[SingleShot]

This does seem to be a pretty cool idea, but it might just be from self-interest. But if Jumpgate Evolution brings back the legions of people better than me I guess it doesn't matter so much.

It would be scary sometimes going into a fight without knowing how that person fought. I remember when I first started out on EU I had a rough time initially b/c I didn't always know what to expect. otoh I think it worked the other way as well...

[Elmdor]

Bad idea.

Theoretical Situation with no Pilot Names:
Pilot 1: A nix is on my ass
(Fleet of 6 Nixes)
Pilot 2: Which one?
*Boom*

Cuts down on a sides capability to fight in an organized manner.

[Karash]

Originally Posted by Elmdor

Bad idea.

Theoretical Situation with no Pilot Names:
Pilot 1: A nix is on my ass
(Fleet of 6 Nixes)
Pilot 2: Which one?
*Boom*

Cuts down on a sides capability to fight in an organized manner.

You know, I would have to strongly disagree with this point because players should evolve their tactics to deal with any combat situations. Thats what makes games challenging. Now, we could get into another discussion debating the fact that combat survivability is way to short in Jumpgate, and up the armor/shields/etc to compensate for that...but not being able to spin around towards your wingman and SEE who is shooting him is a bit of a false premise.

I agree with one point however, if you have no teamwork or do not practice combat with cover techniques, then yes you will have less of a chance of helping your wingmen scrape that Nix off your tail.

[Algore]

Knowing pilots' names in advance of combat allows for combat preparation.
I really don't see anything the suggestion would provide at all other than making already very good pilots........better. Already good pilots that have a natural advantage over others, having an even greater advantage. Poor wingleaders/squads that need more practise, having their job made easier. It will not aid lesser pilots at all except some from instinctively crapping their pants when they bump into or get caught alone with a better pilot.
If I was a sceptical person I'd say the idea comes from one of the above scenarios. Jumpgate is skill based. Everyone can improve or be taught, not all want to learn or listen.

Regards
Al

[Karash]

I suppose we will agree to disagree then

Having played under both systems extensively (as well as Tex for that matter), having only a Ship ID listed in an Icon format is far superior in any small or large scale combat. While Aces High II and Jumpgate are apples and oranges, the HUD is not...as with any other 'flight sim'.

[Evolution]

At first glance this sounded like a cool idea. I played AH2 as well and it works pretty well over there. The more I think about it the less I like the idea of implementing it in Jumpgate for all sorts of reasons that have already been mentioned.

I think the biggest one for me is accountability. I don't like the thought of not knowing that Aslan is Aslan when he jumps into the sector. Aces High and Jumpgate are VERY different games when it comes to the things you can do to be a lameass.

The other is the feeling of community. During my time in Aces High I felt like I was playing a CO-OP mode multi-player game where the opponents were just really advanced AI.

[Karash]

Again, the "noterity" (however you spell it) argument I will really fail to come up with since its not a physical game design issue. I do recognize the point that you want to know when Aslan enters the sector and that is his ship.

I am not advocating hiding the pilot ID on a permanent basis. We should have scanners or special ships geared towards (in this case) ECCM warfare that can quickly find out who is who, or broadcast pilot IDs to whoever is in their wing. Think of an AWACs ship in the sector...not only giving wingmen pilot IDs on their HUDs but also available weaponry, heat status, who is designated wing leader, etc etc....

With all the AI planned in Jumpgate Evolution it might be a requirement to have these capabilities in the game anyhow. I will tell you wants a HUGE mood breaker however...is seeing 10 ships in a tradelane and knowing EXACTLY which are actual PCs flying. Just gets to me that the mood will be broken if I see Bot-1, Bot-2, Bot-3, Aslan, Tesrend, Bot-44...in sector.

[Karash]

Originally Posted by Evolution

The other is the feeling of community. During my time in Aces High I felt like I was playing a CO-OP mode multi-player game where the opponents were just really advanced AI.

I definately got that feeling too, but it wasnt because of the name ID issue...its more based on the gameplay itself. Aces High is a pure PVP simulator. Jumpgate is a MMO...vastly different. I really dont think not showing names (by default, barring ECCM see above) in sectors is going to hurt any community. You still have stations as gathering points, you still have chat channels, you have jossh and stats, you have the ND forums...this community is stronger than that.

[Evolution]

Originally Posted by Karash

I really dont think not showing names (by default, barring ECCM see above) in sectors is going to hurt any community.

Ok. I really do.

[Karash]

I guess I am imagining a Jumpgate where there is 3000 players online at one time.

[Aphelion]

Originally Posted by Karash

A button designated to set primary and secondary targets could be implimented easy. Wing Leader has someone targeted, push the "Broadcast: Target" button you have mapped up and everyone gets a bullseye on their overview/HUD on that ship. If he queues it up multiple times the 'bullseye' icon gets a 1, 2, 3, etc..

There would obviously be needed targeting upgrades and CIC stuff put in Jumpgate Evolution to make this work. This idea would not work in Jumpgate Classic.

This comment is specifically for Raz if you're out there buddy.

Raid icons from WoW is exactly what Karash described. I like the thought of Jumpgate Evolution assigning random ones automatically though, in addition to player-assigned icons. Have different icon display settings so that you could receive global icons, squad icons or no icons, etc.

[GrimGriz]

Wait wait wait, let's not put this to bed just yet.

Imagine for a second, that every "faction" got to see their own members in every sector (TRI, Oct, Sol, Quant, Hyp, Pierat/criminal, whatever whatever), but that was it. The quants wouldn't be able to tell the difference from an oct player and an oct bot.

Now add in enough people that you have a hard time remembering what the big squads are in your own faction.

Now put turrets on the HMs, Tows, and freighters, and make the other hauling and mining ships reasonable...

Now remove the tag system.

No one ever complained seriously when a flux ripped them. If they can't tell if the oct that just ripped them is a player or a bot....