After reading the latest Vision Book update, I've been thinking more and more about the strategic side of Em-8ER, specifically when it comes to large-scale battles such as defending frontline bases, terraforming stations and taking down larger Kaiju. I propose a separate UI built specifically for organising a defence. The UWU, the Unified Warfront Uplink.
This menu is activated by holding the map hotkey for a couple of seconds.
Quick commands can be issued by pressing a 'Command' hotkey and navigate through the menu with numbers 1-9 (1 Group > 1 Waypoint > 1 Move/2 Attack/3 Defend, 4 Fire > 1 Orbital Strike > 1 Waypoint/2 Target)
Bases under attack launch a drone which flies above the base. Opens up a map screen showing a top-down view of the battlefield with a list of players on one side, a list of waypoints, manoeuvres and actions on the other. Switching between the tabs of the chat allow you to send messages to specific groups, the entire
Waypoints can be placed on the map in different colours. This is the same with manoeuvres (flank, suppress, bombard) and actions (move, attack, capture). Squads can be assigned to these actions.
On the ground, players participating in the event are automatically be assigned to the freelance squad but can switch to a different squad at any time.
Groups
Freelance - Default group. This group can be issued commands, however it's more of a suggestion. Freelance is for players who prefer to go it alone.
Offensive - Default group. Taking down primary threats.
Defensive - Default group. Defending a specific location, normally THMPRs and priority structures.
Crowd Control - Default group. Dealing with the zerg rush.
Harrassers - Default group. Harassment of larger units to provide breathing space for other groups.
Custom - Commanders can set custom squads for special tasks.
Base Building Synergies/Requirements
- Requires an operational Orbital Comm Tower in the base to function.
- Can calldown orbital strikes (provided any other conditions to call down an orbital strike are met).
- Can automatically highlight enemies on allied radars when in use. Requires an operational Tactical Sensor Array.
Pros:
+ Allows players who are tactically-minded to lead assaults and defences
+ Quickly gain a general overview of the battlefield
+ Effectively issued commands and strategies to other players
+ Players are playing together to achieve certain goals, rather than playing "together" achieving their own goals
Cons:
- A small number of the player-base would be interested in fully utilizing this feature. I would think most players would use it to call down orbital strikes.
- Not all players would follow commands unless it was a player who was very active or someone they knew (guild leader), hence the freelancer group.
- Further to above two notes, newer players may not get much exposure to this feature
- Some players will already know how to manage a specific event, and will just do their own thing
Other ramblings:
~ Group statistics/leaderboard for event
~ Would this be a guild-specific tool or be open to large groups of players (if so, how do these players group, their command structure, how many players in the group to activate, etc..)
~ OP-AI integration for receiving commands and receiving tactical feedback ("Pilot, we have to take this waypoint" when sent an attack command, "Orbital Strike incoming, get out of there!" when within minimum safe distance of an Orbital Strike, "Pilot, defend the THMPR!" when sent a defend command on a THMPR)
~ Might make for some interesting screenshots and/or videos of battles
~ Maximum number of drones? Is there a better way?
~ Still uncertain whether bases are built and held by guilds or as a community effort
Share your thoughts below. I was going to draw up a diagram of the menu however I'm at work. I'll doodle something when I'm home.
This menu is activated by holding the map hotkey for a couple of seconds.
Quick commands can be issued by pressing a 'Command' hotkey and navigate through the menu with numbers 1-9 (1 Group > 1 Waypoint > 1 Move/2 Attack/3 Defend, 4 Fire > 1 Orbital Strike > 1 Waypoint/2 Target)
Bases under attack launch a drone which flies above the base. Opens up a map screen showing a top-down view of the battlefield with a list of players on one side, a list of waypoints, manoeuvres and actions on the other. Switching between the tabs of the chat allow you to send messages to specific groups, the entire
Waypoints can be placed on the map in different colours. This is the same with manoeuvres (flank, suppress, bombard) and actions (move, attack, capture). Squads can be assigned to these actions.
On the ground, players participating in the event are automatically be assigned to the freelance squad but can switch to a different squad at any time.
Groups
Freelance - Default group. This group can be issued commands, however it's more of a suggestion. Freelance is for players who prefer to go it alone.
Offensive - Default group. Taking down primary threats.
Defensive - Default group. Defending a specific location, normally THMPRs and priority structures.
Crowd Control - Default group. Dealing with the zerg rush.
Harrassers - Default group. Harassment of larger units to provide breathing space for other groups.
Custom - Commanders can set custom squads for special tasks.
Base Building Synergies/Requirements
- Requires an operational Orbital Comm Tower in the base to function.
- Can calldown orbital strikes (provided any other conditions to call down an orbital strike are met).
- Can automatically highlight enemies on allied radars when in use. Requires an operational Tactical Sensor Array.
Pros:
+ Allows players who are tactically-minded to lead assaults and defences
+ Quickly gain a general overview of the battlefield
+ Effectively issued commands and strategies to other players
+ Players are playing together to achieve certain goals, rather than playing "together" achieving their own goals
Cons:
- A small number of the player-base would be interested in fully utilizing this feature. I would think most players would use it to call down orbital strikes.
- Not all players would follow commands unless it was a player who was very active or someone they knew (guild leader), hence the freelancer group.
- Further to above two notes, newer players may not get much exposure to this feature
- Some players will already know how to manage a specific event, and will just do their own thing
Other ramblings:
~ Group statistics/leaderboard for event
~ Would this be a guild-specific tool or be open to large groups of players (if so, how do these players group, their command structure, how many players in the group to activate, etc..)
~ OP-AI integration for receiving commands and receiving tactical feedback ("Pilot, we have to take this waypoint" when sent an attack command, "Orbital Strike incoming, get out of there!" when within minimum safe distance of an Orbital Strike, "Pilot, defend the THMPR!" when sent a defend command on a THMPR)
~ Might make for some interesting screenshots and/or videos of battles
~ Maximum number of drones? Is there a better way?
~ Still uncertain whether bases are built and held by guilds or as a community effort
Share your thoughts below. I was going to draw up a diagram of the menu however I'm at work. I'll doodle something when I'm home.
