Three, Two or One Man Tanks?
Posted: 2005-12-30 05:02
An online college course on Critical Thinking wanted me to write a position I took a stand on or arguement I resolved. I've got the first and am hoping for the second! Being lazy, I will not edit out the bits that you already know.
I have been playing computer games for over a decade now as both a hobby and a passion. Over the past few months, I have played a war-game called Battlefield 2, in which up to 64 players control individual soldiers, crew vehicles, and fight for control of the level or map. In particular, I have been following and assisting a team of developers who are modifying the game into an even more realistic and team-oriented experience. Suggestions and discussions on their online forums have offered me many chances to take and defend a position with ideas instead of bullets.
One particular question which continues to raise controversy is how to use and control tanks in a way both realistic and fun. In stock Battlefield 2, a tank can be effectivey wielded by a single player who works both drives the vehicle and operates the main cannon. A second player may climb in to operate a heavy machine-gun, however, this only marginally improves the tank's combat power.
Most players agree that this is a flawed system and that tanks should require multiple players working closely together to operate. From this, several suggestions were put forward. Players seeking an exceptionally realistic game made cases for three-man tanks, citing the crew layout for modern tanks. They would have one player drive, one player aim and fire the main cannon, and one player manning the heavy machine-gun and leading the other players. A few other players suggested only two-man tanks, once again with one player driving and the other player operating both the main gun and the heavy machine-gun.
I felt that neither suggestion properly balanced realism with game design. First of all, in-game communications are clumsy and players rarely practice together as a real tank crew would. Because of this, a player expected to lead two strangers through typed commands would be very frustrated and ineffective, while crews who did train together would have an enormous advantage with possibly game-breaking results. For these reasons I ruled against a dedicated tank commander as presented by the first suggestion. The other flaw, suffered by all views put foward, was that a dedicated tank driver would not have an enjoyable experience. With a limited view of only what is directly in front of his tank and no weapons to operate (save ramming the enemy), drivers would have a difficult time navigating obstacles and be penalized by the kill-centric scoring system.
From these two flawed player roles, I arrived upon a compromise. By having the driver aim and fire the heavy machine-gun with the mouse while steering the tank with the keyboard, the tank will require two players to operate. This creates the team vehicle without marginalizing a player to an unenjoyable game role. Also, the driver may use the machine gun post to view behind and beside the tank and assist in his navigation. The gunner will be able to focus entirely on his real-world role of target aquisition and engaging, supported by the driver's field of view. Lastly, using a two-man crew instead of a three will free one more soldier up for the infantry combat which this mod is most loved for.
I have been playing computer games for over a decade now as both a hobby and a passion. Over the past few months, I have played a war-game called Battlefield 2, in which up to 64 players control individual soldiers, crew vehicles, and fight for control of the level or map. In particular, I have been following and assisting a team of developers who are modifying the game into an even more realistic and team-oriented experience. Suggestions and discussions on their online forums have offered me many chances to take and defend a position with ideas instead of bullets.
One particular question which continues to raise controversy is how to use and control tanks in a way both realistic and fun. In stock Battlefield 2, a tank can be effectivey wielded by a single player who works both drives the vehicle and operates the main cannon. A second player may climb in to operate a heavy machine-gun, however, this only marginally improves the tank's combat power.
Most players agree that this is a flawed system and that tanks should require multiple players working closely together to operate. From this, several suggestions were put forward. Players seeking an exceptionally realistic game made cases for three-man tanks, citing the crew layout for modern tanks. They would have one player drive, one player aim and fire the main cannon, and one player manning the heavy machine-gun and leading the other players. A few other players suggested only two-man tanks, once again with one player driving and the other player operating both the main gun and the heavy machine-gun.
I felt that neither suggestion properly balanced realism with game design. First of all, in-game communications are clumsy and players rarely practice together as a real tank crew would. Because of this, a player expected to lead two strangers through typed commands would be very frustrated and ineffective, while crews who did train together would have an enormous advantage with possibly game-breaking results. For these reasons I ruled against a dedicated tank commander as presented by the first suggestion. The other flaw, suffered by all views put foward, was that a dedicated tank driver would not have an enjoyable experience. With a limited view of only what is directly in front of his tank and no weapons to operate (save ramming the enemy), drivers would have a difficult time navigating obstacles and be penalized by the kill-centric scoring system.
From these two flawed player roles, I arrived upon a compromise. By having the driver aim and fire the heavy machine-gun with the mouse while steering the tank with the keyboard, the tank will require two players to operate. This creates the team vehicle without marginalizing a player to an unenjoyable game role. Also, the driver may use the machine gun post to view behind and beside the tank and assist in his navigation. The gunner will be able to focus entirely on his real-world role of target aquisition and engaging, supported by the driver's field of view. Lastly, using a two-man crew instead of a three will free one more soldier up for the infantry combat which this mod is most loved for.
