Ode to external view

[colin]

Playing the Deliberate Assault missions I was restricted from external view which I found to be a great disadvantage. I like to leap into a unit using external view as it helps me get orientated to the local terrain. I also make sure that I use external views when studying the map. I know people argue that the external view is cheating but consider how often in real life that you get teleported from unit to unit. I find it takes me around 5-10 seconds to get settled in to the new tank and terrain, If I am the gunner or TC I will likely get whacked in that time. Also the average TC doesn't have to alter battle plans for the entire company every few minutes or so. I would just like to say I am a big fan of external view and think the guys who designed SB have done a good job of balancing virtual advantages and disadvantages.

[Crimguy]

I never thought the external was cheating in this game. Like many computer sims, the SA is limited by the fact that you can only view the world through a 17" screen. SB is more limited by the fact that its running at 640x480.

So, I'm a fan of the external view, particularly to find crunchies near my tank.

[Brad_Edmondson]

I, and several others, swear by the external view for jockeying the unit. You get better peripheral vision (if you can call it that), the 'cheating' assertion I think comes from the fact that your view is somewhat elevated. In many trials the elevation advantage over the TC view has shown to be marginal. Some have argued that it does simulate the crew commander standing on the turret to look over a berm from a turret down position. So there! :P

I also avoid the TC seat because the narrower field of view pans too slow with the joystick. I could use the mouse curser (which is faster), but I use a trackball instead of a mouse and lack fine control over the view that way.

[GsMcAmis]

External view isn't cheating. Just a Brad said it simulates the TC standing on the tank top...
It also simulates dismounts (which used to be standard SOP) Why expose any part of your tank when you can hop out and run up to the berm or whathave ya and check things out? Takes all of 3 minutes to do it that way. Also they used to string listening posts that way when the tanks were in a coil or in lagger. A tank unit keeps sentries just like any other unit on the battlefield when they are at rest, and they don't always have infantry handy to do it with.

Again the external view simulates all this. Removing it is removing vaulable aspects of tanking.

[Cpl_Punishment]

External view isn't cheating. Just a Brad said it simulates the TC standing on the tank top...
Actually, it simulates an indestructible extra crew member standing on top of the tank.

[Mic]

All this said I like the TC's position best. It's the only one in which I actually feel that I'm in a tank.

And as I get whacked in all the other positions equally... :P

I'd also like to say "Hi" to everyone :). It seems that I've just stopped lurking.

Mic

[Mekhazzio]

I also avoid the TC seat because the narrower field of view pans too slow with the joystick.
A) The field of view is exactly the same between the two
B) In the unbuttoned position, you can snap instantly to any 90 degree direction relative to the turret by using the arrow keys

Frankly, I can see no legitimate advantage of the external view over the TC's seat. From the TC seat you get much more control over the vehicle and a better sense of LOS to and from your vehicle.

And yes, as the good Corporal Punishment mentions, the only thing the external view is "simulating" is a disembodied extra crew member haunting the tank. It's a floating pair of eyes with no risk involved and with no other crew duties. It certainly is "cheating" in the sense of simulation, and the reason the Deliberate Assault scenarios bar the external view is because the creator of those scenarios, Volcano Man, thinks it's cheating too.

[Lone*star49]

...

Cheating, cheater, cheats.. Ok, can we now get over it? As the world is not perfect, and "some" types of cheating actually make the world a little more fun, in this movie we all live.. called life..

LS ;)

[rump]

Ok, this is for all 'F8' fans....
http://www.fragland.net/index.php?page=downloads&did=60
Gunning from external view! :P

Have fun,

Rump