1 Topic by Gaulois (edited by Gaulois 2011-05-15 17:11:30)

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Topic: Drawing on the Radar

I would like to propose a feature to improve squad communication, where people can draw on the radar with their mouse, and everyone would be able to see the signal in the squad.

You could draw more or less anything by press & holding left click.
The signal would last 3-5sec, and fades away.
A single left click would make a blip with a ripple (like dropping a stone in a pond), to pinpoint a location. Or you can draw a cross, or draw a circle... or whatever.

It would looks like this:

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5105/examplejp.jpg

My blog about MMO design:
http://mmockery.wordpress.com/
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Re: Drawing on the Radar

me thinks somebody has played wow and liked the radar ping to show group were to go.

but all in all I see it as a good idea would be alot easier then trying to tell somebody features on the map. like ya everyone go to that little outcrop on the radar to the northeast could just click the map and say everyone move there and wait to ambush the carebear comeing thru.

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Never played WoW. But I did saw that feature in Guild Wars, and it was very effective for all kind of missions.
I guess WoW copied it from GW or some other MMO... like they did for all their features. smile

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

+1 for any new tools that allow squads to talk less and do more.

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

at least it can be like in starcraft - ctrl+click on minimap

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Alexander wrote:

+1 for any new tools that allow squads to talk less and do more.

Yes this is a very important remark.

This game is "international". And not everyone wants to join a teamspeak/Ventrilo/Mumble server just to be efficient and group.
Being able to directly draw on the radar allows a much better communication between members of the same squad that don't necessarily have a fluent spoken english. (and it lessens the need for Audio solutions, and thus, simplify the game for a wider audience.)

My blog about MMO design:
http://mmockery.wordpress.com/
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Re: Drawing on the Radar

... Raid icons anyone?

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

I actually agree, this would be a nice feature.

But the one thing I didn't like in GW was the fact you couldn't identify who was drawing on the radar.

There was always some kid who thought *** were the last word in humour, and insisted on sharing this fact with the rest of the group. But you couldn't kick him if you didn't know who it was tongue

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Wait... they aren't!?

Maybe they were just trying to describe the complicated 'extended mushroom formation' made famous in the spawn wars campaigns?

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Maybe you could limit the drawing rights to the group leader only, if you're afraid to see too many ***.

My blog about MMO design:
http://mmockery.wordpress.com/

11 Reply by Annihilator (edited by Annihilator 2011-05-17 01:00:00)

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

nah, the DEVs need to implement a *** anyway when they implement terraforming...

edit: funny, *** (singular) gets censored, *** (plural) not...

*Disclaimer: This post can contain strong sarcasm or cynical remarks. keep that in mind!
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Re: Drawing on the Radar

that just proves there's safety in numbers!

2 heads are better than 1?

The more the merrier, that's the ticket.

13 Reply by CrepitusGoldenGoose (edited by CrepitusGoldenGoose 2011-05-17 14:16:05)

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

+1 sounds like it would be awesome, specifically if it's implemented with kind of football overlay kinda thing the way the OP describes where say squad lead and/or ops could draw lines and arrows and whatnot while describing a strategy.

.. and while solo i can draw bunny ears on miners before my suicide rush cool

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

+1, first thing I thought of was guild wars too, but it's a very handy feature.

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

It's a very handy feature for every situation smile

Specially when you're trying to give an ennemy position, or try to coordinate a group of chasers.
Usually, only the sensor mech, see the ennemies, and he has to coordinate the tacklers. Very time consuming, and not that efficient to explain on vocal.

My blog about MMO design:
http://mmockery.wordpress.com/

16 Reply by Dan

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Campana wrote:

I actually agree, this would be a nice feature.

But the one thing I didn't like in GW was the fact you couldn't identify who was drawing on the radar.

There was always some kid who thought *** were the last word in humour, and insisted on sharing this fact with the rest of the group. But you couldn't kick him if you didn't know who it was tongue

Sounds like our great leader! big_smile

I don't like drawing but we could use "pinging" with desc. who pinged (like in WoT) tongue

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

+1 this was a great thing in GuildWars. doing missions without voice comms was much better that way.

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Don't Devs have plans to implement a complete tactical overlay for Squad leaders anyway? Surely this would be part of that.

But yeah +1

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

I got a dev confirmation that something like that was planned.

Not sure when, but that will be great!

My blog about MMO design:
http://mmockery.wordpress.com/

20 Reply by Guns nButter (edited by Guns nButter 2011-07-15 01:17:34)

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

this was in alien swarm (briefing lobby place) and it was AMAZING.
+1


Though how about we say it's on the MAP instead of the radar? I don't want to have to zoom out my radar hmm

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Re: Drawing on the Radar

Both would be perfect tongue
And the ability to place numbered landmark on the map, visible by your team... but also visibles as beacons of light on the terrain? (like Planetside)

My blog about MMO design:
http://mmockery.wordpress.com/