I ran a search of this section and did not find that this has been posted before.
I was considering how terrible I believe the HMG system to be in HOS when I came upon a different approach to it. Would it be possible (or practical) to implement a system in which a team of two or three can work together to fire, load, and move a heavy machine gun?
The first problem with this would probably be the fact that a mobile machine gun with low recoil would probably be an incredible advantage. To counter that problem I figured that the only source of ammunition for one could be the ammo dump at the home spawn point. This would require a runner to carry ammunition to the team, making them somewhat ineffective far from that point. To keep the whole team from running ammo or "resupplying" the team the runner could be reduced to his secondary weapon whilst holding the ammo can (every rifleman carrying a belt of mg compatible ammo just does not seem realistic anyway). Further reducing the weapon effectiveness could be reducing the loading speed, adding jams and making it impossible to move without a second operator (jams due to not having the loader to correct the belt angle as it is fed). I feel that with a system like this, the realism would also add a sort of balance.
Although it would likely be harder to balance adding a mortar system that worked similarly would add interesting gameplay mechanics. Of course it would be necessary to restrict it (realistically) even more. A mortar crewman would probably only be able to carry around three or four rounds for example, either HE, incendiary, or maybe even flare (for possible night missions?). It would likely help to eliminate any auto aim system (such as the targeting computer from ArmA II), instead having the crew members see on a map where the rounds fall post impact.
The more I think the more I believe that this would be hell to program, bug test, and balance within maps, but implementing a system such as this would easily make this mod one of the greatest representations of machine gun warfare I have ever seen. Interestingly enough I believe that it would enhance the importance of the armoured vehicles in the game as well. With this a skilled machinegun team/mortar crew could potentially hold down a small portion of the map, making that last capture point hell itself for any team facing them, while not tipping the balance too much in their favour (it taking two or three members to effectively operate them).
I look forward to your constructive criticism
-The Chaplain
I was considering how terrible I believe the HMG system to be in HOS when I came upon a different approach to it. Would it be possible (or practical) to implement a system in which a team of two or three can work together to fire, load, and move a heavy machine gun?
The first problem with this would probably be the fact that a mobile machine gun with low recoil would probably be an incredible advantage. To counter that problem I figured that the only source of ammunition for one could be the ammo dump at the home spawn point. This would require a runner to carry ammunition to the team, making them somewhat ineffective far from that point. To keep the whole team from running ammo or "resupplying" the team the runner could be reduced to his secondary weapon whilst holding the ammo can (every rifleman carrying a belt of mg compatible ammo just does not seem realistic anyway). Further reducing the weapon effectiveness could be reducing the loading speed, adding jams and making it impossible to move without a second operator (jams due to not having the loader to correct the belt angle as it is fed). I feel that with a system like this, the realism would also add a sort of balance.
Although it would likely be harder to balance adding a mortar system that worked similarly would add interesting gameplay mechanics. Of course it would be necessary to restrict it (realistically) even more. A mortar crewman would probably only be able to carry around three or four rounds for example, either HE, incendiary, or maybe even flare (for possible night missions?). It would likely help to eliminate any auto aim system (such as the targeting computer from ArmA II), instead having the crew members see on a map where the rounds fall post impact.
The more I think the more I believe that this would be hell to program, bug test, and balance within maps, but implementing a system such as this would easily make this mod one of the greatest representations of machine gun warfare I have ever seen. Interestingly enough I believe that it would enhance the importance of the armoured vehicles in the game as well. With this a skilled machinegun team/mortar crew could potentially hold down a small portion of the map, making that last capture point hell itself for any team facing them, while not tipping the balance too much in their favour (it taking two or three members to effectively operate them).
I look forward to your constructive criticism
-The Chaplain