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Unread 27-01-2015, 11:33
JABot67 JABot67 is offline
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Re: Driving: Tank, Arcade or FPS?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesCH95 View Post
It doesn't seem like you read the thread... what you call "RC car drive" is what is commonly know as "FPS" control. Other control methods, including single-stick arcade (with a gimbal stick), provide a reliable way to 'drive straight forward.'

Frankly, even FPS style control won't be guaranteed to drive perfectly straight without closed-loop control due to variances in motor torque and drivetrain drag. And when closed-loop control is in the mix, almost anything can manage to reliably drive straight.

It is a horrific and sweeping generalization to say that: "teams who used two-stick tank or one-stick arcade drive were struggling to balance the bridge." Your conclusion that their control system was holding them back is simply false.

Now, I'm not saying "FPS" drive is bad, it certainly is a great drive control scheme, but don't undercut your own argument by making such rash statements.
This drive is called "First-Person Shooter Drive" by the first poster in this thread, then called "Split Arcade Drive", "Kaj Drive", and "RC Car Drive" during this thread. I don't think it has a universal name, but you are right that I should not have presented the name I use as the correct name.

Regarding "FPS Drive", I think the name is actually good for describing a drive that allows strafing - many FPSes (Halo, etc.) allow you to strafe using the left joystick (same one for going forward and backward).

"RC Car Drive" could also be considered a bad name for the control scheme, because real RC cars are not tank drive and can't turn on a dime.

Regarding the rest of your post, I am glad we agree that it is very important to have a foolproof way of going straight forward and backward. I am very curious about everyone's opinion about what drive control schemes perform the best, or if it matters at all. I think that your chosen scheme does impact your performance, but not as much as driver skill and practice.

And yes, one of my statements up there could be considered a "horrific and sweeping generalization". I was considering removing it, but I'll leave it there for now. This was my first controversial post on CD!!
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John Bottenberg - University of Michigan '14 - Microsoft
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