- Yes, I support the addition of an optional MG camera.
- Yes, but only for certain vehicles.
- Yes, but with adjustments (please explain below).
- No, I do not support this idea.
1. Introduction
In Simulator Ground Battles, the player’s view is restricted to the commander’s hatch position. This is historically appropriate, yet it creates certain gameplay limitations when operating externally mounted machine guns. On many vehicles, the anti-aircraft machine gun is positioned close to the commander’s cupola, as it would have been in real life. However, the current camera location often sits too low or slightly off to the side, which causes the weapon model to obscure the target or introduces parallax issues that make accurate fire difficult.
To improve usability without compromising authenticity, I would like to propose an optional camera mode dedicated specifically to operating the external machine gun.
2. The Issue
At present:
- The commander’s camera in Simulator mode cannot be moved horizontally or vertically; it allows only rotation.
- On several vehicles, the external MG sits directly between the camera and the target.
- As a result, the machine gun model may completely block the player’s view, making it difficult—or at times impossible—to see where the weapon is aimed.
- In some cases, the camera’s slight offset leads to parallax, causing inaccurate fire even when the player aligns the sights as best as the current view allows.
This affects only Simulator mode, where the player has no access to third-person view and must rely entirely on the commander’s limited perspective.
3. Proposed Solution
I suggest adding an optional machine-gun camera that activates only when the player selects the MG (via the “Select machine gun” control).
Functionality:
- When switching to the MG, the camera would snap to a fixed position attached directly to the machine gun mount, representing the natural viewpoint of the crew member operating it.
- This would provide a clear, unobstructed view and eliminate the issues caused by the MG model blocking the line of fire.
- The standard commander’s camera would remain unchanged for all other purposes.
- The MG sniper view (zoomed mode) could stay exactly as it is now.
- The option could be enabled or disabled in the game settings, ensuring it remains fully optional.
This preserves realism—since the operator would be positioned much closer to the MG in real life—while improving usability in a way that does not affect balance.
4. Examples (Images)
Here you may include screenshots:
- Screenshots showing the MG blocking the target
- Screenshots demonstrating approximate suggestion for the improved MG-camera position
5. Why This Would Be Beneficial
- Enhances usability in Simulator mode without breaking authenticity.
- Helps players engage air and ground targets more effectively using MGs.
- Removes visual obstruction and reduces parallax issues.
- Leaves the default camera untouched, affecting gameplay only when the player opts in.
- Minimal development impact while offering a clear quality-of-life improvement.