Ideas on improving the action menu & more

[mtslittow 10]

Hi!

I'm totally new in these forums and I would like to give some tips and tricks on how to improve the gameplay and playability of Arma III. Please excuse my grammar. Also, before posting anything hateful, I would like you to read the whole post.

First of all, I would like to point out that I'm fully aware of Arma III and its current alpha stage, and I realize that nothing is final and everything is subject to change.

Okay, my first suggestion would be about the current state of the action menu system. I bet that everyone has sometimes become frustrated about it, that's why I have something in my mind.

Rather than clicking a button, scrolling to find the desired action, and possibly missing it and doing some terrible stuff, there's an easier way to use the action menu. (At least that's what I'd think)

So, this is what I have in mind. It is really difficult to explain it, so I drew a quick picture to demonstrate it:

I would like to point out that the system would not interfere with the original one in any way. (hopefully)

By that I mean it'd still be possible to use the action menu and middle mouse button like you originally would.

So, there's a lot of fixing and tweaking to do, but my main concern is about the vehicles and their physics, and I think there's a LOT of people who have already pointed that out. (sorry for doing it again :) )

Firstly, the vehicles accelerate WAY too slow overall, especially the ATVs. I'm saying it, because I've driven those things. When you press the 'E' button, I think it means the same as holding the throttle all the way up. And when you do it on an ATV like that, it would literally fly off and possibly even flip off, unlike in the game's current stage. There's something about the steering aswell. I mean, an ATV wouldn't do steep turns like that.

I suppose the other military vehicles are just perfectly fine like they are, but the civilian off road truck isn't. I think a future car like that would accelerate much faster and also go faster aswell, but that's just what I think.

There's some work to do on vehicle sounds aswell.

I would like to see something done about those.

Thank you for reading! :)

[katipo66 94]

Nice thinking, although I always find it awkward pressing mouse wheel button, I'm not sure it would improve anything for me at least and think the ease of scrolling the mouse wheel would still be easier?

Edited April 23, 2013 by Katipo66

[mtslittow 10]

That won't be a problem unless it isn't rebindable. And you could always use the original system if the new one doesn't suit you, if it ever happened to be implemented :)

Edited April 23, 2013 by mtslittow

[Mac 1]

Isn't easier to roll the mouse wheel up and down rather than having to hold the button down and move the mouse up and down? Just my opinion

[Lucasmnunesk 2]

Yes, that is the flaw that i've found in your action menu, the reason that it wouldn't work for me is because with mouse wheel we still can do everything we could before, and how would we cancel the action? But yes if you manage to improve your idea through the flaws maybe it will be usefull to some people.

[mtslittow 10]

It may or may not be. As I said, it won't mess up the original system in any way, so you could just roll the mouse wheel exactly as you originally would. It's just an addition to the old action menu system for people who prefer to use it if they like. If people don't like it even existing there, why not turn it off in the options menu? :p

[Smurf 12]

I didn't liked the action menu but in A3 is kind of fine, much more responsive and have a clever implementation than was done until now. Many actions actions can be performed with ease with only 1 space bar press.

The problem start when it gets cluttered. Example: Demolition especialist. You have all kind of mines and explosives there + Touch off\Set timer. Its just a clusterfuck, these things must be find a new place to be.

Honestly, I don't like your solution of holding MMB and moving the whole mouse.

[mtslittow 10]

I'm perfectly fine with it. I just came up with that idea the other day and couldn't resist writing it out. It may not be very well thought out yet, and there sure is better ways to improve the current action menu system, although I still would like to see it implemented

Edited April 23, 2013 by mtslittow

[EDcase 87]

Hi and welcome,

I don't think your idea will help as its not much different from just using the wheel and its less accurate. (imagine being in a fire fight and trying to select options...)

A command rose is the best menu system I can think of for the complexity of the command system. (even that will struggle to allow for the many options quickly)

[Harzach 2505]

For me, any system that disables mouse movement is a non-starter. Also, action menu on scroll wheel is something I generally can do by feel, knowing which actions are how many clicks away from neutral.

Still, interesting idea. Everyone is different, so options are always good.

As for the steering thing, I really hope 700-degree steering is brought back. The current system is simply terrible.

[Sneakson 1]

Could definitely be an alternative.

I don't mind it they way it already is though.

[Potstickers 10]

NICE I like that Idea! that would be cool if they could make that. For some reason this reminds me of M&B

[TheSkilledOne 10]

So this was something I was interested earlier and what I did to fix accidently selecting the incorrect option was separate the two process, rebinding "Use selected action" to my Tab Key, and removing middle mouse from this option.

My Action menu now works like this: I scroll up and down to 1. Open the Action menu and 2. Highlight the Action I want to complete. I then use my Tab key to Perform the Highlighted action. Should I need to leave the menu like normal I can just right click to cancel out like the default.

as a Side note I also Rebound Tab to "Perform Default Action" so I can run up to vehicles and what not, and just Tab to enter when the Seat Icon shows up.