $150-$180 big ones (under the impression PS2 will be B2P, F2P used only in terms of monthly subs) to enjoy all 3 empires, this is SOE's way of making sure everyone gets to enjoy a large variety of weaponry, and choosing a faction comes down to preferences, not "they have the noobhammer." Also note as a result: it totally ****s with the fourth empire, and that's always a plus.

[Straws]

I need to see it attached to the MAX unit before I can make any judgement. Without seeing scaled comparisons, I can't determine how it appears, aesthetically, with the theme of the NC.

However, it does appear a bit "busy" at the moment, but that's probably because I'm only focused on it. It's like saying a spoiler is too big for a car before putting it anywhere near the car (sorry, it's the only analogy I could think of).

[CrystalViolet]

Here's a quicky sketch of how I'd design the front section of the gun. the frame is based off a hex "birdcage" type of design. :)

[Wizkid45]

Make it purple/teal and shoot lasers

[Traak]

The gun is a good, a, heavy-duty somehow industrial-looking slug thrower that obviously needs the power augmentation of either a Heavy Assault armor trooper or a MAX to use and control.

Here's what I would change: nothing.

[xSquirtle]

Seem oddly familiar to the PS1 MCG. Thought the NC where all about shot burst high impact guns?

[SKYeXile]

Seem oddly familiar to the PS1 MCG. Thought the NC where all about shot burst high impact guns?

Nah just the high impact, see gauss.

Cant you comprehend a minigun that fires powerful rounds extreamly fast?

NC: Balanced.

[Xyntech]

NC: Balanced.

TR: Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced

VS: Fabulous

I see no losers here.

[BorisBlade]

NC: Balanced.
TR: Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced

VS: Fabulous

I see no losers here.

ROFL! WIN!!!!

[BlazingSun]

Too bad I've only just found this thread. Sadly I don't really like the original design ... hard to tell how it looks now and probably too late to add anything.

For a NC 'minigun' I was hoping for a 3 barreled version. The gun beeing fully encased and the barrels only visible from the the front. The cross-section of the encasement beeing an upside down triangle with cut off corners.

I really don't like the shabby look the NCs are getting :(

PS: I'd also love belt-fed miniguns with the ammo pack beeing on the soldiers back!

[Xyntech]

If you don't like shabby, join the VS. We are all polish and flare. But we don't like to talk about our flare.

[Rbstr]

Personally I've always found the MCG and other guns held that way to be hilariously impractical.

I get why people would hold them that way...because it looks like you maybe could. With a handle-like thing up there.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/US_Navy_070825-N-9769P-317_A_Special_Warfare_Combatant-craft_crewman_%28SWCC%29_mans_his_GAU-17_minigun_during_live-fire_patrol_training_along_the_Salt_River_in_north ern_Kentucky.jpg

But you're not going to be able to aim for shit and it would hilariously encumber you if you wanted to sprint or something. The ergonomics also force you to hold it up with your fingers in a palm-down position. You've also got to aim at everything with no down-the-barrel perspective.

Basically, why not put it in a rifle/shoulder fire position. Even while retaining the multi-barrel idea.

[Zulthus]

Rbstr, I think the military would've thought about it by now if it was practical. Do you know how much a chaingun weighs compared to a standard M16? How much faster it fires? You'd have no control over it on your shoulder, which is why they plant it on jeeps or barricades. It doesn't go anywhere. Besides, "accuracy" and "chaingun" is an oxymoron.

[Rbstr]

No shit sherlock? I'd rather not have the man portable minigun concept at all.
But it's too late for that, with the MCG existing and all. So lets have it make a bit more sense and put it more like a normal rifle or give it some kind of shoulder strap system instead of having the player constantly in mid-curl.

[Zulthus]

Well, the way you worded your post made it seem like you were saying "why use a bipod, just throw the bitch on your shoulder!" But it'd have to be remodeled to look like a rifle then. The design is fine though, IMO.

[Xyntech]

It owes to such movies as Predator and Terminator 2. It's not about realism, it's about a big fucking gun. It does look a little weird, but the game is hardly realism-centric. It's more like sci-fi movie pseudo realism, where it has a certain realistic feel, but leans towards awesomeness and style at the expense of realism when needed. Similar to Crysis, but with a bit different style, although Crysis also had the powered armor carrying a low slung minigun thing.

Planetside ripped of Crysis!

Sorry, just had to get that out there. People around here can be crazy sometimes.

[Zulthus]

Crysis ripped off Wolfenstein!

[BlazingSun]

Predator:The complications of Blain - YouTube

[Coreldan]

I never really enjoyed the "hurr durr firing machine guns from the hip" idea of MCG, thus I'm not a big fan of this either, but I understand that it's not likely to go anywhere, so I'll just have to swallow it.

Part of me hopes that it would be a mounted weapon, cos as someone mentioned, it way too front heavy to ever look natural on anything but a MAX, but in that case the design is off (joystick, the bar, would be hand mounted, i suppose). If the weapon would be mounted in fe. towers, the bar should probably be vertical, not horizontal, much like current miniguns/gatlings are.

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_30-cal_GAU17_Heli_pic.jpg

If it is indeed just player held, then the handle has to be that way. Even then, I'm not gonna like the idea :D

On that note, isn't this sorta stealing Terrans niche? can't say I enjoyed being forced to shotguns, but I thought the "lotsa lead to ze air!" was more of a terran thing?

I too, would rather see the weapon made a bit lighter and sort of make it comparable to a M249 SAW. It's by no means a small weapon, but still a weapon that can be shouldered and used as a "normal weapon", isntead of this stupid hip-firing nonsense. To do this, I would also lower the barrels to perhaps three if you want to keep the multi-barrel idea which I think is ok. If the engine supports, give it a chance to be deployed with a bipod or just by resting it on an objective for MOAR LEAD DOWN RANGE!

The actual design itself is cool and NCish, not much to complain there.

[Canaris]

You all seem to be forgetting that the new heavy infantry will be using power exoskeleton battle suits, making carrying around a heavy loads like the minigun easy

[NlightN]

You all seem to haven't noticed either that those 'barrels' in fact are not barrels, they're magnets (look at one of T-rays replies a couple pages over).

[Geist]

You all seem to be forgetting that the new heavy infantry will be using power exoskeleton battle suits, making carrying around a heavy loads like the minigun easy

Exactly. I think of the MCG more like the smart gun from Aliens than the Minigun from Predator. We have powered exosuits, with HUDs in our helmet that take care of the aiming for us. The weight is a non-issue and with the rate of fire, we only need the basic type of aiming that a HUD has to shoot the gun.

[Traak]

Exactly. I think of the MCG more like the smart gun from Aliens than the Minigun from Predator. We have powered exosuits, with HUDs in our helmet that take care of the aiming for us. The weight is a non-issue and with the rate of fire, we only need the basic type of aiming that a HUD has to shoot the gun.

I say aim it with the tracers and/or the bullet impacts that allow you to walk it up to your desired aimpoint.

Sights? On a 6,000rpm (or whatever the ROF is) minigun? isn't that like having a scope on a fire hose?

[Geist]

I say aim it with the tracers and/or the bullet impacts that allow you to walk it up to your desired aimpoint.

Sights? On a 6,000rpm (or whatever the ROF is) minigun? isn't that like having a scope on a fire hose?

What? I was talking about the floating reticle in the middle of your screen in most FPSs. When your playing a scifi soldier, that means your helmet or eye implants are calculating where the gun is pointing aka the crosshairs from PS1 that allowed you to aim since there were no iron sights.

[BlazingSun]

A Minigun-Assault Rifle ... that would be great as well T-Ray!

http://www.thestudigroup.com/images/deep6.jpg

Deep Rising Fireworks suprise everyone - YouTube

[SuperMorto]

If your thinking NC might. Then look no further this rounds them up nicely!

Vulcan Mini Gun - YouTube


EEEEEEEE cant stop laughing!