Commands, Voice binding and other bits

[Madfish]

Just thought I'd repost something I put on PSI's forums a while back about how commands could work in PS.

My concern is in these new screen shots we've seen lots of command and warning like statements from the voice bind system; but no indication of VITAL information that make the said warning etc any use at all. For example, in this image

http://www.3dactionplanet.com/planet.../ingame/46.jpg

We see "Cloaked enemy detected!". Spelling mistakes aside, I think this is a voice binding. What about location information? Direction of person shouting? etc etc. I'm just worried that most of the voice binds will be turned useless by not giving any clue as to what GENERATOR needs defending or WHERE the enemy galaxy is coming from etc. I'll let you read my lenthy post on the subject below.

Some thoughts on micro management of squads and platoons; mainly aimed at removing the need for a map "snipe me" interface.

RADAR
========
Do we know how radar and squad management will work? Everyone will be just dots (friendlies) on the radar without additional implants to my knowledge. Something Dave said in the interview recently made it sound very T2, map orientated (shudder).

I've been playing a lot of BF1942 recently, and one of it's best features is the radar and map system.

Why? Everyone is portrayed as an arrow; in one simple move you have everyones directional facing. Next, when they give a voice macro "Enemy plane spotted!" they flash with a bright contrasting colour.

So; commanders and players alike know who gave the shout and which direction they are looking at the time; absolutely invaluable. Duration of flash and audience is based on the type of shout (or for the latter channel selection for commanders - see below); a "Yes Sir" would give a short flash only visible to the commander. A "Incoming Dropship!" may last two seconds, and be visible to all squad / platoons or even defenders in the SOI around a base.

I realise currently in PS radar may be more restricted to players and commanders; however surely we can allow squads / platoon members to be available on the radar like this?

Something additional which could be done, unlike BF1942, is move the arrows to dots at the edge of the radar for each member if they go out of range; that way you know which direction they are relative to you (and again the dot would flash when they give any type of voice macro response). Again invaluable.

Why bother? Anyone try and command anyone in T2? It's a nightmare knowing where people are, just what direction that bomber they just announced is coming and where everyone is. I want to be a commander, but I don't want to be reliant on a 2d map in a 3d world like we had to in T2; I think this radar system would allow it (it does in BF).

VOICE COMMANDS
============
Devs; for an example of very functional useful macro structure check out Day of Defeat half life mod. Using the voice commands you can give strategic instructions on the move, unparalleled in any game;

Stick together team!
Spread out team!
Flank right!*
Flank Left!*
Take cover!
Stay Low!
etc

and (my own)

Approach North of target!
Approach South of target! (etc)
Engage to South!
Engage to North! (etc)

(I know some of those are used before, but * are the important ones.) If commanders can also assign these to their echelons, that would be coool. It could be done via menu's

Menu's
Formation -> Flank Right --> Echelon A (Only echelon A hear it)
----------------------------------> Echelon B (Only echelon B hear it)
----------------------------------> All

Options would change dynamically based on squad and platoon design. Another method, probably quicker and better method due to less voice binding nesting would be the ability to assign echelons to function keys. (Commander only). First 4 function keys are special; F1 would be ALL squad / platoon mates. F2, F3 etc would select Squad 1, Squad 2, and Squad 3 respectively while in a platoon. Holding down CTRL while clicking these keys would select multiple channels.
Function F5 - F8 could be used for commander made echelons. A small screen tag on the hud displays which "Channel" is selected. Any commands will be directed to that selected channel only (tag will also flash when command is given and ALL is not the channel, just to remind the commander it's filtered).

As people respond with "Yes sir!" (I always hated Acknowledged!) their arrows will flash briefly.

SQUAD MANAGEMENT
===============
Onto to squad management. Making echelons within a squad should not require a "Map screen". You may have detected I hate map screens; I always found I'd be a dead commander by the time I'd finished looking at the damn thing, clicking fiddly little people, finding the gens etc. So... why not just use LOS commands? T2 started to explore it, but didn't really focus on it greatly. e.g. If I want to setup up echelon 1, I look at Pinterro with my reticule on him, pull the trigger (oops no sorry) erm... press ALT + F5 and he's added to echelon 1. Turn to Blueh and press ALT + F5, and he's also added to Echelon 1. Do it again and he's removed, or I could press ALT+F6 to add him to echelon 2. Select the echelons by just clicking the function key.

Echelons can be stacked so a commander can have 8 echelons; by pressing ALT + SHIFT+ F5 I add my target to echelon 5. Select echelon 5 by pressing SHIFT + F5. To select multiple echelons press CTRL + [Echelon selection].

Bloody hell. Well that's me done, well and truely. Any comments anyone? Anyone read it all? heh