Possible suggestion for more interesting lasers?

Video included...

from Sins Forums
As discussed a bit here, the TEC "lasers" look a bit off. They've always looked a bit like autocannon fire, and Beta4 went further to differentiating them, but they're still missing a little something. Ron suggested using the flashbeam effect for them, so I gave that a shot. I *really* like the effect, and am wondering if others feel the same.


Okay-ish quality Dailymotion stream

Actual video, better quality, ~21MB

There's a few other changes going on in that video (Kol's beams are de-linked, rate of fire of many things doubled, etc), but the main thing is the laser effect. I don't have a hit effect on the lasers at the moment, so ignore that.

I also have a tweak in progress for the Vasari wave-thing that I'll be posting when I get a chance.

(oh, and if anyone wants the .entity files used for the video above, just let me know and I'll zip 'em up and post 'em.)



41,162 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

I sorta like the waves they fire, they just need to be more colorful, solid green sucks, maybe go from light green to a molten yellowish middle?
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

There's some misconception as to the various racial weapons in the game (partially my fault I'm sure).  

The TEC use a variety including pulse lasers, autocannons, rail guns, missiles, and beam weapons (only on the Kol). Many of the effects' visual appearances are not yet final (you probably won't see their final versions in the beta).

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Many of the effects' visual appearances are not yet final


Is this true for the Vasari as well? Or just the TEC?

I really like the current autocannons the Kol uses. To hear a rapid burst of fire and then to see a stream of projectiles   
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
the one research icon for the Vasari lasers show squiggly type beam, hopefully that gets put in the game
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
There's some misconception as to the various racial weapons in the game (partially my fault I'm sure).


Specifically in the case of lasers, we don't like the approach because little dots flying through space doesn't imply a light speed weapon, which by definition a laser has to be.

BTW, I really like those new graphics. If it weren't for the need to maintain multiplayer compatibility, I'd grab 'em in a heartbeat. Having the "disco laser" effect for the TEC's lasers really looks cool, IMO, and makes them quite different from autocannon...

Though I will admit, I need to play them in this new Beta -- I've been told some major differences have gotten made on me.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
What I'd like to see from larger battleships are perhaps a slower fire rate, but more consistent and constant than the bursts that is in now.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Specifically in the case of lasers, we don't like the approach because little dots flying through space doesn't imply a light speed weapon, which by definition a laser has to be.


Mhmm. Even ignoring realism, if it looks cooler... why not?


What I'd like to see from larger battleships are perhaps a slower fire rate, but more consistent and constant than the bursts that is in now.


Well, I like higher fire rates, but agreed re: consistent/constant bursts. The "fire 15 round bursts every 6 seconds" that some of the ships have right now doesn't do it for me. The Kols in those videos are throwing 10 round bursts every 2 seconds. A bit better, but not quite what I want in the end.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

The Advent use the flash laser look you are speaking of. 

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

The Advent use the flash laser look you are speaking of. 





Figured as much, one of the reasons I'm really looking forward to them.

That said, I think the flash lasers fit the TEC well enough as well. Maybe toned down a bit from what I have above, but the Kol's beams wouldn't be developed in a vacuum (no, not lack of pressure, the other meaning!), and the lasers seem a good precursor to the Kol beams. *shrug*
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
hmm, give give the Kol beam look too lasers (only a little smaller in diamiter)

...and make take something like HW plama beams, and put them on the KOL (those looked AWSOME!!)
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
but the Kol's beams wouldn't be developed in a vacuum

no, they are a unique tech developed from reverse engineering Vaz tech, has nothing to do with their previous weapon styles.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

no, they are a unique tech developed from reverse engineering Vaz tech, has nothing to do with their previous weapon styles.


Hmm? Really only changes the source of the tech. Doesn't really change the possibility of other stuff based on the same idea. *shrug*

In any case, my motivation isn't really realism or lore. I just want the battles to look more interesting. Current lasers just don't do it for me. As Yarlen said, they aren't final, but if they're to remain projectiles, dunno what they might do to make them spiffy.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
Hey I have never played the game and was wondering if when a ship with a beam laser hits a ship, and kills it does the game render the bean piercing the ship and going through the ship and coming out the other side?

Just wondering because those type of effects would be really awesome.
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
someone hasnt been reading my posts about lazy devs...
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
An example of what I am asking about would be at the very end of this clip

WWW Link

Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
An example of what I am asking about would be at the very end of this clip


pssst, not at the very end methinks -- it didn't go through at the very end
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
but do you get the general idea?
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top

but do you get the general idea?


Sure, but I prefer this movies version. Freespace 2 Intro Skip ahead to about 1:30
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
Gah, stop making me want to play FS2
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
Thats the type of effects I was asking about Ron. So is it included in Sins?
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top

Thats the type of effects I was asking about Ron. So is it included in Sins?


Alas, no. Edit: With the exception of the Kol beams, wouldn't work very well either -- no graphics would work that way.