How much emphases should empire theme have?(e.g TR=Rapidfire,NC=Power,VS=tech)

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by Vancha

I think they should probably add some additional traits. Possibly expand on the gauss concept for the NC, more cannons for TR (Marauder/Pounder/Prowler etc.) and VS? I don't know what you could add to VS...Possibly add some more "charge-up" mechanics (Lancer) and orb fun (Lasher/Aurora)?

Edit: Aractain brings up good points. If NC are becoming more improvisational, perhaps gauss technology no longer suits them. Improvised explosives could fit with the low-tech and guerilla style they seem to be heading in.

I have to say that I would personally rather have more traditional projectile weapons instead of expanding the gauss-idea.

I don't wanna be a VS-wannabe with my tech!

[SKYeXile]

i would like to see them really try some stuff like the VS have no AA max, but infantry can pull an AA weapon. really give the empires some differences. or an emoire could not have a buggy but be able to pull a 2 seater lighter tank from not teched bases, this would be countered by the other 2 empires having stronger infantry AV weapons.

just brainstorming, and there is no bad ideas in brainstorming.

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by Coreldan

I have to say that I would personally rather have more traditional projectile weapons instead of expanding the gauss-idea.

I don't wanna be a VS-wannabe with my tech!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coilgun

I don't know whether you said what you said because you knew what a gauss gun should be and still felt it was too close to the VS, or because the guass rifle in PS gave you the wrong impression as to what a gauss gun actually was. Either way, I'm not sure technology we had in 1934 could be considered too advanced for the NC.

Edit: Ugh, I keep changing my mind. It really does depend on whether NC equipment is simply low-tech/efficiently made, or Minmatar-style deathtraps. To be honest, thinking back to the Vanguard we've seen and the MAX concept art, they really could have come from the NC of two separate realities. If the NC can make such clean looking tanks, what the hell's up with their MAX?

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by Vancha

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coilgun

I don't know whether you said what you said because you knew what a gauss gun should be and still felt it was too close to the VS, or because the guass rifle in PS gave you the wrong impression as to what a gauss gun actually was. Either way, I don't think technology we had in 1934 could be considered too close to VS' philosophy on tech.

Personally what I was sort of worried about was the sound of the weapons in the end. The Gauss rifle was pretty much suitable for my liking, but I didn't like how it sounded like a semi lazer-pew-pew high tech weapon.

It's understandable that a weapon using such mechanics (In short the way I understand the concept is that the projectile is given velocity through some magnetic stuff or something) wouldnt sound alike to a basic gas operating firearms, and this was my main concern, really. I just don't want the weapon to feel too "high tech" in terms of looks or sounds

On that note, most of the PS weapon sounds were quite weird, but I guess we can blame that on it being such an old game.

TLDR: What I would like for NC is basic gas-operated projectile weapons that sound and feel like they should. Weapons don't sound manly without some gunpowder going off! Would also imo fit the NC-lore better, who necessarily dont have the resources for any fancy tech, so they have to do it old school.

While the "gauss tech" would be from 1934, making a reliable, functioning assault rifle using that tech is still a thing for the future, really Also, current infantry weapon technology has barely changed at all in 100 years. Most of the mechanisms used in current weapons were basically invented by John Moses Browning 100 years ago (see Colt 1911).

[SKYeXile]

Originally Posted by Coreldan

Personally what I was sort of worried about was the sound of the weapons in the end. The Gauss rifle was pretty much suitable for my liking, but I didn't like how it sounded like a semi lazer-pew-pew high tech weapon.

It's understandable that a weapon using such mechanics (In short the way I understand the concept is that the projectile is given velocity through some magnetic stuff or something) wouldnt sound alike to a basic gas operating firearms, and this was my main concern, really. I just don't want the weapon to feel too "high tech" in terms of looks or sounds

On that note, most of the PS weapon sounds were quite weird, but I guess we can blame that on it being such an old game.

TLDR: What I would like for NC is basic gas-operated projectile weapons that sound and feel like they should. Weapons don't sound manly without some gunpowder going off! Would also imo fit the NC-lore better, who necessarily dont have the resources for any fancy tech, so they have to do it old school.

While the "gauss tech" would be from 1934, making a reliable, functioning assault rifle using that tech is still a thing for the future, really Also, current infantry weapon technology has barely changed at all in 100 years. Most of the mechanisms used in current weapons were basically invented by John Moses Browning 100 years ago (see Colt 1911).

well maiing large spaceship and colonsing other planets is a thing of the future, a gauss rifle is a current technology thats been weaponised, just not mass produced on small scale. it obviously needs some refinements. but in theory, gauss rifles would require less resources because the bullets don't need a cartridge.

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

well maiing large spaceship and colonsing other planets is a thing of the future, a gauss rifle is a current technology thats been weaponised, just not mass produced on small scale. it obviously needs some refinements. but in theory, gauss rifles would require less resources because the bullets don't need a cartridge.

That is true as well. I guess after you just acquire the tech and produce the actual weapons, it might end up cheaper in the long run. Although on another note, it's reliability is probably worse than that of the gas operated weapon (maybe not in PS though with some kind of super power sources).

I might still wanna further explain myself. I don't mind if lorewise the weapons use the gauss-principle. Perhaps even so that they are gas operated, but the velocity is boosted by the magnetic stuff, thus giving a single round more power but lowering rate of fire or something. This could be used as a reason for the "high damage, but lower rof" in comparison to TR having "high RoF, lower damage".

All that really matters to me is that the weapon would sound, feel and look good, and for me that includes a "bang" and I suppose with no gas discharging, there's really no "bang" in there

All this being said, in the PS2 trailer the NC rifle does eject cartridges and make a fancy muzzle flash, so I guess my concerns arn't too relevant. I just hope they make a less annoying sound than the Gauss rifle in current Planetside, but as I mentioned, I believe the sounds of PS2 will overall be worlds apart from PS to begin with.

[SKYeXile]

Originally Posted by Coreldan

That is true as well. I guess after you just acquire the tech and produce the actual weapons, it might end up cheaper in the long run. Although on another note, it's reliability is probably worse than that of the gas operated weapon (maybe not in PS though with some kind of super power sources).

I might still wanna further explain myself. I don't mind if lorewise the weapons use the gauss-principle. Perhaps even so that they are gas operated, but the velocity is boosted by the magnetic stuff, thus giving a single round more power but lowering rate of fire or something. This could be used as a reason for the "high damage, but lower rof" in comparison to TR having "high RoF, lower damage".

All that really matters to me is that the weapon would sound, feel and look good, and for me that includes a "bang" and I suppose with no gas discharging, there's really no "bang" in there

All this being said, in the PS2 trailer the NC rifle does eject cartridges and make a fancy muzzle flash, so I guess my concerns arn't too relevant. I just hope they make a less annoying sound than the Gauss rifle in current Planetside, but as I mentioned, I believe the sounds of PS2 will overall be worlds apart from PS to begin with.

ah well if its ejecting a cartridge its not a gauss rifle, in theory a guass rifle would fire fast because it does not have to eject a cartridge, and like you say have a high velocity.

[Coreldan]

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

ah well if its ejecting a cartridge its not a gauss rifle, in theory a guass rifle would fire fast because it does not have to eject a cartridge, and like you say have a high velocity.

Wouldn't it basically be recoil-less as well?

Naturally, not everything can happen for the sake of "realism" due to gameplay balance.

EDIT: Finally found it (at work so cant play). The current Gauss rifle isn't a pure gauss-thingie either. Like I "suggested" earlier, it uses the usual combustion/gas based mechanisms, but the velocity is just boosted by the gauss mechanic.

So technically the weapon in the video can still be the "new Gauss rifle", supposing it combines the two mechanisms.

The Gauss Rifle is the New Conglomerate's Medium Assault Weapon. It combines standard combustion-based munitions with magnetic field technology to boost the projectile speed when fired. It does the most damage per shot of the three empires medium assault weapons, has the slowest rate of fire and smallest magazine size.

I'm OK with this being "NC's thing", as long as I still get a boom and a bang when I fire those things, preferably as clearly the dominant sound effect instead of some pansy ass "magnetic sound" This sounds too "high tech" for my ears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Sfs...tailpage#t=37s Shame that theres the ear raping scream at that exact point, but you can still hear how stupid the Gauss rifle sounds

[BlazingSun]

If emphasis on empire themes means having to put up with flying MAXes again etc., I'd rather have less of it.

[Death2All]

I think overall the empires should be different, otherwise what's the point of choosing a faction if it behaves exactly like every other one but at the same time it shouldn't be too extreme to the point where it raises balance issues like what we had with the Prowler and the Jackhammer.

Every empire should have a theme to theme to them but it shouldn't get too carried away.

[Goku]

Originally Posted by DeeTwoEh

I think overall the empires should be different, otherwise what's the point of choosing a faction if it behaves exactly like every other one but at the same time it shouldn't be too extreme to the point where it raises balance issues like what we had with the Prowler and the Jackhammer.

Every empire should have a theme to theme to them but it shouldn't get too carried away.

What issues did you have with the Prowler? The tank is good, but I would never say that tank out did me in tank vs tank with my Vanguard as long as my gunner was experienced. If you are talking about a Prowler shredding apart a Mag in close range then oh well. The Mag has lower armor, but that makes up with it for range and hovering ability. Any good Mag crew I have seen keeps distance from my Van, so I do not get too close.

I think too many people get butt hurt over the JH. I cannot tell you how many times I have died in a long hallway against MCGs or getting spammed to death by Lashers. Each weapon has its own unique abilities while be roughly the same. If you cannot stand the wall humpers just nade the corner if you think someone is there. JH if it is in PS2 will not nearly be as effective now due to not having third person anyway. Takes out the whole camping element that made it godly to some people. Besides a weapon is only as good the user wielding it.

[Senyu]

Its kinda hard for the VS, its like the middle child.

TR are the fast shooters with high RoF. And the NC are slow but powerful shots.

But the VS is advance technology with versatility......there is no specific thing for that. Tho advance tech more versatile to me sounds like it would be the most powerful but can't for obv balance reasons. So what do you do in gameplay because looks only go so far. The VS really need a defined style of play. Personally I think the devs have this probably figured out but if they need ideas I suggest looking at the Tau from Warhammer40k universe. Read the codex book for the models, there are plenty of tech and themes that could fit the Vanu. Low Armor, Long Fire range, High mobility, Shields, Portabale tech. Its good stuff

[opticalshadow]

Originally Posted by Senyu

Its kinda hard for the VS, its like the middle child.

TR are the fast shooters with high RoF. And the NC are slow but powerful shots.

But the VS is advance technology with versatility......there is no specific thing for that. Tho advance tech more versatile to me sounds like it would be the most powerful but can't for obv balance reasons. So what do you do in gameplay because looks only go so far. The VS really need a defined style of play. Personally I think the devs have this probably figured out but if they need ideas I suggest looking at the Tau from Warhammer40k universe. Read the codex book for the models, there are plenty of tech and themes that could fit the Vanu. Low Armor, Long Fire range, High mobility, Shields, Portabale tech. Its good stuff

well one way they can balence them is by instead of using RoF use Range. tr are generally better med range. NS are generally better close range, so give the vanu the benifit at long range. you could have their guns gain dmg as they travel, the farther they go the harder they hit, they can also gains speed with this to.

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by opticalshadow

well one way they can balence them is by instead of using RoF use Range. tr are generally better med range. NS are generally better close range, so give the vanu the benifit at long range. you could have their guns gain dmg as they travel, the farther they go the harder they hit, they can also gains speed with this to.

That makes me think, they could also separate empires by speed.

NC go fast (fast and hard).
TR are slow but durable (slow and steady)
VS are the most mobile (...vanu)

[Senyu]

Originally Posted by opticalshadow

well one way they can balence them is by instead of using RoF use Range. tr are generally better med range. NS are generally better close range, so give the vanu the benifit at long range. you could have their guns gain dmg as they travel, the farther they go the harder they hit, they can also gains speed with this to.

I like that. And again its a trait of the Tau. Sry I keep mentioning but to me their very similair.

A fun vehicle weapon besides lancer could be the speeding up as you mention. For first 50m it moves little slow then jumps in speed 3 times that for rest of duration. It would take skill to aim because whatever your shooting must be in its trajectory just before it speeds up. Leading the target will take some practice