Handedness

[kuIoodporny 45]

8–15% of human population is left handed. I think that while it's not big percentage, it is definitely obvious and needed feature that would make the game more natural for this minority.

It could be complicated a bit, however - if this is going to be done, it should not be unit config class using changed animations, but rather element of unit's identity like face and voice. That would allow randomness amongst men of the same class ingame.

Edited May 21, 2011 by zGuba

[xxbbcc 6]

I'm not sure how much work this'd take - all animations carrying items would have to be redone for left-handed people. Also, what would we gain by having this other than a very minor bit of realism?

[gammadust 12]

since there is a simetry axis, that should not be a problem... just mirror proper axis of animation.

[Big Dawg KS 6]

since there is a simetry axis, that should not be a problem... just mirror proper axis of animation.

That would create problems. You would essentially have to mirror the model as well (so the skeleton matched the mirrored animations). It would be anything but trivial.

[Laqueesha 474]

Splinter Cell had a feature where you could switch handedness in the middle of the game.

Edited June 15, 2011 by Laqueesha

[James2785 0]

I would love to see the option supported in ArmA 3. I'm right handed, but a left handed shooter.

Since we're getting all of this customization in kits and such, why not have our character get some attention as well?

[PuFu 4591]

That would create problems. You would essentially have to mirror the model as well (so the skeleton matched the mirrored animations). It would be anything but trivial.

No you wouldn't. Animation needs a skeleton, not the skinned mesh, but as human body is symmetric, there wouldn't be a problem whatsoever. Most animation software can mirror the animation on the skeleton, and is neither trivial, but neither all that hard. (maya, max and motionbuilder can - all of those are used by BIS, maya and motion for animations/mocap). please believe me, i have done it myself a few times ;)

But you would need 2 set animations for each pose. The real problem is NOT mirroring the animations, but rather loading different animations on the fly, based on player settings (i am sure it is possible though if developers really want it)

Edited June 14, 2011 by PuFu

[Montanaro 0]

Does the USA train soldiers in left handed shooting?

I know you can receivers that are for left handed shooters. Honestly now sure how common it is for troops to fire left handed in combat.

I know in WW2 everyone was trained to shoot right

[Aussie_Osiris 10]

I use my left hand in the 22 and 303 that we use when hunting pigs and roos but when I was able to use a M107 I found it more comfortable to use my right hand. Maybe it has to do with the better dexterity I have in my right arm but I honestly have no idea why it is. I'm right handed btw

[Big Dawg KS 6]

No you wouldn't. Animation needs a skeleton, not the skinned mesh, but as human body is symmetric, there wouldn't be a problem whatsoever. Most animation software can mirror the animation on the skeleton, and is neither trivial, but neither all that hard. (maya, max and motionbuilder can - all of those are used by BIS, maya and motion for animations/mocap). please believe me, i have done it myself a few times ;)

There are also points in the memory LOD of BIS models that would need to be mirrored (or swapped with ones on the other side), and I'm not sure about weapon/gear proxies. But the point is no matter how you look at it it's not trivial and IMO is very unlikely to happen.

[PuFu 4591]

yes, the memory points is something i forgot about. Unless the guys over at bis change some stuff around, it is indeed very unlikely

[Windexglow 10]

Does the USA train soldiers in left handed shooting?

I know you can receivers that are for left handed shooters. Honestly now sure how common it is for troops to fire left handed in combat.

I know in WW2 everyone was trained to shoot right

Fix me if I'm wrong, but left handed shooters are taught left handed in the military - good advantage when covering a left corner of the building.

[dmarkwick 261]

Left handed shooters are tolerated in the UK military I know that.

[da12thMonkey 1943]

From what we've seen so far, quite a few of the weapons in ArmA 3 are bullpups, which creates some problems for lefties.

Most bullpup rifles need to be physically adapted for left-hand shooters so that they don't end up with a face full of charging handle and hot brass. It's not an issue with the F2000 IIRC as it ejects cases through the front, but does affect the Tavor that we also have in the game. It'll also be a problem for any bolt-action rifles in the game that will generally be set up with a RH action.

I can't see BIS duplicating assets like these in order to have a left-handed set-up. It's not as simple as mirroring the animations in these cases.

[smookie 11]

It will be mighty difficult, not so easy as stated by PuFu. Most of weapons use custom hand-based animations which automatically IK hand to spot on the weapon (namely - right hand to the pistol grip and left hand to tactical grip or front grip). To be able to fire from left hand side, programmers would need to implement additional hand animations state and blend it into the engine. Judging from work overload and really low priority as this doesnt change anything in the gameplay - i don't think it's going to happen. Personally, I would much rather see custom reload animations instead of left handness.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Smookie

[PuFu 4591]

i have said that duplicating things is possible, and automated (as in no need to capture/redo the animations manually) (right hand can easily become left hand and viceversa). thinking about it, and the implication of a possible implementation, it is a lot harder that i initially thought.

[Drumheller 19]

I'm not sure how much work this'd take - all animations carrying items would have to be redone for left-handed people. Also, what would we gain by having this other than a very minor bit of realism?

We'd gain the ability for right handed shooters to switch stances and hands and shoot around cover to the left, which is 100% realistic and would be very welcome IMO.

In your player profile you could select which hand you shoot from and when you cross shoulder transition your accuracy could be decreased slightly.

---------- Post added at 05:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:08 AM ----------

I can't see BIS duplicating assets like these in order to have a left-handed set-up. It's not as simple as mirroring the animations in these cases.

Considering that the bolt action rifles don't have an animation in A2, yes it would be.

[Big Dawg KS 6]

Considering that the bolt action rifles don't have an animation in A2, yes it would be.

No, it wouldn't for the reasons we've already mentioned.

[CameronMcDonald 146]

I'm (Commander Shepard) a left hander, and this is my favourite suggestion in the forum. :)

[celery 8]

I believe that left-handedness should be included. Most lefties on this forum would agree with me. :)

Fix'd. :p

[roberthammer 582]

Nothing against you but it's a silly idea

even in army you need to use right hand only - most of guns are made for right handed

am left-hander too ,but am holding a gun with right hand ;)

Edited June 16, 2011 by RobertHammer

[4 IN 1 0]

Most if not all civil weapon training course in US are now teaching side switching, which makes righthand only seems like stone age.

[dm 9]

Not worth the effort IMHO.

Is it really that important whether or not your virtual gun sticks in the bottom left or bottom right corner of your screen?

[4 IN 1 0]

Not worth the effort IMHO.

Is it really that important whether or not your virtual gun sticks in the bottom left or bottom right corner of your screen?

No, but it matters when you lean left behind cover at your right, because it expose your body more then when you lean right.

[-Paladin- 10]

For Spec Ops switching from left to right is a 100% necessity what happens after your right shoulder get wounded or looking and shooting from cover.

Using both sides left and right is a very good suggestion.

The Lefty's get satisfied the Spec Ops guys get a tactical help and are unic.