Command Tool?

[Rattle-N-hum]

This is adapted from a communication method we used on convoy patrol. It's purpose is to convey information quickly without/minimal comm chatter. Experience has shown that colors are more easily digested than words and numbers in stressful environments like combat. I didn't write down every wing's status; just Bomber Wing1 and Logistics. The others We can just imagine a similar setup, determined as the game dynamic reveals itself. All tiers of command benefit from this, as they can get a more developed picture of the battlefield at a glance. The LEADS report to their superiors, and so forth. Commanders don't have to digest every individual's status, which is why distributed command is so effective. This is my first online co-operative game; what do you think about adapting this real world communication method to a game? If someone knows how to app design, each individual would only need a readout of those below them, and their personal status, which would automatically report up the chain according to the tier structured in the app by command. for example

Green= good/100%. Yellow=75% Red= 50% Black = Urgent, 25%

(Example Only Big Picture) To the Right would be up chain information; status reports only.
To the LEFT would be new orders issued, or maybe notification to pursue new objective. Expand or collapse your command tree as needed.

Prince Humperdink

Captain Vizzini

Logistic Sector Fore: Reporting status: 50% / Engaged / We're good​

Crucibles Work Load
Starfarers Work Load
Haulers Slow Down
Attached Escorts HELP! / Enemy Proximity​

Logistic Sector Aft: Reporting status: No load, Engaged, Send help soon​

Crucibles Work Load
Starfarers Work Load
Haulers Slow Down
Attached Escorts HELP! / Enemy Proximity​

​

Ambulatory Occupado Reporting Status : Injured on board​

Captain Montoya Mission Complete, cleaning up​

Bomber Wing 1 Refill / Objective / Contact​

NOTIFICATION FROM COMMAND! (Redeploy to 2nd wing to assist)​

Harbingers yadda
Retaliators yadda
Gladiators Yadda

Escort Fighters Yadda​

Bomber Wing 2 Refill / Objective / Contact​

Harbingers yadda
Retaliators yadda
Gladiators Yadda

Escort Fighters Yadda​

Fighter Squadron

Interceptors
Dogfighters
Heavies
Gunships​

Recon​

Much like in the other scenarios, the mission determines the information to report. This is too much for any one person to digest, and must be distributed. Miners would be concerned with their capacity, pockets of rich minerals, and possible contact. Reactionary forces can be called upon by the change of a color.​

Captain Vizzini

Rear Deployment

Miner

Factories
Refineries
Reclaimers
Escort/ Fwd Observers
Shipping Scheduling​

Callimari Race Team

Circuits

Time Trials
Demolition Derby​

​

Such command structures are designed to quickly expand or contract for various situations, be it KIA, Change of command, or...you know when they gotta log off. I would like to see what you guys think of this, and if a tool could be implemented in game. I'm not sure that Discord will ever be able to handle our communication requirement effectively, let alone the banter.

I would like o reiterate that I don't foresee even something this simple being used unless the game supports a similar analogue for reporting in game, OR someone knows how to code up an app for the phone; but it is something to think about. Our hive mind shall conquer all. At this point I have exhausted my artistic computer knowledge; this is an example of what an app may look like, with each circle depicting the color status of the field. Green= good/100%. Yellow=75% Red= 50% Black = Urgent, 25%

 

[CosmicTrader]

Good reference.

 

[einbruch]

you could probably get something similar to this in google spreadsheets but then anyone who had the link would have access to it and in theory could make changes or sabotage it.

as it stands I'm sure as the final version goes live we would make enemies quick so whatever resource used for large scale comms would have to be kept under wraps (for official use only FOUO) . i think each "wing" needs their own voice chat "channel" and commanders would communicate higher via message board, text, skype, or something along those lines. the issue you'll likely run into is the ability to keep this system relatively up to date.

my suggestion is start to commission wings now by experience and ability to train those assigned to their wing. keep the wings slightly smaller (read no more than 12) and ensure those people play with their wing on a regular basis and develop a good working relationship with their wing mates. also build them around a set blueprint (e.g. 8 aurora's 2 bomber class ships and 2 hornets for mobility/recon). skill, communication, and execution are the key to success here and also having a solid plan (for big ops) from the start. i'd be willing to help out at least when it comes to building the hierarchy from air corps, squadron, wing, to fighter group. if this is something more people are interested in i can do up an excel or powerpoint on this and at least get something down on paper.

 

[Printimus]

Seems pretty cool. Hope we get to see more of this in the future!

 

[einbruch]

think tomorrow at work I'll start a powerpoint on something like this and see what everyone thinks. although its a little more hardcore than most players here it would still be cool to see come to fruition.

 

[Rattle-N-hum]

@einbruch The excel like spreadsheet was only for demonstration purposes, and the bullet format to show how it would be implemented. The leaders only need to see what is below them, not necessarily above, unless it be a "recall command" or something similar. In an active battlefield, this would be silly if you had to click save, edit, or anything like that. I could only see this being implemented in a phone app or at worst, possibly a function of Spectrum. The colored boxes show what an individual in any tier of command might see. It would need some modifications, of course, perhaps I will draw something else on paper or MS Paint.