CELESTA AUNGM
Kang Lo Directorate
Gallente Federation
16
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Posted - 2013.09.10 19:53:00 -
[1] - Quote
Since I have failed to find any previous Feedback Threads giving a crit of Patch 1.4's adjustments to the visual effects of armour and shields, let me take the time to express gratitude for the definite IMPROVEMENTS.
As a player in the Dropship airman role, I understand the DS is viewed in a mish-mash of fervid opinions. But the one thing that I think all players will agree on is that visual-feedback is CRUCIAL to the player's ability to operate this vehicle effectively in the game.
There was a brief period of time when some of the most visual cues, such as the matrix-netting that "moved" across the skin of the vehicle to tell you one of your repair modules was successfully active, were removed from the animation. This left only the small indicators on the bottom of the HUD to give you hints that you had successfully hit the button to start the life-saving booster/repper/etc. In the nervousness of having an expensive vehicle coming under fire, those tiny indicators created a lot of worry.
Patch 1.4 reintroduction of ("skin effects", can we call them?) for what appear to be the activation of Hardeners, the chipping away of armour, the running of an Active Scanner, etc are right on target for me. These effects are less sparkling than the "matrix netting" effect, and I believe that works in the driver's favor; still quite clear so he has no doubts a module is running, but NOT such a dead give away to the enemy about all the modules his vehicle may be equipped with. A well done suite of visual effects,... and thank you.
A final nod of acknowledgment is to the talked about "Armour Burn" (which I at first did NOT wish to be altered from its previous animation.) Although I haven't experienced it first hand yet, I recently ran across a quiet part of the battlefield and found a burning Gallente HAV. Apparently the crew took the "burning" to mean their vehicle was about to erode-n-explode as usual,... but in 1.4 it no longer does THAT.
It continued to lay abandoned and burning for more than 30 seconds (a beautifully war-like sight against the mood light of the map). And during the 30 seconds, the shield regen delay ended, shielding re-strengthened, an observant player w/ hand repper suspiciously approached, and he "put out the fire" with his repper.
I can't recall even Steven Speilberg's "Private Ryan" film throwing in a sweet scene as that.
So, I smilingly say I was wrong about my reluctance to modify the "armour burn" effect,.... and the more "passive" burn effect is quite nice.
Thanks. |