Chaosforge Forum

DoomRL => Requests For Features => Topic started by: Tormuse on January 19, 2012, 23:07

Title: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Tormuse on January 19, 2012, 23:07
I recently lost a Nightmare Marksman game because I didn't realize the ammochain that was in my prepared slot was empty and it took me two seconds to reload my Trigun instead of "quickly" reloading.  Finishing off an ammo box doesn't happen very often, so unless you're checking your inventory every few seconds, the above scenario could be fairly common and fairly deadly.

My suggestion is to have an eye-catching message appear when an ammo box runs out of ammo.  (Perhaps in another colour?)  Even something simple like, "Your ammochain is empty!" would be a big help.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Motorheadbanger on January 20, 2012, 00:47
Second that.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Deathwind on January 20, 2012, 00:53
even if we just get the text the color can be set in the configs
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: ZicherCZ on January 20, 2012, 04:40
Third that.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: thelaptop on January 20, 2012, 07:39
Fourth that.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: ZicherCZ on January 20, 2012, 07:57
To make things even more secure, perhaps we could also get a colored warning message along the lines of "Your [ammo box] is almost empty!" when the ammo box reaches, say, 15% capacity?
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Game Hunter on January 20, 2012, 08:07
..so unless you're checking your inventory every few seconds...
Well I know whenever I'm using an ammo pack I, DO check my equipment screen fairly often, so I've certainly got that covered.

That said, this seems like a pretty reasonable request and I don't think it'll be too much trouble implementing it. If you're relying on ammo packs that much, though, it makes me wonder if we shouldn't tone down the reload time on them.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: raekuul on January 20, 2012, 08:44
The reliance on Ammo Packs (for me, anyway) is less "Fast reload time" so much as "Free Inventory Slots", but yes it could be toned down just a bit.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Tormuse on January 20, 2012, 08:45
Much appreciated!  :)

I usually don't rely on them much, but in this case, with the slow reloading Trigun in a Sharpshooter build, it seemed prudent.

Also, whoa!  Yellow username text!  :o
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Uitë on January 20, 2012, 11:37
Displaying the prepared weapon on the main screen could help as well. With the shorter powerup indicators, there's some room on the bottom line it could fit into.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: tinyrodent on January 20, 2012, 11:58
Displaying the prepared weapon on the main screen could help as well. With the shorter powerup indicators, there's some room on the bottom line it could fit into.

Great idea!
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: tehtmi on January 20, 2012, 21:16
Displaying the prepared weapon on the main screen could help as well. With the shorter powerup indicators, there's some room on the bottom line it could fit into.

Even with the abbreviated statuses, there isn't a lot of room there because of the level name... and certain modders have quite a propensity for adding lots of statuses.  I doubt this will change for now.  An empty ammo pack warning sounds like a good idea though.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Ander Hammer on January 21, 2012, 09:17
How about just an ammo count somewhere on the status line? Counts up and displays the amount in your inventory for the current weapon normally, displays the amount left in an ammochain when one is equipped.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: IronBeer on January 21, 2012, 10:36
How about just an ammo count somewhere on the status line? Counts up and displays the amount in your inventory for the current weapon normally, displays the amount left in an ammochain when one is equipped.
I like it. It's Doom-ish and this solution solves the issue nicely.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: ckopo on March 11, 2012, 19:31
How about just an ammo count somewhere on the status line? Counts up and displays the amount in your inventory for the current weapon normally, displays the amount left in an ammochain when one is equipped.

Hm, + to this idea.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: HexaDoken on March 12, 2012, 04:58
How about just an ammo count somewhere on the status line? Counts up and displays the amount in your inventory for the current weapon normally, displays the amount left in an ammochain when one is equipped.
Fourth that. I already suggested it before, BTW.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Game Hunter on March 12, 2012, 07:28
I already suggested it before, BTW.
Yeah, but I think he beat you by about a month (January 21 vs. March 4).

As long as we can find a place to put this, I don't think it's too much of a hassle to include. Problem is making sure there's room on the HUD for it to fit and not make it look completely messy.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Uitë on March 12, 2012, 11:27
In graphics mode, it looks pretty easy to place such messages anywhere you want on the screen. Console mode will be trickier though.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: Tormuse on March 12, 2012, 20:51
How about putting the number on the end of the weapon line.  For example, if you had a full Ammochain equipped and a Chaingun, it would read:

Weapon: chaingun (1d6)x4 [40/40/250]

If you had a Combat Shotgun with full Shell Box, it would read:

Weapon: combat shotgun (7d3) [5/5/100]


Just make it so the third number doesn't appear unless you're wielding a weapon that uses that ammo type.  It shouldn't take up too much space that way.
Title: Re: Empty ammo pack message
Post by: HexaDoken on March 13, 2012, 05:16
That is a great idea too, but I suggest using the ; instead of /, like
Weapon: Chaingun (1d6)x4 [40/40; 250]
Or something.