Collision detection in WAR's PvP
by Mike Schramm 
Feb 6th 2008 at 11:00PM
Filed under: Game mechanics, PvP, Warhammer Online
I hadn't heard that WAR would have collision detection (it must be in the whole game, right? can't only be in PvP, can it?), but Hardcore Casual did, and just like him, I'm very interested in the possibilities. He cites it as a problem of premades and PuGs-- premades will know much better how to deal with line-of-sight and positioning and formation problems, while PuGs will trip over themselves trying to get past someone else. Me, I see it more as a problem of pranks and griefing. In World of Warcraft, where Blizzard hasn't implemented collision detection, they're already having issues-- giving players the ability to block space in large numbers just opens up a whole world of griefing.But as HC says, it's all in the implementation-- it may be that some things need line-of-sight, while others (spells and such) don't, and any blockage depends on just where the hitboxes are-- if characters can sneak past each other, or are able to push each other out of the way, then that would change any plans.
It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out, however. Collision detection is a minefield for developers, but can definitely lend itself to new types of gameplay. While most MMOs have avoided the issue entirely, we'll have to see if WAR is willing to hit the issue (so to speak) head-on.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris Chester said on 11:45PM 2-06-2008
It is my understanding that you'll still be able to clip through other players, but just at a slower rate of movement than normal. It's a good compromise, really, because it allows the use of blocking in combat without the potential griefing.
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Moderndaydruid said on 11:55PM 2-06-2008
I'm all for collision detection. Makes combat much more realistic. WoW should have CD. Rogues should not be able to 'pass through' someone to stab them in the back. From what I've heard, Mythic is really close to nailing CD in their design.
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Jobe479 said on 1:45AM 2-07-2008
I like how Age of Conan is implementing collision detection. Someone in your way? No problem... knock them the hell down. Like one of the Ranger's abilities: "Linebreaker" which is a powerful shot capable of knocking down all foes in a column between the Ranger and his target.
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Mark said on 12:30PM 2-07-2008
Ooooh, that sounds GREAT! I really hope Funcom can pull AoC together by launch. If they can, I'll be there.
SanLeven said on 3:29AM 2-07-2008
Collision detection is a performance killer. I'm sure blizz discarded it for a wider hardware support (remember wow has 4 years now).
I dont know how big the numbers will be in a WAR pvp battle, but I'm sure our dual cores are going to struggle more than a bit...
Interesting news, btw.
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Santo said on 3:57AM 2-07-2008
The way I understood it, CD was factional only. That is, you'll be able to pass through members of your own faction, but be stopped by members of the opposing faction.
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Haggen said on 6:57AM 2-07-2008
As far as we know, yes, It's factional only.
And also, they revealed in a interview on warcry I think It was, that you'll be able to push through players after a few seconds, to prevent griefing.
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/devchat/2886-Warhammer-Online-Dev-Chat-Log
There is the entire chat log If anyone has missed it.
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