News: Jimmy Whisenhunt AMA

[whisenhunt]

So if you don't know the rules, read below:

Hi! I'm Jimmy Whisenhunt, the newest addition to the PlanetSide 2 design team.

While I'm traveling to the ESEA LAN finals, where I'll be commentating/casting during the most heated and most anticipated Counter-Strike 1.6 LAN matches of the year, I will be answering questions that you guys post here.

There may be some delays due to flights and/or lack of connection while traveling but I will respond to as many as possible, as quickly as possible.

I'm not a living encyclopedia of everything PS2, so keep it to me personally or my outlook on PS2 and/or questions regarding my opinions on game play mechanics.

**None of my answers represent the feelings or opinion of Sony Online Entertainment or any other party involved in the product known as 'PlanetSide 2'. All answers represent my personal opinion from my experience as a 13 year FPS competitor and 19 year FPS gamer.**

Ask away!

Twitter: @JimmyWhis
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/whisenhunttv

[Kujo]

What do you think of the lack of animations for getting in or out of vehicles/aircraft. Also, can people switch positions in their vehicles without getting out at all? If so, how do you feel about that?

[KaB]

Originally Posted by Kujo

What do you think of the lack of animations for getting in or out of vehicles/aircraft. Also, can people switch positions in their vehicles without getting out at all? If so, how do you feel about that?

Id like this question to be answered.

What about vehicles' ammo ? Will they be limited like in PS1 ?

We used to see one seat tanks in the videos, allowing the players to drive and to shoot at the same time. Wont it hurt the teamplay and the game's experience ? Planetside without teamplay is probably nothing good.

[Grimshad]

Originally Posted by Kujo

What do you think of the lack of animations for getting in or out of vehicles/aircraft. Also, can people switch positions in their vehicles without getting out at all? If so, how do you feel about that?

I didn't see this answered so I second this!

[DirtyBird]

I understand you have played FPS games for a while, and for you to answer my questions I have to assume you have played PS1 and some of PS2.

What specifically do you hope to be able to add to the current PS2 team that will improve the game that made you stand out from others?

[whisenhunt]

Originally Posted by Dogbolta

I understand you have played FPS games for a while, and for you to answer my questions I have to assume you have played PS1 and some of PS2.

What specifically do you hope to be able to add to the current PS2 team that will improve the game that made you stand out from others?

I hope to break the mold of imitating the watered down model of modern day FPS, but still having rolls/play styles for your average gamer... Hopefully bringing a unique experience in regards to game play.

Originally Posted by Bravix

Do you believe that Technology Equals Might? If not, would you by chance follow me? I have a cliff with a great view, I like to show it to my TR and NC 'friends'.

It helps if you get real close to the edge, only way to get the best view.

Sure, but only if you wouldn't be too upset when you end up landing forehead first at the bottom before you can make your move ^.^

Originally Posted by basti

What do you think about ps2s gunplay right now and what do you want to change?

Without sounding like I'm trying to dance around the question:

See the answer above regarding what I hope to bring to the table regarding gun play.

[Ruffdog]

Can you say what the latest is with grenades? What varients do you see making it in (frag/smoke/flash/plasma/jammer etc)? Can any class carry them?

Thanks

[whisenhunt]

Originally Posted by Ruffdog

Can you say what the latest is with grenades? What varients do you see making it in (frag/smoke/flash/plasma/jammer etc)? Can any class carry them?

Thanks

At this point I cannot elaborate on this topic. <3

[Doctorcool]

What is your opinion on realistic weapon recoil? Something along the lines of planetside, ARMA, Ghost recon. If you can, can you go into detail a bit about how recoil is going to work in planetside 2?

[GuyFawkes]

Welcome.

It's good to see the ps2 team have a counter-terrorist on board helping them

[Bravix]

Do you believe that Technology Equals Might? If not, would you by chance follow me? I have a cliff with a great view, I like to show it to my TR and NC 'friends'.

It helps if you get real close to the edge, only way to get the best view.

[basti]

What do you think about ps2s gunplay right now and what do you want to change?

[SKYeXile]

Maybe this isn't your field, but can you explain the concept of the medic alittle, is it more of an imcombat healer like say global agenda or TF2(maybe not to those extremes) or an after combat healer / reviver. Do also feel free to give your opinion on healing beams and in combat healing. :P

[qbert2]

In some of your videos you've mentioned the need for games to have a high skill ceiling in order to have longevity and that many of the current crop of games have lowered their ceilings in order to gain mass market acceptance.

My question is do you feel that there are ways to increase the learnability of weapons and their mechanics in order to have a high skill ceiling yet allow 'mass market' players the ability to learn and understand what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong? In what ways do you think that is possible?

[whisenhunt]

Originally Posted by qbert2

In some of your videos you've mentioned the need for games to have a high skill ceiling in order to have longevity and that many of the current crop of games have lowered their ceilings in order to gain mass market acceptance.

My question is do you feel that there are ways to increase the learnability of weapons and their mechanics in order to have a high skill ceiling yet allow 'mass market' players the ability to learn and understand what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong? In what ways do you think that is possible?

Simply put: Yes.

The way to achieve this goal is to teach a player with on screen visuals such as 'analog feedback' demonstrated so well in Half-Life era games, when to let go of a trigger, when to spray and how to control their player/weapons properly.