Night vision and spotting distance

[CtheHammer]

I thought of this the other day, it may have been mentioned already, but anyway. One of the things that is set in the environment editor is the max spotting distance. As far as I understand, that is what determines how far the AI characters can actually see. On day maps it is usually equal to how far out you can see through the fog before it becomes too thick. But on night maps it is sometimes lower than the fog distance to account for the fact that it is dark and people can't see as well in the dark.

Now here is the problem: it is my understanding that the max spotting distance is for all AI, enemy and friendly. This means that on some maps you could have very little fog, but other ghosts (who should have NV goggles) can't see more than 40 meters b/c that's how far the enemy can see and it wouldn't do to have guys without NV shooting you at 100 yards in the dark.

The solution? Maybe have two spotting distance settings: one for night vision and one for without. Then part of the actor file could be the question NV yes or no. It would be assumed that all ghost actors would have NV and it could be set up where when the human player has NV on the ghosts do too and can see out to an appropriate distance (farther than the no-NV baddies). Other npc's could also have NV goggles, and then part of the scripting could determine whether or not that npc uses them.

What this would do is allow the player to have more useful AI at night and not have them limited to being able to see no further than the enemies they are trying to kill. It would also better reflect the technological difference that exists between the US forces (and some of our allies) and much of the world.

After all, we own the night

C

[Matt03]

If you want a challenge change the spotting distance to equal yours. It makes you use cover a lot more than the original game so enemies won't see you. And it is great for enemy snipers because they can now be let free to do some real damage. But your idea is good for the night vision spotting distance. Good Idea.