Differentiate the size of creatures while you have infared vision

Senrain · 2013-06-22T07:07:58.000Z

After two encounters with Jabberwocks that occurred in a very short span of time, two harmless looking ?'s that turned out to be something to run away from very quickly, I wondered…

Why can’t we differentiate the size of a creature from it’s thermal signature? Here’s my suggestion.

. = Small creature, such as a squirrel, a rabbit, certain spiders, fungaloid spores perhaps?

? = Medium sized creatures such as your run of the mill zombies, deer, moose, other creatures about that size.

! = Large creatures to run away from very quickly, such as bears, JABBERWOCKS, stuff like that.

Narc · 2013-06-22T07:12:23.000Z

It wouldn’t hurt if it gave you a textual size description when you ';'looked at it, either.

Xommers · 2013-06-22T07:15:38.000Z

I wholly agree with this idea. Perhaps the same for sound volume?

Senrain · 2013-06-22T07:16:58.000Z

Narc:

It wouldn’t hurt if it gave you a textual size description when you ';'looked at it, either.

Well, it would be a bit tedious to examine every thermal signature you see. You can probably tell at a glance whether something is huge or tiny, which is why I’m suggesting this.

Also @ Xommers that would be an awesome idea, brilliant really.

i2amroy · 2013-06-22T07:31:10.000Z

Xommers:

I wholly agree with this idea. Perhaps the same for sound volume?

Sound does seem like it would be based off of volume rather then creature size though, and I can imagine a particularly dangerous creature with light steps, so that it appears to be something smaller until you actually see it.

Senrain · 2013-06-22T07:35:23.000Z

i2amroy:

[quote=“Xommers, post:3, topic:1863”]I wholly agree with this idea. Perhaps the same for sound volume?

Sound does seem like it would be based off of volume rather then creature size though, and I can imagine a particularly dangerous creature with light steps, so that it appears to be something smaller until you actually see it.[/quote]

Well, I imagine a loud, alarming sound such as glass breaking would appear differently to say… the shambling footsteps of a zombie.

Narc · 2013-06-22T08:03:01.000Z

[quote=“Senrain, post:4, topic:1863”][quote=“Narc, post:2, topic:1863”]It wouldn’t hurt if it gave you a textual size description when you ';'looked at it, either.[/quote]Well, it would be a bit tedious to examine every thermal signature you see. You can probably tell at a glance whether something is huge or tiny, which is why I’m suggesting this.[/quote]I’m not suggesting being able to ';'examine them instead of this, I’m suggesting it’s a useful addition to this. At the very least, it would make it possible to understand what the ./?/! mean without having to go out of game for it.

Senrain · 2013-06-22T08:12:56.000Z

Narc:

[quote=“Senrain, post:4, topic:1863”][quote=“Narc, post:2, topic:1863”]It wouldn’t hurt if it gave you a textual size description when you ';'looked at it, either.[/quote]Well, it would be a bit tedious to examine every thermal signature you see. You can probably tell at a glance whether something is huge or tiny, which is why I’m suggesting this.[/quote]I’m not suggesting being able to ';'examine them instead of this, I’m suggesting it’s a useful addition to this. At the very least, it would make it possible to understand what the ./?/! mean without having to go out of game for it.

Aha. I figure the .?! system would be enough to get the information you need to tell whether you should approach a heat signature with caution. Perhaps examining the signature would give a slightly more detailed description.

This heat signature is the size of your fist.
This heat signature is the size of a basketball.
This heat signature is the size of a easy chair.
This heat signature is the size of a person.
This heat signature is the size of a small automobile.
This heat signature is enormous!

Xommers · 2013-06-22T09:09:46.000Z

I think we need a fridge/couch size category before moving on to cars.

Senrain · 2013-06-24T00:01:32.000Z

Xommers:

I think we need a fridge/couch size category before moving on to cars.

Well, yeah. Just giving a quick example.

jumjummju · 2013-06-24T02:41:29.000Z

Senrain:

[quote=“Xommers, post:9, topic:1863”]I think we need a fridge/couch size category before moving on to cars.

Well, yeah. Just giving a quick example.[/quote]

I always figured fridges were vaguely the size of a dude, just slightly more square. They’re especially similar if you’re in Minecraft. Sofa is a bit bigger though, so that does kinda make sense.

Perhaps some other descriptors, like “it moves on all fours” for things like cougars and zombie dogs, and “it’s obviously bi-pedal” or “It’s flying in the air” for other animals? Also, “It’s in the ground, under your feet” for worms.

Senrain · 2013-06-24T02:42:50.000Z

jumjummju:

[quote=“Senrain, post:10, topic:1863”][quote=“Xommers, post:9, topic:1863”]I think we need a fridge/couch size category before moving on to cars.

Well, yeah. Just giving a quick example.[/quote]

I always figured fridges were vaguely the size of a dude, just slightly more square. They’re especially similar if you’re in Minecraft. Sofa is a bit bigger though, so that does kinda make sense.

Perhaps some other descriptors, like “it moves on all fours” for things like cougars and zombie dogs, and “it’s obviously bi-pedal” or “It’s flying in the air” for other animals? Also, “It’s in the ground, under your feet” for worms.[/quote]

That would be good as well. Hope we can actually see some of this implemented.

Xommers · 2013-06-24T09:48:34.000Z

Other things infrared should detect: recently used vehicles, fires, recently ejected ammo cases, powered consoles, generators.