Enhanced Radio chatter

Steve! · Post by **Steve!** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 7:59 pm

I like the radio chatter added in version 4. I think it would be good if the radio chatter was enhanced. Enemy wing leaders could fire off a taunt at you on first contact and command could radio to tell you when an objective was acomplished. Crippled ships could radio distress signals, hospitals could pleed for mercy and starbases could radio all ships on first enemy contact to tell them to defend the starbase.

For example on mission start:

Command: All wings defend the starbase.

Starbase: We have sighted multiple enemy wings on approach. All ships to defensive positions!

Enemy Wing leader: Prepare to die Steve!
Alpha 2: Im Hit
Alpha 2: Shields down, systems critical. Im ejecting.
Starbase: Taking damage, please assist.
Steve!: Hit enemy warrior
Steve!: Destroyed enemy warrior (one shot, not bad)

Starbase: Enemy threat eliminated. All wings stand down
Command: Objective complete

End mission.

Thats just a basic example. I think it could add more flavour to the game and make things like starbases, freighters and wing leaders seem more real. One problem is that starbases might spam damage messages when under heavy attack. Perhaps it could be limited to one damage message per turn.

One huge advantage of the turn-based system is you can take time out to read the radio chatter. I think it would be great if the chatter was much more involved. And wingmates should complain about friendly fire!

Alpha 2: Hit friendly Panic
Alpha 3 I'm Hit!
Alpha 3: Hey watch it jackass

Fuzzy Wonky · Post by **Fuzzy Wonky** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:54 pm

Pretty good idea. I love it. LOL!

Thegreatnick · Post by **Thegreatnick** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:01 pm

This could Rock! (If Sean implements.)

Old Man Johnson · Post by **Old Man Johnson** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:35 am

Ooooohh... it makes me tingle!

I mean, I like it.

Bob Janova · Post by **Bob Janova** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:45 pm

Hehe. Yes, it would be cool.

cavemaniac1 · Post by **cavemaniac1** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:05 pm

So, enhanced chatter eh?

The chatter is a very useful tool, but to be honest with you, I rarely read it as I'm usually caught up in the moment desperately dealing with my own problems!

What we REALLY need is:

VOICE chatter - different voices for different wingmen. The advantage of having the radio chatter as audio rather than text is that you wouldn't have to read it - it'd be fed in almost subliminaly along with the ultra imortant missile lock tones.

Another huge bonus to this would be to help clear up one of my pet grouches about CM - lack of notification when your mission objective is achieved. Obviously, having your wingman tell you he's destroyed ANOTHER hospital ship wouldn't be much help if you don't know how many there were in the first place, but if someone says he's destroyed the target shuttle or worm hole it'd stop me chasing around looking for it or having to check the mission objective and squadron kills register.

Just a thought...

Steve! · Post by **Steve!** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:03 pm

Given that critical mass is turn based. I think audio would be too much trouble for what it was worth. Its not the same as in a real-time game where you have to focus on so many things at once. You can stop at anytime to review the situation, plan to hyperspace/eject, read the chat log, heck even go get yourself a drink. I think text would be better given its simplicity and the nature of the game.

qwas · Post by **qwas** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:30 pm

audio and text?

Fighter_Ace · Post by **Fighter_Ace** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:34 pm

Steve! You are the MAN! That would be awesome! Totally sweet idea!

drwhite7 · Post by **drwhite7** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:45 am

Yeah more detailed chatter whould be great. It would give a lot more character to the game. Taunts would make you want to beat the bad guys more. Comments and stuff form your wingmen and allies would personalize them more. And yelling at a friend for hitting you would make you fell a little better about suffering form friendly fire. The mission objective notifications would be very useful and realistic too. Its actually unrealistic not to have notifications about complete objectives and stuff.

On that not, it would be nice if stuff you are supposed to protect would speak up when they are being attacked. Lots of times while I am flying around engaging a squandron of ships, I fail to notice that another squadron has appeared and is attacking the things you are supposed to protect. Sometimes, if it is like a shuttle, the enemies that destroy them don't even show up on radar so the only way to notice that you have actually failed is that a certain green dot is gone from the radar screen. There should be notifications. It would be great.

ima_gnu · Post by **ima_gnu** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 8:59 am

the only thing I want back is the yellow missile dots on the radar

I like the radio chatter the way it is. Uncomplicated. I do wish you could order a specific wingman to a specific target, though. Buy yourself a fighter, two fighter wingmen, and two cloacked bombers to go after the starbase/whatever, ya know?

supercubedude · Post by **supercubedude** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:56 pm

Make some chatter for when you hit allies. That'd be hilarious.

"Don't shoot me, dumbass!"

Old Man Johnson · Post by **Old Man Johnson** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:29 am

Or conversely I'd like it if when your wingmen hit you they apologize.

Bob Janova · Post by **Bob Janova** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:59 pm

I'd prefer it if they just didn't hit you in the first place ...

Legacy · Post by **Legacy** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:38 pm

Bob Janova wrote:I'd prefer it if they just didn't hit you in the first place ...

Indeed.