Clock direction improvements

[dmarkwick 261]

The clock direction implementation would be more useful if it didn't keep updating and changing so much so quickly. I'm not sure what the criteria is for the clock to update, but very often I can see it happening several times in a few seconds. So when a squad member yells out 3 o'clock it can very quickly become useless information when the clock updates a couple of times.

I might suggest that the clock 12 o'clock position be tied to either the next waypoint direction or the direction of the temporary personal waypoint (for squad leaders). I think a stable clock direction definition is far more important than it update so fast depending on personal direction or movement. Its also far more realistic than the clock updating by magic all the time, one 12 o'clock position should remain that direction until defined otherwise (hopefully by waypoint direction).

Edited August 25, 2010 by DMarkwick

[Smurf 12]

Or even more simpler: 12 O´clock = North, always.

[dmarkwick 261]

Or even more simpler: 12 O´clock = North, always.

I have no problem with the dynamic clock direction, after all 6 0'clock should ALWAYS be "behind" you :) and the formation is always controlled by the current 12 o'clock. it's just that the current implementation changes too much. It shouldn't change at all unless defined, and the best way I can think of to do this is by waypoint. By recent direction means that my squad members are always scuffling around me as I look about, trying to maintain formation.

If there's no waypoint info to draw a direction from - then perhaps a method where the 12 o'clock is derived from a vector of travel each 100m or so. So maybe the ranking of 12 o'clock position onfo can be derived from:

Personal placed waypoint (for leaders)

Next mission waypoint

Direction of travel as measured by 100m samples.

Having the personal placed waypoint as first ranked method is good because it allows the leader to quickly aim the formation in the direction he wants, so a line formation can "point" in the direction the squad leader want it to, when he wants it to.

Edited August 25, 2010 by DMarkwick

[Smurf 12]

Yeah, I see your point. Makes more sense then 12 = N.

[NoRailgunner 0]

Its simple:

If its sure where people looking at - one can use clock direction.

If its not sure - use the compass direction.

Clock direction is always tied to the view direction of the person who reports/shouts or yells. No one is expecting something other eg waypoint direction.

Perhaps AI reporting would be better if they use primarily compass direction for reports and very rarely the clock direction (small team and all mates are in close range).

[avibird 1 155]

Hey, I never played ARMA 2 but in OFP CWC the direction was always based on the squad leader position. So 12 o'clock would be in front of the leader and 3 o'clock to the right ect. If you know were the squad leader is located then you would know where the target is at all times.

Is the Clock direction now always tied to the the person who reports/shouts or yells not the squad leader.

[InFireBaptize 0]

Hey, I never played ARMA 2 but in OFP CWC the direction was always based on the squad leader position. So 12 o'clock would be in front of the leader and 3 o'clock to the right ect. If you know were the squad leader is located then you would know where the target is at all times.

Is the Clock direction now always tied to the the person who reports/shouts or yells not the squad leader.

are you referring to when playing with AI. Because when we play online we don't say enemy 3 o'clock we give bearings on compass, like 250, 80, etc.... unless you're on squad channel and you know exactly where the person is who called in the tango even though it's very confusing and you have to look up name tags to find the person who called it in, better stick with compass bearings.

[xxbbcc 6]

Yes, this whole clock direction thing should be thrown out in favor of compass directions. It's nearly impossible to tell where something is happening, since it changes so rapidly.

[dmarkwick 261]

There's also another effect in that each time the clock changes, the AI try to scuffle the formation around to face 12. Unless you use the Stop command.