Important topic Kagehoshi, and well presented, +1.

I think I'm prioritizing this topic to #1 on my list. That's because atm it's probably the core mechanic that most effects the new player experience.

I want to make a distinction between character acceleration and controller mechanics - both are vitally important to a great game experience and 'feel'.


The short version:

Suit acceleration(linear and angular) is simple physics, and needs to be implemented and applied consistently to all dropsuits based on Suit mass/rotational inertia & Suit drive systems(force/torque) . This gives us the acceleration we need for aiming, adds realism/immersion, and makes suit choices richer(Scouts have greater power-to-weight ratios, etc.).

Controller curve acceleration. This is how controller output varies with stick position. This curve should be smooth(no discontinuities in the 1st derivative) and be non-linear(posess a non-zero 2nd derivative). I think right now we have a controller response curve that looks like: \_/ - a flat deadzone flanked by constant-slope lines, which is what gives us the abrupt transition to motion when the sticks leave the deadzone.

I'm pointing this out because it would be tempting for a developer to address the issue by fixing only one of these two things - it would be a 'good enough' solution and probably reduce the complaint volume on the forums by a good chunk.

But addressing only one of these issues will not give a AAA fps 'feel', which is the only accepatble outcome here. The analogy would be a race car with wheels aligned properly but poor steering geometry, or to put it more visceraly, it would be dressing up a pig. And the players will feel it, it's prolly the difference between reviews that say 'meh' and reviews that say 'wow'.

As a final point, I feel there's a strong agrument to be made for investing devtime in making the controller response curve player-shapable. (Splines)Bezier curves & control points is the way to do this most efficiently. CCP should tap the dev who did engine exhaust trails for ships in EVE recently. He'd be up to speed and coding in a matter of hours.

God every time I read one of horned wolfs post it just sounds like long winded half speculation fps genre authority dribble...
I have yet to see this individual in any match mind you and hardly ever on the leaderboards.I have seen him more in IRC and on the forums than in game.He still feels like he is an authority on subjects such as these but I wonder if his opinion on the subject matters because where are the hours of testing.One would assume that such an individual would be highly visible.That being said.

Sensitivity does not effect the turn speed in this game, and should not. The sooner you realize that the better.Each class has strengths and merits.Anyone who is reading this and does not know the scout is the fastest class in the game.It strafes faster sprints faster and turns faster.It is balanced by the fact that it has the lowest HP of any other class.Heavy is the slowest.It gas the highest HP of any other class.It also is a DPS machine in the short range.But the ASSAULT can widdle its HP down from mid to long range and it moves slightly faster.This is how all the different classes are balanced out.

Giving the player the ability to effect turn speed in the options menu would give rise to heavies that do 180 degree turns instantly......and that my friends would be stupid.

Next time Horned wolf bring up a thread that doesnt have to do with major game balancing mechanical changes that give favor to one class or another.Also how about you use some foresight into what your requesting and imagine how it could be broken.Then imagine everyone doing it.Lets use a little intelligence here instead of filling page after page with long winded assumptions about the potential player base growth as if you were an authority on the matter.

There are several DS3 users out there that are new to the game and they are doing quite well.Its the complexity of the SP system and the customization that they are having small trouble with but this is easily remedied by just asking questions to other players.

While a turn speed base speed increase would be great it would have to across the board to keep it from unbalancing the other classes.....and so we would just find our selves back here again....kick rocks and get your aim up kid.