The Ultimate Battlefront III
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:40 pm
The Ultimate Battlefront III
I spent the last week compiling my ideas for the ultimate Battlefront III. This is 21213 characters of solid text. Please suggest ideas and criticize constructively, I would appreciate it a lot! =D Well, here it is:
These are my ideas about a would-be revolutionary game: "Star Wars Battlefront III" . Please read "[4.0] Summary", if nothing else. If you find it interesting, please read the whole thing through a couple times, because many things are interdependent on other things, with a few exceptions. This is simply the way I imagine it, so I am writing this as if it already existed.
[1.0] Table of Contents:
[1.0] Table of Contents
[2.0] Menus
> 2.0.1 Main Menu
>> 2.0.2 Profile Selection Screen
- 2.1 Profile
>- 2.1.1 Statistics
>>- 2.1.2 Customization
<>>- 2.1.2.1 The Supplies Depot
<<>>- 2.1.2.2 Force Training
-- 2.2 Singleplayer
>-- 2.2.1 Instant Action
>>-- 2.2.2 Campaign
>>>-- 2.2.3 Galactic Conquest
--- 2.3 Multiplayer
---- 2.4 Options
[3.0] Gameplay
- 3.1 The Battlefield
>- 3.1.1 Space-Land
>>- 3.1.2 Vehicles
<>>- 3.1.2.1 Space
<<>>- 3.1.2.2 Land
>>>- 3.1.3 Command Posts
-- 3.2 In-Game
>-- 3.2.1 Motion
>>-- 3.2.2 Damage
>>>-- 3.2.3 Gear
>>>>-- 3.2.4 Credits
>>>>>-- 3.2.5 The Heads-Up-Display
<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.1 The Left Side
<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.2 The Top
<<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.3 The Bottom
>>>>>>-- 3.2.6 Ranks
>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7 Misc
<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.1 Spawn Screen
<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.2 Medics
<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.3 Heroes
<<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.4 Reinforcements
--- 3.3 Post-Game
[4.0] Summary
[2.0] Menus
This section describes the various menus you will see.
> 2.0.1 Main Menu
Once a profile is successfully entered(See "2.0.1 Profile Selection Screen"), you access the main menu. On it, there are four buttons in a grid with short video loops playing on them, and descriptions underneath. From top-left to bottom right, they are: "Singleplayer", "Multiplayer", "Profile", and "Options". These are elaborated in the following sections.
>> 2.0.2 Profile Selection Screen
The first menu that comes up is a profile selection screen. On the left is a scrolling list of profiles, with "Create New Profile" and "Delete Profile" buttons below it. On the right is a preview screen that shows an animation of the profile's current character, and statistics. After a profile name is clicked, you see a screen requesting a passcode. The "Create New Profile" button accesses another screen, where you create a new profile. At the top, a large-lettered box allows for profile name entry, with a smaller passcode creation box below it. In the middle are two buttons, only one of which can be selected. You select whether you want to start as a force-user(Jedi/Sith) or to start as a soldier. The faction you will belong to is selected in a list under the buttons. Below that is the AI difficulty setting. The options are "Elite" and "Standard".
- 2.1 Profile
In the profile menu, There are several buttons presented in the same manner as buttons on the main menu: "Statistics", "Customization", "Switch Profile", and "Star Wars Battlefront III Manual". The "Switch Profile" and "Star Wars Battlefront III Manual" buttons are self-explanatory. Look at the following sub-sections for information on the other two.
>- 2.1.1 Statistics
This screen shows your faction, rank, awards, credits, and other statistics. Among these other statistics are: Number of Kills, Shot:Hit Ratio, Victory:Defeat Ratio, and Number of Command Posts captured. Hovering your mouse over any statistic yields a short description of what it means and/or how to achieve it where applicable.
>>- 2.1.2 Customization
There are also a few buttons on this screen, including: "Change Profile Name", "Change Passcode", "Controls", "Supplies Depot(For lack of a better term)", "Force Training(For Jedi profiles only)", and "HUD Customization(See "3.2.5 The Heads-Up-Display") . The first two buttons are self-explanatory. The third button is in the middle, and accesses several menus. Controls for Infantry, Turrets, Tanks and Starfighters are set there, and controls can be imported from other profiles. The "HUD Customization" button accesses a screen where you can move, add, and remove HUD items. See the following sub-topics for descriptions of the other two buttons.
<>>- 2.1.2.1 The Supplies Depot
The Supplies Depot is a screen where you can spend credits(See "3.3.3 Credits") to get special ammo, better weapons, stronger armor, deployable turrets, and with rank, even a customizable starfighter! You could trade in weapons for credits, and then buy better ones. You can also have damaged gear repaired(See "3.2.3 Gear"). This screen, if accessed from the Customization menu, has a button to access a screen where you can personalize your starfighter, if applicable. You would have to buy parts for your starfighter at the supplies depot, and pay a fee to have them affixed to your starfighter.
<<>>- 2.1.2.2 Force Training
This is where you can learn to use force powers unlocked through rank and experience. The menu is a list of buttons, each representing a force power. Bright red buttons are already trained, darker ones are untrained, and gray ones are locked. Clicking on a button loads a scenario where you learn how to effectively use that force power, by itself and in combination with other ones.
-- 2.2 Singleplayer
The Singleplayer menu is, like the "Profile" menu, similar to the main menu. Four buttons: "Instant Action", "Training", "Campaign", and "Galactic Conquest". The "Training" button instantly launches a scenario that is a training exercise in the training facilities of your faction. For Clone Troopers, that would be at Kamino. Look at the following sub-sections for information about each game-mode.
>-- 2.2.1 Instant Action
This screen largely resembles the Star Wars Battlefront II "Instant Action" screen, except it has scroll bars on all the windows, and no "Era" selection window, the faction and therefore era being chosen during the creation of a profile. Also the "Launch" button is more prominent.
>>-- 2.2.2 Campaign
This menu has buttons that read "New Campaign: (Insert campaign name here)", "Load Campaign", and "Delete Campaign". These buttons are arranged on the side of the screen, and a preview video loop is running on the other two-thirds of the screen. When you click "New Campaign", it immediately takes you to a campaign scenario. Each faction has it's own campaign for troopers, and another for force-users. For lack of a better place, I have stuck some in-game exceptions here. In the trooper campaigns, there are scripted maneuvers directly out of the Star Wars movies. For example, in the battle above Coruscant, you can see Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker's Republic Starfighters fly into the hanger of the Invisible Hand. Also, when you die, you get defeated, and must start the mission over again. At the end of each campaign, the credits roll.
>>>-- 2.2.3 Galactic Conquest
This screen is much like the Campaign(See "2.2.2 Campaign") screen, with the "Campaign" in each button replaced with "Galactic Conquest". Each faction has it's own Galactic Conquest scenario. In a Galactic Conquest, there is a network of systems, each representing a specific Battlefront III map somewhere in the galaxy. Each faction has a Base Planet, and roughly half of the other planets. Turns alternate, and each turn you can move three of your fleets. Credits specific to the Galactic Conquest are used to build fleets at systems you control, and to buy "Advantages", which are like the "Bonuses" in Star Wars Battlefront II. Advantages sound more realistic than bonuses, for example the "Sabotage Bonus" would sound like "The (Insert faction) has sabotaged the (Insert opposing faction)'s vehicles!" instead of "The (Insert faction) has used the sabotage bonus." Every time opposing forces meet, like if a Republic fleet moved to a CIS controlled system, on that system's map, or in the case of multiple maps, on a random map in that system, a battle would occur. Before the battle, each faction would choose what advantage(s) they would apply, each unknown to the other until the actual battle. The winner of the battle would capture the system or destroy the opposing fleet, as applicable, and also receive an award in credits. The first faction to destroy the opposing faction's fleets and capture their planets wins the Galactic Conquest.
--- 2.3 Multiplayer
Four buttons, like on the main menu, are present on this menu. They are labeled "Join Game", "Host Game", "Login", and "Co-op Campaign". The "Join Game" button takes you to a screen where you can specify what type of game you're looking for, on the Internet or LAN, and it will search for open games within the parameters. Once you find a game to join that you like, select it and hit the "Join" button. The "Host Game" button makes your computer the server host computer of an Instant Action game of your specifications, on the Internet or on a LAN. The "Login" button allows you to login to the internet multiplayer service. The "Co-op Campaign" button shows a menu where you can host or join a co-op campaign. A co-op campaign is a campaign that multiple people participate in.
---- 2.4 Options
The options menu has lots of buttons. "Gameplay", "Video", "Audio", and "Multiplayer" are the buttons, with the "Video" and "Audio" buttons setting various screen and sound options. The "Multiplayer" button allows changes to various settings, like connection speed. The "Gameplay" button changes various features of gameplay.(See "[3.0] Gameplay")There are toggles like: "Defeat on Death", "Show Icon Over Enemy", "Enemy Icon Shown Through Walls", and "Third-Person Character in the Lower-Middle". There are sliders, like: "Targeting Reticule Transparency", "HUD Size", and "Field of View".
[3.0] Gameplay
"This is when the fun begins!"-Anakin Skywalker - The Revenge of the Sith
- 3.1 The Battlefield
Terrain can be modified by explosions, impacts, force powers, and other events. Lazers can cause fires, vehicles' burnt out shells litter the landscape, bodies and droid pieces lie everywhere.
>- 3.1.1 Space-Land
The battle rages not only on land, but also in the air. Starfighters strafe the ground, turrets blasting bolt after fiery bolt of destructive energy at them. Frigates disabled beyond repair smash into the ground, devastating the landscape. Stray turbolazer blasts demolish structures at random.
>>- 3.1.2 Vehicles
Vehicles are a major part of warfare. To enter a vehicle, press the "Enter" button as set in your Controls menu. In some vehicles, this will open a hatch or door so you can climb in. Once inside, you can use the "Enter" button to drive the vehicle, get in an interior turret, or use a viewscreen to look around from outside. Some vehicles have exterior turrets that can only be entered from outside. Space vehicles and ground vehicles will be elaborated on in the following sub-topics. Every station you can enter has it's own animation that the character executes to appear to get inside, giving a more realistic effect, instead of the character simply disappearing into a vehicle. Some vehicles, like AT-ATs, are only drive-able by soldiers with certain ranks.
<>>- 3.1.2.1 Space
Space vehicles, or ships, can fly. There are three kinds: starfighters, bombers, and transports. Starfighters are meant to destroy all three types of space vehicles. Bombers deliver large explosive charges to targets: capital ships, frigates, and ground defenses. Transports deliver soldiers to mostly ground locations, but also to hangers of other ships. Pieces of your ship can be blown off when under fire, for instance wings and turrets can be rent from your ship, any occupant of the turrets being instantly killed.
<<>>- 3.1.2.2 Land
Land vehicles are just as powerful as space vehicles. They can't fly, but specialize in dispatching infantry. There are several types of land vehicles. Speeder-bikes are one-person light vehicles designed for fast transport, and do not have much armor or firepower. There are mid-sized tanks and large tanks, each with weapons and armor according to size. There are also a few juggernauts, like the Galactic Republic's SPHATs, huge walking hulks with amazing firepower, capable of bringing down CIS Core ships with a few shots.
>>>- 3.1.3 Command Posts
CPs aren't just holographic plates on the ground, like in Star Wars Battlefront II. They are fortified areas, with live battle maps, so high-ranked soldiers can coordinate troops, and set objectives. If you "enter" a holographic battle map, a sidebar pops up and gives you options after un-trapping the mouse cursor, immobilizing your character, and removing your HUD. It has sections of buttons to select certain troops to attack, defend, hide, or ambush specified areas. The mouse can select areas on the map. Depending on rank, you would only be able to control certain troops, with main objectives set by higher-ranked officers and Jedi.
-- 3.2 In-Game
This section describes many aspects of gameplay, mostly having to do with the player's abilities.
>-- 3.2.1 Motion
You can walk, sprint, jump, crouch, and roll, like in SWBFII. Also, you could enter the prone position, climb, and crawl. You can shoot while jumping, only it's more inaccurate. Also you could drag objects or immobile troops. You could drag malfunctioning droids to make a barrier, or objects to make a stairway.
>>-- 3.2.2 Damage
Depending on the area hit and weapon type, damage could have varying effects. If you got shot in the leg, a slight limp and reduced stamina, jump height, etc. would occur, while an arm wound would cause slower fire rate, longer reload time, and/or bigger recoil to simulate weakness in an arm. If the maximum amount of damage is dealt to an appendage, you black out and the next thing you know is you're at the nearest command post later in the game, presumably because some soldier dragged you to safety, and called medics. If you are damaged to maximum in a vital area, you die, and either lose the game or respawn without your carried gear. Damage heals slowly over time.
>>>-- 3.2.3 Gear
There is a gear screen in-game that shows what you're carrying, and its weight. Your speed, stamina, and jump height is affected by the weight you're carrying. The main section is for stored items. It also has a section for what's at hand, or the items you can switch between at short notice. Also an "Applied Items" section would usually contain armor, explosive gear pack locks, and the like. The"Ammo Belt" section can only contain ammo, and the contents determine the amount of ammo for each of your at hand weapons. You can move items to and from each section. You can store items in the Supplies Depot screen on the Customization menu before the game, if you don't want that stuff slowing you down. Also items can be raided from killed soldiers, but it would take time to break into their gear packs. It would be far easier to grab an item that they have at hand off them. In this way killing high-ranked enemies can be very rewarding. Gear is damaged by getting shot, and other circumstances. Damaged gear may malfunction, and if gear is damaged too much, it will cease to function. You can get standard ammo at ammo droids that are scattered through the battlefield. Getting ammo will replenish the standard ammo in your ammo belt.
>>>>-- 3.2.4 Credits
You get credits based on victories, kills, and hits. You can spend them at the Supplies Depot screen. You can get special ammo, better weapons, stronger armor, deployable turrets, and with rank, even a customizable starfighter. Ammo for standard-issue rifles is free in-game, along with thermal detonators. You can trade in non-damaged gear, including enemy ones, for credits. Special bonuses are awarded for completing objectives, dragging wounded allies to safety, and calling for medics, and capturing command posts. Also note that it takes time to accumulate enough credits for a better weapon, therefore the majority of soldiers have only standard-issue weapons.
>>>>>-- 3.2.5 The Heads-Up-Display
The default Heads-Up-Display(HUD) has several main areas. The left side is the side that data, achievements, and objectives show up on. The bottom is where important information pertaining to your character(Health, weapons, etc.) is shown. The top has info on the two sides and the state of the battle. This pattern follows the HUD arrangement in Star Wars Battlefront II, so the Battlefront fans that have been playing it for so long don't have to re-adjust to new placement. Also you can customize your HUD(See "2.1.2 Customization") to your preferences. The default HUD areas are elaborated in the following sub-sections.
<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.1 The Left Side
There are many things shown here. Your kills and deaths are displayed at the top. Below that there is other data, like shots, hits, and real time Kill:Death and Shot:Hit ratios. Awards and achievements earned are displayed beneath, and under that is the Objectives window, that displays current and completed objectives.
<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.2 The Top
The very top consists of three sections: Side 1, Side 3, Side 2, where Side 3 is the inhabitants of the planet. Each section contains details, like current reinforcements, casualties, severely wounded, ships, tanks, and frigates. Below the three faction sections and to the right is a mini-map of your immediate surroundings.
<<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.3 The Bottom
This is slightly different from Star Wars Battlefront II's HUD positioning. The weapons at hand and amount of appropriate ammo in your ammo belt is displayed in the far left. The weapons currently being used and their ammo counts are displayed larger slightly left of the weapons at hand. The health and stamina is displayed in the far right. The health display is a small wire mesh graphic of your character, undamaged areas white, and damaged areas are different shades of red depending on amount of damage. The stamina bar is to the left of the health display, and below it is the weight bar, showing how much weight you're carrying compared to the total allowed weight for your rank.
>>>>>>-- 3.2.6 Ranks
Ranks allow you to use certain vehicles, get special items, and command your legion/battalion/squad. A command screen with a static map of the area is available to officers to control troops through. However, the Command Post ones are much better, as they show other troops live. Ranks would be gained after minimum requirements are met. Jedi would start at slightly higher rank than soldiers.
>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7 Misc
This section is for small details that don't belong in the other sections.
<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.1 Spawn Screen
This screen shows before you spawn into the world. On the right there is a live battle map. On the left is a version of your gear pack display, underneath a window showing your stored items. If you die, you can replenish your empty gear pack with stored items. If you have none, raid a nearby dead soldier for standard weapons!
<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.2 Medics
These AI bots heal you and seriously injured soldiers. When called for, idle medics go to the place specified, and heal the most damaged soldiers first, with animations that look like they're actually helping. You must be still to be healed. Also, there are no health droids, as they were unrealistic.
<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.3 Heroes
Heroes are rarely spawned, but are great aids in battle. They have a 3/4 chance of spawning in any specific battle. Just because one side has a hero, that doesn't mean the other does.
<<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.4 Reinforcements
The reinforcement count is the number of troops there are left to fight a battle. When this number reaches zero, the game ends, with the side that has zero reinforcements being defeated. The number will never deplete while there is still at least one trooper on that side left alive.
--- 3.3 Post-Game
Once the game is over, a screen comes up that shows various statistics for players on both sides, organized by rank, then "bestness", as I can't find an appropriate word. Also shown are awards you earned. You can view your statistics screen(See "2.1.1 Statistics") by clicking a "Career Statistics" button.
[4.0] Summary
There is a wide variety of ideas presented in this text, and I will do my best to explain them in a nutshell. The most major idea is, instead of classes, a single character that can be customized through hard work(Or is it play?). This character would carry gear in his pack, as would all others, and he could take items from dead soldiers. He would utilize a smart damage system, where damage to different areas produces different effects. Player-controlled heroes are removed, and replaced with AI heroes. Jedi are not forgotten, your character can start as a Jedi Apprentice, with but a few weak force powers, and become a great Jedi Master, proficient in the ways of the force. The tactical aspect of Battlefront is expanded as commanders set objectives for troops at heavily fortified command posts. Battles would be dynamic: explosions blast smoking craters in things, pieces are ripped off starfighters, and capital ships crash down from space battles raging above. There are many other awesome(worthy of awe) revisions in this text.
-------<<<<>>+=+<<>>>>-------
I came up with a standard way of accepting suggestions into this text. First copy the section/make a new section, then get three people to like it, and I will put it below. Then, there will be a value of people that like it minus the people that don't like it. When the value reaches positive ten, it will be added, and if it is negative ten, it will be removed from below. =D And my vote counts as two, because I'm the author. XD
Suggestions:
Suggestion 1
Remove the "3.2.7.2 Medics" section. It's a weak idea, that is kind of lame.
By darthobiwan
Suggestion 2
Make an experience value that determines rank. So there is a measure of experience that increases and decreases depending on awesomeness of gameplay, and when it's full, you rank up, and it goes back down to 0.
By Wannahelp1
Suggestion 3
Suggestion slot empty!
Suggestion 4
Suggestion slot empty!
Suggestion 5
Suggestion slot empty!
I spent the last week compiling my ideas for the ultimate Battlefront III. This is 21213 characters of solid text. Please suggest ideas and criticize constructively, I would appreciate it a lot! =D Well, here it is:
These are my ideas about a would-be revolutionary game: "Star Wars Battlefront III" . Please read "[4.0] Summary", if nothing else. If you find it interesting, please read the whole thing through a couple times, because many things are interdependent on other things, with a few exceptions. This is simply the way I imagine it, so I am writing this as if it already existed.
[1.0] Table of Contents:
[1.0] Table of Contents
[2.0] Menus
> 2.0.1 Main Menu
>> 2.0.2 Profile Selection Screen
- 2.1 Profile
>- 2.1.1 Statistics
>>- 2.1.2 Customization
<>>- 2.1.2.1 The Supplies Depot
<<>>- 2.1.2.2 Force Training
-- 2.2 Singleplayer
>-- 2.2.1 Instant Action
>>-- 2.2.2 Campaign
>>>-- 2.2.3 Galactic Conquest
--- 2.3 Multiplayer
---- 2.4 Options
[3.0] Gameplay
- 3.1 The Battlefield
>- 3.1.1 Space-Land
>>- 3.1.2 Vehicles
<>>- 3.1.2.1 Space
<<>>- 3.1.2.2 Land
>>>- 3.1.3 Command Posts
-- 3.2 In-Game
>-- 3.2.1 Motion
>>-- 3.2.2 Damage
>>>-- 3.2.3 Gear
>>>>-- 3.2.4 Credits
>>>>>-- 3.2.5 The Heads-Up-Display
<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.1 The Left Side
<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.2 The Top
<<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.3 The Bottom
>>>>>>-- 3.2.6 Ranks
>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7 Misc
<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.1 Spawn Screen
<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.2 Medics
<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.3 Heroes
<<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.4 Reinforcements
--- 3.3 Post-Game
[4.0] Summary
[2.0] Menus
This section describes the various menus you will see.
> 2.0.1 Main Menu
Once a profile is successfully entered(See "2.0.1 Profile Selection Screen"), you access the main menu. On it, there are four buttons in a grid with short video loops playing on them, and descriptions underneath. From top-left to bottom right, they are: "Singleplayer", "Multiplayer", "Profile", and "Options". These are elaborated in the following sections.
>> 2.0.2 Profile Selection Screen
The first menu that comes up is a profile selection screen. On the left is a scrolling list of profiles, with "Create New Profile" and "Delete Profile" buttons below it. On the right is a preview screen that shows an animation of the profile's current character, and statistics. After a profile name is clicked, you see a screen requesting a passcode. The "Create New Profile" button accesses another screen, where you create a new profile. At the top, a large-lettered box allows for profile name entry, with a smaller passcode creation box below it. In the middle are two buttons, only one of which can be selected. You select whether you want to start as a force-user(Jedi/Sith) or to start as a soldier. The faction you will belong to is selected in a list under the buttons. Below that is the AI difficulty setting. The options are "Elite" and "Standard".
- 2.1 Profile
In the profile menu, There are several buttons presented in the same manner as buttons on the main menu: "Statistics", "Customization", "Switch Profile", and "Star Wars Battlefront III Manual". The "Switch Profile" and "Star Wars Battlefront III Manual" buttons are self-explanatory. Look at the following sub-sections for information on the other two.
>- 2.1.1 Statistics
This screen shows your faction, rank, awards, credits, and other statistics. Among these other statistics are: Number of Kills, Shot:Hit Ratio, Victory:Defeat Ratio, and Number of Command Posts captured. Hovering your mouse over any statistic yields a short description of what it means and/or how to achieve it where applicable.
>>- 2.1.2 Customization
There are also a few buttons on this screen, including: "Change Profile Name", "Change Passcode", "Controls", "Supplies Depot(For lack of a better term)", "Force Training(For Jedi profiles only)", and "HUD Customization(See "3.2.5 The Heads-Up-Display") . The first two buttons are self-explanatory. The third button is in the middle, and accesses several menus. Controls for Infantry, Turrets, Tanks and Starfighters are set there, and controls can be imported from other profiles. The "HUD Customization" button accesses a screen where you can move, add, and remove HUD items. See the following sub-topics for descriptions of the other two buttons.
<>>- 2.1.2.1 The Supplies Depot
The Supplies Depot is a screen where you can spend credits(See "3.3.3 Credits") to get special ammo, better weapons, stronger armor, deployable turrets, and with rank, even a customizable starfighter! You could trade in weapons for credits, and then buy better ones. You can also have damaged gear repaired(See "3.2.3 Gear"). This screen, if accessed from the Customization menu, has a button to access a screen where you can personalize your starfighter, if applicable. You would have to buy parts for your starfighter at the supplies depot, and pay a fee to have them affixed to your starfighter.
<<>>- 2.1.2.2 Force Training
This is where you can learn to use force powers unlocked through rank and experience. The menu is a list of buttons, each representing a force power. Bright red buttons are already trained, darker ones are untrained, and gray ones are locked. Clicking on a button loads a scenario where you learn how to effectively use that force power, by itself and in combination with other ones.
-- 2.2 Singleplayer
The Singleplayer menu is, like the "Profile" menu, similar to the main menu. Four buttons: "Instant Action", "Training", "Campaign", and "Galactic Conquest". The "Training" button instantly launches a scenario that is a training exercise in the training facilities of your faction. For Clone Troopers, that would be at Kamino. Look at the following sub-sections for information about each game-mode.
>-- 2.2.1 Instant Action
This screen largely resembles the Star Wars Battlefront II "Instant Action" screen, except it has scroll bars on all the windows, and no "Era" selection window, the faction and therefore era being chosen during the creation of a profile. Also the "Launch" button is more prominent.
>>-- 2.2.2 Campaign
This menu has buttons that read "New Campaign: (Insert campaign name here)", "Load Campaign", and "Delete Campaign". These buttons are arranged on the side of the screen, and a preview video loop is running on the other two-thirds of the screen. When you click "New Campaign", it immediately takes you to a campaign scenario. Each faction has it's own campaign for troopers, and another for force-users. For lack of a better place, I have stuck some in-game exceptions here. In the trooper campaigns, there are scripted maneuvers directly out of the Star Wars movies. For example, in the battle above Coruscant, you can see Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker's Republic Starfighters fly into the hanger of the Invisible Hand. Also, when you die, you get defeated, and must start the mission over again. At the end of each campaign, the credits roll.
>>>-- 2.2.3 Galactic Conquest
This screen is much like the Campaign(See "2.2.2 Campaign") screen, with the "Campaign" in each button replaced with "Galactic Conquest". Each faction has it's own Galactic Conquest scenario. In a Galactic Conquest, there is a network of systems, each representing a specific Battlefront III map somewhere in the galaxy. Each faction has a Base Planet, and roughly half of the other planets. Turns alternate, and each turn you can move three of your fleets. Credits specific to the Galactic Conquest are used to build fleets at systems you control, and to buy "Advantages", which are like the "Bonuses" in Star Wars Battlefront II. Advantages sound more realistic than bonuses, for example the "Sabotage Bonus" would sound like "The (Insert faction) has sabotaged the (Insert opposing faction)'s vehicles!" instead of "The (Insert faction) has used the sabotage bonus." Every time opposing forces meet, like if a Republic fleet moved to a CIS controlled system, on that system's map, or in the case of multiple maps, on a random map in that system, a battle would occur. Before the battle, each faction would choose what advantage(s) they would apply, each unknown to the other until the actual battle. The winner of the battle would capture the system or destroy the opposing fleet, as applicable, and also receive an award in credits. The first faction to destroy the opposing faction's fleets and capture their planets wins the Galactic Conquest.
--- 2.3 Multiplayer
Four buttons, like on the main menu, are present on this menu. They are labeled "Join Game", "Host Game", "Login", and "Co-op Campaign". The "Join Game" button takes you to a screen where you can specify what type of game you're looking for, on the Internet or LAN, and it will search for open games within the parameters. Once you find a game to join that you like, select it and hit the "Join" button. The "Host Game" button makes your computer the server host computer of an Instant Action game of your specifications, on the Internet or on a LAN. The "Login" button allows you to login to the internet multiplayer service. The "Co-op Campaign" button shows a menu where you can host or join a co-op campaign. A co-op campaign is a campaign that multiple people participate in.
---- 2.4 Options
The options menu has lots of buttons. "Gameplay", "Video", "Audio", and "Multiplayer" are the buttons, with the "Video" and "Audio" buttons setting various screen and sound options. The "Multiplayer" button allows changes to various settings, like connection speed. The "Gameplay" button changes various features of gameplay.(See "[3.0] Gameplay")There are toggles like: "Defeat on Death", "Show Icon Over Enemy", "Enemy Icon Shown Through Walls", and "Third-Person Character in the Lower-Middle". There are sliders, like: "Targeting Reticule Transparency", "HUD Size", and "Field of View".
[3.0] Gameplay
"This is when the fun begins!"-Anakin Skywalker - The Revenge of the Sith
- 3.1 The Battlefield
Terrain can be modified by explosions, impacts, force powers, and other events. Lazers can cause fires, vehicles' burnt out shells litter the landscape, bodies and droid pieces lie everywhere.
>- 3.1.1 Space-Land
The battle rages not only on land, but also in the air. Starfighters strafe the ground, turrets blasting bolt after fiery bolt of destructive energy at them. Frigates disabled beyond repair smash into the ground, devastating the landscape. Stray turbolazer blasts demolish structures at random.
>>- 3.1.2 Vehicles
Vehicles are a major part of warfare. To enter a vehicle, press the "Enter" button as set in your Controls menu. In some vehicles, this will open a hatch or door so you can climb in. Once inside, you can use the "Enter" button to drive the vehicle, get in an interior turret, or use a viewscreen to look around from outside. Some vehicles have exterior turrets that can only be entered from outside. Space vehicles and ground vehicles will be elaborated on in the following sub-topics. Every station you can enter has it's own animation that the character executes to appear to get inside, giving a more realistic effect, instead of the character simply disappearing into a vehicle. Some vehicles, like AT-ATs, are only drive-able by soldiers with certain ranks.
<>>- 3.1.2.1 Space
Space vehicles, or ships, can fly. There are three kinds: starfighters, bombers, and transports. Starfighters are meant to destroy all three types of space vehicles. Bombers deliver large explosive charges to targets: capital ships, frigates, and ground defenses. Transports deliver soldiers to mostly ground locations, but also to hangers of other ships. Pieces of your ship can be blown off when under fire, for instance wings and turrets can be rent from your ship, any occupant of the turrets being instantly killed.
<<>>- 3.1.2.2 Land
Land vehicles are just as powerful as space vehicles. They can't fly, but specialize in dispatching infantry. There are several types of land vehicles. Speeder-bikes are one-person light vehicles designed for fast transport, and do not have much armor or firepower. There are mid-sized tanks and large tanks, each with weapons and armor according to size. There are also a few juggernauts, like the Galactic Republic's SPHATs, huge walking hulks with amazing firepower, capable of bringing down CIS Core ships with a few shots.
>>>- 3.1.3 Command Posts
CPs aren't just holographic plates on the ground, like in Star Wars Battlefront II. They are fortified areas, with live battle maps, so high-ranked soldiers can coordinate troops, and set objectives. If you "enter" a holographic battle map, a sidebar pops up and gives you options after un-trapping the mouse cursor, immobilizing your character, and removing your HUD. It has sections of buttons to select certain troops to attack, defend, hide, or ambush specified areas. The mouse can select areas on the map. Depending on rank, you would only be able to control certain troops, with main objectives set by higher-ranked officers and Jedi.
-- 3.2 In-Game
This section describes many aspects of gameplay, mostly having to do with the player's abilities.
>-- 3.2.1 Motion
You can walk, sprint, jump, crouch, and roll, like in SWBFII. Also, you could enter the prone position, climb, and crawl. You can shoot while jumping, only it's more inaccurate. Also you could drag objects or immobile troops. You could drag malfunctioning droids to make a barrier, or objects to make a stairway.
>>-- 3.2.2 Damage
Depending on the area hit and weapon type, damage could have varying effects. If you got shot in the leg, a slight limp and reduced stamina, jump height, etc. would occur, while an arm wound would cause slower fire rate, longer reload time, and/or bigger recoil to simulate weakness in an arm. If the maximum amount of damage is dealt to an appendage, you black out and the next thing you know is you're at the nearest command post later in the game, presumably because some soldier dragged you to safety, and called medics. If you are damaged to maximum in a vital area, you die, and either lose the game or respawn without your carried gear. Damage heals slowly over time.
>>>-- 3.2.3 Gear
There is a gear screen in-game that shows what you're carrying, and its weight. Your speed, stamina, and jump height is affected by the weight you're carrying. The main section is for stored items. It also has a section for what's at hand, or the items you can switch between at short notice. Also an "Applied Items" section would usually contain armor, explosive gear pack locks, and the like. The"Ammo Belt" section can only contain ammo, and the contents determine the amount of ammo for each of your at hand weapons. You can move items to and from each section. You can store items in the Supplies Depot screen on the Customization menu before the game, if you don't want that stuff slowing you down. Also items can be raided from killed soldiers, but it would take time to break into their gear packs. It would be far easier to grab an item that they have at hand off them. In this way killing high-ranked enemies can be very rewarding. Gear is damaged by getting shot, and other circumstances. Damaged gear may malfunction, and if gear is damaged too much, it will cease to function. You can get standard ammo at ammo droids that are scattered through the battlefield. Getting ammo will replenish the standard ammo in your ammo belt.
>>>>-- 3.2.4 Credits
You get credits based on victories, kills, and hits. You can spend them at the Supplies Depot screen. You can get special ammo, better weapons, stronger armor, deployable turrets, and with rank, even a customizable starfighter. Ammo for standard-issue rifles is free in-game, along with thermal detonators. You can trade in non-damaged gear, including enemy ones, for credits. Special bonuses are awarded for completing objectives, dragging wounded allies to safety, and calling for medics, and capturing command posts. Also note that it takes time to accumulate enough credits for a better weapon, therefore the majority of soldiers have only standard-issue weapons.
>>>>>-- 3.2.5 The Heads-Up-Display
The default Heads-Up-Display(HUD) has several main areas. The left side is the side that data, achievements, and objectives show up on. The bottom is where important information pertaining to your character(Health, weapons, etc.) is shown. The top has info on the two sides and the state of the battle. This pattern follows the HUD arrangement in Star Wars Battlefront II, so the Battlefront fans that have been playing it for so long don't have to re-adjust to new placement. Also you can customize your HUD(See "2.1.2 Customization") to your preferences. The default HUD areas are elaborated in the following sub-sections.
<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.1 The Left Side
There are many things shown here. Your kills and deaths are displayed at the top. Below that there is other data, like shots, hits, and real time Kill:Death and Shot:Hit ratios. Awards and achievements earned are displayed beneath, and under that is the Objectives window, that displays current and completed objectives.
<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.2 The Top
The very top consists of three sections: Side 1, Side 3, Side 2, where Side 3 is the inhabitants of the planet. Each section contains details, like current reinforcements, casualties, severely wounded, ships, tanks, and frigates. Below the three faction sections and to the right is a mini-map of your immediate surroundings.
<<<>>>>>-- 3.2.5.3 The Bottom
This is slightly different from Star Wars Battlefront II's HUD positioning. The weapons at hand and amount of appropriate ammo in your ammo belt is displayed in the far left. The weapons currently being used and their ammo counts are displayed larger slightly left of the weapons at hand. The health and stamina is displayed in the far right. The health display is a small wire mesh graphic of your character, undamaged areas white, and damaged areas are different shades of red depending on amount of damage. The stamina bar is to the left of the health display, and below it is the weight bar, showing how much weight you're carrying compared to the total allowed weight for your rank.
>>>>>>-- 3.2.6 Ranks
Ranks allow you to use certain vehicles, get special items, and command your legion/battalion/squad. A command screen with a static map of the area is available to officers to control troops through. However, the Command Post ones are much better, as they show other troops live. Ranks would be gained after minimum requirements are met. Jedi would start at slightly higher rank than soldiers.
>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7 Misc
This section is for small details that don't belong in the other sections.
<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.1 Spawn Screen
This screen shows before you spawn into the world. On the right there is a live battle map. On the left is a version of your gear pack display, underneath a window showing your stored items. If you die, you can replenish your empty gear pack with stored items. If you have none, raid a nearby dead soldier for standard weapons!
<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.2 Medics
These AI bots heal you and seriously injured soldiers. When called for, idle medics go to the place specified, and heal the most damaged soldiers first, with animations that look like they're actually helping. You must be still to be healed. Also, there are no health droids, as they were unrealistic.
<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.3 Heroes
Heroes are rarely spawned, but are great aids in battle. They have a 3/4 chance of spawning in any specific battle. Just because one side has a hero, that doesn't mean the other does.
<<<<>>>>>>>-- 3.2.7.4 Reinforcements
The reinforcement count is the number of troops there are left to fight a battle. When this number reaches zero, the game ends, with the side that has zero reinforcements being defeated. The number will never deplete while there is still at least one trooper on that side left alive.
--- 3.3 Post-Game
Once the game is over, a screen comes up that shows various statistics for players on both sides, organized by rank, then "bestness", as I can't find an appropriate word. Also shown are awards you earned. You can view your statistics screen(See "2.1.1 Statistics") by clicking a "Career Statistics" button.
[4.0] Summary
There is a wide variety of ideas presented in this text, and I will do my best to explain them in a nutshell. The most major idea is, instead of classes, a single character that can be customized through hard work(Or is it play?). This character would carry gear in his pack, as would all others, and he could take items from dead soldiers. He would utilize a smart damage system, where damage to different areas produces different effects. Player-controlled heroes are removed, and replaced with AI heroes. Jedi are not forgotten, your character can start as a Jedi Apprentice, with but a few weak force powers, and become a great Jedi Master, proficient in the ways of the force. The tactical aspect of Battlefront is expanded as commanders set objectives for troops at heavily fortified command posts. Battles would be dynamic: explosions blast smoking craters in things, pieces are ripped off starfighters, and capital ships crash down from space battles raging above. There are many other awesome(worthy of awe) revisions in this text.
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I came up with a standard way of accepting suggestions into this text. First copy the section/make a new section, then get three people to like it, and I will put it below. Then, there will be a value of people that like it minus the people that don't like it. When the value reaches positive ten, it will be added, and if it is negative ten, it will be removed from below. =D And my vote counts as two, because I'm the author. XD
Suggestions:
Suggestion 1
Remove the "3.2.7.2 Medics" section. It's a weak idea, that is kind of lame.
By darthobiwan
Suggestion 2
Make an experience value that determines rank. So there is a measure of experience that increases and decreases depending on awesomeness of gameplay, and when it's full, you rank up, and it goes back down to 0.
By Wannahelp1
Suggestion 3
Suggestion slot empty!
Suggestion 4
Suggestion slot empty!
Suggestion 5
Suggestion slot empty!
i think that some ideas were the same as others
