Calculation algorithm
Aiming at target’s outlines standing out of an obstacle is quite a labor-intensive. Our FPS makes it unviable. That’s why the game uses a simplified aiming pattern. You aim at certain points that may be blocked by real obstacles. It makes a target which should be visible to the player vanish. Visibility is calculated by ray tracing.
Visibility algorithm errors are caused by ray tracing to preset points that may be either blocked by obstacles or, alternatively, visible, although this is not the case with the player (i.e. the player sees the target not being blocked by obstacles).
However, weapon guidance algorithm (a different one) in 50% of cases produces a ‘line of fire not available’ message due to realistic gun elevation angles. Besides there is a 30% chance of failure due to uneven terrain and some
15-20% cases failure is caused by aiming at preset points.
The initial design of the game targeted developing a model being as close to reality as possible, with no additional artificial indicators (like drawing LOF). Basically, the idea is still good and interesting and it is a shame not everybody would like to get used to it.
Currently our team is working over a patch to make LOF visible. This is likely to resolve most problems and rule out misunderstanding of the system.