Spotting

[kbluck]

One thing that I find annoying about the interface is the way spotted units wink in and out of existence as the spotting unit moves. It seems particularly silly that dug-in positions, which obviously aren't going to move, should be treated as if they are complete unknowns just because nobody has an eyeball on them that particular second. It is also annoying that fully spotted units will flip back to "unknowns", even though it is highly unlikely a T-80 tank will have morphed into anything else in the meantime.

I've taken to pausing the game and jotting down grids of spotted units that I'm pretty sure aren't likely to move, but what a drag!

My suggestion is to leave previously spotted units onscreen, but perhaps ghosted to signify that nobody is looking at them right now. Moving units present a special challenge. One solution is to "dead reckon" lost contacts, moving them straight along their last observed path and speed. Another is to build "uncertainty boxes" (a la Harpoon) showing the area they could have possibly moved into given their present speed. But, even just a last known position would be very helpful. Players should have the option of clearing all lost contacts, of course, to eliminate screen clutter when desired.

Thanks,

--- Kevin