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Pseudopd wrote:

 

Holsters would be an excellent idea, and quite doable.  It would be nice to see wookiees with a bowcaster on their back.  A rifleman sitting at a cantina with a T-21 shoulder slung.  A pilot awaiting repairs on his ship, nerviously tapping at his holster pistol. 

 

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Many people will state, "Hey, boss!  Adding new artwork and animations and code is too much of a developer drain!  It aint gonna happen, Buddy-wuddy!"

I've been think about this, researching, having bar-b-ques.  And as i'm not a programer beyond Vbasic, i cant comment on code other than the ideas i'll put through wouldnt require major code.  But, as an Animator, i can comment securely on that aspect...

Hoslter belts and clothing:

Just like adding a new belt or clothing.  Craftable holsters for pistols and pistol like weapons that can be worn.  Using the same code as wearing a regular belt, backpack, necklace and such, it can be done.  Holstered belts can have two artwork pieces:  one with an empty holster, and one with a full holster.  The full hoslster would have the handle and perhaps scope, of the assigned weapon poking out of it.

Weapon holsters in boots can be the same, weather it be a small pistol, a knife, or a vibro knuckler.  A vibroknuckler or knife can also be worn on the arm or sleeve, without the need of extra artwork for a drawn holster if need be.

We'll skip shoulder pistol holsters for now as it clipping can occur with the artwork.

Faction armored players cannot holster weapons as such (except for the boot holster for imp scout troopers).  But then again, an army at war wouldnt holster their weapons either.

But, you say, two pieces of artwork?  What about the "drawing the weapon" animation?  See below...

Drawing the Weapon Animation:

Not needed.

Think about it.  Animation is only a trick to your eyes...It's a series of static images and your mind filling in the blanks.  To draw out your weapon (a pistol for example), you would need only the pistol in holster frame...then, pistol in hand...the rest your mind will fill in!  Have you ever selected a weapon while running?  The pistol just appears in your hands and your arms are automaticaly raised to hold it.  You NEVER miss the fact the there is almost no transitory animation of the actual weapon!  You automaticaly think you see a lot of animation of the arms being raised into place and a weapon steadied into place...but there wasnt any to speak of!

Same can go for the weapon drawing "animation".  No code or artwork needed...and you'll never miss it.  No lag.  No delay.

If you really wanted to do something, you canm easily cose a one frame animated move of a bent arm (when i get time, i will post storyboard drawing of what this might be like)...

Rifles and larger than pistol weapons:

Rifles, swords, axes and such, can be just placed on the back of the player without any extra animation, as if slung there.  Either right shoulder, left shoulder, or cross back.  No artwork.  No anomation.

Staffs, polearms and such...cannot be holstered or slung and must be held like always.  No artwork.  No animation.

Carbines and such, slung like rifles, and in addition, slung right chest or left, under arm and shoulder.  Once again, you do not HAVE to see any animation or artwork for this.  although you wont see a weapon sling, just the weapon being there, you wont miss it.

(artwork can be added later for a wearable sling, not not needed to start this base issue going).

Also, once again, no animation for "drawing the weapon" will be needed.  The rifle will be slung on your back, then when you "unholster" the rifle, it's gone from your back, and now in your upraised hands.

Additional Fun Ideas...Weapon holstered only areas: 

NPC city cantinas and hospitals (and possibly others public buildings) are to be off limits to drawn weapons.  Guards or droids will be placed outside thses doors, and the door will be "locked" as if you were on a vehicle, untill you holster your weapon. 

"I'm sorry sir.  Weapons cannot be branished in this public place.  Thank you for your compliance."

A few rules though.  Only Special Forces of the faction controling a city can walk whereever they please with wapons drawn.  "Oh, please excuse me sir.  Go about your civic duties and enter!"

Once inside, you can draw your weapon.  But, can be marked for a fine if caught by roving troopes of that city, much like the smuggled goods scans.  Credits talk, y'know...didnt han pay the barkeep when he killed greedo?

Player city cantina, Med centers, guild halls and such, can turn off this option.  Other option?  No droids "we dont serve them kind here!".  No Pets.  No armor.  etc.

Polearms and unholsterable weapons will be exluded from these regulations.  It can be argued that your bladed 6 foot weapon is only an ornimental "walking stick"...*wink*

Smugglers will be put to additional use.  They can allow players to enter a stucture without a hostler check, or evade detection once inside...

Hosters...a do-able idea!

Baz Pseudopod

Message Edited by Pseudopd on 02-28-2005 11:13 AM