Map Features/Designs/Interactivity

[Digital-Maniac]

I think it could add to intensify the game. 
Of course we all watch "The Weather Channel" and we know with 3 minutes left on the map XYZ will happen. 
But if Spies manage to finish a map with 6 minutes left some things wont happen, however if the spies are down to two minutes the map may get a bit harder...

Imagine a Greenhouse kind of level.   at 5AM(10 minutes) it's dark inside, When it rains the roof is closed and when it stops raining 2 minutes remaining (2 Minutes left) the rooftop begins to open and let light inside therefore making it a bit harder for the spies that like to be stealthy.  This can force them to "HURRY UP" and be less Stealthy.

[Farley4Fan]

It's already hard enough for spies to hurry up and get objectives with little time left.  And we want maps to be a little darker and more stealth involved then before right?  So, maybe the maps could get darker as time goes on?  Maybe there are environmental changes that HELP spies within the last minute or so?  I like your idea, you just maybe got it backwards lol

[Digital-Maniac]

Well maybe it's a little backwards but with Time winding down it I think it may intensify the way I mentioned it, but it prob would be UBER HARD.  But yes, I guess if 1/3 objectives were hacked and 1 minute to go, daylight would make this map impossible...I see where you are coming from.

[neth]

Remember ppl that weather cant change 10 times in 10 minutes. So 1 effect in 1 game can be cool but more may look silly.

[Succubus Dryad Of The Undying Comet]

Sun goes down and the light that comes through windows is affected. last minute of game starlight shows up.

[Gawain]

Sun goes down and the light that comes through windows is affected. last minute of game starlight shows up.

qfe
don't overdo it.

[Cyntrox]

I still think that it'd result in the spies waiting for the sun to go down... So it'd essentially be joining a match then waiting the first five minutes. Nay, I say.

[Succubus Dryad Of The Undying Comet]

If you're going to wait you'll have about 1:30 to 2 minutes left to do all objectives.
You MUST move before the sun goes down or you're out of time.

[Cyntrox]

Oh, I misunderstood.

Yeah, it might be good on some maps. But not all.

[Farley4Fan]

The whole idea really depends on how it is implemented or how the map is designed.

[mentalmars]

interactive maps.

I always liked the idea of CT on the map Aquarius
When you cleared a opjective it would effect the map.
Like open doors, add steam, loss laser grid.

Maby create maps with time windows.
You allready got the weather effects on time
but like the movie mision impossible II
ethan hunt has like a time window to enter the building from the roof
becase there needs to be some amounth of air or so
so every now and then the airpanel opens.
can this be added to the game.

banks have a time lock on the vault.
let airvents with blowers inside stop now and then.
maby let a (voice) message pass by for a mission update.

also what catched my eye on the factory map with CT was
that you can power systems with your SS.
activate machines/lights/rollerbelts

[frvge]

I think we'll be having a lot more interaction in our maps. But we're still busy so I don't have good examples yet. And I doubt I'd say them if I had.

[Kurbutti]

What if you could change the weather and lighting of maps?  Like before the game starts you can toggle whether it is raining or foggy or whatever.  And you can change whether it is sunset, nightime, morning, or day.  Wouldn't that be tight?  You would have to change your strategy to a different style even though it is the same map.  Like if it's day on a jungle level, you can't really rely on darkness anymore.  Instead, you have to rely on using cover, foliage, and timing to keep moving.  And if it's foggy outside, you know that if you keep distance from mercs and don't use visions, you are invisible.  Is changing weather possible on Unreal Engine 3?  I hope so, that would be wicked.

No to weather change. If it could be set or, even worse, random, it could totally ruin the other team's round. For example, rain/no rain would make a huge difference on Vertigo Plaza, because if it rains, spies cannot use their camo suit while moving above the catwalks, and assuming the other team had "just" fog, there's a huge imbalance.


Edit:

Additionally, I could just turn evil and change everything to day when I'm playing merc. Oh, there so will be those who will exploit this to the maximum.

[Farley4Fan]

No to weather change. If it could be set or, even worse, random, it could totally ruin the other team's round. For example, rain/no rain would make a huge difference on Vertigo Plaza, because if it rains, spies cannot use their camo suit while moving above the catwalks, and assuming the other team had "just" fog, there's a huge imbalance.


Edit:

Additionally, I could just turn evil and change everything to day when I'm playing merc. Oh, there so will be those who will exploit this to the maximum.

Maybe daytime shouldn't be an option.  But I really think that weather would add a lot of variety.  You are right, you would have to adjust your equipment for the weather and map at hand.  Like if it's raining, camo might not be a great choice if it is outside mostly.  Or if it's foggy, camo might be a great choice.  Weather wouldn't be random,  :D, you would have to know the weather before you choose you gadgets.

[Kurbutti]

Well I agree that it sounds cool and I'd really welcome it to any SP game that I get to play, but in SvM changing weather could cause some serious balance issues, mostly in map design. While cool, this kind of feature would require a lot of work from mappers to maintain a form of balance regardless of weather conditions. I really have to disagree here, because it further steepens the learning curve; you need to know how to defend different areas in different weather, because fog for example will most likely cover spies' advance excellently, giving them sanctuary from being spotted visually and possibly a more faster beginning as well.

Furthermore, creating open-ended maps would become almost impossible to balance to all weather conditions, and eventually this would cause an increase in indoor maps, where outdoor circumstances wouldn't matter at all. Vertigo is still a good example when you try to imagine what difference does it make to have many weather conditions.