3 Commando Brigade

AGM player names

I'm finding the 5m range for player labels from @AGM totally stupid. Also, it doesn't show AI names.

Jamie, when you're putting together the @3CB collection, please can you adjust the @AGM part to either:
  Option 1: remove the AGM labels so we can continue to use your TagsOnFoot.sqf script
  Option 2: change the AGM label distance
  Option 3: replace the AGM script with the TagsOnFoot script, so that it's built in to each mission

@AGM
> agm_interaction.pbo

Option 1
init.sqf


Option 2
\scripts\showPlayerNames.sqf

It looks like AGM's tags do not update on each frame, resulting in more jittery tags. I think option 3 may be the best since we're all used to them. However, I do have a question regarding name tags in general, this is aimed at everyone:

Currently, name tags only appear when you point your weapon directly at another unit. If you move your head and look at another unit (using TrackIR or just with Alt), their name tag won't appear. Also, similarly to what ST HUD tries to simulate, in real life you have a situational awareness of who's within your peripheral vision/around you.



To give an example, in this screenshot we can see 4 friendly units (2 far left & right, 2 on the right side of the road). In real life, you would know who those guys are since we're able to recognize people by their face and/or body shape*, even from afar.

So here's the question - what do people think about having name tags above everyone's head (in a non-obstructive way, that doesn't break immersion) within a 30m radius (ST HUD range)? Name tags could fade the further away a unit gets from you.


*Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2443731/Recognise-friend-far-away-Your-brain-probably-analysing-body-NOT-face-reveals-study.html

I quite like that idea.

That would be good.  

I agree with you, that the same rationale for the existence of ST HUD also applies to identifying members of your squad. As humans we're very good at looking at many almost insignificant aspects of a person and determining their identity; be it stance, gait, height, mass, etc.

Just personally, I find the superimposed green more irritating than names.

Interesting idea Jamie, let's try it out.
As we're "forcing" this on people through the mod, can we add a (configurable) hot-key to disable it for those that dislike it and to improve screen shots?

@lifetap...regarding sthud_a3, you can remove the hexagon's just by deleting the stgi.pbo (can't check exact name, not on home pc) from the mod.

And on a similar vein, maybe you could replace the AGM shoulder tap with your GDSN script as it's far superior, creep creep.
Your script even got a mention on the BI forums AGM thread!

The shoulder tap function is being updated to a hotkey in the next AGM release according to the BIS forums. As for name tags, I am not a big fan of having them appear all the way up to 30 meters. That is too far in my opinion as floating names above heads breaks any sort of realism. In that picture, the two guys lying on the floor should have names, but not the two in the distance. It might...might...be okay for the public server, but on Sunday OPs, the HUD is normally enough. You can usually tell who is who within your team from their load outs if you know who is playing the role (i.e. medic, AR, engineer etc...)

An additional thought to address everyone's personal preferences:

Why not include a user config file (..\userconfig\3cb.hpp) that:

1) provides a customisable hotkey for name tags on/off
2) allows each player to alter the name tag distance (using a variable) to suit their taste up to a maximum (30m?)
3) can include other variables as we see fit to add over time

Some great ideas Apollo. I so no reason why not to implement these.

Here's a test of the name tags so far. They are updated on each frame using BI's stacked event handlers (meaning it's very quick and smooth). The tags also disappear whenever there is an obstruction between you and the unit (e.g. when they are behind a wall), as you would expect. Once a unit is more than 30m away from you, their name will start to fade away the further they get.



What do people think about the colour & size of the text + what other changes could I make? (Sorry for the bad video quality btw).

Going with Apollo's first point - what about name tags temporarily showing (e.g. for 10 seconds) when you push a certain key, similar to how King of the Hill does it?

You ARE DA MAN!
I've only watched the vid at 720p so far, but it looks great.


I think a toggle switch, either on or off would be best.