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Signals Flags, Flag Orders and Code Book.


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There could be command flags, but most people won't look at them

We will make some kind of fleet commander messages system.

I think there will be a part of players who like to roleplay like in any mmo, this feature will suit them great

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i have been thinking that it would be nice to have flag or light communications. However given that we can type to each other or skype each other i guess this would be a lot of effort for nothing.

 

I totally agree with such feature, the more realistic and historical possibility the game offer the better.

 

 

 

Flags are 100% fake feature when you can have TS or ventrilo or skype communications.

So why would I bother learning flagsignals when I can talk to my group in "person"?

 

Admins have a reason for not-priorizing such features.

(This quote is from question to devs topic)

 

All those communication software are using resources and oppose a language barrier. I'm personally not comfortable gaming while been connected to a vocal software ( especially when 20 people are connected) and i'll rather use text and signals if possible.

It offers more depth in the gameplay, also i agree it may be not a priority but would be definitely nice to use those.

 

Edit :

 

There could be command flags, but most people won't look at them

We will make some kind of fleet commander messages system.

 

Great, we can imagine in a later future a simple visual communication system that fleets could choose or even create before a major battle, using "this" to say "that" etc ...

Don't forget that some players are hardcore or playing RP style and those are little details that make a great game. Well for now it's only my opinion :)

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Flags are 100% fake feature when you can have TS or ventrilo or skype communications.

So why would I bother learning flagsignals when I can talk to my group in "person"?

 

Admins have a reason for not-priorizing such features.

quote

 
 
 
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There is value in the flag system although I don't think that focusing on them atm is what the devs should do since it will only be necessary to use in rare instances. Its best use would be when your fleet consists of people that don't speak your language. TS is irrelevant and a flag system would be a logical way to overcome the language barrier. But it couldn't be flags that just hang from ships. I imagine it would have to be a flag that pops up on your UI as if a sailor just came and reported its meaning.

 

The downside to having flags that have meaning hanging on your ships is that the enemy can see them as well. In real life the meaning of the flags would have been a privilege of the fleet but in NA everyone from both nations would have access to the information and it could be used against opponents.

 

Nonetheless, I would love to see it implemented....  eventually.

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There is value in the flag system although I don't think that focusing on them atm is what the devs should do since it will only be necessary to use in rare instances. Its best use would be when your fleet consists of people that don't speak your language. TS is irrelevant and a flag system would be a logical way to overcome the language barrier. But it couldn't be flags that just hang from ships. I imagine it would have to be a flag that pops up on your UI as if a sailor just came and reported its meaning.

 

The downside to having flags that have meaning hanging on your ships is that the enemy can see them as well. In real life the meaning of the flags would have been a privilege of the fleet but in NA everyone from both nations would have access to the information and it could be used against opponents.

 

Nonetheless, I would love to see it implemented....  eventually.

 

This could be a good idea as well ( pop up on ui), and for your information flags where not at all a fleet privilege, it was also use to identify a ship. Most of the time your not cruising with all your identification up saying " hey yo, i'm enemy come at me bro", so each countries has it's own code. You send the code with flags, if the other ship doesn't have the proper answer, he is trying to fool you ...

Code book was one of the precious document a ship captain throw over board when being about to be captured.

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This could be a good idea as well ( pop up on ui), and for your information flags where not at all a fleet privilege, it was also use to identify a ship. Most of the time your not cruising with all your identification up saying " hey yo, i'm enemy come at me bro", so each countries has it's own code. You send the code with flags, if the other ship doesn't have the proper answer, he is trying to fool you ...

Code book was one of the precious document a ship captain throw over board when being about to be captured.

I guess that is what I was meaning by "fleet privelege". The french wouldn't know what the english flags meant unless they got their hands on the code book but that won't be the case in any video game.

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I guess that is what I was meaning by "fleet privelege". The french wouldn't know what the english flags meant unless they got their hands on the code book but that won't be the case in any video game.

and even then people could still try to use some sort of enigma code with it

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if they did it only the signalling side would see friendly flags or lights.

 

the signal would be simple and kept up constantly so friendly players could always check current orders without having to ask on voice or text.

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  • 5 months later...

EnglandExpects.jpg

 

I realize that as a newcomer many of my ideas have already been covered, so i apologize if this has been discussed before.

 

I also realize that most people would balk at the thought of learning the signal flag alphabet (or whatever you call it), but i would love for it to be implemented so that the squadron leader can run up signals giving orders etc...

 

Oh, and a signal gun too please! :lol:

 

As a hardcore history fan, i would love it even more if that was the only way to communicate while in battle...

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Team Speak or Ventrillo make them obsolete.

 

 It has come up before and while I sympathize and understand where you're coming from, if it is done at all it'll probably be towards the bottom of the list.  We have flags and pennants now which sure enliven the scenery but signal flags won't really serve much of a purpose and would likely draw resources away from far more pressing matters and necessary content.

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As a hardcore history fan, i would love it even more if that was the only way to communicate while in battle...

 

Impossible simply because the game can't control out of game communication via TS, Skype or even sitting next to each other.

 

This would be a novelty feature, nice to have but adding little of actual value. The development team can keep such an idea in mind but in my opinion, introduction should come way after official launch.

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I recall an older discussion about this, but I've been away for a while to where I'm unsure of where to find it or if it even still exists. 

 

However, I like the idea of signal flags, though they would need to be made more streamline: specific commands that would be followed by the hoisting of said flags (so you would click a preset command "Hold Position" for example and the needed flags would automatically be raised, eliminating the need to actually memorize signals.) Indeed this would be more of an aesthetic touch rather than a game mechanic.

 

However, the addition of Allied NPC that would follow your signals would make the mechanic more interesting as well, making allied NPCs more valuable than in other games... (I cringe at the thought of PotBS elementary allied AI, one that would sacrifice ships for no reason or take the longest route possible to a target etc. etc.)

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I think it's a great Idea about signal flags! 

 

Seems to be the best method of basic communication, especially for people who don't speak the same language.  This is going to have to be dealt with eventually, because when the game does release (and especially if it becomes popular- like I think it will) then there are going to be people who don't speak English playing.  There are already many people playing who only speak English as a second language; RamJB being a notable example.  We are going to need a simple and easy way to talk to each other.

 

Maybe they could work like the button press comms in War Thunder or WoT... perhaps something like this:

 

You want to send the Signal : "Turn left, and Attack"

You hit a button which brings up a small menu, just like loading different ammo types now.  This menu can be as simple or complex as wanted/needed.  It could be as simple as having 5-6 predefined commands (such as; Help, Attack my target, Tack around, Form up, etc).  To being a full signal system, allowing players to pick flags, and send custom messages as they like.  (that would be realistic and cool, but I'm not sure how useful it would be :P )

 

You Pick the Signal that you like and send it.  Here is another splitting point between realism, and game-ness.  Once a player sends a signal, it could just pop up on their screen- ala WoT.   Or...  When you send a signal, the other ships on your team get a prompt; something like "Signal from the Flag Sir"  or "Ship Signaling sir!"  and they have to actually look at your ship in their spyglass, and look at the flags your flying.  Then the message you've sent can pop up as a subtitle, or other text on the screen; since we don't wan't to force players to memorize the flags like real sailors.

 

Just my thoughts on what might be cool, or useful.   B)

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Ah, here we are. This is the other topic I was referring to: Flags, Ensigns, Banners

 

As I recall, it was discussing the implementation of extra flags and their purpose in-game. It seems to be a bit older, but still a good read.

 

Anywho, I too like Ultra's suggestion, again, since it would give the signal flags practical purpose for players, and even more weight if to be used with friendly NPCs

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Anyone ever played Rise of Flight? They had historical signaling  and stuff, but allthough it looked cool I never saw anyone use it. Most people used teamspeak or the ingame chat so alot of devs effort went into this useless gimmick.... Maybe 0,001% of the communety used these signals and flew close enough formation to actually see the hand signals. Waste of resources that could have been used on something else...

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Anyone ever played Rise of Flight? They had historical signaling  and stuff, but allthough it looked cool I never saw anyone use it. Most people used teamspeak or the ingame chat so alot of devs effort went into this useless gimmick.... Maybe 0,001% of the communety used these signals and flew close enough formation to actually see the hand signals. Waste of resources that could have been used on something else.

 

I understand what you mean Kaboki... but I think seeing hand signals from the cockpit of a bi-plane, and reading signal flags flying from a ship, are a bit different.

 

I think no one uses the hand signals in RoF because they are just too damn hard to see!   :)

Signal flags are much easier to see.  All you have to do is literally look at a ship, and you can see if it has signals flying or not.  

 

I also agree with you that many people will be using Teamspeak (or some other comms program), but what do you do if some people on your team are not in your teamspeak?  Or maybe they don't speak the same language as you, so voice comms would be pointless anyway!

 

When the open world comes out, what are you going to do if your sailing a Fat Merchie and want an escort?  Type in chat?  But if your sitting in port, flying the signal "Hey I need an escort" then any other players in the same port will be able to see it.

 

I understand there will are ways to do this kind of thing just in the Chat... but my problem with that is... I'm not a good typist!  I know it doesn't seem that way from my post's... but that's just Spellchecker helping me out...  :D

 

I think Signal flags would be a cool addition to the game, but I admit you could be right Kaboki, and it could just be a lot of effort for something that players won't use.  I'd use them... but maybe I'm just weird...  :lol:

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