Better useage of 2 or more monitors

[dmakatra]

I think that a map on the second screen would be fine, but what really needs to be made and supported is a Arma3 map iPad app.

[CarlGustaffa]

Well, same as 3rd person view or crosshairs: make it toggleable by server settings. Problem solved.

Did this change? Last I checked (probalby very long time ago), server still pretty much dictates my settings rather than allowing me to get rid of the annoying crosshairs.

[[FRL]Myke]

Did this change? Last I checked (probalby very long time ago), server still pretty much dictates my settings rather than allowing me to get rid of the annoying crosshairs.

Well, that's another topic IMHO. This would be some kind of system that does not dictate what is enabled but determines what can be enabled. So higher restrictions clientside would override lower restrictions serverside. So if clientside the crosshair is disabled but serverside enabled, client would override server in this case. I think you get the point but as said, this is another topic.


Regarding map on second monitor, i fail to see how people can be against a optional and toggleable feature. And having a second monitor isn't exactly luxury. Every graphic card that is capable of running ArmA 2/3 does have more than one connector. And a second monitor isn't that expensive either, i got my second even for free because someone in my family didn't needed it anymore.

[Terox]

With Reference to cheating:

There is other hardware that you could also argue is a form of cheating.

• A Higher spec PC can run a higher viewdistance (If the mission allows) or a 30" monitor is a much bigger advantage than a 24".
• A better sound card outputs sounds better, so you can hear the footsteps whereas somebody with a less expensive sound setup cannot.
• A Joystick outperforms a mouse when flying
• AND what about Track IR

Where are these concerns posted in these forums ?


I take it this is coming from PvP players, thinking only about PvP mode.
Easily rectified, because the ability to display a "Dialogue" or "Overlay" on a second screen could be mission maker or difficulty setting defined. So no biggie there.
The information that is displayed on the map, is defined by Difficulty settings and user scripts anyway. Easily fixed, simply setup your difficulty settings on the server to those that you require
For CooP, this would be a great enhancement, especially for a commander running a large scale operation.

I was personally thinking about a command and control GUI, where a mission commander could sit inside a vehicle or against a tree and have 1 screen with the internal player view while using the other for his command and control gui (Laptop or tablet), seeing where each group was, ordering units about, calling in Arty or CAS, the possibilities are really endless

For someone to state categorically "No", without looking at the bigger pictiure or the flaws in any argument they put forward, removes any possibility for those who say "YES".
If you dont like the system, idea, fair does, but rather than argue against any implementation that could occur, argue instead for a toggle system where the implementation can be turned off, such as the ability to swim with your gear.


With Reference to Realism:

As for the realism buffs, who do not like this idea , I would suspect some of you like the idea of being able to swim across a body of water while carrying backpacks or secondary weapons, or even belt gear come to think of it, or they maybe like the revive systems Those folks need to question their view on realism. Its a game, its not real anyway.
That by the way is a seperate discussion.

It would be nice to get this back on track and work around the disagreements, and come up with a solution or more implementation ideas, which as far as I can see, is just the ability for a mission maker or server admin to toggle this "feature" on or off.

I do see endless uses for this, all of which can enhance the game experience
REMEMBER, this is only a discussion, its not a bar room brawl, and who is to say that BIS will take any notice of this thread or even if the time taken to implement this functionality is within their current resources. They may not be interested in it at all.

[NoRailgunner]

Its more about what one (as character/avatar) can do ingame vs possible additional extras for a more arcade gameplay. For example: how do you explain that players don't have to open/activate or close/deactivate the map ingame just because they can watch it anytime on their 2nd monitor? Perhaps there is a clever solution so players with multi-monitor setup will still feel good playing A3 and not god-like.

[Firefox88]

My second monitor is for monitoring teamspeak and any other windows I need open. With so many randoms hopping in our server, its hard to figure out who is talking. Not realistic but helpful!

[CarlGustaffa]

Well, that's another topic IMHO. This would be some kind of system that does not dictate what is enabled but determines what can be enabled. So higher restrictions clientside would override lower restrictions serverside. So if clientside the crosshair is disabled but serverside enabled, client would override server in this case. I think you get the point but as said, this is another topic.

Yup, pretty much what I've been feeling about that system.

Regarding map on second monitor, i fail to see how people can be against a optional and toggleable feature. And having a second monitor isn't exactly luxury. Every graphic card that is capable of running ArmA 2/3 does have more than one connector. And a second monitor isn't that expensive either, i got my second even for free because someone in my family didn't needed it anymore.

I'm not against the possibility of opening resources on a second monitor, including anyone containing a map function. But not the vanilla map as a freebie cheat without requiring any kind of addons. If I join a server with extendedmapinfo (view units) enabled, I'll know and quickly get the hell out of there. But server difficulty settings aren't visible to the players afaik, only their observable effects. But on my end with only a single monitor (that I use, the other one is for other things), I won't even know if other players get this kind of unfair advantage.

It's unfair because it allows you to do things you wouldn't be able to do irl. People running tripleheads also gain an advantage, but this one I don't mind at all - it's just natural. Reading a map while in a sniper scope or sprinting for cover isn't. It's just too much.

Now, why would I allow map on secondaries as addon? Because on our own server I can determine a mod to be a cheat or not, and allow it accordingly (i.e. some glass cockpit instrument that some may want to use). Again, sure, they'll have an advantage, but it's something that feels like a natural evolution from real life, rather than some arcadish thing I can't control.

Oh, NoRailgunner seems to get it, but in fewer words

[[FRL]Myke]

But server difficulty settings aren't visible to the players afaik,

But then, wouldn't it be better to extend available server info in the server browser? You click a server and either it shows directly what settings are on and which are off, or it has a button which shows any info that would be reliable to be seen.

Disallowing one feature because another feature is sub-par is not quite smart. Better improve the sub-par.

[CarlGustaffa]

It would indeed. I think I've already requested something like that a while ago, in order not to waste my time and the servers bandwidth for joining a server that doesn't suit my preferences. Server favorite and blacklist would also be very welcome in this respect But until we have that, I still have to say no to the map on 2nd feature, as it's still just an arcadish thing to me that doesn't in any way simulate something we could do in real life.

[VirtualVikingX]

... But until we have that, I still have to say no to the map on 2nd feature, as it's still just an arcadish thing to me that doesn't in any way simulate something we could do in real life.

So what about real life commanders sitting inside a command-vehicle (HQ) in front of a military information system, or a PC and a paper map? Actually a module like this would bring arma MUCH closer to real life then it (in the foreseeable future) compared to f ex infantry combat.

Also @everyone: Please think about all the different play-"styles"/modes that arma offer before you are negative to this idea. Also remember all the different server/difficulty settings.

(OT: One last thing; this would go VERY good together with render to texture; ex a PC inside a HQ-vehicle.)