Realistic Optic Field of View

[coleakeegan]

As a gun enthusiast and full supporter of game realism, the addition of weapon optics to Project Zomboid was a great start. Having scopes with zoom capabilities for long range targets and red dot sight for close range. But I know from experience that there is a easy tweak that would make using an optic far more realistic.

 

If you’ve ever shot a gun with a zoom optic, then you know that your vision is narrowed on the spot that you’re aiming at. The more powerful the zoom or the closer your point of aim is, the more narrow your field of view becomes. In addition, when using a zoom scope, the only eye that you keep open is looking down the sight, making your peripheral vision almost negligible.

 

When it comes to red dots, you keep both eyes open when aiming. This allows your peripherals to be utilized far more reliable and effectively. But this also means you won’t have any magnification on our optic, thus decreasing the red dot’s effectiveness at longer range.

 

As I said, I love realistic games. The more minute a detail seems, the cooler I think it is. So I think it would be a great idea for vision to be narrowed when aiming. With what little coding “experience” I have, it would seem to me that it wouldn’t take a great deal of effort to use the lighting system that is already in place to narrow a player’s vision in various ways when aiming at different ranges with different optics.

Personally, I think it would be a much needed addition to the firearm system (as much as I love this game, I think it’s fair to say that the firearm mechanics are still a work in progress). From what I’ve seen, this game has always been all about realism. I think adding that little twist of only being able to see where you’re aiming would put a new and more realistic spin on this game.

[MrBlackAttack]

This is an awesome idea. And like you said it really doesn't seem hard to implement at all. I would love to see this added to the game if not modded by somebody.

[GerbilSchooler]

I like the idea as well. And I am no coder either but am fairly certain that modifying LOS is a relatively easy thing to do (considering this mechanic is already part of the game with the Panic mechanic... heheh... 'PanicMechanic'). That being said, the devs do indeed want to make the game realistic but they want the realism to be balanced with  fun.

                                   I am not saying that your idea is not awesome nor that it would detract from the fun. I was just elaborating on your statement: "this game has always been all about realism". 

[Suomiboi]

This is on the same subject a while ago. I'm not that much of an expert but I believe Rath is so I'll quote him on this:

 

You can actually open the eye not looking down the scope when aiming a rifle. It can be a tad bit disconcerting, but you don't lose sight of your surroundings if you do it. Also, since you have to "aim" a gun to shoot, it would suck to lose your entire FOV just to pull the trigger on stuff at close range. Would impact gameplay extremely negatively imho.

 

And a couple of cofirmations that he's not alone:

When I hunt, I view the scope with both eyes open. It's how I was taught, and I hear it's not uncommon.

So yeah, I agree.

 

Yup, Standard training here. Both eyes open.

From here.

[EnigmaGrey]

Ah, to have bi-ocular vision, and to be crippled by it! How I pity you all, what with your depth perception and . . .

[Rathlord]

Suomi said it pretty much. It's not particularly realistic and woul have a negative impact on how fun the game is IMO.

[coleakeegan]

This is on the same subject a while ago. I'm not that much of an expert but I believe Rath is so I'll quote him on this:

 

You can actually open the eye not looking down the scope when aiming a rifle. It can be a tad bit disconcerting, but you don't lose sight of your surroundings if you do it. Also, since you have to "aim" a gun to shoot, it would suck to lose your entire FOV just to pull the trigger on stuff at close range. Would impact gameplay extremely negatively imho.

 

And a couple of cofirmations that he's not alone:

When I hunt, I view the scope with both eyes open. It's how I was taught, and I hear it's not uncommon.

So yeah, I agree.

 

Yup, Standard training here. Both eyes open.

From here.

That's strange... I've shot red dot and holo with both eyes, but only one when it's a scope. I was speaking from my own experience so I would think you're correct on that.

 

 

Suomi said it pretty much. It's not particularly realistic and woul have a negative impact on how fun the game is IMO.

Considering my new found info, I agree would have to agree with you. I do think the field of view that is seen while aiming could use some adjustment, but considering I've always shot with one eye, it would be much less drastic of a change...

[Rathlord]

It might be interesting to do an "out of focus" mechanic instead, making things a bit blurry and perhaps washed out. I usually close the one eye simply because it's a bit easier to say focused that way; but in instances where it's necessary, such as trying to track a big buck through thick foliage, I keep the other open so I don't lose him as he moves.