Remove name tags?

[Tommygun]

I did search for this topic and got about a thousand hits but nothing immediately obvious...

Why don't we remove the name tags above players? Discuss...

They are useful on the 64 player servers but remove some realism and stop people looking at their maps properly.

On 128 and greater servers the name tags are an irritation as they often don't work on some players.

There may be some performance boost to server and client side too?

[Brainlaag]

I personally dislike them, people become much more focused and check their environments more carefully when tags are not present. Something I'd like to see, is all nametags but the individual squadmarkers (to help ID and coordination on squadlevel, especially on the 128 for FTs etc.) removed. You only get the green icons + name for your squadmates and the rest all gone.

[Kain888]

I personally dislike them, people become much more focused and check their environments more carefully when tags are not present. Something I'd like to see, is all nametags but the individual squadmarkers (to help ID and coordination on squadlevel, especially on the 128 for FTs etc.) removed. You only get the green icons + name for your squadmates and the rest all gone.

This.

No nametags are IMO step in good direction. They make people oriented on checking map and position of team. Also it punishes even more ninjas with enemy kits.

I know the main argument against eliminating nametags - hard for admin to find griefer, but it's not the case since you can check their names by CAPS LOCK and that is what I do most of time, because it's the most effective way of dealing with offenders. Just all servers would have to force people into squads (now most do it, but not all), but it's good for teamplay anyway so I don't see anything wrong with that. ;]

[Spush]

It would require more teamwork, coordinated attacks/defense, and getting rid of binoculars. Which would be good in my opinion, since well teamwork is what we're aiming for right? Plus we have maps to check our friendly posistions.

[Nitneuc]

I think the mod has become mature enough to get rid of all nametags. They sure are useful but are a real turn-off for player immersion (one of PR's greatest feature) and buggy when it comes to the promising 64+ players servers.

No nametags and no pick-able enemy kits (unless enemy geometries bug can be fixed) are IMO the way to go for next release.

[Tommygun]

On 128 player servers name tags often don't show up on friendlies which I understand is a bug and on 64 player servers (it may be my imagination or looking for excuses) I swear I've been gunned down by a techie crew and seen them from my corpse view all with green (friendly) names...is that possible? I'd like to just have to be aware of my surroundings and communicate.
@devs. Would there be any significant performance boost to server or client performance or internet traffic turning this feature off?
Maybe dbzao should try this as an option on the new test servers?

Sorry about rehashing my first post but I was rushed (kids) and wasn't sure I'd said what I needed to.

[Airsoft]

I can see an increased in teamkilling, and one of the reasons which makes the 128 player games frustrating, especially on playing on medium to low graphics where character models look very similar for both teams in some cases...combine that with wearing the helmet and vest of whatever teams kit you take which adds to the confusion.

[Kain888]

I can see an increased in teamkilling, and one of the reasons which makes the 128 player games frustrating, especially on playing on medium to low graphics where character models look very similar for both teams in some cases...combine that with wearing the helmet and vest of whatever teams kit you take which adds to the confusion.

I play on low and have no issue with that. I always check positioning of teammembers on map. Double checking is one of the tip when PR is loading, shame no one does it.

[AFsoccer]

Moved to suggestion forum.

Guys, please stop disguising a suggestion as a discussion. Placing a suggestion in the discussion thread could get lost and thus not implemented.

[KiloJules]

As many have stated I too would like to see the tags removed ... at least partially.
Why does it have to be all black or white?!
I would love to have it like this:

- Remove tags above friendly grunts (the blue ones)

- Keep them on your squad mates (as you would know the guys in your group very well; you could tell them apart by their height, beard, face, stature, voice, etc.) If not the whole name at least a green dot so you can tell them apart from all the blue guys sitting around them.

- Keep them on friendly SLs (as you would know them, salute them or they would identify them selfs e.g. when your squad enters a building held by friendlies and you as a SL wanna know who is responsible)

Even though having some of the tags might disrupt immersion it certainly helps the gameplay and makes it feel more natural imo.

Regarding the dots on the maps:

Kinda would do the same here. Remove blue guys, keep green ones and officers.

So, now I have to got prepare for the initial TART battle. See you (through my Scopes)

[ComradeHX]

Could be disaster in vietnam maps...

And less balanced for factions without optics on basic kits.

[Navo]

Don't think they should be removed for squad members, as IRL you would recognize your squadmates.

[Tommygun]

Regarding the dots on the maps:

Kinda would do the same here. Remove blue guys, keep green ones and officers.

So, now I have to got prepare for the initial TART battle. See you (through my Scopes)

Eeeeek, that's too hard core for me. I'd like all dots to stay on the map. I like to know where other squads are and where they are focusing their energy. You will also know roughly where squad leaders are too then if you need to talk to them.

[chainsaw.exe]

I'm not sure how possible this is but here it is:

Have all nametags removed except:
*ONLY if you are very close to the person and you have your crosshairs over them for a short period.
*Have Squad number appear over SL when crosshair over for a short period at any distance. (optional i guess, you could just use the map but is quicker for emergencies, i.e "Squad 2 enemy squad going up your stairs!")

This way you have the immersion of no tags and if you need to ID someone, to talk to them by name over mumble etc. you can do so, but only if you are near to them.

Example: You see a friendly squad and need to warn the rifleman covering the road that there is an AR set up somewhere along it on a roof. You run over to him, crosshair over and find out his name and then you can give him some details directly without him turning round, instead of distracting him with "hey you! smurf!" etc.

Best of both worlds, communication and immersion!

[Psyko]

It would require more teamwork, coordinated attacks/defense, and getting rid of binoculars. Which would be good in my opinion, since well teamwork is what we're aiming for right? Plus we have maps to check our friendly posistions.

+1

I dont think it would hinder the popularity of the mod.

[badmojo420]

I like this idea, and I agree with chainsaw that if we keep any of the tags, they should only appear when really close and only when you target them. Combined with removing squad member markings on the map, and we might have some situations where grunts can't tell whos who and have to ask for assistance ID'ing a target.

[Bonsai]

Like it is in PR:ARMA would be a step forward...

[SmoothIsFast6]

well PR's graphics are bland and look like mario kart so removing tags wouldn't be a big increase in TK'ing, less shit on the screen = win

but we should test things like this

[badmojo420]

It might actually help to prevent team killing. I know personally I've tk'ed on a few occasions where I held my crosshair over someone and no tag came up. Without the tag to rely on, people might be more careful when pulling that trigger.

[SGT.Ice]

This.

No nametags are IMO step in good direction. They make people oriented on checking map and position of team. Also it punishes even more ninjas with enemy kits.

I know the main argument against eliminating nametags - hard for admin to find griefer, but it's not the case since you can check their names by CAPS LOCK and that is what I do most of time, because it's the most effective way of dealing with offenders. Just all servers would have to force people into squads (now most do it, but not all), but it's good for teamplay anyway so I don't see anything wrong with that. ;]

Dosen't work on those that aren't in any squad.

If you can see the persons boots TKing should not be a huge problem. There are small give aways with each army.

The squad members having name tags/those in close vicinity sounds like a good idea. However removing the map dots is not, I remember at some point in a suggestion thread someone was talking about RL SL/PL counterparts having a digital map similar to that of Full Spectrum Warrior, which allowed you to see where all teammates were. Can't remember the thread nor do I believe he ever supplied any proof to back it up.