The new Sunderer looks fantastic, and gets me excited.

[MrBloodworth]

http://cdn.gamefront.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/planetside-2-sunderer.jpg

I really enjoy the new design of the Sunderer. I would say the only draw back is that people will be "pop" in and out of it. Instead of rolling out the doors like the original.

I feel we have lost something important here.

There is something Very epic, very grounding seeing a squad dismount from a Sunderer once it has breached a fortification.

One of my favorite vehicles from the original was the Marauder truck. There was something of an "ownership" implied, or transferred when you got out, and slammed that truck door. For me, that vehicle was not simply a way to get from point A to B, but that was "My Truck". Its almost like kicking the tires, or giving a car a bump on the side as you show/talk how proud you are of it.

My small group of friends would log in, pull a marauder, load up it trunk with CE and Advance Engi equipment ( We used presets, of course ). And would ride to glory, taking out BFR's (Marauder fit between the legs of two of the BFR's Designs :evil: ) or simply scattering the front lines of the opposition.

When we took to much damage, I would find a out of the way place, and my main gunner would hop out of the grenade launcher, and place a cloak bubble. We would then start making repairs. Part of the best thing about this, was the connection to the Marauder truck, we would "load up" hopping into the back, or getting in the driver side and slam that door.

When you see that door slam, and hear that sound, you knew. We were locked and loaded.


MrBloodworth. Bastard Battalion. 5 Year vet.

[SniperSteve]

I would like to see loading animations too, but it might be a lot to ask, though. I'm not sure what sort of technology/revamping/resources would need to go into doing that.

[Alduron]

I would definitely like to see the load/unload animations come back for every vehicle.

The time delay never bothered me and really stood out to me in PS1 for some reason. Maybe it is because it made it feel more like "My Vehicle," or maybe other games just didn't waste the time in animating them. It just seems that the animations gave the vehicles some character.

[WiteBeam]

Seems like PS2 is pushing the sunderer a lot. I have a feeling we will see a lot more sundy and ES tanks out in the battle field in PS2. Makes sense though, if we will be fighting for more footholds and land.

[MrBloodworth]

I'm not trying to debate why they were cut.

Simply morning the loss. There was a pace that came with them, something grounding, and connecting to the world, the war, with them included.

I have no idea what they plan to do for entering and exiting things. I just feel that we will loose part of the charm of planetside with out them. Personally, in games that lack them ( Again, personally ) I do not feel connected to the effort, the war, or the vehicle. Something I am looking forward to is the visual customization of vehicles. I personally feel that with visual customization, boarding animations would really hit home that connection I refer to. I would wager, you won't find may people that did not appreciate the sight of a Sunder, or Raider unloading at the doorsteps.

When those doors open, and men and Maxes poured out. It was a sight to behold. Like the ramp opening up on a Landing craft from a Classic WWII movie.

[Knocky]

When those doors open, and men and Maxes poured out. It was a sight to behold. Like the ramp opening up on a Landing craft from a Classic WWII movie.


Yeah.....and how did things turn out for those guys?

[MrBloodworth]

Yeah.....and how did things turn out for those guys?

Not sure it matters. Point was about a cinematic device.

Its a dramatic cinematic scene that has lasted the test of time, and gets things pumping.

[Synapses]

I'm not trying to debate why they were cut.

Simply morning the loss. There was a pace that came with them, something grounding, and connecting to the world, the war, with them included.

I have no idea what they plan to do for entering and exiting things. I just feel that we will loose part of the charm of planetside with out them. Personally, in games that lack them ( Again, personally ) I do not feel connected to the effort, the war, or the vehicle. Something I am looking forward to is the visual customization of vehicles. I personally feel that with visual customization, boarding animations would really hit home that connection I refer to. I would wager, you won't find may people that did not appreciate the sight of a Sunder, or Raider unloading at the doorsteps.

When those doors open, and men and Maxes poured out. It was a sight to behold. Like the ramp opening up on a Landing craft from a Classic WWII movie.

This, you nailed it. That was one of my big things I noticed about planetside that I had not seen in any other game. The massive galexy's side doors opening up to load troops, or the various different transport weapons. It was just a cool sight to see. I really hope they bring it back.

[Hmr85]

Yeah.....and how did things turn out for those guys?

They stormed the beach and put a ass kicking on the Nazi's. Ultimately winning the war. I would say it turned out alright.

[Knocky]

They stormed the beach and put a ass kicking on the Nazi's. Ultimately winning the war. I would say it turned out alright.


Ultimately yeah.....for those that survived that murderous beach.

[Hmr85]

Ultimately yeah.....for those that survived that murderous beach.

I agree my grandfather was one of them. Even to this day he has never said a word about it except for. "It was horror, that's all you need to know." He went in on the 1st wave which took about 90% casualties. Besides my father. He is one of the only men I have ever looked up to. Man is a hero.

[Knocky]

I agree my grandfather was one of them. Even to this day he has never said a word about it except for. "It was horror, that's all you need to know." He went in on the 1st wave which took about 90% casualties.

Most of our grandfathers were there and there is a reason that they are called America's greatest generation.

[Hmr85]

Most of our grandfathers were there and there is a reason that they are called America's greatest generation.

I agree completely. :):cool:

[Knocky]

Back to topic.

I am completely stoked that the Sundy is replacing the Loadie. Driving right along with my brood of Vannies will so much easier to create repair depots. In addition I will be able to sweep mines. If only we could cert it up to be a AMS as well.....that would be a joygasm indeed.


Higgs already said that the defenders will be a bitch to take down so no unload animation will at least give us a chance when we roll up with troopers.

[Hmr85]

./agree, I love the look of the new sundy. Its huge and has that don't screw with me look. I can see it primary use for us being a mine sweeper for the column of Vanguards as Knocky mentioned. My only problem with it is that they stated it can shove around vehicles. I don't have a problem with that to a extent. But I have a hard time believing that thing could push a vanguard around or the prowler with them having tracks and all.

I could see it doing it to the Magrider though.

[Vancha]

Higgs already said that the defenders will be a bitch to take down so no unload animation will at least give us a chance when we roll up with troopers.

To be honest, there doesn't even need to be a delay for people exiting a vehicle, just something to make it feel like they've left a vehicle as opposed to having miraculously appeared out of thin air.

[Knocky]

To be honest, there doesn't even need to be a delay for people exiting a vehicle, just something to make it feel like they've left a vehicle as opposed to having miraculously appeared out of thin air.


There is no third person for troops, so from your perspective it might actually look like you hopped out of the Sundy. As usual....we'll see in Beta.

[MrBloodworth]

If you recall, PS1 used a cinematic Cam angle. Also, others could see the animations. The animation took 1-2 seconds. ( I believe all animations were 60 frames. Variable speed ) I fail to see how the lack of them impacts "Removing defenders". Many FPS use boarding animations.

It also was not really the point I was making. *shrug*

[Azren]

Seems like PS2 is pushing the sunderer a lot.

Well, of course they are, afterall ES tanks and sundy are the only ground vehicles in PS2. Apart from the bikes...

I wonder how effective the sundy will be, it's guns are so high up again... well maybe they get better angle this time.

[Zonna]

I wonder how effective the sundy will be, it's guns are so high up again... well maybe they get better angle this time.

agree....unless target stays at 100+ms ur screwed!

[StumpyTheOzzie]

I feel we have lost something important here.

When you see that door slam, and hear that sound, you knew. We were locked and loaded.

MrBloodworth. Bastard Battalion. 5 Year vet.


Sounds... The unsung hero of any good game. Anything from the slightly-too-high-pitch of the MCG thundering away to the distinctive WHOOP-PEW of the lancer.

When you're flying around in a mozzy and hear beep-beep-beep you know that you're gonna get slammed any second...

Even the blobby sound of the particle cannon on the magrider or the whoosh of the enforcer rocket flying away...

I'm looking forward to hearing the noise of the sundy engine (and horn) and all the other little touches that will make PS2 great.

[BorisBlade]

I like the sundy since its now the only vehicle i have any interest in driving. Everything else you are a gunner who also drives, thats lame, cheap, and boring. Its just a bigger suit of armor at that point and not a vehicle. Gameplay doesnt change much you just get a bigger gun and more speed. The sundy is the first and only one so far that does it right. I hope its not the last.

I hope its not just troop transport but also has some way to configure it as an attack vehicle able to take on tanks. Heck you have to spend more manpower, it seems feasible to let it compete, maybe it uses different tactics and has its own weaknesses but i see no problem in letting it take on tanks and be at very least 80% as good esp with the greater manpower required. If it cant, I'm honestly not sure what ill do in game since i really love to drive and would spend most my time doin that, but I have zero interest in doin so if i have to gun at the same time. No interested in yet another max suit that was renamed lightning or vanguard.

[Graywolves]

I like the sundy since its now the only vehicle i have any interest in driving. Everything else you are a gunner who also drives, thats lame, cheap, and boring. Its just a bigger suit of armor at that point and not a vehicle. Gameplay doesnt change much you just get a bigger gun and more speed. The sundy is the first and only one so far that does it right. I hope its not the last.


Other ground vehicles will probably be ignored by serious players in current design. 2 dedicated gunners, 1 dedicated driver, harder armor, top in collision, and faster than an MBT.

Plust the utility and troops inside.

[Whalenator]

Seems like PS2 is pushing the sunderer a lot. I have a feeling we will see a lot more sundy and ES tanks out in the battle field in PS2. Makes sense though, if we will be fighting for more footholds and land.

Less*
4 by 4km maps man. That's a third of an Arma map.
Now instead of 100 people, we've got 1000. Cue clusterfuck.

[DayOne]

Less*
4 by 4km maps man. That's a third of an Arma map.
Now instead of 100 people, we've got 1000. Cue clusterfuck.

Errm...8km x 8km :groovy:

[DayOne]

I hope they add it for the future. It's not like they need to render more, just need to add in the animations to the characters.

[Whalenator]

Errm...8km x 8km :groovy:

They didn't reduce it?
I thought it was 4x4, then 8x8, then back to 4x4 a couple of weeks ago.
I could be wrong.

[DayOne]

They didn't reduce it?
I thought it was 4x4, then 8x8, then back to 4x4 a couple of weeks ago.
I could be wrong.

I haven't heard anything about them reducing it. If they had the 8km x 8km continents mapped out I don't see why they changed it.

[Knocky]

They didn't reduce it?
I thought it was 4x4, then 8x8, then back to 4x4 a couple of weeks ago.
I could be wrong.

16 square km.

This would be 4x4

[BorisBlade]

Less*
4 by 4km maps man. That's a third of an Arma map.
Now instead of 100 people, we've got 1000. Cue clusterfuck.

We've been told its 8km by 8km, which is 4x the size of 4x4 which if the other was a third, then these are bigger than Arma maps. (i personally have no idea how big Arma maps are.)

My concern is how boring ground battles could be at launch with only tanks, boring lightnings, and sunderers. If the sundy can also function as an attack vehicle and not just transport then it could be more interesting. We may have to wait for a patch or two when we get some buggies and maybe some medium/light tanks in the form of deliverers. (ones that can function in combat well like in the first year or two of ps instead of the final product in the later versions of the game).

Ground vehicle fights were the most fun part to me in PS1, i hope they can keep it fun early on without the vehicle variety and can support those of us who dont want solo vehicles and want to drive without gunning too. My vote is sunderers with some better weaponry at the cost of loss of passenger slots or somethin. However doesnt seem like their customization system functions like that and is much more simple. Guess we'll have to wait for more info or beta to see whats goin on and whats possible.

[Whalenator]

We've been told its 8km by 8km, which is 4x the size of 4x4 which if the other was a third, then these are bigger than Arma maps. (i personally have no idea how big Arma maps are.)

I thought it was 7x7 but I was wrong.
Arma 2 maps are usually 15x15. Huge. But they don't seem that big, especially for a thousand people. Thus I worry.

[MrBloodworth]

Sadly there will be no enter / exit vehicle animations as it was stated by Higby that the work included in it was massive. Not to say they dont add them later on with weather effects and the such.. but as for right now we're going to instaboard and it's bullshit.

The entire commmunity voted against it and they still decided to do it. I can overlook one thing as it is a technological feat to have to overcome, but if they do things that are easier instead of right in the future, I may sing a different, bitchy tune.

Edit: This doesn't speed up gameplay THAT much.


Adding them later, would change the game play.

I hold no hope that they will ever be added. Its now or never, and make them a requirement for all new additions.

Its very, VERY sad they did not realize what an impact they had on the feel of the game, and the connection they bring for many.

And no, its does not impact game play much at all. In the hunt to increase speed of play, it seems they tossed out the baby with the bathwater in a lot of areas.


EDIT: What is with all the responses here? Do most of you only read the title? For shame. :(

[MrBloodworth]

OMG, the popping in and out in the vidoes annoys me to no end, there was not even any mount locations.

That's right, jump in from the tail!

[Full of Fail]

I think not having the loading/unloading animations breaks immersion more than most people realize. If they don't ever add the animations, I hope there's at least a compromise. Perhaps some sort of visual indication, like a door opening and closing with a slam sound, even if the character just warps in/out instantly.

[Rivenshield]

I think not having the loading/unloading animations breaks immersion more than most people realize. If they don't ever add the animations, I hope there's at least a compromise. Perhaps some sort of visual indication, like a door opening and closing with a slam sound, even if the character just warps in/out instantly.

That is an excellent idea.

/seconded

[MrBloodworth]

I don't like that idea.

It needs to be done right.

[Skitrel]

Higby said adding vehicle mount/dismount animations to the game will add 6 months to development time, because of that I'm happy with it as is. Perhaps later, after launch, but it's not the end of the world.

It is still possible to have teleport phase in and outs of vehicles in the meantime in order to have the delayed enter/exit as part of gameplay during the interim. I'm for that over 6 months extra dev time.

[roguy]

Higby said adding vehicle mount/dismount animations to the game will add 6 months to development time

Erm what? How on earth would two extra animations per vehicle add up to 6 months??? :eek:

[MrBloodworth]

Erm what? How on earth would two extra animations per vehicle add up to 6 months??? :eek:

Because none of the vehicles were designed with interiors, or moving parts like doors.

[Skitrel]

Because none of the vehicles were designed with interiors, or moving parts like doors.

Yup, this however doesn't mean that they can't add them to the existing models, it's just a lot of work getting it right, getting it polished, and getting it bug free.

I still want them though, I'm just willing to wait til after launch for them.

[Knocky]

Because none of the vehicles were designed with interiors, or moving parts like doors.

This ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

[roguy]

Ok guess i didn't think about that, half a year still seems a bit excessive to me. I don't think anyone expected them to have Red Orchestra 2 level of interior designs...

[Sifer2]

I might be in the minority here but I don't really like the look of the Sunderer for what its described combat role is supposed to be in PS2. It looks like a transport truck right now. Something that would move troops/supplies around through controlled territory. But its in game role is delivering troops into the thick of front line combat. It's said to be more armored than tanks. It does not look like it could fill that role.

I would expect something more like this:

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/gpv/gpv1.html

[chanic]

As much as I hate the loss of enter/exit animations, I feel the need to point out that this thread is very off topic.

Fortunately, I also want to talk about the new Sunderer too. Hooray!

I'm thinking that a properly equipped and crewed Sundered could be a major support asset for armor columns. As other people have mentioned it should be a great minesweeper, and with a crew of engineers inside it could be a mobile repair station for damaged tanks to fall back to.

What I'm most curious about is this line from its news page on the Planetside 2 site:

Finally, the Sunderer has several support capabilities supplying medical supplies to troops and ammo to troops and vehicles.
I'm wondering if this means that a Sundy driver will be able to cert into customizations to make it a supply truck or if it simply means that it has a huge trunk you can stuff full of ammo and first aid kits.

[MrBloodworth]

As much as I hate the loss of enter/exit animations, I feel the need to point out that this thread is very off topic.

It's not, if you read the original post. Instead of just the topic.

[chanic]

It's not, if you read the original post. Instead of just the topic.

I did read the original post, and it is your thread so I certainly can't argue its intent. I guess I just don't see the point in discussing the loss of animations right now since the devs have already stated they won't have them in the game by launch. After launch I will certainly make it very clear to the devs as often as necessary that I want those animations back. For now, I am content to discuss PS2's new party wagon.

I am particularly interested to know how fast the Sunderer will be. With the loss of the Deliverer and its variants I'm thinking it may be considerably more fun to drive now that its role is the only ground transport instead of "the big ground transport."

Also, the devs probably won't do it just because it would add more balancing issues, but does anyone else think it would be cool if the turrets were faction-specific, just to make it a bit less generic?

[MrBloodworth]

I guess I just don't see the point in discussing the loss of animations right now since the devs have already stated they won't have them in the game by launch. After launch I will certainly make it very clear to the devs as often as necessary that I want those animations back.

Because, for one, I think its the wrong choice, as I have explained. Second, when they are implemented is extremely important.

What if Halo added them in after the fact? You don't think that would change the pace of the game?

[headcrab13]

I agree that the enter/exit animations were what made the PS1 vehicles special. Somehow they just made your truck or fighter feel like you really owned it, not just a disposable item to be driven and abandoned after 10 seconds, like is so common in Battlefield or Unreal Tournament.

As badly as I want to get my hands on PS2, I would absolutely wait for vehicle animations if it was at all possible. PS2's engine already has all the bells and whistles -- why not retain the most impressive aspects of the original, too?

-HC13

[Coreldan]

Would think that if they made the vehicle entering to shift you into a pre-set camera angle, they could skip the interior-designing. Then they'd just need to design the hatch and animations, although I think that's still more than enough work to happen :/

[Vancha]

I would expect something more like this:

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/gpv/gpv1.html

I don't think you could make that look cool no matter how hard you tried.

[MrBloodworth]

I don't think you could make that look cool no matter how hard you tried.

What?

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/gpv/images/1.jpg

http://planetside.station.sony.com/images/news/vehicle_battlewagon.jpg

[MrBloodworth]

As badly as I want to get my hands on PS2, I would absolutely wait for vehicle animations if it was at all possible. PS2's engine already has all the bells and whistles -- why not retain the most impressive aspects of the original, too?

-HC13

Agreed, if its a case of money, let us pre-order "something".

[Azren]

Vehicle enter/exit animations were utterly useless and got me killed several times. That said, I still like them. They just further the feel of the game being a presistent world.

I doubt there is any other reason for removing them other than to save time. I think as an alternative to not have them at all, the devs should create one animation that can be used for every vehicle.

A simple example for this would be if the character desintegrated. If you have seen the GDC videos and remember how the reaver appeared (after it got spawned), you will get an idea of what this would look like.

[SGTalon]

I might be in the minority here but I don't really like the look of the Sunderer for what its described combat role is supposed to be in PS2. It looks like a transport truck right now. Something that would move troops/supplies around through controlled territory. But its in game role is delivering troops into the thick of front line combat. It's said to be more armored than tanks. It does not look like it could fill that role.

I would expect something more like this:

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/gpv/gpv1.html

That place is right around the corner from me! I see them drive those puppies up to the gas station to fill up once in a while. Guy with a combat helmet sticking his head out the hatch. Frickin AWESOME!

I will miss the animations too. I thought they said it was not off the table. Maybe i was wrong.

[NlightN]

As long as they add an entering/exiting timer that’s equivalent to what would correlate to the length of boarding animations, they can just add them in later on without needing to cut any corners. I hope they are put on a high priority after release of PS2. It wasn’t only that they made vehicles feel more personal, but the animations were a PS signature feature, that actually made other FPSs feel like they were a little bit less without them.

And as far as the Sunderer not having any kind of gunning action, I remember Higs mentioned in an interview that infantry could shoot out through the windows, so...that sort of counts as weaponry for the Sunderer

[MrBloodworth]

I'm not sure adding them later is the right thing. Personally.

[MrBloodworth]

Uh huh.

[KTNApollo]

I want to see the Marauder make a return. During my short PlanetSide experience I had more fun in the Marauder than any other vehicle (next to piloting Gal drops, of course).

[MrBloodworth]

Me too. But it seems like they got cut to make room for customization textures and such.

[kaffis]

Me too. But it seems like they got cut to make room for customization textures and such.
Which is fine -- customization textures are a monetization vector, so they're necessary.

That said, I do hope that we'll come out of beta with built-in delays for entering/exiting as placeholders for vehicle balance, and when the animation guys' time gets freed up, dis/embarkation animations get added in vehicle by vehicle as they get finished.

I'd rather see them come in piecemeal in patches than wait longer for them all at once.

[SGTalon]

I do have something that bothers me about the Sunderer.

It appears to not have anything under it. Like it is a shell with some wheels hanging under it.

Check out this screenshot from the Higby/TB Video

I hope this is just temporary. I have not spent a lot of time studying the other vehicles so i am not sure if there are similar issues.

[Xyntech]

I do have something that bothers me about the Sunderer.

It appears to not have anything under it. Like it is a shell with some wheels hanging under it.

Check out this screenshot from the Higby/TB Video

I hope this is just temporary. I have not spent a lot of time studying the other vehicles so i am not sure if there are similar issues.

My guess is that this is so that they can figure out the handling of the vehicle without worrying about adjusting the model. I could be wrong though. It really does need to get fixed before launch.

[Synapse]

I for one will agree with the devs, animations for entry and exit are nice, but not as important as MAX animations or weather.

I'd be perfectly fine having a delay to exit a vehicle to make room for planned animations later. Would require proper sound work though.

[MrBloodworth]

Weather is new to PS2 in the scope they are attempting.

Here is the order of thought they had:

1. Battlefield does not have them.
2. We can save money and time by cutting them.

Then people found out they cut them.

[SGTalon]

I am noticing that someone around here is a "Negative Nelly"

[MrBloodworth]

Nah, there are quite a lot of areas that I am glad they are modernizing. This thread isn't about those areas. :D

[Synapse]

Nah, there are quite a lot of areas that I am glad they are modernizing. This thread isn't about those areas. :D

No, this is a thread about nitpicking when there are still major mechanics to bring in.

Think about it. You will already play. They can get the animations later and you will play either way.

People who have never played planetside won't care about vehicle animations and may not even get the point of them on gameplay. (even though I agree with you they are good thigns)

They will be pulled in by weather, and THEN you can give them stuff like animations.

I for one have never bought a game because "OMG it has animations when I get in a vehicle!"
Realtime weather? I've bought games for that.

[MrBloodworth]

I wasn't suggesting anyone buy a game because it has animations. That's a narrative you made up.

I'm AM suggesting, that a sequel to a game needs one of the elements that made a more human connection to the overall war, needs to have that element. Adding the major mechanics, and also this grounding element are not mutually exclusive things.

Moving on:
There are many, MANY "Modern FPS" games that have them, and for good reason. Two titles, no matter how popular, do not define a genre. So, hand waving that "its a requirement of modern FPS" games, is just silly, as well as not true.

[Xyntech]

This could have stayed in the other current vehicle entry animation thread.

[MrBloodworth]

This could have stayed in the other current vehicle entry animation thread.

This, was posted long before it. I'm responding to the conversation. That's what forums are for.

[basti]

But they are not for necroing a thread just to have the same discussion twice on the front page. This thread died over a month ago, let it rest in peace *sniff*.

edit: reopend after PM with blood. Please leave the Vehicle enter and exit animation discussion out of here and in the proper thread. No need to have it twice. :)

[Baneblade]

I liked the Bang Bus in PS1 and I'm sure it will be awesome in PS2. My only concern is if it ends up being the best ground vehicle to use... for everything.

[Xyntech]

I liked the Bang Bus in PS1 and I'm sure it will be awesome in PS2. My only concern is if it ends up being the best ground vehicle to use... for everything.

A lot of things tend to end up walking that fine line between useless and overpowered.

As long as it is valuable as a resupply and repair point, I think they'll be able to keep it in check without making it useless. I'd say that a Sunderer, with all of it's armor, and with two AV guns mounted on it should be able to stand toe to toe with a couple of MBT's who don't have any gunners operating their secondary guns, but it should be a close fight, with the Sunderer being pretty low on health if it survives. It should have decent firepower, but it should mostly rely on it's crazy armor to get through the day.

I could easily see columns of Sunderers supported by MBT's and skyguard Lightnings being the only way to penetrate into an enemy territory that has a heavy enemy air presence. Galaxies are going to get ripped to shreds.

I've considered the possibility that Galaxies may at times be used to spawn troops away from an enemy base, and then load them up to hot drop them in before going back and landing further out again to respawn fresh troops and hot drop them in all over again. In unfriendly skies, it may be necessary to do the same thing, only with Sunderers ferrying the troops back and forth between the Galaxy spawn point and the battle front.

Right now, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about all of the vehicles except the Flash. The only ray of sunshine with that vehicle for me is that it will get a cloaking module. Maybe it wont be so bad as I fear though. If it is super dirt cheep and it actually is kind of painfully expensive to buy most other personal forms of transport, it could end up being pretty useful, especially if they put a little miniature land vehicle spawner in every single tower and outpost that can only be used to spawn an ATV, even putting them in air towers which otherwise can only spawn (expensive) aircraft.

[kaffis]

So long as it's got crazy armor to keep those passengers alive, I'm not too chuffed about how strong the guns are.

And I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of torque upgrades will be available. I'm all about the all-terrain line-breaker.

[Baneblade]

I could easily see columns of Sunderers supported by MBT's and skyguard Lightnings being the only way to penetrate into an enemy territory that has a heavy enemy air presence. Galaxies are going to get ripped to shreds.

Have you been reading the War Machine forum? :lol:

I can honestly say we abandoned the Gal as a troop transport from the get go.

[Xyntech]

Have you been reading the War Machine forum? :lol:

I can honestly say we abandoned the Gal as a troop transport from the get go.

Just wait until they add a deployable Lodestar style vehicle that can act as a forward vehicle spawn point for you guys to spawn fresh Sunderers and tanks from. Deploy a few Galaxies, a couple of Lodestars, and a healthy number of Lightnings for air defense just behind the next ridge away from the enemy facility, and it will be a blast.

Just so long as they don't make Galaxies totally useless for transport. I still want to see those epic Gal drops happening. But I'm totally okay with seeing a lot more Sunderer usage, or even seeing an entire outfit transporting their troops to the front lines exclusively in Sunderers.

Just make sure you bring plenty of air defense. I'll probably be more on the lookout for enemy fighters, Liberators and Galaxies in my Scythe, but I'd love to pick off some stray unprotected Sunderers or MBT's when I get the chance ;)

[Baneblade]

Oh, we will definitely be rocking the AA Lightnings. I just hope the Lode isn't a brick... honestly it needs to be a Gal variant or a sibling design to the Gal.

[Pepsi]

I wouldn't be too mad if the Sunderer becomes the main transport. I can dust off the clutch every once in a while.

[Xyntech]

Oh, we will definitely be rocking the AA Lightnings. I just hope the Lode isn't a brick... honestly it needs to be a Gal variant or a sibling design to the Gal.

I'd prefer the Galaxy to get a modification that let's it air lift tanks and other vehicles as well, but I'm not sure how it would be able to deploy into being a vehicle spawn pad.

I agree about the brick thing though. Hopefully they would find a good compromise between the brick look and a more pleasant looking aircraft design.Maybe just a big fat aircraft that looks sort of like a pregnant Galaxy, with the ability to have any land vehicle roll inside it, with the option to deploy and have vehicles spawn out of the same carrying compartment with a sidegrade modification.

[ThermalReaper]

Lodestar new mechanic: Flash drops! Useless as a fart, cool as RadarX.

[Xyntech]

Lodestar new mechanic: Flash drops! Useless as a fart, cool as RadarX.

I'd love a Lodestar or Galaxy mod that allowed it to carry and hotdrop a ton of Flashes. Still pretty useless probably, but it could be a load(star) of fun.

Slightly back on topic, how about the ability to load a flash up into a Sunderer variant, Spyhunter sytle :cool:

:lol:

[kaffis]

I'm not sure I want a mobile vehicle spawn point.

I know I don't want one if it's going to be a Lodestar-brick. ;) Stupidest vehicle design ever, lol.

[Baneblade]

A Galaxy version of this:

www.warbirdphotos.net/aviapix/PostWW2/Helicopters/sikskycn.jpg

Using a Supreme Commander style lift system would be absolutely Clegging Awesome. Large enough to carry one Sunderer, two MBTs, four Lightnings, or eight Flashes.

Has a dorsal defensive gunner turret (360 horizontal/20 vertical down/70 verticle up).

[Xyntech]

Yep, that was my first thought for a Galaxy-Lodestar variant.

I suppose they could make yet another modification of that version of the Galaxy that could spawn vehicles as well, if they wanted to go through with that particular idea. I'd be fine with it just being able to transport the vehicles though.

Fly a Sunderer over the rough terrain up to the edge of hostile territory, then let the Sunderer drive itself the rest of the way.

[kaffis]

I like airlifting vehicles. I'm not a fan of flying a mobile spawn point in and spawning an entire column from that.

[Xyntech]

I like airlifting vehicles. I'm not a fan of flying a mobile spawn point in and spawning an entire column from that.

There could be some fun gameplay elements that could come from being able to deploy an entire mini base, one piece at a time. There also are a lot of downsides and exploitability issues to overcome as well. I'm not the biggest fan of the idea either, but it's something that Higby mentioned was an idea they were kicking around for a Lodestar type vehicle, which is why I bring it up.

[wOOtbEEr]

I think they need to put in a time place holder for the animations and then put in the most basic animations you've ever seen.

You know why?

So that i can then pay them to let me do a ninja flip out of my tank.

Think of all the other stuff they could sell as a up/sidegrade for these animations. Exit with G to exit normally. Exit with alt-G to deploy smoke/flash grenade, some sort of covering fire, or even a HA like shield that soaks damage while you get out.

w00tb33r

[kaffis]

Think of all the other stuff they could sell as a up/sidegrade for these animations. Exit with G to exit normally. Exit with alt-G to deploy smoke/flash grenade, some sort of covering fire, or even a HA like shield that soaks damage while you get out.
You mean as sidegrades for the vehicles themselves? That'd be neat. Actually, Sunderers may already be able to do this -- we've all seen the "Smoke Ready" indicator on the Sundy cockpit...

An upgrade that would detonate outward-blasting frag grenades or something right before passenger disembarkation would be nifty, though.