GizmoGomez

Okay, I'll update the status on that issue then.

Alrighty; Are we happy with the proposals as they currently are? Anything that needs to be changed? Added? Here is what we have so far: Global: Adding another technology that's mentioned in several Xenopedia entries: the Adaptive Radiation Detection Array (ARDA) system. This array detects and tracks the radiation emissions that leak out of UFOs. This is a large reason why the Xenonauts are better than the rest of the world at dealing with UFOs; they can actually track them really well. The rest of the world uses radar, which doesn't work as well with UFOs. For example: the Iceland Incident UFO (size of a battleship) looked like a single ballistic missile on radar. How small compared to that ship are light scouts? Condor and Foxtrot: a) Smaller missile payloads (and no cannon in MiG-32) explained by saying that sensor equipment (ARDA) is taking up all the hardpoints b) Rather large (for a fighter) geoscape sensor range explained by there being lots of sensor equipment Sidewinder and Avalanche: a) Shorter range explained by saying the size of the sensors (ARDA) able to fit inside a missile can't detect the radiation as well as the aircraft's sensors can (or the base sensors). Renaming the base building "Radar Array" to "Detection Array" (or "Radiation Detection Array", or "ARDA System") a) Keep with continuity established with the Condor, Foxtrot, Sidewinder and Avalanche proposals that involve the ARDA system to detect aliens b) Radar wouldn't work with the dish underground anyway; maybe some mumbo-jumbo Adaptive Radiation Detection Array would be able to. c) Radar is used by everyone, why can't they track the UFOs as well as we can? It's because we track the UFO radiation leaks, not the radar signatures. This way we don't mistake weather balloons for UFOs. We've proposed changing the word "clips" to "magazines" (or whatever's applicable), because none of the ammo in the game would be called a clip. We've noted that the Shrike and Valkyrie are too slow based on their Xenopedia descriptions. Either the ships need a speed boost or the descriptions need to change.

Maybe give them an option like C4? Or simply change it back to what it was initially.

I don't think anyone but you is asking for that, mate. You do realize that the shield wouldn't cover every part of the bearer's body, especially if he's standing up. Those 20% of the shots that hit and deal full damage are hitting the body parts extending past the shield. I don't see how this is difficult to understand. @Chris: Is there a bonus to crouching? Like, because the shield covers more of the body, it blocks more of the shots? I'd recommend 90% or even 95% of shots should be blocked. So, +10% or 15%. This would apply to the diagonal chances too.

He's got a point.

The reason it bypasses the shield and hits the guy is because the guy got shot in the arm, or the leg, or the head, or some other spendage that sticks out slightly from the edge of the shield. If you want it to be realistic, then make the shield block, like, 80% of all shots, plus an additional 5% more when crouched. It should be really difficult to be shot "through" the shield. It should block more damage, you are right Mordobb.

Ha, I've never thought about that before. Dang, that would be a good strategy, under certain circumstances. +1 to the proposal.

ARDA System would fit better, yeah. I'll update the post.

It'd have to be a toggle; I'd appreciate a hotkey to enable/disable a grid, though. Do we get lightcycles with the Grid too?

Super-agree. Also, we should be able to move the map around with WASD. Just sayin'.

Sadness. Halo is a beautiful game with a dang good storyline. Go play it some time. They're right, though, female armor looks different from male armor. In fact, the US military is testing female versions of the supposedly unisex (read: male-specific) uniforms and body armor. Good day for female soldiers (and sailors, and airmen (women?), etc etc etc).

Shout out to Chris: I dunno if you read my idea (with E4D's contribution, which really helps make the idea), but it wouldn't involve adding an autoresolve for the ground combat (in case it sounded like that). The local forces would be taking the site, you'd just loan them soldiers to teach them how to take the UFO, and help them do it. If you'd be willing, could you take a minute to comment on the idea specifically? With specific feedback from you I (and everyone else) would be able to come up with better suggestions and feedback of their own. Thank you! Keep on making this game great!

Sounds cool. Reminds me, weren't we going to get a "take a funding bloc back from the aliens" mission? Where are we on that?

Fascinating. I'd support giving the hunter a hecka lot more ammo.

Good idea! I'd just make it a closeup of the base structure's main dish. We don't need to imagine what'd look good for the aircraft ARDA; we already have the base "radar station" (which should be renamed to "Radiation Detection Array", or "Adaptive Radiation Detection Array" if there's room in the string) to base the image on.

Part of me wants to suggest making the ARDA it's own Xenopedia entry. However, it'd require artwork, which could cost Chris money. Kinda a pity; it'd be a great tool in explaining exactly why the Xenonauts are able to deal with UFOs that everyone else can't manage to deal with. With the current situation we don't really have an explanation as to why the Xenonauts can see the enemy and the local forces can't.

In that case, we need to change the fusion warheads entry as well. It talks about the Avalanche using a HEAT warhead. I don't have an issue with it, but if it actually is a big issue then I suppose we could change it.

Issue: The Xenonauts and the rest of the world (Local Forces) all use radar. However, only the Xenonauts can actually detect and track the UFOs. The rest of the world only reports sightings, or attacks, or odd events. Obviously the Xenonauts can do something that the rest of the world cannot. Solution: We (of the Realism Issue Center) have come up with the Adaptive Radiation Detection Array, or ARDA. The ARDA detects the radiation emissions that the UFOs emit. This array is fitted to our planes to allow them to have the sensor ranges (circles) they do on the geoscape. Smaller versions of this array are fitted in the Sidewinder and the Avalanche that allow them to lock on to the UFOs. Why don't we simply have a massively powerful version of the ARDA in the Xenonaut base? It makes everything make sense. The rest of the world can't shoot down or otherwise deal with UFOs because they simply can't track them, or detect them. They use radar, which (according to the iceland incident) isn't very effective against UFOs. They don't have the ARDA that we have. Plus, this would mean that the underground radar dish (which wouldn't work, by the way ) is actually an Adaptive Radiation Detection Array, which could work (I mean, some radiation can pass straight through solid matter. Gamma rays, for example). Work for the devs: It'd be child's play to rename the base structure and correct the applicable strings. I mean, there are only 11 uses of the word "radar" in the strings file (most of which wouldn't change because they refer either to variables or local force radar stations) and only one use of it in the xenopedia (quantum cryptology). Simply change the word "radar" to "sensor" in the quantum cryptography entry, and rename the base structure to "Detection Array" or "ARDA System." Exact places that'd need to have changes:

A mod would be awesome, I'd like to see the Xenopedia expended in that manner. You are right about the shaped charge, when I looked up the plasma and fusion weapons I saw that the Avalanche actually has a HEAT warhead. Thus, I've altered the Avalanche to indicate this. Good point with the Sidewinder sentence, I'll update the post. EDIT: Question, then: Do you think that my updated sidewinder entry is sufficient, then? (Once I've made the change you suggested.) I put your Sidewinder and Avalanche proposals on the OP. Since you're going to make an expanded Xenopedia mod with them (hopefully ) may I take them down then?

Here's the current entry: Here's the proposed entry, with the changes in bold: Reasons for changes:

Also, the player is the Commander. I was under the impression that the Xenopedia entries were all written by the head scientist for the Commander of the Xenonauts to read. Maybe I'm wrong. <shrug>

You know what? Remembering the wording of the plasma missile entry, it talks about how we've focused on raw explosive power to breach the hulls instead of piercing them (like a HEAT round). So, we shouldn't change the warheads of the sidewinder and the avalanche to be armor piercing, otherwise we'd have to rewrite the plasma and probably the alenium warhead entries too. Also, thinking about the point of this thread some more, we aren't rewriting the entries to be more interesting, or giving them more background. We're simply clearing up unrealistic things, and replacing them with realistic things. My modified version of the sidewinder text would be sufficient, though I do like mentioning the ARDA system you did in your version. I just don't want to modify things too much, only what's necessary for realism's sake. Here's a rewrite of my version of the sidewinder entry, incorporating some cues from yours:

Honestly, much of the information in your version of the Sidewinder entry isn't needed. I mean, why would the head scientist be telling the commander when the AIM-9L was first introduced? Do either of them care? Just a thought. I'm still working on my own version, hang on.

I'd rewrite the last sentence, it looks as if the Sidewinder also has a 58kg shaped charge warhead. Also, there's no hyphen in shaped charge.

It came out well, yeah. I've tried to base my things more directly off of the original entry so we can keep the same rhythm and style as Chris's work. I'll see if I can merge your ideas with what Chris has written to come up with a more "in-style" version. All in all, though, it was good.