Quote:
Originally Posted by SEE
There are no Icons in WOP (sim level) in SP or MP. In MP sessions, a/c are identified only by the Red or Blue team marking on the fuselage/wings but, the approx location of all a/c in the game is shown on the map. Niether can you view enemy a/c and ground targets during flight using the external camera, much better IMO.
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WoP has custom settings where you could fly with full sim realism (WoP style
but still have icons. Playing without icons is almost impossible in that game as planes blend with the ground much TOO well, most "iconless" online matches I took part in, had most people crawling along the floor and spotting blind wanderers in the sky... Also, I heard that many people do not like to fly online on Il2 Slovakia map- the rich(er) ground environment hides the planes too much as well. SoW ground environment is bound to be rich (and it should be of course), so this problem could also be exacerbated- hopefully not to WoP level...
Back on topic of IL2/SoW, I do have TrackIR and absolutely love it to bits (biggest revolution in flight sims since IL2 imho) but my eyes just cant take the punishment of prolonged IL2 sessions with icons off...
Another idea I have, is to have a button that activates icons while it is held (to help with quick initial identification- often the hardest bit, the tracking of acquired target is usually easier), and when this button is released, the view goes back to normal realistic.
But this still wont save us from skies being FILLED with numbers/text/boxes when a formation of planes is coming - killing the atmosphere
I think that the "exaggerated contrast" approach is good alternative to traditional icons. I know that even some people who record .TRKs of their duels with AI ace bots assign "void" white skins to AI planes.
Adding hue (red/blue etc) to contrasting/overly reflective surface of a distant plane is good idea too. But I dont like auto padlock idea- there bound to be problems with padlock's "stupidity" when prioritizing lock ons, plus I dont like my head "forced" to be turned. BoB's "off screen pointers" is a decently executed idea, but still wont solve the problem of looking exactly into the right area, but seeing nothing but distant trees and shrubs...