Rifle slings - hard stance/soft stance.

[dallas 5195]

I recall Rocket talking about making the default carry animation lowered for weapons, I was thinking about adding functionality to it, so you'd have a practical reason to lowering your rifle and threat level.

Every armed person you come across is by default always pointing his weapon at you face, just by looking in your direction, which also means he's only one mouse click away from murder. Similar to when people realize the effects their actions have on humanity, which force them to evaluate the pros and cons of the situation, rather than instinctually killing everybody they come like other games have taught them. If weapon stances have a practical effect, anyone raising his weapon, would then clearly indicate an increased threat. People would still be able to kill each other on sight, but by changing default animations to lowered you might affect the player culture to being less confrontal, unless you clearly want to appear threatening to other survivors.

Running with a weapon weapon shouldered, a handgun holstered and simply being unarmed would cost less stamina. So if you survived the initial contact you'd be able to sprint faster and longer, if your hands aren't restricted by holding a weapon. The pursuing bandit would have to make a decision to give pursuit with his heavy weapon in hand or shoulder it to keep up. This could benefit unarmed, newly spawned, but only if they spot the bandit first or he misses his first shot.

Since they are reworking inventory, weight system and able to change and modify weapon properties. How about losing stamina for holding a weapon raised, similar to the hold breath function, but obviously much slower. I think hold breath begins to affect your accuracy after 2-3 seconds, maybe a raised weapon would affected accuracy after 30-60 seconds. It could vary depending on the stance and the weapons size/weight. Resting on the ground would eliminate all stamina loss. Standing, a MP5 might not be affected for 60 seconds, while standing with an M107 outstreched would be severely affected only after 10-20 seconds.

You'd be able to find different kinds of slings, from regular over the shoulder slings and more tactical ones, where you the rifle is resting on your chest ready to rock. I think there's already an animation for tactical slings, when a standing model switches from rifle to binoculars. Slings would have different properties, tactical slings would be faster to get into a firing position than regulars and maybe extend your ability to steady your aim for longer. Slings would also be a part of the threat assessment, an assault rifle in a tactical sling or a hard stance would be able to bring his sight on target within a second, while you'd relax a bit when coming across a guy with a double-barreled slung on his shoulder.

Thoughts?

Edited January 29, 2013 by Dallas

[shadowjack 254]

Good stuff here. I am big on ideas that force hard choices and critical thinking especially in tense moments.

If i may be self indulgent for a minute i especially like the thoughts on the MP5. It is my favorite weapon in the game but i don't use it as much as id like because the game doesn't allow for its obvious advantages over weapons with greater firepower.

[smallhil 26]

Sounds good to me. A weapon on back option in the scroll menu would already be helpfull, provided you don't pull out your sidearm.

[boxman80 964]

Agreed, slings should be added as part of other weapon equipment such as magazines, sights, torches etc. There are different types and qualities of sling that as the OP says could add an extra dimension to teh game in body language alone. 1, 2 and 3 point slings all have different characteristics and offer different pros and cons. Exellent suggestion.

[Michaelvoodoo25 3120]

Great idea, well thought out and should be in SA.

[-Gews- 7443]

For some reason I assumed this was to do with using the sling to hold the weapon steady.

[crocker 11]

I agree 100% , great read!