Mission Editor: Unit Morale

[Kenan]

I think it would be cool if players had the opportunity to set the morale level for each unit, especially infantry. I mean, right now, there's a guy standing still while I try to hit him with salvos of rockets, which is kinda silly.

Remmember those Iraq videos of those insurgents running away at first sign of gun barrage unleashed upon them?

 

This doesn't have to be mandatoty, ie. we could have 2 or 3 settings, with the default one leaving it just like it is right now, but giving the choice to the mission creator ie. if the Unit is danger, it could simply dissapear as "escape" or randomly start moving to some direction (seeking cover).

[manbird]

Sounds like you want a "drop and play" AI. Sounds pretty cool. The only problem would be, it would be resource hogging. I guess with a name like Digital Combat Simulator, you're going to get a lot of request for Micro AI implementation.

 

That's where the Mission Editor come's in, you can set triggers for a unit to go to a certain location if the heli is XXX meters close. That way you can gurantee the appropriate unit response.

 

If you bogged the computer into calculating this in the AI, you might have infantry running into a lake, or through a house (as opposed to through the door), you could even have them "run away" to a spot you can still clearly see them at. They could also, run through eachother, or through trees. Too many chances for bugs IMHNPO (Humble Non-Programmer Opinion).

 

The beauty of the mission editor.

[Chibawang]

Well, bugs can be worked out over time, whereas perfomance issues (the real problem with all these suggestions) can only be solved by dropping cash on your system and even then current technology can only be stretched so far. It's entirely possible, but not feasible for 75% of the game audience, I would think. The soldiers are static, yes... But you're forgetting to give credit for including infantry at all! Falcon is the only other sim I can think of that implemented actual human units, and they were more static than DCS's; not to mention flat and god awful ugly. I think the level of detail put into the modeling in this sim is nothing short of amazing.

[manbird]

Very true. Maybe I'm old school, I just don't understand what simulators are supposed to focus on anymore. This DCS sim is a SPECTACULAR Heli simulation, but focus has to come with sacrifice.

 

Since I usualy desimate my enemies within minutes, I see no point in watcing them poop there pants and run around in hysterics. Instead, I'd rather see those computer resources left free for smooth frame rates and stable play. I mean , it just has CTD written all over it. IMHO

[Kenan]

That's where the Mission Editor come's in, you can set triggers for a unit to go to a certain location if the heli is XXX meters close. That way you can gurantee the appropriate unit response.

 

Actually, it never crossed my mind. Sounds like a good idea.

 

Chibawang, this was just a suggestion, an idea. Doesn't mean I don't apreaciate what we already have in BS.

[CE_Mikemonster]

Reminds me a bit of Falcon - when the unit's morale is at rock bottom they won't fire back (maybe simulating desertions).

 

I found it quite funny when the unit you're talking about happens to include quite a few ZSU-23's.. Get Your Own Back Time lol

[MBot]

Moral should be a pretty important factor, especially in relation to suppression. Suppression is a essential aspect of modern warfare, without it the whole fire and maneuver approach would not work. And as such it is also a tactic often used by helicopters and aircraft, especially in CAS or SEAD missions. I would say that in CAS putting fire on the enemy is more important than killing the enemy (although the latter is of course a desirable consequence of the first). As such suppression (and therefore some abstract form of morale) should be simulated.

 

Personally I would love to cover a C-SAR mission in DCS: A-10, forcing the enemy to keep their heads down by putting fire on some treelines, while the Sandy sweeps in and picks up a shot down pilot.

Edited January 16, 2009 by MBot