The Lightning First Look! [[Updated] Images]]

[Evil Redrum]

GamesRadar posted up an exlusive look at the Lightning, thought you all would like to see it :rofl:

http://www.gamesradar.com/planetside-2-exclusive-look-lightning-tank/


http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2064

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2065

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af656588c5.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2060

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/vmscby2n9f/20120426_4f99a4de35586.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2057

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/vmscby2n9f/20120426_4f99a4c356268.jpg

[Rbstr]

Well lookit that!

I like that it's called the skyguard turret. That will either cause people to shutup or massive whining. Knowing PSU...I'd go with the latter.

[Saieno]

GamesRadar posted up an exlusive look at the Lightning, thought you all would like to see it :rofl:

http://www.gamesradar.com/planetside-2-exclusive-look-lightning-tank/

Dang it you beat me to it :cry: Still awesome news! And the tank looks amazing.

[Sirisian]

Looks a bit long.

[JPalmer]

That is awesome looking. Love the features and it looks just like a common pool vehicle.

[Talek Krell]

I like the look, but it seems much heavier than I expected. I'm concerned that I may have difficulty distinguishing it from the Vannie...

[The Janitor]

Yay for tanks! :D

[Jaxbrain]

Love it other than the length. Seems awkwardly long.

[MacTruckuLes]

Looks a bit long.

i agree it looks way longer then it needs to be, honestly end it a few feet infront of the headlights and it would look great.

[Brusi]

Looks like a vanny from the back. I agree Siri, might be able to trim the front a little...

Sounds like it fills an interesting all-rounder niche now... I'm most interested in how customisable the weapons systems are tho!!

[Sirisian]

i agree it looks way longer then it needs to be, honestly end it a few feet infront of the headlights and it would look great.
Agreed. Waiting for the redo. :) I'm amazed T-Ray didn't catch that and send it back. They should do anonymous polling within the company and redo things if they get more than 1/3rd dislikes honestly. Ideally everything should be objectively well liked where things like "it's too long" isn't an immediate complaint.

[Canaris]

wow the new Lightning looks freaking awesome!!

[Doctor Digit]

That thing looks like a damned beast. I really love the low and long profile it has. Definitely has the look of something that will chase you down until either you die or it does. Absolutely fantastic work, though I'll miss my old lightning this is a really great redesign of it.

[Graywolves]

I can't get over how long the front is.

[Ailos]

Lolol Evil Redrum is now a PSU news corresponent.

Also, I step away from the 'puter for 20 min to have a coffee break and this shit happens. WTF?

And the lightning somehow reminds me of the Siege tanks in StarCraft... that or the Communist tanks in Red Alert 2. Never imagined I'd actually get to drive one.

[Raymac]

Looks awesome! It kinda reminds me of this:

http://thundercats.vpga.com/bios/thundertank.jpg

[Sabrak]

Wow...

I wasn't expecting the new Lightning to look like that.
I'm not too sure about its design yet.

I'd like to see it with that "Skyguard turret" they talk about, as it seems that AA will be its main role on the battlefield.

[Evil Redrum]

Lolol Evil Redrum is now a PSU news corresponent.

Baha well I do like to show off what I've done/ have been working on lol.

[Grognard]

Oh... daddy likes... daddy really likes...

[SGTalon]

Whoa Mama! That is way cooler than the heavy tanks!!! Sign me up!

[Hamma]

Baha well I do like to show off what I've done/ have been working on lol.

It looks awesome!

Great work - Lightning looks sweet :)

[Saieno]

Looks a bit long.

I agree Siri, might be able to trim the front a little...

i agree it looks way longer then it needs to be, honestly end it a few feet infront of the headlights and it would look great.

Love it other than the length. Seems awkwardly long.

Looks a bit long.

I can't get over how long the front is.

Personally I think it's great at the length it is. It's a much beefier version of the Lightning, especially when you look at what came before it. The height is also much lower as well, but its hard to really get a sense of scale in these shots.

http://www.selfsimilar.org/images/whatside3.jpg

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/436687311962b0c7f7bd0bcd11add4aa28430a8d.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

[Brusi]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

[subchucK]

Looks great as it is, I don't know why so many's first reaction is to change it. I honestly can't wait to rack up some kills in one!

[Ailos]

We need another one of those overhead size comparison shots. I think it looks rather big on its own, but I bet next to the heavy tanks and Sunderer it looks more appropriately smaller and closer to the ground.

EDIT: Just came up with a new front-line sport to play: Magrider poll-vault. The trick: sneak up to the magrider and get the Lightning underneath. Point turret straight up as high as it goes, fire rounds. Endless hilarity is bound to ensue.

[Lorgarn]

I frikkin' love that tank! I want it so bad, it hurts even!

Once again the developers of PlanetSide2 leaves me impressed and in awe. Well done! :)

[Raymac]

Redo:

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

Actually it is cool that you did that. It shows how lame it would look if it was shorter. It's a TANK. It should look more like a Buick and less like a VW Bug.

[bigcracker]

GamesRadar posted up an exlusive look at the Lightning, thought you all would like to see it :rofl:

http://www.gamesradar.com/planetside-2-exclusive-look-lightning-tank/

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/razorboy_album/Reaction%20Pics/its-beautiful.jpg

[ringring]

Very very very nice indeed.

[Miir]

Looks great... Need to see it in action to comment further. :)

[emerald]

I like the longer and low to the ground profile of the Lightning. It looks sleek and deadly.

One problem though: Where's the shameless lightning bolt decal!?

[TheBiscuit]

I think it looks great, but I can see the concern of people saying its too long/big. It may be that the lightning is being pitched as stronger in comparison to how it was in PS1, and thus merits being a bit larger. Its also hard to compare without seeing it next to the main battle tanks.

Bring us pics of them all lined up I say! :D

[Sabrak]

Actually it is cool that you did that. It shows how lame it would look if it was shorter. It's a TANK. It should look more like a Buick and less like a VW Bug.

It's a LIGHT tank, though.

It could be shorter and still look like a tank anyway...

http://www.davidpride.com/Army/images/Perry_089.jpg

(Not saying it should look like that. Just giving an exemple)

[Talek Krell]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchopI think I prefer the one they have now. It just looks weird when you cut it off like that. My thanks for rigging that up though.

[Artimus]

Awsome one of my fav. vehicals next to the harraser.

[headcrab13]

I am VERY aroused! The new Lightning looks amazing. Consider it specced!

I really like the long, low profile. I wouldn't change a damn thing.

[QuakCow]

Wow! I really like the looks of this.

[Grognard]

Personally I think it's great at the length it is. It's a much beefier version of the Lightning, especially when you look at what came before it. The height is also much lower as well, but its hard to really get a sense of scale in these shots.


Agreed, great "hull-down" machine...

...and on an unrelated point... your post reveals to me something I have never seen in my 46 years of life... THAT many men complaining to a woman... that "its too long"... shaaaddup!

She likes it the way it is, and its a damn fine peice of hardware... cant wait to put it into action...

[VioletZero]

I like how long it is. This way it has a nice, unique look to it.

[SuperMorto]

I am VERY aroused! The new Lightning looks amazing. Consider it specced!

I really like the long, low profile. I wouldn't change a damn thing.



Said and this ^^^

[headcrab13]

It's a LIGHT tank, though.

It could be shorter and still look like a tank anyway...

http://www.davidpride.com/Army/images/Perry_089.jpg

(Not saying it should look like that. Just giving an exemple)

Seems a little long and unwieldy. How about redesigning to this:


http://i.imgur.com/rZWnW.jpg

[Jennyboo]

Looks sexy :brow:

[Grognard]

Seems a little long and unwieldy. How about redesigning to this:


http://i.imgur.com/rZWnW.jpg

:eek::rofl: I see what ya did there...

[Brusi]

I actually was thinking it only needed just a touch taken off to even it up... i hacked the hell out of it to see how this design would compare to the original.

Here's a more conservative one anyway.

http://i.imgur.com/JDun2.png


I'd like to see it with that "Skyguard turret" they talk about, as it seems that AA will be its main role on the battlefield.

By skyguard turret i think they mean the new turret is named a "Skyguard " turret. It's like an all purpose fast firing anti-everything.

[Tatwi]

Lolol Evil Redrum is now a PSU news corresponent.

Also, I step away from the 'puter for 20 min to have a coffee break and this shit happens. WTF?

And the lightning somehow reminds me of the Siege tanks in StarCraft... that or the Communist tanks in Red Alert 2. Never imagined I'd actually get to drive one.

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

I have to say that I like the shorter version a bit better. The longer version looks faster, more like a race car, while the shorter version looks more like a tough little tank. Really depends on what they are going for.

I like both though - very detailed, high quality work!

[Talek Krell]

I have to say that I like the shorter version a bit better. The longer version looks faster, more like a race car, while the shorter version looks more like a tough little tank. Really depends on what they are going for.I suspect I'll just adjust to whatever they put in the game and the thought won't cross my mind again. Still, Brusi's second shop does look pretty good.

[capiqu]

Perfect don't change it.

[headcrab13]

I don't know exactly why but the Vanu HA looks completely badass in this pic:

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/1722eacb0f9da7ca2975d1a2e3210321a899c0b4.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

PS2's art team just never ceases to amaze me.

[Mod]

Would be cool to see a side-by-side with the mbt's...

[Saieno]

I don't know exactly why but the Vanu HA looks completely badass in this pic:

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/1722eacb0f9da7ca2975d1a2e3210321a899c0b4.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

PS2's art team just never ceases to amaze me.

Because it is badass, told everyone the helmet wasn't that pointy lol

[JHendy]

I don't know exactly why but the Vanu HA looks completely badass in this pic:

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/1722eacb0f9da7ca2975d1a2e3210321a899c0b4.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

PS2's art team just never ceases to amaze me.

Have they rounded off the top of the VS HA helmet? It looks that way to me.

[Talek Krell]

Because it is badass, told everyone the helmet wasn't that pointy lolOh, I'd completely forgotten about the ridge. It does look much better from the side, if that's the same helmet.

[DOUBLEXBAUGH]

I like it, definite improvement over the PS1 lightning look.

[MacTruckuLes]

it really dosent look like the same helmet but it is hard to tell, plus with all the skins and customization, i dont think it would be an issue.

[QuantumMechanic]

At first I thought the new lightning was a bit long too, but I'm used to it already. And I quite like it. The lightning now truly looks like a light tank, whereas before it was an enclosed and armored tracked ATV of sorts. Can't wait to see weapon variants for it.

And it would be nice to see the lightning beside the medium battle tanks. I get the feeling it's pretty close in size.

Also +1 for that Vanu heavy assault. Looks great!

[headcrab13]

Because it is badass, told everyone the helmet wasn't that pointy lol

It's close, but I'm pretty sure they redesigned it based on our feedback. Sweet!

http://i.imgur.com/69NEg.jpg

[basti]

It's close, but I'm pretty sure they redesigned it based on our feedback. Sweet!

http://i.imgur.com/69NEg.jpg

More likley that this is just another helmet. Remember: CUSTOMIZATION! :D

[Shogun]

the lightning looks great as it is!
awesome work, redrum! and thanks for showing it off ;)

the only thing i would like to be changed is the turret. i liked the old turret design with a gun at each side. one barrel in the middle doesn´t appeal to me that much. the sidebarrel design would set it apart from the other tanks as it did in ps1.

oh and the new vanu helmets look perfect! as much as i hate to say something positive about vs ;)

[capiqu]

AH the Vanu always trying to win the beauty pageant . What will matter is the TR winning the battles. Love the new Lightning, looks fast.

[Wargrim]

Do i understand the text on the website correctly, that the turret shown is the standard issue anti all, including aircraft, skyguard turret, and that we wont have different turrets/guns, but instead the rounds will act as burst/flak rounds when fired at air targets, but like a normal autocannon when fired at ground targets?

If so, i would be a bit disappointed, i mean, all the other vehicles have cool options and can switch guns out. And that turret really does not look at all like an anti air turret to me.

[Sleepy]

Have they rounded off the top of the VS HA helmet? It looks that way to me.

Hmm - looks to be Ye Olde Pulsar model on the right as well.

[Graywolves]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...


I like that better.


I would also be happy if the turret was just moved forward a bit.


I don't like driving my car from the back seat.

[Unforgiven]

AWESOME!! with its lower profile design it will be harder to hit with ground weapons, but the longer body will be easier to hit from the air.

thats probably the point.

[Furber]

It's a LIGHT tank, though.

I agree, the lightning is supposed to be the light tank where the vanguard/whatever else is supposed to be the heavier version.

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/b0a3a29b54e43c5c4165a9828eff8c2278041e00.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

It looks pretty large (or long I suppose) compared to the Sunderer, which I always thought was a massive hulking truck (As it should be).

Awesome that you guys decided to call the AA turret the "Skyguard turret", the sky guard will be with the game in spirit!

[headcrab13]

I don't like driving my car from the back seat.

Sure but when you're using the massive roof-mounted cannon to clear traffic during rush hour, the back seat steering is an acceptable trade-off :D

[Graywolves]

Sure but when you're using the massive roof-mounted cannon to clear traffic during rush hour, the back seat steering is an acceptable trade-off :D

:rofl:

Touche.

[headcrab13]

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/b0a3a29b54e43c5c4165a9828eff8c2278041e00.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

It looks pretty large (or long I suppose) compared to the Sunderer, which I always thought was a massive hulking truck (As it should be).

Yeah it's hard to tell how close they are, but I'd estimate that Sunderer is about 6-7 meters away and probably slightly longer than the Lightning.

[kertvon]

The vanu helmet definitely looks 100x better. I think the armor is looking epic because it is wayyyy shinier in the real world render than it was in the heavy week render. The grey actually looks more chrome in those shots.

The lighting does look a bit too long, and compared to the original it did loose a lot of it's curves. It is an overall nice design, but a bit too close to the vangaurd for my taste.

[Arkanakaz]

I like the look of it a lot and I think that seeing as lightning is perhaps going to be a bit faster than other tanks it makes sense in that way for it to have a long and low profile. Only slightly negative thing I can think of is that it does look quite a bit like the Vangard – although as long as it’s a tank it’s always going to look similar to other tanks anyway.

Also the PSU media library is missing image 3 of 10 of the Lightning pictures on gamesradar. On the topic of the media library I can't help but tell you that when you get linked to the library form the news page you have to click "Read More".

Thanks

[Johari]

Great to see the new lightning. Was a bit worried that a redone version would disappoint but the PS team pulled through. Great job guys!

Also, loving the customized VS HA look. Nice to see the old pulsar in there too. Maybe we get to buy it in the shop to use.

[Rbstr]

I don't like driving my car from the back seat.

To me it looks very sports-coupe-ish. Something that traditionally comes with a long hood and fairly far back seating position.
Seeing as how it's supposed to be the fast tank, I wouldn't be surprised if that was an influence, subconsciously or otherwise.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/images/a_1966_Jaguar_E-Type_Coupe.jpg
http://www.blackdragonauto.com/assets/customerPhotos2/z24072RobertMct.jpg

To give a small sample.

[NCLynx]

The tank is to long? Lol. It's fine. The first lightning simply made you curl up into a fetus position to even fit, this one is fine.

[cryosin]

Looks great. I like the modern hi-tech feel a lot.

Might be hard to recognize a lightning from a vanguard, but i think i'll get used to it.

[Dragonien]

Nice work but not to my taste, to long just like some sort of race car. Hay that maybe the look they wont; just hope it BOLTS:rolleyes: across the battlefield:groovy:

[Vanir]

Looks good. Would be nice to see it along side the MBT's just for comaprison.

[Hooah]

http://media.desura.com/cache/images/members/1/53/52448/thumb_940x3000/cv9030_front.jpg

that's a CV9030N it's kinda long...

[Malorn]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...


I like this version a lot better than the original.

The front end on the lightning is way too long. It looks awkward and out of place.

[Dullard]

If you slap some "hover-gizmos" (sorry for the technical term, don't be put off) underneath the chassis and color it the appropriate and heroic purple and teal, you'd have a very close relative of the PS1 Magrider.

I love the new look, length and all.

[TerminatorUK]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

This version above is perfect...it'd be brilliant if they trimmed it down to this.

On another note, I'm saddened to still see all that silver armour of the VS troops in front of the lightning picture :(

[Quovatis]

Sexy! Hopefully the PS2 lightning will get more use than its PS1 counterpart. The PS1 lightning just plain sucked unless you were on oshur. Adding in AA capability is a great way to make it more useful. Sounds good.

[Sgt Shultz]

GamesRadar posted up an exlusive look at the Lightning, thought you all would like to see it :rofl:

http://www.gamesradar.com/planetside-2-exclusive-look-lightning-tank/

Any chance you were listening to this when you designed the tank?

Lowrider War - YouTube

[Dir]

It looks like something that gets launched by a bridge layer that tanks drive over....not something you drive as a tank....that shortened version would have pleased me. This looks like it folds up to save on parking space or maybe it turns into a raised stationary AA turret?

[Zulthus]

Looks like a sports car :D

[Mastachief]

Looks great to me leave it alone.

I was expecting a c&c style stumpy tank with missle pods

[Dreamcast]

Thats huge compared to the lightning tank in Planetside....Looks bigger than the regular VS,TR, and NC tanks.

[Noivad]

Well lookit that!

I like that it's called the skyguard turret. That will either cause people to shutup or massive whining. Knowing PSU...I'd go with the latter.

It looks nice - Its orginal role Role a single player anti vehicle tank, and a machine gun effective against infantry. A good role now gone - A new Role
Anti vehicle and a Air Defense Weapon. A solo vehicle that helps to eliminate a team oriented weapon the skyguard. Its going to be interesting to see how many rounds of Flack and Anti Armor rounds its going to hold.

With Big Tanks, Bang Buses, and Lightnings who needs Air defense vehicles.
I'm whinning please keep the Skyguards. Don't kill vehicles that can hold two players that have too work together. Gunner and driver coordinated to kill those nasty reavers. Or at least make the Lightning a two man job. Stop the solo player mindset. please. Ok enough whinning. :evil:

[Bravix]

I like it, its realistic. Room for the driver and shells.

Length looked a little odd at first, but I do like it. This way its also a bigger target for the air units. Otherwise, it'd be a small little guy with huge AA potential. Wouldn't be very balanced.

[Pollo Jack]

The vanu armor looks boss in general. I also like both helmets. The pointy one is more intimidating and the smooth one is sexier.

Back to the tanks, I like the shorter photoshopped but maybe a little bit longer than that but shorter than the second photoshopped one. Ha ha, too picky. Easier to be a critic as they say.

[NewSith]

Something makes me think that Lightning is also MBT now...

[Tapman]

Looks excellent, I think it might be a tad long but it won't bother me because it sounds like it is going to kick ass. I only used a Lightning in PS1 if I had to but this version sounds like it is going to be a legitimate threat on the battlefield, I'm glad I'll have something to drive and shoot that can have a solid impact.

[Sirisian]

Redo:
[...]
Exactly what I was imagining. The only subtle change is to even out the tracks so they're both the same smaller length. Other than that it keeps true to the original compact tank design from Planetside 1.

[Seagoon]

Reminds me of the Nod Light tank in C&C renegade. Which is a good thing :D

[Badjuju]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

I think some people may be holding on to nostalgia and just need some time to get use to the new look. Was awkward at first glance from what I expected, but after looking a bit I actually love it. The short version looks like a buggy/clown tank (which shoots water) to me while the long looks like a tank, and looks like it is built to haul ass. Some of the angles make it look longer than it is I think too. The TR shot doesn't look as long. Long front = lots of engine space and tons of traction, looks appropriate and beastly to me.

[Badjuju]

I agree, the lightning is supposed to be the light tank where the vanguard/whatever else is supposed to be the heavier version.

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/b0a3a29b54e43c5c4165a9828eff8c2278041e00.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

It looks pretty large (or long I suppose) compared to the Sunderer, which I always thought was a massive hulking truck (As it should be).

Awesome that you guys decided to call the AA turret the "Skyguard turret", the sky guard will be with the game in spirit!

Here is the tr shot I was mentioning.

[Nobel]

I like the longer length.

[QuantumMechanic]

The more I look at the new lightning, the more I realize it does look like a tank moreso than the original.

I am hoping that there are different weapon configurations (there must be... customization!), and that at least one of them has two different weapons - anti armor cannon on the right and anti-infantry chain gun on the left. Like the original did. Yes, I did quite love the original one a lot.

[BorisBlade]

Seems like it should be much smaller, or somethin else to give it its own niche. Right now its just a faster vanguard with less armor. You can already instantly switch to the AA gun on a vannie as the driver so there's no real change there other than you cant drive and use the AA gun at the exact same time, imo i'd rather have the MBT armor since you really cant drive fast and shoot targets in the air at the same time anyway. (which kinda brings up the point as to why AA vehicles should be two man, makes no sense as one man since you cant stare at sky and drive at the same time anyway.)

Just needs more than just speed to differentiate itself imo, tweaked smaller in size and maybe somethin special it can do the MBT's cant. Some special ability or somethin.

Honestly with its overly huge size and the odd design, i thought they were gonna say that it pivoted in the middle to transform into some kind of artillery or "deployed mode".

[headcrab13]

Seems like it should be much smaller, or somethin else to give it its own niche. Right now its just a faster vanguard with less armor.

Actually it's quite a bit different. This is the replacement for the Skyguard and will be far better equipped for AA than the Vanguard.

That, coupled with a top speed probably double what the Vannie can do, will easily set it apart.

[Notser]

considering all the attachments that could be placed there I think the length is fine, remember if there is a AA setup that extends over the chassis then everyone would be saying this looks stupid.

wait until we see it with all the different attachments

[Sirisian]

Okay home from work and I had time to edit it to how I'd prefer. Like I said I just didn't like the length so my change is subtle.
http://sirisian.com/pictures/lightning.gif

[Saieno]

To give everyone an idea of the scale, it looks about half the size of the Vanguard from what I can see of this screenshot here. You can see a Lightning and Vanguard somewhat on the same plane along the trail, makes it a little easier to guesstimate the scale.

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/97d40fe933bb33795c5f4defad735f251509410d.jpg__939x 820_q85.jpg

So taking that into consideration I put this together. I'm sure it's not exactly right, but this is what I would expect the Lightning size would be in comparison to a Vanguard.

http://i50.tinypic.com/3ah4g.jpg

[Furber]

Okay home from work and I had time to edit it to how I'd prefer. Like I said I just didn't like the length so my change is subtle.
http://sirisian.com/pictures/lightning.gif

THIS looks like a perfect change.

[Oryon22]

I like the low and sleek look. Keep it long.

[Hmr85]

Personally I love the long and low profile of the new lightning. IMO keep it how it is.

[Raymac]

I think it's neat that people like to put their own spin on it. Every time the devs release something new, people are always Monday morning quarterbacking and saying tweek this or adjust that. I can only imagine the discussions the devs have about the designs before we get to see it.

[BorisBlade]

Actually it's quite a bit different. This is the replacement for the Skyguard and will be far better equipped for AA than the Vanguard.

That, coupled with a top speed probably double what the Vannie can do, will easily set it apart.

Meh, still not enough, somewhat better AA and more speed? Thats not enough, could do that with a MBT upgrade or somethin. If the tank was much smaller then yeah, speed an size and then if the weapons were unique to the lightning, that could do it. But if its dam near the same size and its just a little beefier gun and speed are the only difference then meh, that seems like a waste of resources when you already let MBT's be solo tanks.

Dont get me wrong, I love variety but only if its actual variety and not just cosmetic stuff with minor differences like you get in many of the modern "brown" shooters. I vote putting MBT's back to forced multiple crews and let the rambo players have the lightning. Then it definitely has a niche.

[JPalmer]

I'm sure the Lightning will have it's pros and cons towards MBT's Everyone calm down and wait for beta. Lightnings will be no where near as tough on vehicles, it has a unique anti-air weapon, its sleeker making hard to hit, more maneuverability than your regular MBT, and most likely can all be operated by one person. That is enough difference from the MBTs for me.

MBTs will need 2 or 3 people to operate and the AA gun will probably not be as handy as the lightnings.

[Blackwolf]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

That looks cool too, but I personally don't mind it being so long. Kinda like it better actually.

[PredatorFour]

Good to see the brave little toaster has now matured, grown a set of balls... and can now bake loafs, bagels and french sticks !

[Vancha]

It doesn't look like it'd be particularly fast, but it's hard to tell what scale it's at. It could be far smaller next to an MBT than we're imagining, then I guess it might look more suitable for it's role?

Don't get me wrong, it certainly looks cool, but it also looks quite a bit like a Vanguard, which aren't known for their speed.

[NlightN]

I think the overall design gives it a sleek feel to it. So the extended front, if that's the reason for it, isn't necessary to give that impression. I'm going to have to agree with the others cut it down to about half.

...and then paste the rest of it onto the Prowler :D.

[Toppopia]

Maybe its longer so it can have a bigger engine allowing more speed.

[headcrab13]

Due to the original design being far too short for my taste, I've created a mockup of the Lightning 2.0:

http://i.imgur.com/3DdR1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9uzct.jpg

What do you mean "overcompensating"?

[Aurmanite]

It looks badass.

I wouldn't change a damn thing.

[Erendil]

I am hoping that there are different weapon configurations (there must be... customization!), and that at least one of them has two different weapons - anti armor cannon on the right and anti-infantry chain gun on the left. Like the original did. Yes, I did quite love the original one a lot.

God I certainly hope so. They've been building the Lightning up to be the most versatile tank, but then they appear to have removed the Dual-weapon turret, which is the very thing that made it so versatile to begin with. :rolleyes: And then on top of that they tack on the ability to switch internally between seat positions in the MBT, making the Lightning even less versatile by contrast.

I really really really hope the dual-weapon turret is still an option for the Lightning because this was my favorite vehicle in PS1, and limiting it to just a single weapon on the turret choice will greatly diminish both its versatility and its survivability, as well as my own enjoyment in its use. *sigh* That coaxial LMG needs to be there in all configs, IMO. Heck, the PS1 Skyguard (which this is supposed to replace) had a dual-turret as well...

But then, the cannon is off-center on the turret and it looks like there might be a placeholder for a coaxial LMG on the left. Maybe the model just isn't complete yet? ;)

Oh, and before anyone says anything, configurability <> versatility. :p


Okay home from work and I had time to edit it to how I'd prefer. Like I said I just didn't like the length so my change is subtle.
http://sirisian.com/pictures/lightning.gif


Yep that's almost exactly how I'd prefer it too. Redrum's design in general is incredibly slick-looking and it definitely feels like a faster and beefier tank than the original. It also looks a lot like a NS vehicle. But IMO it's a little too long in the front to be proportional.

Plus the Devs have imagined the Lightning to be used in a lot of side-strafing and circling attacks against larger vehicles, but then it's given a side profile that's almost as long as the Vanguard's, making it a huge target during those maneuvers it's allegedly designed to be doing. It seems a bit counter-intuitive.

Don't get me wrong tho. I luv the design as a whole. Just shorten the length and give it a coaxial LMG and we're golden. :D

[Reginald]

Color scheme on the VS model looks wonderful.

[Sardus]

I dono - I kinda like it :) reminds me of the NOD tank from command and conquer LOL

[xSquirtle]

This is what I thought of when I first saw this lighting.

http://www.sessionmagazine.com/img/fun/the_batmobile_custom_made/batmobile_2.jpg

[Lonehunter]

Nice! Thank you so much for sticking with the quad-track design. I do also think it looks a bit long. If this thing is longer then a Prowler I'ma be a bit upset

[Rbstr]

Meh, still not enough, somewhat better AA and more speed? Thats not enough, could do that with a MBT upgrade or somethin.

Fucking christ, what don't you get? It's faster than any vehicle except the buggies: And we haven't even seen how fast those go. It's not "somewhat" better AA, it's called the best AA vehicle in the game. It's called the freaking Skyguard turret. It's flack. The only secondary guns on that we've seen on tanks, in GDC videos, weren't particularly effective until the plane was hovering meters above ground.
We don't even know if those were the tanks' AA guns or not.

Essentially, you've go no idea how much better than Lightning is at AA than an MBT or how much faster than an MBT it really is. Quit bitching about shit before you have anything to compare it to.

[Suiciderunner]

I must be one of the only few that likes the pointy helmet. :[

[Baneblade]

I just had a Tanarus flashback.

War Machine is definitely going to have to make use of these.

[Wargrim]

http://i.imgur.com/9uzct.jpg

Ha, i can totally see it: This chassis, 2 turrets with 4 autocannon flak barrels each, one driver, two dedicated gunners, the ultimate in Anti Air. :D

[Baneblade]

I don't like driving my car from the back seat.

Come on man, tap into yo inna gangsta.

[Graywolves]

Come on man, tap into yo inna gangsta.

Nothing has ever compelled me to change my opinion so strongly than this statement. :lol:

[Baneblade]

Nothing has ever compelled me to change my opinion so strongly than this statement. :lol:

Awesome, now back to killing each other you damn dirty Elmo!

[FINALCUT]

Kind of reminds me of a 65 Caddy. Put some tail fins on that sucker.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/WILLBALLS1/CADILLAC/FS5.jpg

I love it myself. I think it may look long becuase it is skinny and sleek. I can't wait to drive one.
It almost looks like it is jointed in the middle, would be great for climbing rough terrain.

[Red Beard]

I don't know exactly why but the Vanu HA looks completely badass in this pic:

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/1722eacb0f9da7ca2975d1a2e3210321a899c0b4.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

PS2's art team just never ceases to amaze me.

Is that the ground reflecting of the VS HA armour? That's very impressive.


Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

This length is waaay better. The undercarriage on the original tank is so long that it looks like it is designed to have a turret twice the size on it! Love the design besides the pointless tank track.

[Waltibaba]

I can't wait to take my limo-lightning out for a cruise...

[Badjuju]

Is that the ground reflecting of the VS HA armour? That's very impressive.




This length is waaay better. The undercarriage on the original tank is so long that it looks like it is designed to have a turret twice the size on it! Love the design besides the pointless tank track.

The long track would be for more engine space on a slim design, torque, and traction. IMO it makes it look like its suppose to haul ass cause havoc. I think the angled pics are misleading in how long it is as well. The short one looks like a clown car/tank to me, and not intimidating at all. Just my opinion though.

[Badjuju]

The short one also dosn't look like it could traverse rough terrain very well. All around looks silly to me.

[Sledgecrushr]

Personally I absolutely love the new Lightning, its like a bad assed old caillac with a howitzer bolted to the top. Prowling around with a pack of lightnings is going to be fun.

[Tachyr]

I absolutely love the new Lightning, great work!
I really like the long low look and the fact that the gun is multi purpose.

Can't wait to take that limmo out for a cruise and blast Barneys and Smurfs out of the sky :D

[ratfusion]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

Much better IMO. Feels more like the original.

[That one noob]

Reminds me of a shorter Churchill, which would make sense if it were specifically an infantry support vehicle that had many variants.

[Bags]

I like the shorter edit...

[CutterJohn]

I'll miss the 'sportier' look of the PS1 Lightning. The uncovered tracks gave it a look that was more concerned with mobility than with preventing damage. But this looks pretty sweet too. I do agree its a tad too long though.

Why does it have two man hatches? Theres one above the drivers position, and one on top of the turret. Just in case you want to make a 2 man variant?

[SniperSteve]

I kinda like the look of the long lightning. :) The short version looks cool, too, though.

Overall great design and style.

[Hmr85]

I think the longer look of the Lightning looks great. It also has a low to the ground profile which is good. I think a lot of people need to remember we can customize the vehicles. There may be a variant/option or a bigger turret you could put on top to make the lightning look more suited for its size.

Hmr85

[Virulence]

I like the longer chassis a lot more, but I think if the cannon barrel was a little longer relative to the rest of the body, it would look better.

[DoomBlackDragon]

I like the look, but it seems much heavier than I expected. I'm concerned that I may have difficulty distinguishing it from the Vannie...

I agree. I thought that was a heavy tank. Looks nothing like the PS1 lighting. Is this for real. How could they even call it the lighting. It looks to slow and heavy armored.

[Badjuju]

I agree. I thought that was a heavy tank. Looks nothing like the PS1 lighting. Is this for real. How could they even call it the lighting. It looks to slow and heavy armored.

I think the length makes it look faster than the old lightning, the sole purpose for having longer tracks in the front would be for speed. It does look bigger thought. The vanguards looked huge though in the gameplay vid.

[atone]

I like the new lightning, very dieselpunk, very kewl! :thumbsup:

[Baneblade]

Much better IMO. Feels more like the original.

The original was a box. Why would anyone want that again?

[headcrab13]

Is that the ground reflecting of the VS HA armour? That's very impressive.

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/1722eacb0f9da7ca2975d1a2e3210321a899c0b4.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg


I wondered about that too. Sure looks a lot like the apparent reflection off the underside of this Galaxy:

http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2012/01/301.jpg

[Kran De Loy]

The long and low look to the lightening really resembles a tank-killer style. Absolutely love it.
It's not made to be covered with half a dozen weapons, it's purpose built for speed and taking advantage of cover and low hills are much as possible.

[SuperMorto]

The long and low look to the lightening really resembles the a tank-killer style. Absolutely love it.
It's not made to be covered with half a dozen weapons, it's purpose built for speed and taking advantage of over cover and low hills are much as possible.

Said....

Also SOE, don't change anything about it, it looks amazing. I would hate to see a little thing running round the field. The new lightning look big and threatening.

Dont change anything just because a few folks don't like it.

I fucking love it!

PS and Edit** I also don't think the haters have grasped how wide this bad boy is.....

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/5739c87abe0524e57cad65dea88376e8fa20be02.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

[KTNApollo]

The long track would be for more engine space on a slim design, torque, and traction. IMO it makes it look like its suppose to haul ass cause havoc. I think the angled pics are misleading in how long it is as well. The short one looks like a clown car/tank to me, and not intimidating at all. Just my opinion though.

This^^^

Stop thinking about "oh that looks too long" and start thinking logically. The longer tracks give it plenty of traction and torque. Logically, it's a solid design.

[Levente]

I wondered about that too. Sure looks a lot like the apparent reflection off the underside of this Galaxy:

http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2012/01/301.jpg

Its called Global Illumination or in short: Radiosity

[DxC]

amazing love the look of it!!

[Canaris]

"High Speed, low drag!"

I love it as it is, keep it long and sleek please :)

[Robotix]

http://c3333424.r24.cf0.rackcdn.com/5739c87abe0524e57cad65dea88376e8fa20be02.jpg__576x 480_q85.jpg

Wow, its a lot bigger than I imagined it would be.

Heck, that shot makes it look as big as the PS1 Vanguard.

[CutterJohn]

Its called Global Illumination or in short: Radiosity

The name doesn't do their implementation of it justice. Whoever is designing the materials and shaders in this game is a goddamned artist.

[Canaris]

If the dev's are in a good mood today, can you please do up some size comparision shots of the Lightning and the other MBT's pwease :)
It is Friday after all

[headcrab13]

Its called Global Illumination or in short: Radiosity

If you want to get technical about it, no games (including PS2) have achieved true global illumination :)

I was referring to the actual metal surfaces (both the Vanu armor and Galaxy hull) probably averaging multiple vectors to grab large nearby surfaces and reflect their light intensity and color, which isn't technically GI but is close enough for gaming, and a hell of a lot less taxing to the processor.

Frostbite 2 and CryEngine 3 (or at least early tech demos) have demonstrated some crude radiosity effects, but again this is only for certain objects and only under certain circumstances.

That being said, even the fact that they're attempting effects like this on an MMO scale is incredible. I'm definitely building a machine dedicated to PS2 and taking max-quality HD video.

[Jonny]

Looks awesome! Possibly a little long, looks like the front bit is unnecessary. I think either it should be shortened just a little at the front, or the front segment of the tank could hinge in the middle so it felt like it could move over rough terrain without snapping in half.

Very nice looking design overall though, this game continues to impress!

[Levente]

If you want to get technical about it, no games (including PS2) have achieved true global illumination :)

I was referring to the actual metal surfaces (both the Vanu armor and Galaxy hull) probably averaging multiple vectors to grab large nearby surfaces and reflect their light intensity and color, which isn't technically GI but is close enough for gaming, and a hell of a lot less taxing to the processor.

Frostbite 2 and CryEngine 3 (or at least early tech demos) have demonstrated some crude radiosity effects, but again this is only for certain objects and only under certain circumstances.

That being said, even the fact that they're attempting effects like this on an MMO scale is incredible. I'm definitely building a machine dedicated to PS2 and taking max-quality HD video.

Indeed its incridible to see this graphical fidelity in an MMO but again, two words: PC EXKLUSIVE. last true pc game was Crysis 1, that was 5 years ago. Since then all the games we had were console ports. Its about time we have a new milestone. Also in forgelight the hdr is not baked, lightning is fully dynamic it looks to me the Radiosity affects on all objects. Finally we have a game again that willl fully utilize the new graphic cards. Probably my 295 gtx will die under ps2.

[Figment]

Actually it reminds me of the Churchill, vertically flattened:

http://images.wikia.com/turtledove/images/9/93/Chutnk.jpg


Anyways. I'm not too keen on the proportions and the versatility concept. :/ I'm missing fighting niche units with their individual hull/turret profiles, quirks and weaknesses.

Really like that about World of Tanks for instance, it shows just how much design can differ if you have a different role in mind. I'd like PS2 to allow for more different strategies than slight changes in performance of the same kind.


More niche vehicles please!

[Marinealver]

So it looks like instead of the Self Propelled Air Defence they are taking it away from the Buggy Chassy and giving it to the Lightning.

Also it looks like the Lightning is a single seater so we might have 2 seater battle tanks. My hopes are up.

[Magpie]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

Great to see the lighting back in was my fav vehicle I do think it's a little long

[TalonGriffin]

I like it, looks like one of the tier 1 or 2 tanks from UEA faction on supreme commander :D

[Mod]

"High Speed, low drag!"


Didn't realise the lightning was an aircraft ;)

[Figment]

Didn't realise the lightning was an aircraft ;)

Drag, or aerodynamic resistance is primarily down to the size of the frontal area of a vehicle. ;P

[PredatorFour]

Could use some extra frontal fins for more down force

[Magpie]

"High Speed, low drag!"

I love it as it is, keep it long and sleek please :)

Been playing red alert 2 have we?

"c4 knocking at your door"

[Hamma]

I think it looks awesome as is. Honestly - I want to see a comparison shot.. if the Lightning is that big I want to see a Vanguard or Prowler next to it.

[Mechzz]

Looks pretty good -the individual elements are great. Just looks a bit ungainly due to the length, so I tend to favour the cut-down version.

[Xaine]

Looks amazing. Love it. :)

[evansra]

looks a little long but im sure i will get used to it, overall great work devs!. have i missed some information about tanks? I thought the empire tanks where still 2 seater its just the driver has the main gun and the gunner uses a secondary gun on top eg. lmg/light flak/grenade launcher... also i can asume the lightening will have different weapons as the flak will be o.k against infantry and amazing vs air but ineffective against tanks. most likely there will be an AV variant avalable at least.

[Krowser]

I just figured out why it's so long.

It's made to resemble the original Lightning tank, from Tanarus (1997).

Long, slim body, turret mounted in the back.

[DDSHADE]

The length of it makes it look kinda bat-mobiley. Maybe it's just me. But it looks sweeeet!! Can't wait to see what kinds of customization are in store for it :D

[MrBloodworth]

Not really a fan. It does not take enough from the original. It also looks a lot like the other tanks ( IE: Modern tank designs )

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/planetside_030703_13.jpg http://images.wikia.com/egamia/images/c/ce/Planetside_Lightning2.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/vmscby2n9f/20120426_4f99a4d195323.jpg

Also:

Even better, its shots burst into flak if they’re shot near aircraft, so even if you miss a couple shots against airborne enemies, you’re likely to do some serious damage.

You can't be serious. Keep marching on with removing any need for forethought or preparedness. If you point at it, and fire, it should just die right? Can we please stop with the lowest common denominator PLEASE.

[FIREk]

I don't mind it being so long (that's what she...) personally. It will be fast, so making it easier to hit silhouette-wise makes a lot of sense, in terms of balance.

Its vehicle terminal icon (arguably) doesn't suggest such length, though:
http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120306_4f56b19f741cc.jpg

[nathanebht]

Its too long. From the pictures, it seems more the size of a medium tank than a light tank. I'd like it better if the front and back treads were exposed and the same size. Perhaps also scale it down 10%.

[LostSoul]

I love the vanu armour in one of the screenshots, looks amazing.

[Xyntech]

With the way it sounds like these things will be able to deal with infantry and aircraft, I'm going to love having a half dozen of these rolling with some dedicated gunner certed MBT's.

[Ceska]

I think it looks awesome as is. Honestly - I want to see a comparison shot.. if the Lightning is that big I want to see a Vanguard or Prowler next to it.

Yes, would be great to compare

[BorisBlade]

Redo:

http://i.imgur.com/THVGn.png

professional mspaintchop

i do wedding photography as well...

Yeah thats massively better. Need to see it next to a vanny tho, may need an overall scale reduction too. Having it dam near the same size as an MBT is goofy, and in a game with so much customizing, its pointless since not much actually changes between the tanks to justify a new model as opposed to more options on the MBT for the speed or weapon since you can already go solo in a MBT.

[Xyntech]

Yes, would be great to compare

I wouldn't mind seeing a comparison shot of all of the vehicles (all of the ones they are currently willing to show that is).

Do an aerial shot like they did with the MBT and aircav comparisons, but with all 3 ES MBT's, all three ES fighters, the Sunderer, the Flash, the Liberator, the Galaxy, and the Lightning all in view.

[Baneblade]

I just figured out why it's so long.

It's made to resemble the original Lightning tank, from Tanarus (1997).

Long, slim body, turret mounted in the back.

Yep, thus my Tanarus flashback.

[Hamma]

Updated Information!

http://www.planetside-universe.com/news-first-glimpse-of-lightning-tank-2759.htm

New information has been discovered regarding a new Nanite Systems vehicle, Lightning. This light weight 75mm tank is designed to take advantage of a war without death, and intel shows it is quick, requires few resources to obtain and only needs a one man crew. Here's the breakdown of the vehicle; study and be ready to use in battle.
Capable of firing up to six rounds in under three seconds, allowing the driver to quickly adjust their aim after their first shot
Designed to have a modular turret that can be completely swapped out for other turrets types
Its "Skyguard" turret is the most effective ground-to-air weapon on the battlefield, as it's fitted with 40mm cannons with an elevation range of 80 degrees
Fastest ground vehicle, besides the quad, making it difficult to out run it

[capiqu]

So it could be converted to Lighting and skyguard? Don't touch it it's awsome.

[capiqu]

I see no buggies, hope this will force people to stop being cheap and obtain vehicles since u cant ride with anyone else except for the thunderer. I most admit thou I will miss the deliverer I loved gunning that thing. Also which vehicles will be able to go over water if any?

[MrBloodworth]

With the advent of the lightning. They need to make Solo-driving the MBT a cert you have to buy. Instead of having to buy a cert to Multi-crew.

They have it backwards.

[Twik Tarski]

Some people seem to keep forgetting that the game hasn't even gone to Beta yet so EVERYTHING can still be changed about ANYTHING in the game.

[SuperMorto]

The only weakness the tank seems to have is that it cannot survive a direct confrontation against a main battle tank -- prepare to exploit this in combat.

from an email...

[T MAN]

I think what makes it look odd is that it pivots in the middle, i think it would be alot better if it were to have 4 independent tracks "ps1 lighting". Plus the added benefit of being able to maneuver alot better on rocks and such "ATV tank".

here is an example i thought it would look like, plus the dual cannons would be more fit for the 6 rounds in 3 secs.

[Shamrock]

Those are some cool 4 track tank designs, one is the Mammoth from red alert right?

Anyway the lightings sense of balance/proportion may look totally different with a different barrel design/length, eg if the AV barrel is lengthy the body may look less front-loaded like a chevy stingray.

[Hamma]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2064

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2065

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af656588c5.jpg

[JPalmer]

I am laughing at everyone who said that thing was to long and big to be a secondary tank.

That thing is going to be great in so many departments MBTs can't be.

[headcrab13]

If the dev's are in a good mood today, can you please do up some size comparision shots of the Lightning and the other MBT's pwease :)
It is Friday after all

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpg

Could the devs BE any more awesome?

[Hamma]

Added another image to my post above. I'm not editing a devs post to add images ;)

[Ceska]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2064

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpg

Thanks !

As long as a prowler (the square tank ^_^ ), but much smaller

[headcrab13]

I'd be willing to bet that they're sitting on this bridge, too:

http://i.imgur.com/ARYPh.jpg

Very cool screenshots!

[Bine]

I figured it would be a great deal smaller. The devs just gave us a few pictures that showed the micro instead of the macro initialy ;).

... The tanks are just bloody huge in this. I cant get over that xD. Hopefully ill be able to use my tanks as a bigass shield for infantry when busting in the gate of a base. (While dishing out the pain of course)

I may die in a ball of fire often for playing shield or distraction, the progress gained can be well worth it!

[Mag-Mower]

just laughed my ass off at the size comparison. It looked so huge in all the other pictures.

[Hamma]

Yea it did :lol:

[Evil Redrum]

Added another image to my post above. I'm not editing a devs post to add images ;)

You can if you want :D

[Hamma]

Ok now I will ;)

[Rbstr]

All that glorious butt-hurt wasted because it's not actually that big.

Awesome :)

[Aaron]

I'll definitely be devoting some skill points to this tank.

[capiqu]

Wow I really like T Man's display.

[Ruffdog]

Pretty. Looking forward to seeing them in my crosshairs.

[RadioFIN]

NC colours and rounded shapes looks like an interesting combination.

[Crazyduckling]

Interesting conversation on twitter between Sgt_Bravic, Higby, and I:

Sgt_Bravic: @mhigby Looks like the Vanguard could squish the damn thing!

mhigby: It literally can. #crunch

dmaix: @mhigby So if the Vanny ran the Lighting over, what happens in game? The Lighting model gets squished and becomes disabled?

mhigby: @dmaix It's very similar to this: http://youtu.be/rhIIQe63VDo Except add in some explosions.

Totally excited.

[Shogun]

holy shit!

was higby serious about the tank crushin cars video?

damn this would rock so hard!
if forgelight can really do this, it´s for sure black magic and you all sold your soulds to smed ;)

[BorisBlade]

With the advent of the lightning. They need to make Solo-driving the MBT a cert you have to buy. Instead of having to buy a cert to Multi-crew.

They have it backwards.

dude, there are no limits to certs. They are unlocks, once you get em you have em forever, you can eventually get every single cert at the same time, so making it an unlock is pointless other than to add a time sink, they cant be used for balance anymore.

But yeah it would make more sense to have the mbt's multi crew only since they now have a lightning for the rambo players.

[Tachyr]

Seeing these things just makes we drool...beta !

[headcrab13]

holy shit!

was higby serious about the tank crushin cars video?

Minus the shattering glass and twisting metal, I bet MBTs will be able to crush smaller vehicles pretty easily. I wouldn't be surprised if it was very similar to this:

007 GoldenEye Wii vs N64 Tank Level Comparison - YouTube

[Shogun]

higby, could you record a little video with a vanguard slowly crunshing a lightning seen from a footsoldier´s view? just like in the video you linked?

a little montage with 3 real cars getting crushed and the vanguard/lightning crush at the end would be another powerful viral video for sure ;)

[Xyntech]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2064

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media.php?view=2065

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af656588c5.jpg

Damn, look at that fucking bridge. We've already seen how awesome it is, but I believe this is the closest look we've gotten. Makes me want to spend all of my time fighting in bridge battles now.

Oh and the tank scale. Right. That's cool too :D

But seriously, I love comparison shots. Just puts everything in perspective.

Edit: Lol at the Prowler barely being able to fit. "Shove over, fatty."

[Talek Krell]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpgHoly shit it's tiny. O.o
I mean that's great, it's perfect. But what is with all of the difficulty we seem to have figuring out the scale of things in screenshots? :lol:


Just noticed the Light Assault for size comparison. Numberless black gods the Vanguard is a huge tank.

[Robotix]

Should have fit the Sunderer into that pic for comparison. Then it would have been perfect. :cool:

[Xyntech]

dmaix: @mhigby So if the Vanny ran the Lighting over, what happens in game? The Lighting model gets squished and becomes disabled?

mhigby: @dmaix It's very similar to this: http://youtu.be/rhIIQe63VDo Except add in some explosions.

Wait, since the Magrider hovers, will it be unable to crush Lightnings?

OMG NERF, THE VANGUARD IS OVERPOWERD, FUCKING NC!

:D

I'd have no problem if the Magrider was unable to crush vehicles, so long as we get the Magmower back.

Sure the Vanguard can run over infantry as well, and the Prowler will even be faster than the Magrider to chase them down, but I think all victims of the original Magmower will attest that the strafing ability of the Magrider made it numero uno in the roadkill department.

[xSquirtle]

still though, even with the size comparison. I still think the lighting front end needs to be cut a little. Individually the lighting looks weird.

[nathanebht]

Thanks for the comparison shot devs! Still think the Lightning front end is too long. Its longer than the Prowler. The Prowler is looking too short and stubby.

Think your worrying too much about each of the tanks having distinctive silhouettes.

[dobs]

not entirely sure how much i like the fact that its the best ground to air weaponry.
I liked the skyguard (or however that fast as hell 2 man flak jeep was called in ps1) quite alot.
Anyways... give me my Marauder!

[Raka Maru]

Everyone seems to forget this is running in a physics engine. The track placement and length are for a reason. Scaling slopes and such will be radically different when the tracks are closer together (shorter body).

I personally like it as it is, and am wanting to trick it out with various guns. If people keep screaming for a stubby lightning, let them bring it to the chop (cash) shop for mods.

[Saintlycow]

looks good, although i would still like the magrider turret up top

[Erendil]

A thought just popped in my head about it's length. Though I agree with the few that like it, it does pose a pretty big flaw... You're not going to be able to poke your head out of cover and shoot. You are going to have to expose two-thirds of the tank to get a shot off in any urban areas or around canyon walls, ect. (unless you go in ass first)

LOL creeping forward ass-first in my Lightning was actually an oft-used PS1 tactic of mine if I thought I'd have to make a quick retreat or had little room to maneuver (like a bridge or base cy). :p I'm sure I'll do the same with it in PS2.

You can't be serious. Keep marching on with removing any need for forethought or preparedness. If you point at it, and fire, it should just die right? Can we please stop with the lowest common denominator PLEASE.

I'm guessing the flak will behave like the old Skyguard's where its slow muzzle velocity will force you to actually lead you targets, so simple point-and-click won't cut it. No LCD there. :cool:

I don't mind it being so long (that's what she...) personally. It will be fast, so making it easier to hit silhouette-wise makes a lot of sense, in terms of balance.

No, the lower armour and lack of a dedicated gunner are the balancing factors. IMO It shouldn't be deliberately made easier to hit as well as that defeats much of the purpose of being fast to begin with.

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/mp52rz6sp6/20120427_4f9af51a56112.jpg

Could the devs BE any more awesome?

Yes, they could give it back its coaxial LMG. :p

Seriously though, awesome speedy response from the Devs at catering to our whims as usual. You guys R0000L! :D

looks good, although i would still like the magrider turret up top

HELLS YEAH! If they offered a Rail Gun as an unlock for the VS Lightning I'd probably never drive anything else! :D They said each empire would get their own ES weapon unlocks for common pool vehicles, so we can always hope...! :cool:

[Saintlycow]

HELLS YEAH! If they offered a Rail Gun as an unlock for the VS Lightning I'd probably never drive anything else! :D They said each empire would get their own ES weapon unlocks for common pool vehicles, so we can always hope...! :cool:

I was more referring to your sig, but hey, having a laser lightning would be sweet!

[Hmr85]

I can't help but laugh at how small that soldier is compared to the Vanguards Main gun. That is just awesome and scary as hell at the same time.

[ratfusion]

Not really a fan. It does not take enough from the original. It also looks a lot like the other tanks ( IE: Modern tank designs )

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/planetside_030703_13.jpg http://images.wikia.com/egamia/images/c/ce/Planetside_Lightning2.jpg

http://www.planetside-universe.com/media/album/vmscby2n9f/20120426_4f99a4d195323.jpg


Thanks for the SS.

What I like about the original design is that it looks light... like a light tank named the lightning should. The design looks mass produced, like common pool should. It looked like it could feasibly exist in massive quantities.

I don't get the same feel from the new one.

[Grognard]

I'd have no problem if the Magrider was unable to crush vehicles, so long as we get the Magmower back.

Sure the Vanguard can run over infantry as well, and the Prowler will even be faster than the Magrider to chase them down, but I think all victims of the original Magmower will attest that the strafing ability of the Magrider made it numero uno in the roadkill department.

...and they call our AirCav a "scythe", just Fn wait til I get my hands on that MagRider, they are going to nickname me fucking "TERRAFIRMINATOR!"...

TERRAFIRMINATOR - YouTube

RUN, you little bastards...

[bigcracker]

Look at that bridge, gonna be some good fights for it, Devs should make it so you can capture it, so people have to fight on it.

[ringring]

Do we know whether the L is articulated? I am not sure from the images.

[biertrappist]

Only one guy here properly talked about the consequences of length. Namely to fire a shot perpendicular to itself around a corner/in a base will either have to go 2/3 forwards or arse out. Great idea, it's not some uber vehicle, you have to think.

Secondly, due to the tank's length, the infantry if they have fair mobility, might be able to run around trees and not just get mowed down. It might take out infantry in the medium / long range but it certainly looks harder to benny hill them in the immediate vicinity.

Thirdly, tank length and short barrel relative to its body means it won't have great depression. Think you can shoot up infantry right in front of you, I doubt it.

Fourth, restricted vision to the tank's immediate front. You need to keep it moving, stop just outside your base, and some cloaker will have mined you before you realise it.

PS was always about trade-offs and this great design is a perfect example of it.

Too bad the OS is back!

[Baneblade]

I see the new Lightning as an Armor Sniper. Play it like one and you should rock. The AA makes sense since traditionally a Lightning was always a free kill to Air... well anything really.

The only thing the old Lightning was really good at was killing infantry... and that assumes those infantry weren't shooting back...

[outsider]

Actually the new lightning epitomises the different design philosophy between PS1 and PS2. Where the original lightning had functionality, sounded like a tractor and made you feel pretty good about yourself if you survived 5 minutes in a tank fight; this new one is sleek, fast with a V12 strapped to it and has multiple effective roles to fill.

I just don’t like the front :)

I get that Version 2 is the love child of the lightning and the skyguard, it’s just a shame that while she’s got dad’s name, she’s also got mum’s nose... poor thing.

[LancerNC]

That bridge looks awesome, I am so excited for some more bridge fights in ps2!

[Tamas]

Mini Vanguard lol

NC does not approve soft curves of the turret.

[Xyntech]

I get that Version 2 is the love child of the lightning and the skyguard, it’s just a shame that while she’s got dad’s name, she’s also got mum’s nose... poor thing.

At least she also got moms knockers to drop those aircraft like flies.

Wait, I'm a pilot. What am I saying? :cry:

Seriously though, I loved tank hunting in Planetside, but while MBTs felt like a worthy prey, Lightnings always felt like cheap kills. Sneaking on on Skyguards on the other hand was a load of fun and felt even more rewarding to successfully kill (or heavily wound more often) than any MBT.

Now that tanks have a weak spot on the back, I feel that this will probably be pretty balanced. I'll still have a shot at sneaking up on the occasional skyguard turreted Lightning, but for the most part I'll have to give them a wide birth.

Cheap kill gone, it will be nice to mostly be going after MBTs. Now I'll just have to see how hard it is to attack an MBT with an AA gunner turret equipped. Hopefully not everyone will be running with them, and hopefully it's pretty easy to visually spot which ones are. Maybe something like advanced targeting will help with that.

[frigamache]

things fugly

WTB Empire specific vehicles, no more sharing tech with those filthy sandrakers.

[Lorgarn]

WOAH, epic tank comparison, epic bridge... it's too much! Too much awesomesauce in the same picture. I honestly got a bit teary watching this.

[Xyntech]

All of those tanks with their asses pointing in the same direction. Just makes me want to fly a Scythe down the tunnel behind them and unload some tank busters into their weak spots.

Bridge battles were fun, but could get a little tiresome in PS1. It looks like the new bridges are a lot better designed for fights, so I hope we are fighting over them just as much if not more often than in the first game.

On the topic of Lightnings though, I'm not sure they would generally be a good choice for bridge battles. Not enough room to take advantage of their speed.

[Kran De Loy]

On the topic of Lightnings though, I'm not sure they would generally be a good choice for bridge battles. Not enough room to take advantage of their speed.


To take the bridge, probably not. To take the land beyond the bridge once that's secure, almost definitely. Same in reverse, to cover a retreat or a route, almost definitely.

[Erendil]

I was more referring to your sig, but hey, having a laser lightning would be sweet!

Ahhh hehe. Yeah, a rotating turret for the Mag would be good too. :cool:

Only one guy here properly talked about the consequences of length. Namely to fire a shot perpendicular to itself around a corner/in a base will either have to go 2/3 forwards or arse out. Great idea, it's not some uber vehicle, you have to think.

Secondly, due to the tank's length, the infantry if they have fair mobility, might be able to run around trees and not just get mowed down. It might take out infantry in the medium / long range but it certainly looks harder to benny hill them in the immediate vicinity.

Thirdly, tank length and short barrel relative to its body means it won't have great depression. Think you can shoot up infantry right in front of you, I doubt it.

Fourth, restricted vision to the tank's immediate front. You need to keep it moving, stop just outside your base, and some cloaker will have mined you before you realise it.

PS was always about trade-offs and this great design is a perfect example of it.

Too bad the OS is back!

Actually you just listed a bunch of reasons why its a bad design from a balance standpoint, not a good one. The Lightning needs to be equivalent to a solo MBT in overall combat effectiveness (or at least in desirability) otherwise hardly anyone will pull one for anything other than AA duty. And its low armour and lack of a second, dedicated gunner are already enough trade-offs to its superior speed to keep it in balance. IMO it doesn't need all of the disadvantages you listed tacked on top of it.

Since its not powerful enough to tackle a MBT head-on, it needs to be designed such that it can engage in hit-and-run tactics as well as long-range harassment. And in order to do so it needs to be able to do things like fire from cover, which as you pointed out its long front makes difficult to do.

In addition, its length as shown would also make taking advantage of hull-down tactics more difficult since its nose will get in the way of the short cannon when said cannon is depressed. But again, that's just the type of tactic a light tank should be using.

Plus as I mentioned before its length gives it a huge profile when exposing its flank to the enemy.

And its rear armour is also incredibly weak (Devs mentioned 2-3 Prowler shots to the rear will take one out). So basically if our speculations are correct, it can't fire around cover, can't hull-down, can't see very well in front of it, can't take on infantry up close, can't attack vehicles head-on, can't retreat, and can't expose its flanks. :eek:

Ok, yeah I'm really not liking the long design now... :p

[Gandhi]

Actually you just listed a bunch of reasons why its a bad design from a balance standpoint, not a good one. The Lightning needs to be equivalent to a solo MBT in overall combat effectiveness (or at least in desirability) otherwise hardly anyone will pull one for anything other than AA duty.
Or they could just nix solo MBTs :love:

[Wakken]

i agree it looks way longer then it needs to be, honestly end it a few feet infront of the headlights and it would look great.

I agree with this, looks a bit too long..

[xXGumpXX]

i wonder when the release date will be for this game , i bet summer 2013 or later on that yr

[Baneblade]

The Lightning isn't too long horizontally, it is too short vertically.

[Athanasios]

Ok, yeah I'm really not liking the long design now...
Irrelevant with the topic but just saw your sig mate; one of the "logical" reasons to have fixed cannon turret on a hover tank is due to balance/stability issues of the vehicle. It's the EXACT same tank/concept like Nekomata tank of BF2142 (and the explanation i gave you was also the same :)).

[Sirisian]

The Lightning isn't too long horizontally, it is too short vertically.
That's a different way of looking at the problem.

If anyone is curious 72% are indifferent or fine with the current lightning shown. 28% explicitly mentioned they don't like the length. 36% want a change of any kind. (A few of them feel the lightning is too similar to the Vanguard). (138 polled).

Good (didn't say anything about the length) (88)
Evil Redrum
Rbstr
Saieno
JPalmer
The Janitor
Canaris
Doctor Digit
Ailos
Raymac
Grognard
SGTalon
Hamma
subchucK
Lorgarn
bigcracker
ringring
Miir
emerald
TheBiscuit
Artimus
headcrab13
QuakCow
VioletZero
SuperMorto
Jennyboo
capiqu
Mod
JHendy
DOUBLEXBAUGH
QuantumMechanic
basti
Shogun
Sleepy
Unforgiven
kertvon
Dullard
Quovatis
Sgt Shultz
Mastachief
Dreamcast (? said it looked huge)
Noivad
Bravix (length looked odd at first)
Seagoon
Badjuju
Nobel
Notser
Oryon22
Hmr85
Blackwolf
PredatorFour
Toppopia
Aurmanite
Reginald
Sardus
Suiciderunner
Sobekeus
Sledgecrushr
Tachyr
That one noob
SniperSteve (likes shorter also)
atone
Kran De Loy
KTNApollo
Levente
DxC
Robotix
Marinealver
TalonGriffin
IDukeNukeml
Xaine
Krowser (? not sure)
DDSHADE
FIREk
LostSoul
Xyntech
Ceska
Shamrock
Bine
Mag-Mower
Aaron
Ruffdog
RadioFIN
Crazyduckling
Raka Maru
Saintlycow
LancerNC
Tamas
Gandhi

Not sure on the design (12)
Sabrak
Wargrim (turret complaint)
Arkanakaz (vanguard)
cryosin (vanguard)
NewSith (MBT?)
Vancha (vanguard)
Virulence (longer barrel)
DoomBlackDragon (wants slow and heavy armored)
Twik Tarski (wants a change?)
T MAN (Tracks are odd)
dobs (AA problem)
frigamache (ugly, wants ES ones)

Too Long (38)
Sirisian
Jaxbrain
MacTruckuLes
Brusi
Graywolves
Sabrak
Tatwi
Talek Krell
Furber
Dragonien
Vanir
Hooah
TerminatorUK
Malorn
Zulthus (? not sure if compliment)
Pollo Jack
Tapman
BorisBlade
NlightN
Erendil
xSquirtle (? not sure if compliment)
Lonehunter
FINALCUT
Red Beard
Waltibaba (? not sure if compliment)
ratfusion
Bags
CutterJohn
Jonny
Figment
Magpie
Mechzz
evansra
MrBloodworth
nathanebht
biertrappist
outsider (? different front same length?)
Wakken

[Raka Maru]

I'm having suspicions (in an artillery thread) that the long design could support a very long barrel.

[ShinSpitfire]

here is my suspicion

http://www.ntfa.net/universe/pictures/Brawl.jpg

[Graywolves]

I like the lightning much better now that I've seen it in comparison to the other MBTs.



But I think that bridge is stealing the show.

[Erendil]

Irrelevant with the topic but just saw your sig mate; one of the "logical" reasons to have fixed cannon turret on a hover tank is due to balance/stability issues of the vehicle. It's the EXACT same tank/concept like Nekomata tank of BF2142 (and the explanation i gave you was also the same :)).

I'm not 100% sure what you're referring to here. Are you talking about the Mag's physical stability while firing its main cannon since its a hovertank? If so, IMO that shouldn't be an issue for the Mag since it differs from the Nekomata in one key area: the type of ordnance used.

The Nekomata tank fires conventional heavy HEAT shells and so its cannon would have a massive recoil and I can see where they might want to keep the turret fixed to better absorb the shock.

The Mag OTOH fires low-mass, high-KE energy blasts of some sort, and as such would have little to no recoil. And given the wide base of the Mag, from a stability-standpoint I would think it'd have no issue fielding a rotating turret.



That's a different way of looking at the problem.

If anyone is curious 72% are indifferent or fine with the current lightning shown. 28% explicitly mentioned they don't like the length. 36% want a change of any kind. (A few of them feel the lightning is too similar to the Vanguard). (138 polled).

Cool synopsis, thanks for compiling it. :cool: 28% is a is pretty high number of people who didn't like the length enough to actually mention it. Makes you wonder how many of those "no comments" didn't like it either but didn't think it worth mentioning or whatever.

Given the tank comparison pics, I also wonder how many of the "length dislikes" would be okay w/ the design if the turret were moved forward by a foot or two on the chassis. :)

I definitely wouldn't want it any taller though. :p

[Ailos]

Holy fuck I'm still shocked by how awesome that vanny looks compared to... pretty much anything else. Looks like a proper behemoth.

Oh an the lightning's not bad, too.

[BorisBlade]

I laugh at the speed comments thinking this will be crazy fast. Keep in mind that "faster than everything but the ATV" just means faster than a slow ass bazillion ton lumbering tank or a heavily armored school bus.

Its like sayin you can outrun two 400+ lb. fat people. My grandmother can do that and she's still slow. Plus they could just barely be faster, you have no idea. This flavor text for these vehicles is nice, but until we get real numbers you cant tell squat. The old lightning was only 6mph (10kph) faster than a magrider and people stupidly thought it was fast. 6mph is meaningless in a real fight.

[Immigrant]

It looks good but I agree that it is a bit too long. It's would look better if shorter imo, also you'd be harder to hit.

Not really a fan. It does not take enough from the original. It also looks a lot like the other tanks ( IE: Modern tank designs )

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/planetside_030703_13.jpg http://images.wikia.com/egamia/images/c/ce/Planetside_Lightning2.jpg

I never played PS1 but I must say I agree with you. Four separate caterpillars and main chassis above their level simply look awesome - it gives it the "car on treads" look. Remake is way more robust and it's armor plating looks "heavier".