Laser Tracking Emitters, for those who can't hit a barn door

[RustiSwordz]

Fed up of manouvering like a ball bearing in a magnet factory to get that elusive shot of that pirate as it crosses your nose. Fear not! The new Laser Tracking Emitters enables you at last to hit that barn door! Using the same technology used in locking on a missile, once you lock onto the enemy target all you have to do is keep the enemy ship inside the cross hairs on your HUD and you cant miss. Fast reacting focussing lenses ensures the laserbeam is always pointing at your target.

Remember, if you press y like with missiles you will break the lock. The system can be switched from auto to manual at any time.

Will work on any view.

Whatcha think? Can it be done?'

[another_commander]

Yes, it can be done. The question is, why you would want to do this. You could simply change the functionality of the fire laser button to just detonate the selected target and that would save some time, too. You can also make the player ship fully AI-flyable, but that would make for a very poor game, wouldn't it?

It's all about gameplay. If you include too much automation, then the player is reduced to spectator and we don't want that to happen.

[Micha]

Would make a neat screensaver though!

[Cmdr Wyvern]

That isn't really necessary, as there's a few HUDs that offer gun pipper sights.

If that's still not enough, then maybe this handy upgrade is in order:

[RustiSwordz]

Hmm i was thinking more along the lines of an OXP. I think i posted in teh wrong forum. Soweee.

[Thargoid]

An OXP could only do it by taking over orientation of your ship, as the laser is fixed to the ship and always points at the centre of the view you're looking at (depending on laser mount).

So whilst it could be done it would be very odd in practice, plus as A_C says it'd rather take any meaning out of playing the game.

Doing it for missiles is easy though - that's my Target Autolock OXP.

[RustiSwordz]

Ill try it when box stops being a total trumble.

[Cmdr Wyvern]

All joking aside, there is a laser that tracks it's target, but only Thargoids can mount them.

For GalCop citizens, military, and police - and you, the player - there are plasma flak turrets mounted on some OXP ships. These guns are automatic, but short ranged and not overly accurate.

[RustiSwordz]

I found an excellent compromise, Target reticle OXP. Changes colour when your laser is on target.

Now if only i can get it when box.net stops mucking about.