Secondary Monitor as Map

[76 0]

Triplehead and TrackIR add to immersiveness but are not unrealistic features like a hud map.

+1

ZeosPantera its not going to happen, waste of time unless of course the game was perfect and all that BI had to do was add cool new features and not fix bugs...

[Dead3yez 0]

I'm for it.

There really isn't that much reason to be against it? At leas tin my eyes. I have a second monitor and would love to look at a map on there. Maybe some kind of plugin/mod for ArmA2 could be made?

What is realistic is being able to look at a map and observe your surroundings at the same time and not having to switch your map on and off to figure out where the hell you are.

I have a paper map of Chernarus, but it's not very convenient at the PC desk, call that cheating? LOL.

A virtual map would be much more easier to operate.

Infact I'm going to print a smaller version out and stick it onto some cardboard for hardback - Ub3r l33t cheating there.

Edited December 19, 2009 by Dead3yez

[NoRailgunner 0]

Imho its better to develop an working notebook+screen which can be used as map & control/communication interface in Arma2/OA.

Whats wrong finding a good and perhaps save place ingame where you can look at the map or simple call your buddies for cover?

Better implement proper simulation for an military simulation. ;)

[CarlGustaffa 4]

I offered that it should be implemented as vanilla for vehicles that have electronic map displays but not for other units.

That's in essence my view on the issue as well, but only for the position that have such a map. Tank commander, maybe, but extended map info makes it too easy. Tank gunner, no way. Chopper pilot, yes. Chopper gunner, not so sure actually.

True, the vanilla map shouldn't have to be full screen, so that you can view your surroundings. Put down the weapon, and pull up the map to your face and it should be possible to rotate and freelook while doing it. But you should still "take a knee" to study it. However, interaction with the map would be hard to accomplish.

False, how on earth is being able to watch a map at the same time you're shooting or sniping targets, anywhere near realistic?

For vanilla behavior, no way should infantry be able to use this cheat. What modders come up with is up to them, but chances are that the mod server key would not be installed on too many servers if it was considered a cheat.

Possible application of a two screen setup: Switchable screens. Since center of a two screen setup is quite bad, switchable means that you can switch which monitor has your gun view, and added sideview to only one side.

Other applications for a two screen setup: Teamspeak, msn, .rpt viewing, firefox updating armaholic every 5 seconds so you can keep up with released mods :D

I have a paper map of Chernarus, but it's not very convenient at the PC desk, call that cheating? LOL.

A virtual map would be much more easier to operate.

I don't think anyone have a problem with a naked virtual map. As long as:

1) It doesn't show you where you are on the map.

2) It uses the GPS map, not the regular map where you can see live updates on enemy positions if server settings are bad enough.

Your paper map can't be zoomed without you taking the time to really study it, up close. Which is what the current Arma map screen simulates. Nor does it update your position or contain extended mapinfo. If you want positions and other extended map info to be shown, put up the regular map and take that small penalty. The penalty is such a small deal compared to the cheat you obtain by having a monitor dedicated to it.

Note that non of us realism fans has even brought up the fact that not everybody is running around with a map in the first place.

Whups.....

Edited December 21, 2009 by CarlGustaffa

[ZeosPantera 0]

how on earth is being able to watch a map at the same time you're shooting or sniping targets, anywhere near realistic?

Actually, I stated the case that you would have a very hard time looking at the secondary monitor for map positions/AI control/tree lines and still being able to shoot/snipe/walk/drive or call targets on your primary monitor. It would be the same as looking at the wall to the right of your screen and reading a post-it note while doing any of those things. you could maybe get a quick glance to see your bearings, but you will still need to stop and hide to do any planning/zooming/panning of the map simply because human eyes cant see 2 things at once.

I don't think anyone have a problem with a naked virtual map. As long as:

1) It doesn't show you where you are on the map.

2) It uses the GPS map, not the regular map where you can see live updates on enemy positions if server settings are bad enough.

I think allowing the server to set the LOD on the map would just be the wisest choice. Same as hiding crosshairs and 3rd person views in expert the 2ndary map could be totally disabled or severely limited.

[ZeosPantera 0]

Well, several months have passed. Has anyone new got anything to say about this idea. Has anyone changed their mind on the subject?

(First Post Updated)

[ghodan 10]

I am all for it.

If not.. then plz give 2nd monitor a other usefull function. For example: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=98110

( i use 2nd monitor for full screen "minimap" all the time in supremecommander. http://forums.gaspowered.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=43428 )

[CarlGustaffa 4]

Still against it, mostly so for the infantry class :) You can't walk or run and read map at the same time, and with ACE_Map it even goes black if you try. Getting the map takes a second. When aiming, the GPS is taken away. Full screen GPS (w/extended map capability if enabled) on another screen? No thanks, that's just way too convenient for the infantryman.

For pilots, simulating all the information a modern glass cockpit gives you? Sure, why not.

[Defunkt 431]

Agreed, can't run around gun at the ready while looking at an unfolded map.

Curiously I did talk briefly to Mandoble just a few days ago about optionally replacing some of the instrumentation in MMA (RWR, Forward-Looking Radar, Air Support Console) with a clipboard driven application that could be run on an external monitor as a pure cockpit display device. I'm sure it could be done but it'd take more than I have time for right now. Cool thing to have/do though.

[mrcash2009 0]

What is realistic is being able to look at a map and observe your surroundings at the same time

GPS?

I think this is "nice" but as its been said already not so realistic in terms of always having a map "up" as it where.

[*LK1* 10]

skip

+1

nice idea..well as soldier this function will not be so realistic but who cares,sound cool anyway.

as a tanker is cool and even realistic you can see the map while you are moving.

and with a sort of digital map inside the game it would be awesome...:cool:

[CarlGustaffa 4]

GPS?

GPS doesn't show extended map info (those red men markers), but the map does. Modern GPS does have BFT capability (especially in vehicles), but I think we should have two types of GPS'es ingame - a simple one with no map, and a more advanced one with map for vehicles. Or better yet, let the mission designer choose.

Btw, I think that extended map info is not the same as blue force tracker.

Edited May 3, 2010 by CarlGustaffa

[ZeosPantera 0]

The Detail shown on the secondary monitor/map could be completely customized. On higher difficulty servers it could literally just be a dynamic map. Wouldn't even show YOUR position.

Even reduced to that level I could still select troops and send them to a ridge, regardless if anything shows on the map.

[CarlGustaffa 4]

Yeah, as long as it remains black when your moving around on foot, and takes a while after stop to come up, like it does for the rest of us :)

[bravo 6 0]

I like the idea.

Though in my opinion the feature should be optional per players and not only configured per server forcing others to have it.

The general idea since OFP era is to maintain the joined community and not to separate it.

[ubermachtig 0]

I was about to suggest it, it would greatly enhance the playabillity of ArmA 2 for me. World in Conflict implemented something similar 3 years ago, which works awesome.

[Cadman 10]

I would dearly love to have some use of my second monitor in game. Before the days of GPS many drivers mastered the ability of driving and reading a map so it's not really that unrealistic.

For those who worry about the advantage it gives, make it cursor active, so that the screen your not on fades somewhat. Keep the chat, team, and other functions that clutter your main screen easily viewable, but let the active elements of the map fade enough to take away some advantage.

[Panthro 10]

I would love this feature and lets face it if a guy with those monitors wants a map instead of peripheral vision (that he already has) then he is loosing a bigger advantage when ever the map pops up on say his right screen AND he has to take his eyes off center screen to look at it just like real life you must look at the map.

+1 to bended knee still that realistic time it takes to whip out map.

+1 set map + FLiR etc able to be set to screens in tanks/heli's/planes then I could use my

:)

[CarlGustaffa 4]

No he wouldn't, not when those pesky extendedmapinfo markers are turned on. Use the GPS, it doesn't show this info for a reason.

[wipman 1]

Hi, i think that's a pimp idea; allow it for everyone in SP and cap it to MP so only S & T leaders + SF, Spotters, Snipers and Recon can use it; or allow it to directly everyone... i think that's a pimp idea. Let's C ya

[5133p39 14]

...

+1

great idea (i already wanted this to be in OFP)

And for those against it: don't like it? don't use it.

[Tankbuster 1744]

You can sort of do this in Domination, or any mission using the admin spectate script. It's a bit of a cludge and will only allow 1 player per server to use it.

You'd need a second PC with the game installed on it, so, a second licence. If the second machine joined the game and logged in as admin, he could then pull up the admin spectate function and get his own map up.

[ravendk 25]

You can sort of do this in Domination, or any mission using the admin spectate script. It's a bit of a cludge and will only allow 1 player per server to use it.

You'd need a second PC with the game installed on it, so, a second licence. If the second machine joined the game and logged in as admin, he could then pull up the admin spectate function and get his own map up.

That sounds like overkill.. you might as well just print the map out and hang it on your wall.. ?

[CarlGustaffa 4]

That sounds like overkill.. you might as well just print the map out and hang it on your wall.. ?

I don't mind that, as that doesn't get live updates of markers :p

And for those against it: don't like it? don't use it.

Yeah, and give everyone possibility to shoot miniature nukes from any weapon. If I don't like it, I don't have to use it, right? Sorry, but that argument doesn't work for anything that screws with fair play. I haven't seen any "I want this because - add favorite argument based on realism", only reasons to make the game easier to gain an unfair advantage in.

What's the point of having a realism based milsim at all, when so many wants completely unrealistic features?

[[frl]myke 14]

I don't mind that, as that doesn't get live updates of markers :p

Yeah, and give everyone possibility to shoot miniature nukes from any weapon. If I don't like it, I don't have to use it, right? Sorry, but that argument doesn't work for anything that screws with fair play. I haven't seen any "I want this because - add favorite argument based on realism", only reasons to make the game easier to gain an unfair advantage in.

What's the point of having a realism based milsim at all, when so many wants completely unrealistic features?

AFAIK server owners can deny the use of such an addon by simply not including it's bikey. So where fairplay matters (PvP) it can be denied, on Coop it would be a great addition.

And regarding your last statement, i presume you completely detest any SciFi mods in works or released for ArmA 2....since they aren't realistic either.