Improvement: Empire specific variants of common pool vehicles

CrystalViolet · 2011-09-20, 06:52 AM

Essentially, without effecting stats or overall proportions, you would have small variations to the look of each common pool vehicle that would fit with each empires design philosophies. For instance, VS reavers might have smoother lines and bubble canopies, while NC versions would be more geometric with traditional greenhouse style canopies. The Viper variants in BSG are a good example of this.

It's not something that's really vital for launch, but I think this would add an interesting bit of additional distinction between empires.

FIREk · 2011-09-20, 07:08 AM

I asked about ES vehicle models (just different visuals) during the Twitter thing and the answer was pretty much "nope".

Maybe we can hope for these subtle differences, though. A different canopy, bumpers/bars, lights etc. can make a big difference in an otherwise identical vehicle.

CutterJohn · 2011-09-20, 05:58 PM

They said there would be ES upgrades/secondary weapons to CP vehicles.

FIREk · 2011-09-20, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by CutterJohn

They said there would be ES upgrades/secondary weapons to CP vehicles.

Do you recall when or where? I didn't catch this one.

CutterJohn · 2011-09-20, 06:47 PM

Sadly no. I looked for a few minutes, and now am beginning to doubt myself. May have been on a video or audio and never got transcribed.

Talek Krell · 2011-09-20, 07:16 PM

No, I'm pretty sure you're right. I was chatting with someone the other day and they brought it up as well. I can't remember where I heard it either though. The mention was fleeting, I think it was Higby talking about ES vehicles or something...

CrystalViolet · 2011-09-20, 10:14 PM

Interesting. Making this part of the customization process would make a lot of sense, as it allows for more options to monetize the game. I guess we'll have to wait to see how cosmetic the vehicle upgrades are.

NewSith · 2011-11-21, 08:22 AM

Great idea actually. "NOPE" is a sad answer to get. I mean look:

I imagine TR common pool vehicles pristine, shiny and new.
I imagine VS common pool vehicles VeeEsized with alien ornaments and glowing stripes.
I imagine NC common pool vehicles old, rusty and scratched.

Oryon22 · 2011-11-24, 03:36 PM

As long as there are empire specific customizations/weapons, I will be happy.

SKYeXile · 2011-11-24, 06:00 PM

nc lib

Tr one or VS cant be looking like that

Xyntech · 2011-11-24, 06:26 PM

That is not a Liberator, that is a Mosquito. The wing shape and positioning matches a Mosquito, not a Liberator. That "second cockpit canopy," not shown in your picture but visible in the full picture, is in fact part of the structure behind the mosquito. The forward cockpit is clearly that of a Mosquito.

SKYeXile · 2011-11-24, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Xyntech

That is not a Liberator, that is a Mosquito. The wing shape and positioning matches a Mosquito, not a Liberator. That "second cockpit canopy," not shown in your picture but visible in the full picture, is in fact part of the structure behind the mosquito. The forward cockpit is clearly that of a Mosquito.

yea it looked like the wingspan was pretty large when i first looked at it, but yea on second look it is a skeeter, eather way i doubt the VS and TR libs willbe all squared boxed and beat up.

Xyntech · 2011-11-24, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

yea it looked like the wingspan was pretty large when i first looked at it, but yea on second look it is a skeeter, eather way i doubt the VS and TR libs willbe all squared boxed and beat up.

Yeah, I'll be interested to see how different the various empires versions will be. At least the paint scheme will surely reflect the empires more, with the TR being less beat up and the VS being more shiny/glowy.

Like you say though, it'll probably be a little more than that. Those cockpits do look a bit too blocky.

Also, I know that skinning models of this detail takes some time and effort (although I think balance is the bigger concern with hacking to be honest), but I would think we would have seen a TR or VS liberator by now if it just required a new paint job.

I'm guessing the changes will mostly be cockpits, weapons, and a few minor details here and there, in addition to color schemes obviously.

Still, they may all look the same as the NC lib, geometrically speaking. I could deal with that since it's common pool, although the more diverse the empires look the better.

SKYeXile · 2011-11-25, 05:41 AM

they seem to be going all out on the art, with vehicles not been hackable i think they would have different models for them all, we can hope so anyway.

with all the customisation options they have for the other guns and mags and shit, they would be crazy not to make them look little empire specific. even if they do all endup preforming the same.

Xyntech · 2011-11-25, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

even if they do all endup preforming the same.

That's the beauty of it. ES customization options are confirmed, at least on some NS tech. Even if they do all look the same, I'm betting there is a good chance that they will be able to feel at least slightly unique.

If they made NS tech both look somewhat unique for each side and also be able to be customized to play somewhat unique, I may just feel that much more eager to include common pool technology in more of my routines.