Hellion Visuals

[mr. peasant]

simple newtonian physics: an equal reaction. If you blast your hover propulsion backwards instead of forward, while also pointing it at the ground, your hovercraft could stop instantly. Even if the force wasn't applied to the ground you could reverse the direction. Would be hell on the driver, but that's going a little far into thinking about such small things.

That would entail mounting a fan/turbine at the front, which would look weird to say the least. Real world hovercraft work by reducing the RPM of the fans, which thus reduce the air cushion below the vehicle which in turn increases drag, therby slowing it.

[Xyvik]

That would entail mounting a fan/turbine at the front, which would look weird to say the least. Real world hovercraft work by reducing the RPM of the fans, which thus reduce the air cushion below the vehicle which in turn increases drag, therby slowing it.

Yeah, well, the vulture isn't a real-world hovercraft is it? All you'd really need are a couple of modified ramjets on the front for your air brakes. It really could work.

I'm still sort of mixed about the hellion. I like buggy design type vehicles, but still not entirely convinced it fits the role of the hellion.

[ArcherofAiur]

ArcherofAiur's First Law of Automobile Animations
Four wheel vehicles are only cool when sliding, flying or smashing into things.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGLzp...layer_embedded

[Hav0x]

That's true. In fact, I was just thinking about how a vehicle would be able to do that. However it would take very advanced steering, engine, and transmission systems to be able to pull that off, and I don't see the Hellion as being big enough to hold such a system. Plus, such a system would add a bunch of weight, which would slow the vehicle down a great deal.

There are everyday vehicles that contain this exact type of steering. It's not advanced nor is it a large technology.

As I said, it's not the unit design that makes it seem strange, its the turning animation. It needs to be a little slower and smoother.

[Pandonetho]

The more turning animations we add though, the more like WC3 it becomes and god do I hate every turn animation in WC3.

[n00bonicPlague]

There are everyday vehicles that contain this exact type of steering. It's not advanced nor is it a large technology.

Can ya hook me up with some links?

As I said, it's not the unit design that makes it seem strange, its the turning animation. It needs to be a little slower and smoother.

It's neither the animation nor the unit design — it's the combination of those two. That animation doesn't work with that design. You could change either the animation or the design and it would work just fine. However, for the sake of gameplay, the Hellion needs to move like it does to be effective; thus, the best option for us is to change the design of the unit so that it makes sense.

[ArcherofAiur]

The more turning animations we add though, the more like WC3 it becomes and god do I hate every turn animation in WC3.

Its not just the turning animation though. You have a hellion speeding to a spot. How does it stop? Its slows down while remaining straight. ArcherofAiur's First Law of Automobile Animations tells us that vehicals are only cool while sliding. Slowing to a halt without sliding is not cool.

Just as a test watch any racing movie or car chase. Look at the most exciting parts. Its all sliding, drifting etc..

[Nicol Bolas]

As I said, it's not the unit design that makes it seem strange, its the turning animation.

There's something being misunderstood in this thread. There isn't a turning animation at all.

Units simply face the direction in which they are currently moving. Period. Nothing animates; the unit simply has the orientation of its current velocity.

Now, you can make it so that the unit does not face its direction of motion, so that it can turn more slowly. If you do that, then the unit will look worse. At least these Hellions are not moving sideways.

You could make the turning slower while keeping the facing locked with the direction of motion. But then you're screwing with gameplay. You can't micro the unit as effectively, etc.

What we have currently is really the best of the alternatives.

[Wankey]

Put the damn vultures in there please. There is really no difference between a vulture and hellion.

[Quirel]

I agree that the Hellion needs to be sliding more, but that's low on the list of priorities in this game. Also, having the flame trail and linger for a second after firing would be nice.

As for turning, check this out!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Hurricane