Base Alarms

CrazyJoker · 2003-01-06, 11:46 PM

I've been thinking about the potential for base alarms that could be used before as well as during a base attack. If this was already mentioned then flame away if not then flame away anyways. Before I get into the pros and cons of it here's a basic overview of it.

Since it seems that the typical defensive attitude of groups is going to be mobile defense (i.e. patrols, flightgroups) and not static defense there should be some sort of ability to alert others to the fact that a base is under attack other than just announcing it over the comm.

Again, this may have already been covered... but I think it would be great to be able to check a map and see the potential danger the base is in. Basically the person with the most CEPs and/or BEPs would, while within the vicinity of the base, be able to set it so that the base appears on everyone w/i the empires' maps as a certain color. Thus if I'm checking my map and there are two bases under attack on the continent and one is glowing red and another one is glowing yellow my outfit is going to probably head for the one that is red.

The pros to this system:

-Potential for more BEP points if it is used correctly by the local commander. This would probably not happen just because it's very hard to determine whether the use was effective or not.

-If used properly then it would create larger more exciting battles which are just funner.

-It might lessen the amount of chatter on the comm but probably not.

The cons to this system:

-Stupid commanders. Hopefully there's no need to elaborate.

In conclusion, I'm sure there's a lot I've left out here but hopefully there's enough to spark some intelligent conversation. If not then I guess I'll have to go hang my head in shame and admit to myself that I am a failure like my first grade teacher told me. Or was that my second grade teacher? Maybe it was both of them...

CrazyMike · 2003-01-07, 03:27 AM

My only concern to this would be that when you put a system like this under the control of the players it quickly becomes useless. Enough people abuse it and suddenly no one pays any attention. I'm sure the devs have mentioned that they are already putting in a system whereby you will be able to tell the threat level of an area. This will allow you to chase those BEP's by going to the areas with the most action.

CrazyMike

Warborn · 2003-01-07, 03:29 AM

Lot of crazy people running around.

And the system would be abused, because anyone can get CEPs from leading. The leaders of the game aren't technically chosen by the players. They're chosen by the game. Which means you can never trust any Commander-related messages or alerts unless you're familiar with the Commander. Even in real life, professional Commanders make mistakes. You can only imagine how much some twirp playing a game will botch things.

Sputty · 2003-01-07, 06:11 AM

Trust no one. Especially commanders.

Squeeky · 2003-01-07, 07:12 AM

How about we eliminate the "Player activation" and allow for the implementation of an automatic alarm. this alarm could be heard around the area, and would active only when the terminal has been hacked, and will squeel every 30-45 seconds.

I think that'd be cool

Sputty · 2003-01-07, 07:23 AM

I think something like that already happens when it's hacked. This alarm that people are proposing would sound when the basde was first attacked. I think that only commanders should be able to sound it and if they sound too many alarms or some sort of system then they shouldn't be able to sound any more.

Squeeky · 2003-01-07, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by Sputty
I think something like that already happens when it's hacked. This alarm that people are proposing would sound when the basde was first attacked. I think that only commanders should be able to sound it and if they sound too many alarms or some sort of system then they shouldn't be able to sound any more.

Good idea, maybe like 3 star generals and up can sound alarm

Sputty · 2003-01-07, 11:51 AM

Yeah, needing experience would be a good idea and help give an incentive for a commander to stay back and defend key positions ready to hit the alarm and coordinate the defense.

Sputty · 2003-01-07, 11:52 AM

Areas like tech bases

Hamma · 2003-01-07, 12:24 PM

When I played, there was a nice little noise and a centerprint when a base is/was hacked.

As for user triggerd alarms, it will end up being abused - i think the info they have in the game for threat levels and such should cover this

CrazyJoker · 2003-01-07, 12:47 PM

Hmm...I seem to have been misunderstood. First off what I was suggesting wasn't the flashing lights and blaring sounds that everyone is thinking about. Its more of a map-based alert system. Go ahead and take out the part about the highest ranking commanders using/abusing it and just make it based entirely on ongoing hacking.

So lets say I'm on a particular continent that has two bases under attack. Both of them are being hacked into but one of them is closer to being overtaken than the other one is. This information would be nice to know because I'm probably going to head for that particular base instead of the one that can still hold out for awhile. Basically my wish list includes the ability to look at the map and see that base A has a flashing red dot which means that the attackers are about 75% or more into their hacking process while base B has a flashing yellow dot which means that the attackers are somewhere between 50-75% the way into their takeover. Like I said something like this may have already been implemented and I haven't read anything about it.

Guardian AngeL · 2003-01-07, 07:53 PM

This is my first post, Honor it.

And hey CrazyJoker!

Venoxile · 2003-01-07, 08:36 PM

I think it would be awesome if engineers could set up some huge fuckin defense systems on bases, and traps for attackers.