Improved Jump Pads

[Xyntech]

Posted this in a couple of threads, but figured the idea forum would be a better place to actually discuss the idea.

I like the gameplay aspects of the jump pad, but I think the visual could be improved to look a little less like an arcade game.

Here is my rough proposed design, subject to heavy amounts of artistic improvement:




The closed nature makes it feel more like some sort of inertial acceleration device and less like a magic game feature IMO. The enclosure is only the launcher though, and players would still be exposed to enemy fire while in transit.

Forcing you to press activate it to launch yourself would (slightly) slow down the process, bringing the pace closer in line with the rest of the gameplay, but pressing the interact button immediately upon entering the launcher should play mostly the same as the current design.

Launching everyone in the tube at once shouldn't be a problem, as presumably everyone inside the tube will generally want to be launched. While there may sometimes be a tactical element to delaying your launch time, it shouldn't be a strong griefing potential.

I personally would also prefer to see groups of players launched instead of streams of individual players one after another. Again, more of an aesthetic personal preference.

The one way shield would help reduce the risk of getting spammed to death by enemy vehicles. There could also be an empire specific forcefield added to the other end if it was decided that only a bases owners should be able to use base pads, but that would be entirely subject to how base fights end up being in playtesting.

Thoughts, feedback, possible improvements for the idea all welcome.

Obviously just stating that you like the jump pads how they currently are is valid as well, but I think that's a call for another discussion. I would be more interested in improvements to this idea, or reasons why it wont work well.