Small Tweaks that could improve the game

alpha45 · Post by **alpha45** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:57 pm

This thread is for small tweaks that you think could make the game better. No big changes, like new ships or extra weapons (there's already a thread for that) just post the small changes you would like.

I'll start:

- The option to control the shield/weapon energy balance with an axis (for use with sliders or rotary switches).
- In addition to "target nearest" and "target next", a control option that targets whatever ship is closest to the center of the gunsights.
- Alt-Tab support. Whenever the game is minimised, the graphics become glitchy and several textures turn black.
- The option to assign different buttons to the commands that normally require you to hold alt. (Programming my controller to press alt and the key doesnt work for some reason, so this would really help).

Post by **Vice** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:08 pm

- The option to control the shield/weapon energy balance with an axis (for use with sliders or rotary switches).

That's possible, although it would require a change to the control binding template (potentially effecting legacy support).

- In addition to "target nearest" and "target next", a control option that targets whatever ship is closest to the center of the gunsights.

Already exists. Use the Y key.

- Alt-Tab support. Whenever the game is minimised, the graphics become glitchy and several textures turn black.

Already exists. As mentioned in the other thread, do not use a 'Locked (FS)' screen mode, stick with the Optimized modes if you want to use alt-tab. Also, if you are using Windows 7 with 'beta' display drivers, you're likely not working with a finalized configuration. There may still be some quirks that need to be worked out in drivers. If you're on Windows Vista or 7, you should be using the Windows-tab combo anyway for Flip3D

- The option to assign different buttons to the commands that normally require you to hold alt. (Programming my controller to press alt and the key doesnt work for some reason, so this would really help).

Several of the seconday key/button options have a one key/button option. Check out page 2 of the key and button configuration menu. With the limit of keys on a keyboard being reached, combinations are going to be required for some things though.

alpha45 · Post by **alpha45** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:18 pm

That was fast and extremely helpful. However, in the part about separating commands and alternates, I was referring to things like the autopilot. Thanks a lot! Also, this thread is still open to whoever has any good tweaks in mind.

[Edited on 9-30-2009 by alpha45]

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:13 pm

Originally posted by alpha45

However, in the part about separating commands and alternates, I was referring to things like the autopilot.

I never used whatever was bound to the "A" key. So I reassigned it to the command/action that coexists with autopilot. In doing so, it set the autopilot to "Alt+A" ... and that's good enough for me.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 2:10 am

I have one suggestion. This is a small thing, but it has been bothering me ever since Renegades.
The "Mantis Drive"! As I understand it, it is supposed to be experimental "alien" technology.
The theory was supposed to be, unless I missed something, that while the Mantis drive would allow for extreme long jumps, it may or may not, put you where you wanted to go, ie "experimental" .
As it is, it appears the drive works perfectly every time with no apparent course aberration. Even a 10% failure rate would make its use more, "interesting" !

soulsacrifice · Post by **soulsacrifice** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:26 am

It's funny you've mentioned that - I have thought quite a few times it would be cool if a jump took x seconds, but you could jump earlier with reduced accuracy for emergency jumps (it takes time to plot safe jumps in space).

Not quite the same thing, but as you say, it would make things interesting.

I would like to be able to set what the hat on a joystick can do individually, in the controller menu. Also if possible, be able to look diagonally i.e. forward/left, back/left etc.

edit: oh yeah, and would it be possible when you push the mouselook button to be able to look around with the hat as well?

[Edited on 10-1-2009 by soulsacrifice]

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:49 pm

Originally posted by MMaggio
I have one suggestion. This is a small thing, but it has been bothering me ever since Renegades.
The "Mantis Drive"! As I understand it, it is supposed to be experimental "alien" technology.
The theory was supposed to be, unless I missed something, that while the Mantis drive would allow for extreme long jumps, it may or may not, put you where you wanted to go, ie "experimental" .
As it is, it appears the drive works perfectly every time with no apparent course aberration. Even a 10% failure rate would make its use more, "interesting" !

I think in Renegades it should have been Experimental but we are now hundreds and hundreds of years further so by now the Mantis Drive should work perfectly other wise there would not be technological progress! Just mho of 0.000000000001 %

:P:P

Wasp89 · Post by **Wasp89** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:59 pm

I've been warped way way way out into deep space by a single jump with a mantis drive before. I saved right after I came out of the jump, too, not noticing how far away I was. That might have been in Renegades though... I suppose they've refined the drive a little since then so that it no longer happens.

...in fact, I was so far away, I had to get creative to find a way back.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:06 pm

Originally posted by Eclipse

Ever jump to a contract/mission with a Mantis drive and end up in the wrong place?

Jump too far and you might abort the contract. In that case, I'd switch out my engine for one that's more reliable. Besides, as noted above, after a "panic" jump with a Mantis, you'd better either have the system's coordinates written down or somebody else still in the system (and then make good use of the tilde key).

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:32 pm

"I've had a couple of: Where the heck am I? jumps with the Mantis jump drive"....

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:37 pm

Originally posted by Eclipse
Originally posted by Maarschalk
I think in Renegades it should have been Experimental but we are now hundreds and hundreds of years further so by now the Mantis Drive should work perfectly other wise there would not be technological progress! Just mho of 0.000000000001 % :P:P
BUZZZZ Legends does not take place that far ahead of Renegades. This is evidenced by having the same frames, there would be changes in frames and components over that long a period of time.

It is possible that the Mantis drive does do odd things once in a while. Ever jump to a contract/mission with a Mantis drive and end up in the wrong place?

Ooooooh, what are all those new mod frames and HUDS ..... that players are coming up with Huuuuuh? Some of those where already in Renegades I have to admit but a lot of new ones recently came out. I never had any problems with my Mantis jump drive in Legends after sending the Navigator out of the Airlock for a well deserved smoke break ! ROFL

:P:P:P:P

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:25 pm

LOL...

Earl · Post by **Earl** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:49 am

Originally posted by MMaggio
The "Mantis Drive"! As I understand it, it is supposed to be experimental "alien" technology.
Even a 10% failure rate would make its use more, "interesting" !

One other thing that might be interesting... What if, in hostile space, if you made a jump from one location to another in a mantis, and both of those points were within a certain range from a vonari capship, it could detect your location from your energy signature or something similar and jump to your location for an intercept.
I'd imagine they wouldn't want anyone using their technology.

[Edited on 10-2-2009 by Earl]