So reading through a bunch of the bt threads, I've been hearing this sentiment a lot; “Well we know that wall jumping and strafe hopping are not ideal, but no one has been able to come up with a better idea”. Ok, fair enough. Well then here's my attempt at coming up with something completely different.
A jumping mechanic based more on physics where you charge up and actually jump on the release of the spacebar. Hold on, bear with me. This is how it would work.
The direction and strength of a jump would be a combination of multiple factors:
-Surface normal base jump
-Look direction charge impulse
-Impact reflection
Surface normal base jump: Pretty simple, just a jump of certain strength in the direction of the normal of the surface that the skulk is currently attached to. So on the floor this would be a little hop up, on the wall it would be a little hop to the side.
Look direction charge impulse: This is the charge up mechanic. By holding down the spacebar, you would charge up over time (to a maximum amount) an impulse that will be released in your current look direction when you release the spacebar (so long as you are within jumping distance of some surface). This charging mechanic will slow you down if you are walking, to the point that you will be immobile when fully charged. BUT, you can charge while in the air, so you are encouraged to stay airborne as much as possible.
Impact reflection: If you jump immediately after hitting some surface, you will reflect a percentage of your incoming velocity. The reflect percentage will likely be a function of time after impact such that you don't have to have perfect timing, but having better timing will lead to better results.
On the release of the spacebar, when near a jumpable surface, sum up the velocity vectors of all three components and there's your new velocity (with a magnitude cap of course).
What I'm hoping this new system would accomplish is to emphasize maneuverability as the skill-based element rather than speed acquisition. Multiple charge-up jumps off the floor would be enough to reach maximum velocity (low skill floor) but using the reflection mechanics to rapidly bounce around corners and from the ceiling to floor to wall to ceiling etc during combat would be a difficult thing to master (high skill ceiling). At least that's the idea. What do you all think?
A jumping mechanic based more on physics where you charge up and actually jump on the release of the spacebar. Hold on, bear with me. This is how it would work.
The direction and strength of a jump would be a combination of multiple factors:
-Surface normal base jump
-Look direction charge impulse
-Impact reflection
Surface normal base jump: Pretty simple, just a jump of certain strength in the direction of the normal of the surface that the skulk is currently attached to. So on the floor this would be a little hop up, on the wall it would be a little hop to the side.
Look direction charge impulse: This is the charge up mechanic. By holding down the spacebar, you would charge up over time (to a maximum amount) an impulse that will be released in your current look direction when you release the spacebar (so long as you are within jumping distance of some surface). This charging mechanic will slow you down if you are walking, to the point that you will be immobile when fully charged. BUT, you can charge while in the air, so you are encouraged to stay airborne as much as possible.
Impact reflection: If you jump immediately after hitting some surface, you will reflect a percentage of your incoming velocity. The reflect percentage will likely be a function of time after impact such that you don't have to have perfect timing, but having better timing will lead to better results.
On the release of the spacebar, when near a jumpable surface, sum up the velocity vectors of all three components and there's your new velocity (with a magnitude cap of course).
What I'm hoping this new system would accomplish is to emphasize maneuverability as the skill-based element rather than speed acquisition. Multiple charge-up jumps off the floor would be enough to reach maximum velocity (low skill floor) but using the reflection mechanics to rapidly bounce around corners and from the ceiling to floor to wall to ceiling etc during combat would be a difficult thing to master (high skill ceiling). At least that's the idea. What do you all think?