Ideas for a better Tribes 2 - MT2GA (Make Tribes 2 Great Again!)
For the next iteration of "Tribes 2" 
I suggest a Shifter Game Mode Type(SGMT). (This post is torque engine related so any unreal engine Tribers close both eyes and ears -
does not pertain.)
Things seem to be geared towards a more competitive edge type gameplay where focus is going the way of rapid snatch, grab, return, defend and score aspects. Back in the T1 & T2 days, focus may have been slightly different which is why I'm bringing up a Shifter Game Mode Type(SGMT). Gone are the days where new and old are playing side by side and communication was bare minimum using only keybinds or laser pointers. We would huddle along a corridor in an enemy base tearing down defensive positions constantly being rebuilt (or repaired) while fending off stray enemy players in the process (anticipating a larger defensive mass on its way soon). It was a satisfying feeling regardless of the outcome. The longer we were at it the more intense it was.
SGMT would focus on team building aspects primarily on new players. An extended Keybind scripting to include the laser pointer where vgcf could have the laser pointer draw a large circle around a person until it points directly to that person with the audio "Follow Me" or "Watch Me", etc. You run into an Engineer setting up a defensive position and want to observe - with click of a button you go directly to observer mode from that exact location with an option to select who you wish to observe. The SGMT would have some or all of the elements that were in Tribes2 Shifter Game Mode. Particularly the ability to position steel slabs (or glass) to block entryways or slab platforms for sniper positions or for use as launch pads etc. A Help section or hud that can house tutorials which can be downloaded and run within the game (videos, docs, etc).
All Environment Variables for ALL Game Mode types would be identical. I could never understand why Arena was so different from all the other Game Mode types. A guy would boast how good he was in Arena and for someone who hardly ever plays Arena would be at a HUGE disadvantage. I could never understand the reasoning behind that... seriously...WTF was up with that?!?
Other ideas that can help Make Tribes 2 Great Again:
A deployable two man pillbox (which requires 3 men to setup but 2 to operate & maintain). This would enable the 3rd man (Engineer) to possibly setup another pillbox nearby and could help
defend these pillboxes or he could be outside setting up defenses or whatever. New Players should be the whole focus of SGMT with the added bonus of what Shifter was all about, Woohoo!
The more experienced players would be able to play on any Game Mode Type with the added bonus of more cohesive obstacles in thier path (in theory).
In the past I have mentioned ingame stabilizers for the tanks. I also did mention the ability to somehow hang onto ships as they flew over and when Tribes Vengeance came out... then there was the grappling hook. Be careful for what you wish for.
I suggest a Shifter Game Mode Type(SGMT). (This post is torque engine related so any unreal engine Tribers close both eyes and ears -does not pertain.)
Things seem to be geared towards a more competitive edge type gameplay where focus is going the way of rapid snatch, grab, return, defend and score aspects. Back in the T1 & T2 days, focus may have been slightly different which is why I'm bringing up a Shifter Game Mode Type(SGMT). Gone are the days where new and old are playing side by side and communication was bare minimum using only keybinds or laser pointers. We would huddle along a corridor in an enemy base tearing down defensive positions constantly being rebuilt (or repaired) while fending off stray enemy players in the process (anticipating a larger defensive mass on its way soon). It was a satisfying feeling regardless of the outcome. The longer we were at it the more intense it was.
SGMT would focus on team building aspects primarily on new players. An extended Keybind scripting to include the laser pointer where vgcf could have the laser pointer draw a large circle around a person until it points directly to that person with the audio "Follow Me" or "Watch Me", etc. You run into an Engineer setting up a defensive position and want to observe - with click of a button you go directly to observer mode from that exact location with an option to select who you wish to observe. The SGMT would have some or all of the elements that were in Tribes2 Shifter Game Mode. Particularly the ability to position steel slabs (or glass) to block entryways or slab platforms for sniper positions or for use as launch pads etc. A Help section or hud that can house tutorials which can be downloaded and run within the game (videos, docs, etc).
All Environment Variables for ALL Game Mode types would be identical. I could never understand why Arena was so different from all the other Game Mode types. A guy would boast how good he was in Arena and for someone who hardly ever plays Arena would be at a HUGE disadvantage. I could never understand the reasoning behind that... seriously...WTF was up with that?!?
Other ideas that can help Make Tribes 2 Great Again:
A deployable two man pillbox (which requires 3 men to setup but 2 to operate & maintain). This would enable the 3rd man (Engineer) to possibly setup another pillbox nearby and could help
defend these pillboxes or he could be outside setting up defenses or whatever. New Players should be the whole focus of SGMT with the added bonus of what Shifter was all about, Woohoo!
The more experienced players would be able to play on any Game Mode Type with the added bonus of more cohesive obstacles in thier path (in theory).
In the past I have mentioned ingame stabilizers for the tanks. I also did mention the ability to somehow hang onto ships as they flew over and when Tribes Vengeance came out... then there was the grappling hook. Be careful for what you wish for.
Comments
Also, an non-arena player was at a disadvantage because that's what all arena players do, fight. They fight way more than non-arena players, so they get really good at it.
But we're hugely off topic here... Let's make Tribes 2 Great Again! I like your idea for a deployable pillbox. It could also supplement as a remote inventory station or safe haven for your teammates (only if 2 occupied the pillbox).
OOooh! Glider suits: On respawn, instead of on the ground, an option to be dropped from the sky and with limited flight time, can soar to objective. Once on the ground, glider suit is ejected and no longer usable.
Deployable Mortars: Engineer only can deploy 3 mortar tubes either close to each other or far apart. Each are manually sited (acquire target) and then all three can be fired off using the same clicker that sets off a satchel charge. The tubes can be moved and/or refilled in a manner similar to how the repair pack works.
ALLAHU AKBAR Pack: Doh! Sets off an explosive charge while transporting you within 25-50 meters from detonation. Packs can be tossed towards enemy or assets (85% success rate on transport-less if tossed).
Correct me if I'm wrong, the purpose of this thread is to hint to developers that should, if, or when a remake of Tribes 2 is in the works and made with the latest Torque Engine (and no other Game Engine) these are just ideas to help things along for a better "Tribes 2"? ...again, Torque... no other engine! ...but Torque!
Thanks man, you rock! You're exactly right - almost like we're on the same wavelength... and.. just thought I'd pop back in and post yet another one of my ponderings on how to get T2 the recognition it rightfully deserves. Submitted for you'ze approvals as they come, fresh outta my noggin' - Pew Pew!.
Restrict the comms (Discord or TeamChat or whatever they call it) to just Tournaments. I've never really played in a Tournament nor used the Comms so prolly gonna get flamed for this but hear me out. On regular games you are restricted to the "Keybind" comms, laser pointers (previously mentioned - and any other future ideas that spring up) so it feels less awkward for the newbies... you know, the ones with the desired skillsets, Doh! We want to groom them, nurture them and build a sense of belonging, teamwork... and then POUND on them. Ease off and groom them... nurture them... and then POUND on them some more!
There's nothing worse ingame when players team up on a newb for shits and giggles. They need to sprout... blossom into that Fresh Meat we all know they have the potential of becoming. Some quicker than others where we actively listen to thier concerns and POUND 'em some more for encouragement and accolades. Win Win!!!
(BTW sup with Tuko? Haven't heard from him in awhile. Should be poppin in soon, eh?)
let's talk https://discord.gg/AYtqFtR
My advice is to take a look at the roadmap for Torque3D 4.0 and to hop in either the TribalWar discord, or the Tribes 2 Discord. There was discussion a short time back about doing some magic to get something working over on the newer engine. Other members have done some minor dabbling in other engines such as Unreal Engine 4 (where Midair and Jetball are at) and Unity (where I myself have taken some time to look at and get some stuff done), but I don't think anything cohesive has been produced beyond Midair and Jetball, and both of which are slightly controversial for the veterans in the two discords.
I hope to get into discussion further if there's anything I can help with, but time is becoming increasingly scarce as the semester hits finals week.
Added to the keybind chat, a method (menu) to access the location of assets Gen Room, Vehicle Station, Mobile Point Base, etc. And maybe a compass reticle to lead the player to that asset. After all is said and done, and the game is going well and good, new maps will arise after support may or may not have been dropped. Still, new players should still be high priority and to ease frustrations of getting 'em from point A & B is then somewhat minimized... Pew Pew!
...And for some odd reason, it looks like Tuko decided to post on TribalWar.com
Tuko's Rant siting: http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689236
Just trying to minimize Admin Douchebaggery.
A safe haven for people who wish to play, knowing full well that their gameplay will be unincumbered in every way, shape or form. And have the programming (WITHIN THE LATEST TORQUE GAME ENGINE) in such a way that this cannot be changed in the future (future-proof it).
*** Update: In addition, a better means of keeping score. Not only do the scores matter but taken into account are the various roles played. Turret farmer, base defense, flag capper, etc. In CTFLIR, Players would be divy'd up based on roles they most like to play in, as well as taking their scores into account. Newbies are, not weeded out but identified and placed onto teams evenly (and for those posing as newbies, ARE weeded out and closely monitored).
I don't know if T:A had a fix to even out the teams cuz I only played it several times and like every other not-TORQUE game, it didn't feel like Tribes 2, or something was missing.