TMI - Teamwork Management Interface :idea:

[Long*Shot]

That is a cool name. And it would actually be cool to have it actually in game.
And no, the lousy team_say messages are not an effective and productive interface.
A more extensive interface that enables a more complete and detailed management is in order.

This is what I was thinking:
1. A pop-up window that would contain the interface would be called using an input device.
2. The interface would be interactive. It will show information about team members tasks and positions and allow team members to change them as they wish.
3. The information and control mechanism would be one of the same. The interface will be schematic and modularized. There will be several empty frames spread in an orderly fashion across the screen, each one representing one team function. You will have an empty frame for "Flag runner", "Wing man","Sniper","Sniper hunter","Flag Defender","Middleman", etc.. .
Boxs representing each team member could be dragged in and out of the frames. Abusing of this system is possible and probable, but could be prevented (captains, limited control over other players roles, forcing other players from their tasks by popular vote..)
*Obviously all your actions results will be transmitted to the other team members interface.

I am not aware of any other similar interface in other FPS games, but having this in game will do wonders for FPS strategy and tactics. Is this feasible or are those just pipe dreams? I would be especially interested in what the game developers have to say

[[-z-]]

Pictures are worth 1,000 words.

I agree with the idea but if you want anything done about it... you're going to need to take some initiative.

Blub has started a CSQC commander menu, you should find/talk to him.

[Long*Shot]

Pictures are worth 1,000 words.

I hope this conveys the simple idea. The player drags his box into the "positions" frames.
Additional position frames can be created by dragging frames from "tasks".

[Blµb]

Okay, I really like the idea
You should come to IRC every once in a while so I can show you what I've done with the commander menu so far.
It's worth a try, and I'd definitely work on it in my free time, however...
Ummm, let's start ranting:
1) 90% are either too dumb or don't want to use this thing I'm 100% sure of that
2) If every player can change his positing himself, they'll blindly choose anything and then keep playing deathmatch
3) If however a commander chooses their position they wouldn't even notice that they got new commands if we make their hole screen white with huge text with an input box where you have to type in the command you have been given to be able to play again... just like most ppl ignore polls atm...
4) It needs CSQC, and still many people prefer 2.3 over 2.4, but 2.3 isn't csqc compatible

[Long*Shot]

1) 90% are either too dumb or don't want to use this thing I'm 100% sure of that

2) If every player can change his positing himself, they'll blindly choose anything and then keep playing deathmatch

Having to drag a box into an empty frame is as a dumb interface as you can get, it really cant get any easier

I believe that tactical strategy-based games are possible at Nexuiz, or at any other FPS game for that matter, the question is at what price. The douchebags on public servers will try to abuse any system that you will put forward, no matter how user-friendly it is and how much beneficial it is for their team.
Giving more "power" to a team management system will undoubtedly create the situations where players are kicked\kickbanned out of games for not being team-friendly, but I am not sure how much the community will approve of that.
While being "aggressive" in trying to maintain an entertaining and satisfying CTF game is valid in my eyes it may not be in the eyes of others, but that is not the issue and thats not what I am offering. You can think of it as a guidance system for team play, you can either use it or not use it. In that respect it is not much different then the TeamSay messages. It is, however, much more easier to use, more versatile, and has greater potential in improving team play. As for how much it will be used..thats up to how much power you give team members over their rebellious team mates.

3) If however a commander chooses their position they wouldn't even notice that they got new commands if we make their hole screen white with huge text with an input box where you have to type in the command you have been given to be able to play again... just like most ppl ignore polls atm...

Just keep it graphic and intuitive.
The polling system imho can be more intuitive and more language-free (many players dont speak English). I think there should be a button for each map, preferably it should have a background image of the map itself, and all the players will have to do is to move his crosshair/pointer and click on a button. Its really absurd that players will desperately implore other players over the chat (in English obviously) to vote and pick a map and how to do it, when on the other side there is a 9 year old farmer's boy from the crimea. Not to mention that its not obvious from the poll message that you actually have to press any key at all.
If a team captain has changed a team members task then that player can be notified through the Hud or just by a flashing message. In fact you can have a permanent spot on the Hud where you can see what is your function in the team (defender, runner..)

4) It needs CSQC, and still many people prefer 2.3 over 2.4, but 2.3 isn't csqc compatible

People with 2.3 obviously wouldn't be able to use this feature. But how much is it a problem? Newer versions will be produces, each of them with new features, and as time pass by (provided that the new version doesn't completely suck) most ppl will update to a newer release.

And I have no idea what CSQC is, I am not a professional programmer and have no clue how to implement what I am talking about.
I am suggesting and putting this up for debate to see how feasible it is and whether there are developers who would be interested in this. I have seen a lot of people here and on the servers with programming experience, so maybe this idea can go forward

[Blµb]

People with 2.3 obviously wouldn't be able to use this feature. But how much is it a problem?

They won't use it because they will crash when joining the server
But of course, that wouldn't keep me from doing it

In fact you can have a permanent spot on the Hud where you can see what is your function in the team (defender, runner..)

That's how my command-system works atm
Just that you don't drag boxes around, you go through a text menu, and well, you're right, text is evil...

So what is needed are graphics for the different tactical positions. They have to be simple so that people can actually understand them.
I say it's definitely worth a try, so now we need people who're willing to make the gfx

[HarryButt]

These are some unfinished concepts:


Runner



Sniper



Midfield

These look pretty much finished imho:

Defense



Wing Man

Since all of them are vector graphics, you may change colors and scale them to your liking.
As soon as they're finished, I'll give you the .svgs.

[Long*Shot]

These are some unfinished concepts:

Wa, thats awesome [GF]HarryButt

[Fisume!]

Very nice

[Mr. Bougo]

Now this is indeed great