[Suggestion] Line of sight for guards, cameras

[paktsardines]

Apologies if this has been suggested before, but searches haven't revealed anything.

Simple idea:

Prisoners cannot be seen (from overhead view) unless:
1. They are within line of sight of a guard (maybe staff member?) OR
2. They are within line of sight of a camera OR
3. They are wearing [very expensive] RFID ankle bracelet :)

This would mean, for example, that when a prisoner goes around the side of a building, the player would lose sight of them unless a guard was over there too.
It also means that prisoner escapes that occur outside the line of sight would go unnoticed until the scheduled [soon-to-be-implemented?] head-count is taken ;)

I think this idea more accurately models the real-life challenge of keeping an eye on your prisoners. Perhaps have it an option available on [soon-to-be-implemented] higher difficulty settings.

Thanks for listening.

[sorry, didn't mean to POLL - was just testing and now can't remove it]

[Masochist]

For various reasons it would likely be best as a toggle able difficulty option. Regardless I think it would be amazing.

[omarlittle]

By the way, if there is a line of sights for the cameras and the guards, prisonners and other staff should also get a line of sight.

Interesting idea, it might fit with the concept of fog of war

[paktsardines]

And, if you've seen some of the Subversion demos, it looks like the' line-of-site/fog of war code already exists and could be reused...

See demo:
youtube.com/watch?v=ACwT5XyCF2E

[koshensky]

I like this idea, and it would give a valid use for CCTV cameras which they seem to be lacking at the minute. This would be a really good thing to add after the guard patrols have been put in, so we see more than just 8 guards doing nothing. Would also allow us to make a watchtower around the perimeter, with a big rotating spotlight and a machine gun mounted and ready.

[Illanair]

Yeah I'm certain that ChrisCo already have line of sight in mind for the game - something like a 90" cone (that's 45" to either side) from their facing.

[Oranite]

I can believe people would be against this, it's a great idea if not you can just workaround it, better to have more than less, you can easily take away but much harder to create.

[a__gun]

They have said there will be a fog of war of sorts, which will be based on line of sight. So yea...happening already

[FatFreddie]

You want to be careful - if you put too many CCTV cameras in to make it cheaper to monitor prisoners and sack guards, the guards might unionise and go on strike...

[crummett]

cant say I like the idea much. would mean a lot of prisoners popping in and out of view. Especially when running smaller prisons with lower budgets and a few staff. I dont really want a game where the main characters and focus of the game arent visible half the time

[ronanc]

cant say I like the idea much. would mean a lot of prisoners popping in and out of view. Especially when running smaller prisons with lower budgets and a few staff. I dont really want a game where the main characters and focus of the game arent visible half the time

+1

I really think it would be aesthetically unappealing. It doesn't make much sense either logically. You'll still be able to see staff and admin so why should prisoners disappear?

[crummett]

exactly. it's not like a C&C type where you you can't see your enemies beyond a point. The prisoners are your whole aim. If i cant see individual prisoners how do i give them what they need.

Fog of war for riots is a brilliant idea as it fits well i.e they've taken control of a wing and you don't have access. But for the other times, my prison - i should see what and who i want. (especially if I can see under ground to fit pipes :p)

[Causeless]

It sounds like a good idea in theory, but really half of the fun is seeing your swarm of prisoners move around and live. Maybe suspicious things a prisoner does shouldn't be shown (like flashing knives), instead just showing then when idle, and you couldn't see escaping prisoners without guards/cctv, but any normal activity shouldn't be hidden. Also, to stop things like invisible shower fights, there should be a "noise" sight radius, too. If you hear a lot your guards will still rush to stop rioting and you'll still be aware stuff is going on.

[a__gun]

In a realistic prison prisoners would never be without an escort. I don't think having to have a guard in a building to know whats going on in there is a big deal at all, because I will want to have guards everywhere my prisoners are anyway.

[crummett]

i'd picture line of sight as in direct line of sight not just in the same building. With a big building block of 30/40 cells, the only way you'd have line of sight to a guard would be a guard per prisoner, standing outside their cell and then following them round. its just not logical to me