Tertiary's Command Thoughts

[thephenyxrising]

> Assignment: Ability to move players within a team, squad, and platoon – including expanded functionality for the promotion command.
> Squad Member Visual Recognition: Easily identify squad mates in the field.
> Teams: 2-8 person ‘teams’ created from personnel within a squad.
> Squad Leader Idle-Time Out: Removes idle players from squad leader positions.
> Joining Squads:[/b] Gives the player the ability to join a player or SL’s squad, or switch to another squad within their platoon.
} Upgraded Squad Management: Upgrades the squad management window to streamline new and old commands.
} Larger Platoons:[/b] Add another squad to the platoon limit and two players to the squad limit.
} Chain of Command: In a platoon, only the PL has access to the squad leader’s channel (/sl).
} XP Waypoint: Teams and Platoons are given XP waypoints. XP shared between squads in platoons.




> /move <player> or <squad number> <squad number>
> /team <message> or /t <message>
> /teamleader <message> or /tl <message>
> /crteam <squad member designation> <squad number designation>|<player> <player>
> /join <player>|<squad number>|<squad designator>
> /nomove on|off
> /merge <squad letter> <squad letter>|all
> /split <squad member designation> <squad member designation>|<player> <player>
> /txp map|mini on|off
> /pxp map|mini on|off
} /invite <player> <squad member designation>
} /promote <player>|<squad number>



Note: > presents a new feature. } presents a new function for an existing feature. / designates the beginning of a command. <text> designates variable input. | designates alternate input.[/u]


Many thanks to the following people for inspiring me and aiding in the development of this idea:

MiniGnu for inspiration of the Squad Leader Idle Time-Out Feature.
XxDarkOsirisxX for inspiration of the Visual Squad Designation System.


Version 1.0.6 - Changed some minor syntax and removed /designate because of redundancy. Its functionality will be placed with /move. Added explanation for Squad Member Visual Recognition (found below.)

Version 1.0.7 – Fixed minor typoes. Streamlined some content. Added upgraded squad management window to concepts list. Added /pxp and /txp (for toggling platoon and team xp waypoints on or off) to the commands list. Wrote explanation of ‘Teams’ concept.

Version 1.0.8 – More streamlining. More typos. Added squad leader idle-timeout explanation.

[minignu]

Good idea here....how about an option for the squad to vote out a newly promoted SL as well?

[thephenyxrising]

All the original text thus far may be found here while I restructure.
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Just two, really:

Squad members are designated as '1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.' However, the assignment of those numbers are based soley on the order the person joined the squad. And, if number '2' leaves, then the next person to join the squad receives that number.

This becomes a problem when squad member 2 is inactive and the SL is disconnected or has to leave abrubtly. Squad member 2 becomes the next SL... and the squad inevitably dies as their inactivity does not replenish those who leave the squad.

Further, while Hayoo is doing brilliantly with hierarchy above platoon level, little has been developed for smaller than platoon level. Squad organization becomes difficult when people are assigned nigh randomly in the order they join the squad. Being able to designate the Squad Sub-Leader (number 2) would be great... but, if the command is implemented why not allow the designation of all the squad numbers? This way you could develope 'teams' with team leaders as well.

And, this leads to the final thought in this thread - why not be able to designate teams via command interface? As it stands, the squad view window does verry little. Why not allow it to create teams within your squad (whether four man, three man, or two man. Or a combination of those.) And, further, why not allow it to drag and drop squad members between teams -and- squads (in the case of a platoon).

Commands:
/designate <player> <squad number designation>
To designate which player will receive which squad number.

/invite <player> <squad number designation>
Invites a player in to your squad and deisgnates which squad number they will recieve.

/team <message> or /t <message>
Speaks to your team members.

/teamleader <message> or /tl <message>
Speaks to other team leaders and the squad leader.

/crteam <squad number> <squad number>
Creates a team. The team consists of all players numbered between the first and second numbers. The lowest number becomes the team leader.

/move <player> <color of destination squad>
Moves a player from your squad to the squad designated by the command.
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Eh, I don't like voting. When I have a squad I put a lot of effort into keeping it as full as possible. Oversaturating it w/ a bunch of folks from a single outfit and then having them steal it from me would, needless to say, piss me off. ;)

Instead, I would recommend the implementation of a system where the SL is demoted after a certain period of inactivity (inactivity defined as no chatting, no moving, no anything.) I'd say that if they die and end up respawning in Sanc... that's a decent amount of time and they should be demoted.

But, for your 'new' SLs who take over after the old SL has to leave (and foolishly forgets to find someone to take over) that is the primary reason for the /designate command. It lets them organize on the fly... and, by default, #2 becomes SL when SL leaves squad. So, by designating a sub-SL you select who will take over when ya leave early.


I had another command idea... maybe I'll remember it today IG.
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Okay, to further respond to Mini: Sqauds are not Global Commanders. The latter being a semi-permanent (currently non-existent) commodity. If you don't like the squad you are in - leave it and find another... or make your own, for that matter. Incidentilly: I highly recommend finding a few really good SLs (ones who command in a style you enjoy) and adding them to your friends list. Chances are they'll be SLs still months from now - and chances are they'll appreciate you sending them tells requesting squadage. ;) If everyone did this - they're'd never be an empty squad except for the people who we don't -want- to be CR5s. ;)


Okay, I realized something the other night (two things, actually, but they are semi-different topics so I'll add the next in a latter paragraph): The squad member movage could be abused... Say it's a three squad platoon. PL, SL1, and SL2 are all just inches from CR5 and they desperatly want more squadies to help them acheive their goal... (They are also selfish pricks whom we don't want to have CR5.. but, that's another issue altogether.) PL /moves enough squadies to give him a full squad from the other two squads... SL1 moves them all to his squad... SL2 tries to steal them... PL steals them back... etc. ad naseum. It seems rather obvious that this should be avoided - however, I did not point out the solution in my first post... so, here it is: You can only /move players from your squad to another squad.

In addition to this: A player may not wish to be moved from his squad. My first opinion is to tell him 'Tough.' But, on further thought, I don't see why a toggle can't be added. /nomove on|off should be sufficient. If it is on then the player may not be moved from their squad to another... This is usefull (for instance) when another SL or PL is of the sort the player does not like... and the player does not wish to contribute to the already oversatured pool of OS gimps.


And, now to the final idea: /merge <squad number> <squad number>|all is a command that can merge two squads into one. This is usefull when one SL does not particularly want to be SL... or has the wisdom to see that a combined force is greater than a splintered force... and the total of two squads (or three squads) is less than or equal to ten. [ex. /merge 1 2 would merge sqaud one and two. /merge all would merge the entire platoon.]


EDIT: Something else I just realized. The best use for 'teams' is spec ops. So they can do what they need to in an organized fashion. Teams should get 'XP' waypoints just as do Squads. I'll outline this a bit more after I develope it a bit more in my mind... But, I'm thinking that each TL is the Team XP WP. Team members staying near the TL will receive less XP than those near the Squad XP WP, but more than those outside the team who are not near the S XP WP. Team members near the TL will also not count for determining the centralized S XP WP. The TL XP WP will be smaller in radius, however.

[thephenyxrising]

Number three... and I didn't put a dent in it... because as soon as I was half-way through this one I thought of something else I needed to add... Does it ever end Hayoo?!?


ASSIGNMENT:
Unparalleled control of your squad at your fingertips. Squad members are designated by default with a number of one through ten. Their designation falls more to chance than design, however, with the first person invited becoming number two, etc.

Rather than this random designation, my concept allows assignment (by the squad-leader) of which number the player receives. This is done either when inviting the player, through a chat interface command, or through the squad management window by a drag-drop method.

This will allow squad and platoon leaders to better organize their squads by placing drivers with their gunners, spec ops teams with each other, etc. It will also allow squad and platoon leaders the ability to designate their successor, or the person who will receive command if they quit or are disconnected.

Squad leaders may also move their squad members to another squad. To prevent abuse a squad leader can only move one of his own squad members. This function may be enacted through the chat interface or the squad management window. To prevent a player being placed under the command of a squad or platoon leader they dislike, or simply to prevent them being tossed about like a sack of flour, they will receive a toggle that (when turned on) prevents their being moved to another squad except in the instance of a merge.

Promotion now raises a squad leader to platoon leader and will allow a team leader to be promoted as well (if teams are implemented.)

Finally, players may now join squads by targeting a squad leader, pressing ‘G’ to ‘interact with avatar’ and selecting ‘join squad’ from the menu, or by using the chat interface. Squad leaders may use a similar method to join platoons, making the targeted player the platoon leader if they are not already a platoon leader.



VISUAL SQUAD RECOGNITION
Know at a glance which squad members are which, what squad they belong to, and whether they are part of your team. Currently squad members are designated by numbers (one through ten) and different squads in a platoon designated by customizable color.

While neither of the two are perfect, the latter is the more lamentable as it could detract from the experience of color blind players. By giving each squad member and each squad an alphanumerical designation and combining those designations, however, we solve both problems.

Instead of ‘gold one’ (a dubious identification in either case, as one can change the default color) you will have Alpha One, or A1 (no relation to steak-sauce of same name.) A1 will appear on the minimap and world map instead of the normal gold colored one (though it will still be color coded, the coloring will simply be a further aid to quickly identify squad members.)

Further, to the left of the name of each player will be displayed their designation. ex. A1: Tertiary designates Tertiary as the Platoon leader under the current system. To designate team members a ‘T’ will be added to that formula at the end in all formats (maps, squad bar, and GUI) to present A1T.

Under my preferred system of 12 squad members and four platoons, the designations would be: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta squads. Lima (L), Sierra (S), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0. Lima will designate the current squad leader while Sierra will designate the ‘second’ or ‘successor’ to the squad leader who will take over if he is removed from the squad, one way or the other. ex. AL is Alpha Leader. DS is Delta Second. C3 is Charlie squad member three. B0T is your team member, Bravo 0. (Team leaders will be easy to find because they will carry the team XP waypoint... as detailed later.)



TEAMS
Squads exist to enhance and encourage team-play. The new squad waypoints exist to even further refine that play. However, they also limit a vital role – special operations. They also limit vital roles (A LLU run while maintaining defense on the CC is a prime example) being exercised at once via a single squad. Squads themselves even do their part to inhibit these important functions of any combat unit.

While raising the echelons (squad being the lowest and platoon the highest presently – the next echelon would be company and then battalion) would solve these problems by ensuring that everyone knows whether or not a mission has sufficient personal for completion... however, implementing higher echelons would require a great deal of effort.

By breaking down what we already have, however, we can also: solve the problem, create groundwork for future activities in squad improvement, insert a new dynamic into the game, and... well, sop my ego of course. By breaking down I mean the creation of lower echelons than we currently have - the creation of teams within squads.

Default would set a squad without teams. Upon need or desire a squad leader may break his squad into teams which could range in size from two to six players. To create the teams the squad leader may use chat interface commands or the squad management window.

Teams would receive their own experience waypoint which they may toggle on or off – the waypoint would be centered on the team leader and cannot be moved to another place or player (unless that player is promoted to team leader.) XP pass from the team is the same as XP pass from the current squad XP waypoint for those near it. XP pass from those outside the team falls under different rules. If the team XP waypoint is within a certain distance of the squad XP waypoint, then XP pass is normal – if it is not, however, the pass is slightly less... but, still more than if they were running solo (in squad, but not in team, and not near squad XP waypoint.) Further, the Team does not shift the WP as much as a solo player would.



Squad Leader Idle-Timout
A frequent problem while in ‘pick-up’ squads (squads of people you do not know) is having squad leaders depart without designating an active replacement. Through inattentiveness, or simply having gone away from their computer for a long period of time, these ad hoc squad leaders allow the squad to quickly die out as other departing players are not replaced... And, yet more players leave the squad that is now without direction or command.

Even squads of well-known friends or associates can fall pray to this. The solution is simple – if it seems a case of inattentiveness, inform the new squad leader of their position. If it is a case of the player being away from their computer, after a period of ten minutes of no activity, they will be removed from the position. They will be placed in the highest numbered player slot, all other players moved down one number, and the next squad leader chosen normally (lowest number becomes squad leader.)

This will serve to reduce ‘dead’ squads and encourage squad leaders to remain active in directing their squads, or that squad leaders will be sure to have someone capable designated to take their place in the event of inactivity.

[XxDarkOsirisxX]

Great idea man, i dont really like the number system atm, either. Spec ops would work much more effectively. Maybe even a visiual aid to determine teams? not a color, because soon a full platoon would look like a christmas tree witht all the name colors. maybe just a symbol or number by their name perhaps?

[thephenyxrising]

I've also been thinking on that... not specifically a number/letter by their name (I'll be sure to credit you for that idea.. THANKS!) but how to properlly designate the squads in a platoon. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta would work well, I think (since I want four squads... which'll be explained later.) Also, since I want 12 squadies, those who are currently 1 and 2 would become... Erm... Lima (for Leader) and Sierra (for Successor)? Thus their designations next to their names (and in the squad bars) would be: AL, AS, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A0. BL, BS, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B0. Etc. (Wow, BS and BO in one squad? That's ripe for punsters.)

Also, could add voice macroes to designate squad member (for SLs) and squads (for PLs.) ex. v-v-v-a-4 = "A4! Help!" (Or, if the coders really want to be nice: "<name of squad member A4>! Help!") ex. v-d-c-b = "Bravo Squad! Defend the Control Console!"

EDIT: As some of you who have looked over this thread may have noticed - it's gone somewhat of a overhaul. It'll continue this overhaul until I'm done... or bored. Whichever is more likely. Anyways, since this idea is rather easy to figure out (though I do continue to develope a startling number of offshoots) it shouldn't be too long before it is polished up.

[thephenyxrising]

Is it against the forum rules to 'bump' when the content is updated via edit?

Also, still looking for some kind soul willing to make graphics for this stuff. :) Let me know, please.

EDIT: ACK! Just had ANOTHER thought! Would it be useful to designate the SLs, TLs, and PLs in chat?

current chat ex.
[Platoon Leaders] Ron: Blah blah blah.
[Platoon Leaders] John: Blah blah.
[Platoon Leaders] Andy: Blah: Blah blah. Blah, blah blah.

concept chat ex.
[Platoon: A] Ron: Blah.
[Platoon: C] John: Blah blah.
[Team: L] John: Blah?
[Team: 1] Roger: Blah.
[Team: 3] Sarah: Blah blah. Blah.
[Platoon: C] John: Blah.
[Platoon: B] Andy: Blah blah. Blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah...
[Platoon: A] Ron: Blah.

[acespacer]

Is it against the forum rules to 'bump' when the content is updated via edit?

Also, still looking for some kind soul willing to make graphics for this stuff. :) Let me know, please.

EDIT: ACK! Just had ANOTHER thought! Would it be useful to designate the SLs, TLs, and PLs in chat?

current chat ex.
[Platoon Leaders] Ron: Blah blah blah.
[Platoon Leaders] John: Blah blah.
[Platoon Leaders] Andy: Blah: Blah blah. Blah, blah blah.

concept chat ex.
[Platoon: A] Ron: Blah.
[Platoon: C] John: Blah blah.
[Team: L] John: Blah?
[Team: 1] Roger: Blah.
[Team: 3] Sarah: Blah blah. Blah.
[Platoon: C] John: Blah.
[Platoon: B] Andy: Blah blah. Blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah...
[Platoon: A] Ron: Blah.
cool idea ^_^ it would make it easer for text chat... but some people use Team Speek and/or Ventrilo

ALSO ALL MY POSTS ARE SHOWING UP IN THE MODERATION QUEUE AND I SHOULD PROBABLY CHECK MY EMAIL TO VALIDATE MY ACCOUNT SO THE MODS DON'T HAVE TO READ AND APPROVE EVERY POST I MAKE

[Hayoo]

Nice ideas.

Where're the interface graphics? :) Gimme gimme!

[XxDarkOsirisxX]

We just dont want this thing to get too out of hand and have 90 different chats up. I love the idea though.

[thephenyxrising]

I'm going to try to get back into this and get things done. Added squad leader idle timeout explanation for now... I'll hit one or two more within the next 24 hours (I have tommorow off.) Osiris: The plan is to reduce chat to as little as possible. I take away the ability of a couple folks to view an extra channel and give the ability for a new channel to be created... but, maybe I can find a way to make it easier to toggle those channels on|off. I'll ponder. ;)

Any of you graphics people looking for something to do -
AIM: darkphenyxrising
E-mail: thephenyxrising

Either ya c'n teach me how to do it - do it yourself - or use those or the forums to get in touch with me. :) Thanks! (Also, thanks to Ace and Hayoo.)

EDIT: I just got in the game... found all the fancy new LFS updates... don't have access to the computer with PS on it for to take screenies and send them to this computer... want to work on this... :cries: this (http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=release&message.id=79) leads to this (//planetside.station.sony.com/news_archive.vm?month=122005&id=66702&direction=down). And there are no pictures there. :( Any ideas what's going on there?

[thephenyxrising]

Okay, made one for the squad window - can anyone tell me how to post it up here? And, Hayoo, I hope you don't mind... I used the pic you posted on PS forums for it.

[Hayoo]

When you make a post there should be a 'manage attachements' button in Additional Options below the text field. And you can add an image that way.

As far as re-using my mockups, it depends on how much was altered or added before posting it as your own I guess. If a lot of the original remains untouched, then a brief citing would suffice.

If you need in-game screenshots of the actual interface, Fraps is a good free tool to use. That's what I've used when I need to.

[thephenyxrising]

I do not have that option.

I used your image because it was nicer than the one I managed to get, and because it included some other nice ideas already. So far as citing you....

:p

....I would never use someone else's work without citing them, no matter how much I changed it. :) I ended up opening a photo-bucket account and routing it through there.

I've only did a few cosmetic modifications so far. Added the new squad designations (if you look carefully you can see I messed 'em up. ;)) Added the Idle Timout - but, I'm not sure I like it where it is. And, I added the Reassign button... I think it'll open a pane similiar to the 'Role' menu. You click on the squad position you want the person to fill - if someone is there already then they are switched.

I used GIMP for the editiing... but, I had a lot of trouble with the font and font size, can anyone tell me which font I should be using here?



http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/thephenyxrising/squad_window_members.jpg (http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=psgalatic&message.id=19&page=2)
Original image by Hayoo.

[acespacer]

whell as far as i know and hope that Planetside dose the same for the ppl who came up with all the stuff they listed for future dev.

[thephenyxrising]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/thephenyxrising/reassign_window.jpg
Original by Hayoo (on accident) 0.0

That'll be updated as soon as I get the fonts to use. First choice will be 'reassign' for putting someone in a different spot in your squad, second will be send to second squad, third to third squad. Above the buttons will be the name of the player you are transfering. All the 'open' and '<player name>' spots will be moved over so that the squad number designations can be entered as well.

[Hayoo]

I've added some blank interface windows (http://comms.planetsidesyndicate.com/showthread.php?p=41324#post41324)to help you out. You'll find them in the Concept Division: Resource Library section. They are in PNG format. Depending on the program you use, you can manipulate each element or layer as needed. :)