Aircraft thrust color

Xyntech · 2012-06-07, 01:31 PM

I noticed that the aircraft thrust all tends to look pretty similar, especially at night at moderately far distances where it's harder to recognize the engine configuration.

One thought I had was that it would be better if thrust was colored empire specific. Red tinted thrust on TR, blue tinted on NC, purple tinted on VS. That would especially help on common pool aircraft, where knowing it's engine configuration and profile won't be as helpful.

I don't think this will be as big a problem on slower paced land vehicles and infantry, but in the break neck speeds of air combat, seeing different thrust color, and perhaps even vapor trail color, would really help cut down on accidentally going after your own empires aircraft in a hectic dogfight.

Also, I realize this is alpha, but I'm more interested in discussing whether you all think this is an issue that should be addressed, or if it's better to have all aircraft keep having the same colored thrust.

Raymac · 2012-06-07, 01:34 PM

I was thinking the same exact thing. I agree with you in that I'd love to see this change.

Smokingrabbit · 2012-06-07, 01:34 PM

agreed

dpranker · 2012-06-07, 01:37 PM

I believe there is a different number of thruster trails for each fighter (I may be wrong, but I thought I noticed this earlier in one of the gameplay videos), which should help with recognition

this is still a good idea though

Bazilx · 2012-06-07, 01:37 PM

I want the thrust fumes and heat coming out of my airplane to be zebra coloured.

Bags · 2012-06-07, 01:38 PM

Red/Yellow/Teal

Seems legit.

Duddy · 2012-06-07, 01:39 PM

I wouldn't use Red/Purple/Blue as it may be possible to mistake them.

I'd suggest Red/Green/Yellow.

Baron · 2012-06-07, 01:41 PM

As long as Bags' / Vanu thrust color is glitter and rainbows ....I'm down.

Xyntech · 2012-06-07, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by dpranker

I believe there is a different number of thruster trails for each fighter (I may be wrong, but I thought I noticed this earlier in one of the gameplay videos), which should help with recognition

this is still a good idea though

I noticed this as well. I really liked that. Still, seeing something streak by, it could be nice to have trail coloration as well. I think thrust color would be more valuable though, for the NS aircraft. Libs and Galaxies don't move around fast enough that trail color should be an issue.

Originally Posted by Bags

Red/Yellow/Teal

Seems legit.

Right. Doesn't have to be the main colors. Just distinguishable.

I'm pretty sure this isn't something that will be that hard for them to change in beta, so hopefully we see something done with it.

Originally Posted by WildVS

Cash shop item perhaps? Would be awesome to have a rainbow contrail behind the Loverator

I was thinking a little about the cash shop myself. Obviously it would be a bad idea to offer faction colors to non faction aircraft, but beyond that it would probably be okay. There are still other ways of identifying friend or foe than engine color, so it shouldn't imbalance the game.

It would still be nice to have the default be more easy to recognize. There was a time or two when I accidentally thought a Mosquito was a Reaver because it had blue thrust. Just seems counter intuitive right now.

Bags · 2012-06-07, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Baron

As long as Bags' / Vanu thrust color is glitter and rainbows ....I'm down.

Fuck Rainbow Dash.

sylphaen · 2012-06-07, 01:47 PM

There's a different number of tracers per plane:
- Mosquito: 4
- Reaver: 3
- Scythe: 2

I was actually thinking it was very smart when I noticed it during the stream yesterday. Maybe they'll make the color custom.

Chowley · 2012-06-07, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by WildVS

Cash shop item perhaps? Would be awesome to have a rainbow contrail behind the Loverator

Oooh Nyan Cat takes on PS2!

Bravix · 2012-06-07, 01:52 PM

Please no...

This isn't Tron. Thrust colors should at least be somewhat realistic. I don't recall exactly what they currently are (Your standard red/yellow thrust with a blue trail I think?)

Anyway, thruster colors shouldn't all be different. It just gets silly. Why would they be different? Unless each empire burns their own special fuel.

I wouldn't mind if they look different...but their engine trail representing the color of their faction as well? Its just nonsensical. I doubt they'd waste the resources to color their aircraft's engine trail.

meiam · 2012-06-07, 01:53 PM

That would really help to differentiate shared aircraft, otherwise you never know if the galaxy flying over head is allied or enemy

Bags · 2012-06-07, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bravix

Please no...

This isn't Tron. Thrust colors should at least be somewhat realistic. I don't recall exactly what they currently are (Your standard red/yellow thrust with a blue trail I think?)

Anyway, thruster colors shouldn't all be different. It just gets silly. Why would they be different? Unless each empire burns their own special fuel.

I wouldn't mind if they look different...but their engine trail representing the color of their faction as well? Its just nonsensical. I doubt they'd waste the resources to color their aircraft's engine trail.

Why would every bullet fired be a tracer?

reason: Gameplay > realism