For Normandy there is not much to think about. A clear vote for option 2. The G43 was very scarce and in my opinion has no place in the spawn menu, not even as a limited spawnclass.
If the map doesn't work without it, it is the maps problem. Design the maps that they work with the weapons historically used at the time the map is set.
Yes. And may I add, I always thought pickup kit placement, especially of the G43 was done very nicely on Goodwood. Almost all pickup kits are at forward flags and in environments where they are useful, without making them K98k 2.0.
In my opinion the ratio on any limited spawnclass should never exceed 0.16 which on a full server allows 6 people to use that class. Exception could of course be made on maps that feature units, it is known that they were especially well equipped.
I think you meant that?
In my opinion the engineer is not really needed on the later maps. His mines already got removed for Normandy because of the maps being much more narrow.
The Geballte Ladung he has now is of course fun but in the matter of gameplay rather insignificant. The only thing that is important on the engineer is the wrench. But that could easily be issued by pickup ammokits at static defences and pickup pilot and tanker kits at vehiclespawns.
This is true, although I have to say I am kind of uncomfortable with the thought of having no spawnable wrench... but on later maps it would work I guess.
This brings up another point I recently noted: on American maps ammo kits are very often used for frontline duty because people seem to have taken a liking to the P14 Enfield rifle. I'd suggest adding a pickup "Marksman" kit on same maps that has the rifle + perhaps a scout loadout. You know, like some crackshot prefers the bolt action rifle and takes it instead of the Garand, stuff like that probably happened in the real war too. But I digress.
Something like this:
Is that a screenshot from a late war map you're working on?
@Natty: Yes we all know we would probably get magically tons of new players if we went more arcade and accesible, but really? Do you think people would stop playing because of having less G43s? The people who would do that stopped playing already, after going 1/-12/8 in their first round.
I'm sure Slayer could do an electro pop number over satellites and win the Eurovision Song Contest, but their fans would still throw beer bottles, motorcycles and midgets at them until they played "Raining Blood" and got the Solo just right.
And what would going more mainstream accomplish for FH2? I mean what would set us apart from modern fps games? Our awesome graphics? Well they are, for a 2005 game we are pretty leet. But we have no destroyable environment, unlockable or customizable stuff or an awesome sp campaign. What we have is historical accuracy and authenticity. We don't cut the corners other games do and that sets us apart. Just like PR is set apart by their Teamplay and open maps etc. Know your strenghts.
And don't get me wrong, if somebody does a map that is 100% like a real place and it turns out it isn't fun and one side gets raped allt he time, then I would be the first to say "tough crap, now change it". But these loadout stuff is stuff we can change and we can design in a historically accurate way without screwing up everything. So I think we should do it.
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