What to Consider

The most important thing is that gunplay is predictable and consistent, but one of the key challenges with gun feel in our title is the third person camera.

We have to handle the offset between the muzzle of the weapon and the camera; failing to do so means the shot won't land where the reticle on the screen tells the player it will. There isn't one perfect solution to this problem, and different games employ different options, each with benefits and tradeoffs for the player - That's a question of basic functionality!

The second layer to this is 'gun feel' as even if the guns work, it won't matter if nobody wants to play with them. Gun feel is a culmination of a lot of different pieces working together at once to create the sensation behind a weapon - camera effects, VFX, audio, etc. It's harder to deliver on this fantasy in third person as the weapon occupies less space on the screen and isn't as visible to the player.

Round 1: Fire States

Every time a weapon is fired, it undergoes a sequence: Neutral > Fire Sequence > Weapon Action > Recovery. The more synchronized these states, the more "kick" the weapon appears to have. The Fire Sequence alone involves numerous effects and actions occurring in a brief timeframe:

Muzzle flash or shockwave effects
Spawning of the bullet
SFX associated with the bullet
Kickback effects on the gun/character
Camera shake
Occasionally, changes in the targeting reticle's spread

Weapon Action is any movement inflicted on the weapon incurred by its firing: The way the hammer pulls back, the firing of bullets, the ejection of shells and the production of distinct sound effects tailored to each firearm. But especially in a fictional environment, a lot of extra movement on the weapon can be added. This is followed by what we call the Recovery phase, a crucial interval that prepares the weapon for its next use. While the overall sequence has parts that last just fractions of a second, typically between 0.1 and 0.3 seconds, it's the Recovery phase that takes up more time. This phase is vital as it impacts how quickly a Hunter can resume a ready position after shooting. On our current Hunters, the time needed for recovery can vary from 0.6 to 1.2 seconds, influenced by the choice of weapon and its inherent characteristics. Generally, choosing a heavier weapon translates to longer recovery times, enhancing the player's experience by conveying the feel of handling more powerful and significant firearms.

Hunters. Don't. Flinch.

If the use of full stops after each word in subheadings seems deliberate, it's because it is – to amplify the effect: Hunters don't flinch because they are massive and sturdy, setting them apart from humans and our Drones.

Drones, in contrast, do react slightly upon impact, indicating the force exerted on them. However, our quest for precision is ongoing: we recognize that our current design does not differentiate between a hit in a critical damage area and one outside of it. In future updates, we aim to implement more sophisticated effects, carefully maintaining the equilibrium between their scale and auditory impact and the overall impact on gameplay.

Additionally, the scale of the ammunition used by the Hunters and its resulting impact are still under refinement. For example, Razorside's 20x138mm shells should create significantly larger impact craters than they currently do.

The book on Hunters' not flinching isn't fully closed, though. We are currently exploring reaction options will both sell the power of the weapon and won't compromise the feel of might of a Hunter.

Impact. Feedback.

Or, more straightforwardly, "Impact feedback" is the response a player receives when their bullet hits an object. This feedback varies depending on what the bullet strikes: for instance, hitting an enemy Hunter may produce sparks and, if it's a critical hit, a small explosion. Conversely, hitting the ground might create dust or debris plumes, while buildings may crumble. Broadly speaking, impact feedback depends on the interaction between the bullet and the object it impacts. We are currently focusing on developing and refining a more responsive and distinct Target Feedback System, but this can neither be promised nor taken for guaranteed.

Unleash the Hunter within

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Unleash the Hunter within

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