Real tanking in ofp possible?

[jens198 0]

Hi folks,

I just downloaded DKM's new Russian Tank pack. With the new tanks themself came some features, which made the tanks move more realistic (e.g. the front of the tank drops down a little bit when braking etc.).

So my question is: Any chance to see more enhanced modifications for tanks like:

- Laser range finder

- enhanced crew comms ("GUNNER LOAD SABOT", "UP", "FIRE", "ON THE WAY!!"

- Maingun stabilization while driving through rough terrain

- reallistc zoom (e.g. 1x and 10x, not the countinues zoom of OFP)

- going "Hull down" position and still able to fire at the enemy

Any more ideas from fellow OFP-Tankers?

Maybe some of the great mod-crews like can take a few thoughts about these points? Might make Flashpoint even better than it already got.

see ya

Jens

P.S. Happy new year everybody!

[hellfish6 7]

I'd love to see OFP develop it's simulation capabilities of armored vehicles to the same level that it's infantry simulation is at, but I think we'll have to wait until OFP2 to see anything really significant in that area. But then again, the scripting talent in the community has amazed us all before.

I think ideally I'd like to see a tank/AFV sim in OFP on par with the old M-1 Tank Platoon II game, which was easy to learn and still gave you a good simulation experience. I think something on the level of Steel Beasts or Steel Beasts 2 is best left to that game.

I think one of the inheirent problems associated with this would be the sheer diversity of tanks and other vehicles that OFP models. I mean, you have to have a set of controls common not only to the advanced western tanks like the M-1A2 and Challenger 2, but also use that same set of controls for older tanks like the T-72M1, T-55, Leopard 1 and M-60A3 as well as vehicles that aren't even tanks, like the M-2 Bradley, Stryker series, BMPs, etc.

One way I thought of working through that is by having clickable cockpits unique to each vehicle so that instead of having a hotkey for selecting ammo loads and activating the LRF, you click a button in the gunner's station to select SABOT as your main gun ammo and your loader will automatically load that kind of round.

Or alternately, create hotkeys that are used only in vehicles that are common to every vehicle (zoom, ammo selection, fire, gun selection (coax/main gun, day/night sights, etc.) and then use a clickable cockpit for the advanced functions unique to every vehicle (like laser rangefinder, etc.).

[tankieboy 0]

It would also be nice to have four crew and not three as not all modern tanks really on mechanical loaders.

It would be nice if you could go gun rear and lock it in the crouch.

Thermal and independent commander target acquisition would also be nice but it isn’t going to happen.

[Cpt. FrostBite 0]

four crew is impossible. (hard coded OFP engine).

And I don't anyone would like to play the loader in MP

a "real" IR view would be VERY nice (one that can look see through fog ect). It's not possible, but would be great for OFP2.

[tankieboy 0]

four crew is impossible. (hard coded OFP engine).

And I don't anyone would like to play the loader in MP

a "real" IR view would be VERY nice (one that can look see through fog ect). It's not possible, but would be great for OFP2.

but it isn’t going to happen were my last words frosty...

[Cpt. FrostBite 0]

I know, I know, but It's for all those other ppl around here

[jens198 0]

Concerning the Four-Crew topic: Wouldn't it be possible to make a tank, that is in OFP terms a APC and make the loader a passenger?

jens

[SWIFT88 0]

but then thats not very gud

[void_false 1]

but then thats not very gud

But realistic! also i would like to see broken tracks, burning fuel tanks and possibility to damage inside devices(radar or radio for example)

[jens198 0]

Well, I didn't expext a Steel Beasts III. But some basics to make it a little more realistic would be nice. And the Black Eagle Tank pack by DKM showed, that it is possible to improve the tanking in OFP. Take a look at the new movment effects or the smoke launche. Really like to see that on a M1 (or even better a west-germen Leopard II !!) Sigh!

cheers

Jens

[dinger 1]

A) 4-crew: yes, you can make a tank have one crew position, and have that function as the loader's position. With fancy scripting, you can even require a loader for the tank to have magazines.

B) Laser Range Finder: OFP is hardcoded so laser designators are not available on tanks. lately I've been messing with smokeless smoke rounds (=shell with simulation shotsmoke with all smoke turned off) and using those to measure stuff. I suppose you could use one of those that was invisible (or practically invisible) and inaudible, and fire it at the target, then use an EH to catch it and report its last position. you'd still have a shot drop to deal with.

C) gun stabilization, or gun operation for that matter. As long as we have a gunner, we're stuck with the joystick control and bouncing around. The only way to get more precise control is to make the gunner an AI unit and write a fancy fire-control system. Then you'd lose the optics. That works for artillery okay, but not tank.

D) enhanced crew comms -- Some of these could be done via reload sounds (SABOT UP); some via fired EHs (AWAY); some can't be done (GUNNER LOAD SABOT)

E) Incremental Zooms -- not with OFP 1

F) Hull Down -- depends onw hat you mean. If you mean getting the AI to go hull down, I don't know how it could be done. If you mean humans, yeah, that's how I kill a bunch of people. The problem with OFP tanks is that I can't lower the barrel enough. Not being a tanker, I dunno if this design issue is with OFP tanks or their real exemplars. I suspect the former. I mean, heck, much of the time the tank's gonna be firing from a HD position, so it should be able to target it. Anywa,y that's a config.cpp setting that's easily fixed.

[dm 9]

D) enhanced crew comms -- Some of these could be done via reload sounds (SABOT UP); some via fired EHs (AWAY); some can't be done (GUNNER LOAD SABOT)

You can change all the sounds to suit your needs, either via config.cpp changes or a soundmod (like battlefield insane, that just replaces the BIS soulds)

Basically, overlay the "Gunner load" part onto the "SABOT" part that is allready present ingame, and replace the sabot sound file with that. Overlay the sobot up onto the reload sound, and the away onto the fired sound. No scripting needed at all...

Or, if you wanted a posh tank, then add new sounds into the config, like a custom_weapon.wav and then in the cfgweapon section just make the namesound = custom_weapon, again no scripting or eh's needed at all

[Drill Sergeant 0]

The loader mans the com stations and loads + can act as gunner if the real guner gets hit.    

Esentaly he would speed up the process and would add realisum to an alread realistic game.

He also mans the External Machine gun on left side and the commanders M2 is remotely controled unless unlocked for manual use.

Poor gunner is always inside for the most part.  

*Edit* TRVS or Tank Recovery Vehicles are also in order.

And a proper tank carrier tractor trailer.

[jens198 0]

Well, i sense that you guys got the same wishes as myself.

@ DeadMeatXM2: Any chance to see such improvements in any upcoming BAS stuff?

@dinger: Having AI going hull down like in steel beast would be fantastic. I even would be satisfied to position my own tank hull down. But it's the problem you already mentioned (gun can't be lowered enough)

Jens

[dm 9]

@ DeadMeatXM2: Any chance to see such improvements in any upcoming BAS stuff?

maybe, maybe not, you'll have to wait and see

[waffendennis 0]

But if we talk about the M1: The M1 is a Automatic realoading tank so the reaload only needs to push a button right?...

As far as what I seen here: No one talks about a radio pos.

Bis made a Radio place in the M1 tank already but dident used it ( check MLOD model ) so maybe add a cargo place there ( the radio guy uses a Mgun that is mounted on the Hatch of the Radio place )

See the radio pos here

[jens198 0]

Interesting point about the radio pos waffendennis. Yeah, I'd like to see a germen Luchs (Wheeled Recon Vehicle). Had two drivers (one forward, one backward). The second driver was also responsible for radio comms.

Jens

P.S. M1 three-crewed? Naah, it got four US Boys in it's belly.

[jens198 0]

@ DeadMeatXM2: Any chance to see such improvements in any upcoming BAS stuff?

maybe, maybe not, you'll have to wait and see

Just like the Pointer Sister said it in the good old 80s

"I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it ..."  

[dm 9]

But if we talk about the M1: The M1 is a Automatic realoading tank so no reloader is needed...

As far as what I seen here: No one talks about a radio pos.

Bis made a Radio place in the M1 tank already but dident used it ( check MLOD model ) so maybe add a cargo place there ( the radio guy uses a Mgun that is mounted on the Hatch of the Radio place )

wrong...

The M1 Abrams is one of very few tanks in modern times that actually DOES have a human loader...

Almost all Russian tanks, and a lot of European ones (with the Challenger and I *think* the Lepoards as the exception) have auto-loaders.

The Abrams DOES have a human loader, who not only loads the main gun, he mans the M240 machinegun on the turret roof, provides an extra pair of hands for any maintemance duties, and is an extra body to stand guard when the tanks are dug in for any period.

Edited for some appaling spellings

[waffendennis 0]

But what is this then? :

The Radio place or Gunner loading place?

What

[dm 9]

But what is this then? :

The Radio place or Gunner loading place?

What

Thats the loaders position, however things like radios and storage bins have to be put somewhere, so where better to put it than the big empty space infront of the loader eh?

[-SOC-S--Griffon26-2lt- 0]

Gee you mean i have to do this again ..ok in the M1 there is a four man crew ..follow me on this ..driver sits up front the loader and gunner work as a team ..the loader being behind the gunner in the Aft part of the turret basket ...thank you have a nice day

oh and BTW the guy in charge of the radio in the M-1 ..is known by the lowly title of TANK COMMANDER

[waffendennis 0]

Gee sorry that I talked with you

[jens198 0]

You guys should get a copy of "Team Yankee" by Harold Coyle (if you havn't already). That's the right way to get introduced to the M1. As an alternativ you can also read "Proud Legions" and "Armor attacks" by John F. Antal.

just my 2 cents.

@ DeadMeatXM2: No chance to reveal a little bit about the upcmoing tank pack? Ahh did I mention the the BAS stuff is the greatest out there?

[-SOC-S--Griffon26-2lt- 0]

armored CAV ..by tom clancy

all i gotta say