Commander Interface needs overhaul

[Bluedrake42]

From the useless "satellite feed has been lost" thing
To the fact that squad names aren't shown in the command screen
I think the commander role really needs an overhaul

[ElshanF]

It's difficult to see what squad is what squad. I'd do commander more but the interface is just not good. Pretty much Vanilla with a moving UAV.

[Oskar]

Yes, something that bothers me quite a lot with the commander UI is that I can't quickly see squad and player names on the interface, but only squad numbers. I don't know what can be done and what can't be but I agree that it needs some work.

[Brooklyn-Tech]

i was gonna make a suggestion about this but never got around to doing it.

i feel that the left side of the commander screen should be identical (if not at least similar) to the squad screen.

the commander needs to know:

1) squad names

2) names of people in given squad.

as for the rest of the screen i would optimize it by saving space where things are not as crucial.

i honestly never use the mini map in the upper left corner showing where u are zoomed in, i just zoom out and back in since my mouse is already there (but thats just me)

EDIT: on servers which require SL's to follow CO's orders the CO has no way of reporting the name of a disobediant SL to the server admins without resigning and then reapplying. very inefficient and time consuming if you ask me.

this goes for other reasons why the CO might want to report an individual.

[Spook]

EDIT: on servers which require SL's to follow CO's orders the CO has no way of reporting the name of a disobediant SL to the server admins without resigning and then reapplying. very inefficient and time consuming if you ask me.

this goes for other reasons why the CO might want to report an individual.

lol what? Just press Enter and you will get the usual Squadlist with names and stuff + Map. If you press Caps Lock you will get the Commander screen.

[Bluedrake42]

lol what? Just press Enter and you will get the usual Squadlist with names and stuff + Map. If you press Caps Lock you will get the Commander screen.

its still kinda cumbersome
also the "satellite feed lost" bug is really annoying

[Conman51]

also the "satellite feed lost" bug is really annoying

Not a bug, that was added so you cant zoom in and see everything like you could with the old BF2 commander map. Cant believe you really think thats a bug. If it happens consistently every time you do it its probably not a bug.

[Bluedrake42]

Not a bug, that was added so you cant zoom in and see everything like you could with the old BF2 commander map. Cant believe you really think thats a bug. If it happens consistently every time you do it its probably not a bug.

Something that serves no purpose in the game due to an erased feature is a bug as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't do anything. I know exactly what it is and what it used to be.

[Conman51]

Something that serves no purpose in the game due to an erased feature is a bug as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't do anything. I know exactly what it is and what it used to be.

The thing is, its used to cover up the extra zoom. Im pretty sure the third level of zoom is still there, just the "satellite feed lost" screen is just put over it so you can see anything.

[Rhino]

Something that serves no purpose in the game due to an erased feature is a bug as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't do anything. I know exactly what it is and what it used to be.

I think you need to brush up on your definition of what I bug is.

A software bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or causes it to behave in unintended ways.

Software bug - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The "satellite feed lost" is working excatly how we intended it to and as such, isn't a bug.

Yes we would all prefer it not to be there and instead just being able to zoom into the minimap further but last time I checked we couldn't make that happen due to BF2's coding and I doubt anything has changed there but if you know of a better solution please let us know.

[Pvt.LHeureux]

AGREED.

I love playing CO, but these things are really hindering.

What I do when I play CO is take a blank paper and write the numbers + name of the squads + squad leader names on it.

It's really cubbersome, needs improvement, the CO could be such an important feature/asset, like a tank or CAS.

[Moszeusz6Pl]

I was thinking about updating commander menu some time ago.

Keep ideas coming, and you might see it.

[Ratface]

Been a while since I've commanded but since my two favorite things in PR are commander and squad leader here's my input on the current command system.

I dislike the current way the UAV works (sorry, I haven't read if this is changing or not). I very much like the way it worked in DBmod, due to the commander being able to scout around areas and make better informed decisions.

As said before, it is hard to tell who is leading what squad. I believe being able to see the name of a squad (instead of just the squad's number) and at least who the current squad leader would suffice for now. Currently, the only way to see who a squad leader is as commander is looking in the squad menu, however unless a person has a squad leader kit, you cannot tell who is leading because the squad menu order is dependent on points, not "rank".

I believe all of the ways to mark targets are fine the way they are, seem to have everything we need there.

Only other thing (which I've seen suggested before) would be the ability to place an attack marker, or being able to place markers in general, in UAV mode. Personally I know the maps well enough to get the map coordinates fairly accurate, but for people who do not know the map so well, it would help to be able to place a marker exactly where you see an objective/target.

Could probably clean up some things like the option to crate or vehicle drop (if they are still there) from the minimap view, unless you are eventually wanting to do this, but my initial guess is this won't be added back in game.

Will say anything else if I think of it, but it's time for class!

[viirusiiseli]

DBmod UAV was very good, unlimited operating time&30 second deploy. Just need a better caps lock screen for commander and fix the vehicles disappearing and lases not working properly (need to have thermal on to see your lases). Oh and not being able to put markers into the map through UAV.

[tankninja1]

Be helpful if it was easier to place markers from the UAV for things like mortars. Unless UAVs are going to get hellfires but lol that will never happen.

[Spook]

No markers for the UAV please. It is fine the way it is. UAV should not get OP and should require skill to operate it...map knowledge etc.

What you guys could do, is adding a couple of markers. Like sniper, spotter, all the stationary FOB assets like AA etc... mortars. Simply all the additional stuff you can place as a SL.

Most important thing is the invisible asset/lase bug but i read somewhere that you guys fixed it.

[Michael_Denmark]

Does BF2 code allow to change the present interface?

[BroCop]

Tbh, if you cant even be bothered to check squad names, you probably shouldnt even be COing.

[Bluedrake42]

yeah to be honest a mobile command vehicle that links to the UAV would be awesome. the vehicle could carry a single crate and have 3 seats: a machine gunner, a driver, and the command UAV linkup station. I find that being on the field with my troops really helps me command my forces better, and having a MCV that allows me to enforce forward outposts while still having access to the UAV (unless the MCV is destroyed) would really help. I'd also think it would be awesome if the commander could have his own squad (of maybe 4 or so people) but I know that's probably impossible to put in.

[mat552]

No markers for the UAV please. It is fine the way it is. UAV should not get OP and should require skill to operate it...map knowledge etc.

Tbh, if you cant even be bothered to check squad names, you probably shouldnt even be COing.

If you want people to CO, if you want people to gladly step up and say "Yes, I will shoulder the burden of not actually playing the game and being resented by all the squadleaders.", then this attitude has to go. As far as suggestions,

1) Seeing the squad name is important. Equally acceptable would be letting the SL select an icon for himself that the CO can see, corresponding with the purpose of the squad.

2) An actual timer is highly desired instead of a bar that fills over the course of the hour or what have you for the countdown to the next area attack.

3) If it's possible, a more detailed map (or even different kinds of map, ie topographical) should be substituted for the "Feed Lost" zoom level.

4) It would be extremely cool if the commander could somehow access the timer to a vehicle spawn, allowing him to assure the SL that he knows when his toy is coming back and allowing him to effectively reassign the SL for the duration of the asset's absence from the battlefield.

Other than those, I think the CO screen is actually remarkably well designed as it is.