The Darned Lmg Muzzle Flash

Salsa · February 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">Can't...see!</div> The LMG's muzzle flash makes it too hard to see what's in front of you, considering the gun is no small thing itself, and then the flash extends over your crosshair.

Is there any way to lower the LMG's size or flash without the <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'> certain, <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='skulk.gif'> command <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/pudgy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='pudgy.gif'> that some of us <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tiny.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tiny.gif'> know about?

ZERG · February 2003

You're not the only one. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Some know how to modify the sprite for the muzzle flash, but I don't know how. You might want to ask that in the general forum. Oh, and you can set r_drawviewmodel to 0 in the console, but the evil evil people are planning on locking this.

Omega1 · February 2003

Well, it does give you a major advantage that isn't ment to be.

I'm sure it was no mistake to have a larger muzzle flash on the weapons in NS. That's part of the challenge of being marine (of course you can usually tell whose got it off, they're the ones who kill 7 skulks with one clip as they swarm around their legs).

Best you try and play legit before it gets locked down, or your in for a world of hurt when you can't use it anywmore.

ZERG · February 2003

Actually, it isn't at all a bother to me. You just need to look past the muzzle flash and basically just concentrate more when fighting. It's more of a matter of convenience and using the muzzle flash as a means to balance sounds ridiculous and otherwise tacky means to do it.

Fizzer · February 2003

I had loads of problems with this until I played this game where one guy was telling everyone to stay in the corners when facing skulks. It really works. duck in a corner and with only 90 degrees of vision to cover you're sorted. You can also burst fire which helps. AIm - shoot, aim - shoot etc. etc.

Most of the problem with muzzle flash is that you end up spinning round on the spot, guns blazing, trying just to see the little critters.

Smithboy · February 2003

If you don't have a technical problem with the muzzle flash, i suggest leaving it on. You'll learn to compensate for it, but still it'll be there and you have to learn to compensate for it.

Why should it be off? You're holding a gun that does just about that when it fires. It's there for the whole game, but you get to make it invisible? Seems odd how you can see through your gun. Do you want to look through other things too? I suppose you could turn walls off too, and buildings if they get in the way of your sight (the parts you can shoot through). It should be kept on.

SoulSkorpion · February 2003

I've always considered the muzzle flash a balance thing, kind of like the skulk jaws getting in the way.

I suggest you try burst-firing, or merely practising more.

The_Real_Quasar · February 2003

I've never had a seeing problem with muzzle flash or skulk bite or anything. I wonder what resolution all you people are playing at...
i use 1024x768

RyoOhki · February 2003

Maybe it's my geforce 4...but I seriously don't notice muzzle flash. Doesn't detract from my gameplay at all, same as the skulk jaws. I have heard that people with certain framerates or resolutions get a solid sprite as opposed to a flickering one, if this was the case then yes, I'd say something needs to be done, but as it is when the muzzle flash is working as it's intended to I really see no cause for change or comment. If it botheres you just adjust your gameplay accordingly.

Zel · February 2003

it is a balancing issue, so dont cheat away your weapon model

i believe that it flickers more on higher framerates, and is therefore easier to see though, and it is the correct size in 1024 resolution, any less and the muzzle flash will get even larger!

dont edit it off either, for the same sprite is used when you are an alien and you see marines shooting at you, if you edit off the muzzle flash you wont be able to find them in dark corners!!

Onuma · February 2003

It's easy to edit the sprite...but it's also a form of cheating.

Everyone else has to put up with that muzzle flash...and so what if you can't see your crosshairs? If you have played First-Person-Shooters for any amount of time you know where the xhair should be within maybe 1/2 cm. on your monitor <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

That's how people get good at unzoomed sniping in CS and DoD (either that or they put a dot on the monitor - scumbags!)

Omega1 · February 2003

Well, the crouching in a croener with your back to the wall also keeps you alive longer because your putting almost half of you hitboxes behind the wall <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'>

I play NS on 1600x1200 resolution, 32 bit color, and still ge about 50-70 FPS, depending on the area. The muzzleflash is jsut something you need to learn to ignor all together. I mean, when I'm a skulk, I don't even noticed the teeth going up and down. I just focus on whats past it.

Just need to learn to compensate for each race <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'>

sekdar · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (The Real Quasar @ Feb 14 2003, 10:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I've never had a seeing problem with muzzle flash or skulk bite or anything. I wonder what resolution all you people are playing at...
i use 1024x768  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
^^^^^ ditto

Wile_E_Coyote · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Onuma @ Feb 14 2003, 01:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>It's easy to edit the sprite...but it's also a form of cheating.

Everyone else has to put up with that muzzle flash...and so what if you can't see your crosshairs? If you have played First-Person-Shooters for any amount of time you know where the xhair should be within maybe 1/2 cm. on your monitor <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

That's how people get good at unzoomed sniping in CS and DoD (either that or they put a dot on the monitor - scumbags!)</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Well Onuma is being a little over-zealous. If you can't tolerate scripts or fair changes to a mod, I hear there are some GREAT consoles games out on the market <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

The bottom line is that an unusuallly high number of people have all expressed problems with the muzzleflash sprite. From what I read, It apparently affects some computer combinations worse than others. I happen to be one of those people afflicted with the muzzleflash syndrome. For those of you who are not aware or do not have this problem, basically what you have is an extremely bright constant blur (read: NOT flashing in and out) that covers (yes I said covers) the crosshairs. I am certain it is because my videocard (Visiontek geforce2) and my monitor (Pixie) do not like each other at all. I have been playing Half-life and it's mods since Nov 1998 and have never once had this trouble though. I sincerely doubt that this is what the designer had in mind when he/she created it, and it is laughable to suggest it was done purposely as a "balancing issue".

Here is a cropped screenshot of my muzzleflash:

<img src='http://www.casadeheba.com/NS_BAST0003.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

You can find it at <a href='http://www.fileplanet.com/files/110000/119816.shtml' target='_blank'>WC's muzzleflash sprite</a>

As you can see, it is hardly fair to label this a "cheat". Besides, the sprite has 3 frames and this one is the smallest of the three. Do you consider it fair that quite obviously there are many people out there with computers that have trouble with the standard muzzleflash while others have computers that handle it with ease?

I will never tout replacment models that are well outside the hitboxes OR have larger hitboxes, sprites that completely remove textures or even scripts that enable you do things that no game designer EVER would have intended (like bunnyhopping). Yes it is true that there are peeps out their hell bent on cheating, but the truth is the most serious cheats aren't the ones you are talking about. But to disable ALL modifications is to ruin the #1 thing that makes PC games so much better that console games: Modification <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

CutterJoe · February 2003

I use the geforce 4600 and play at 1024X780 and I dont experience that much of a problem with it. If it really bothers you that bad then just run around knifing. I bet then the muzzle flash wouldnt be such a hinderance. But seriously I think that if flayra did take the muzzle flash out (Seriously doubtful) he would also modify the skulk bite so you were outside the mouth (Also seriously doubtful). At any rate I would learn to cope with it without the use of drawviewmodel.

Wile_E_Coyote · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CutterJoe @ Feb 16 2003, 01:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> But seriously I think that if flayra did take the muzzle flash out (Seriously doubtful) he would also modify the skulk bite so you were outside the mouth (Also seriously doubtful). At any rate I would learn to cope with it without the use of drawviewmodel.  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
I hear what you're saying, but you still don't get it *sigh*. I have no problem with the skulk byte. The skulk byte is annoying to some, yes, but for the most part people are talking about problems with the muzzleflash exclusively, like me.

I could talk all day long, and I think the only way you guys would understand was if you came over to my house and saw it for your own two (or one for some) eyes. I am saying that that the muzzleflash doesn't appear to flash on and off, like most do, or like the skulk byte does, but instead literally looks like one big morphing blur, which unfortunately I cannot show you with mere screenshots. It is, in essence, impossible to see through and from other posts I've read I know that it does NOT do that on everyone's computer.

I do not want Flayra to take out the muzzleflash. I'm not asking him to take it out. I wish he would consider changing it to something a little more friendly with all computers, but it's his mod and he can do how he sees fit. I think it takes away from the immersion factor of the game if you remove the first person models, sprites, sounds, etc. Hell I won't even play maps that have been modded to remove ambient sounds! But to label EVERY customized model, sound or graphic to a game as "cheating" is just silly.

eaglec · February 2003

Just for reference the official flash sprites look like this on my pc, I run a GF3Ti at 1280x960. The appear the same on all my other PC's too although I almost always play on this one and I haven't snap shotted it from them.

sometimes the muzzle flash bothers me but it's part of the game and normally it bother be because I'm playing like a llama rather than becuase the flash is really too big. Go on then, who can post the worst muzzle flash?

Rifle: (image at 75% original size)

<img src='http://www.lastresort.dsl.pipex.com/temp/rifleflash.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Pstol: (image at 75% original size)

<img src='http://www.lastresort.dsl.pipex.com/temp/pistolflash.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Zel · February 2003

ive found that the problem is not with the size of the screen blocked by the flash, but instead the sheer contrast.

counterstrike is mostly well lit outdoor type areas, flash dun matter.

natural selection is mostly poorly lit dark creepy hallways, and when im staring intently at the center of the screen and a white thing flashes in it, i cant see jack for another quarter of a second, and thats a long time with a skulk in your face.

maybe for those of us with eyesight problems this flash is more blinding than for others? i am extremely nearsighted, and my eyes adjust to the dark very slowly, maybe this effects the results of our "tests". so many people ahve posted so many different responses, that maybe another factor is playing in!

enough of that babble, i think im going to try editing the muzzleflash to black. in accordance with the fact that skulk teeth do not bother me, yet this smaller, brighter flash does, i think i will try a modification to make the muzzle flash block the same amount of viewing area but not actually blind me!

Smithboy · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zel @ Feb 16 2003, 02:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ive found that the problem is not with the size of the screen blocked by the flash, but instead the sheer contrast.

counterstrike is mostly well lit outdoor type areas, flash dun matter.

natural selection is mostly poorly lit dark creepy hallways, and when im staring intently at the center of the screen and a white thing flashes in it, i cant see jack for another quarter of a second, and thats a long time with a skulk in your face.

maybe for those of us with eyesight problems this flash is more blinding than for others? i am extremely nearsighted, and my eyes adjust to the dark very slowly, maybe this effects the results of our "tests". so many people ahve posted so many different responses, that maybe another factor is playing in!

enough of that babble, i think im going to try editing the muzzleflash to black. in accordance with the fact that skulk teeth do not bother me, yet this smaller, brighter flash does, i think i will try a modification to make the muzzle flash block the same amount of viewing area but not actually blind me!  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Remember, this affects you as an alien or fellow teammate. You can't see the flash, so it's harder to see the enemy or your friend.

JoltGris · February 2003

I think the thing with skulkbite is irritating.. does he have eyes in his mouth?

Tabris · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (JoltGris @ Feb 16 2003, 10:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I think the thing with skulkbite is irritating.. does he have eyes in his mouth?  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Its a small balance change... just like the lmg flash.... and marine backpedal speed...

These things should never be bypassed....

I will personally stab anyone who uses r_drawviewmodel 0 with a fleetwood mac CD.

Charge · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tabris @ Feb 17 2003, 12:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (JoltGris @ Feb 16 2003, 10:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I think the thing with skulkbite is irritating.. does he have eyes in his mouth? </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Its a small balance change... just like the lmg flash.... and marine backpedal speed...

These things should never be bypassed....

I will personally stab anyone who uses r_drawviewmodel 0 with a fleetwood mac CD.  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
owned? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

jacksonjO4 · February 2003

I use custom crosshairs to get contrast right on my monitor, but that's all. I do agree (since I play alien mostly) that the flash is more of a problem than skulk jaws.

Wile_E_Coyote · February 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zel @ Feb 16 2003, 03:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ive found that the problem is not with the size of the screen blocked by the flash, but instead the sheer contrast.

 </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
I wasn't going to add another post to this thread, but this is exactly what I was talking about.

Like I said previously, I have a monitor and v card that don't like each other. The monitor is really dark. So I have to make corrections with the video driver software. This is where it gets tricky. Most newer games will recognize the gamma windows is set at, but not the Half-Life engine. Since the half-life gamma controls can't even get near bright enough, I have to boost up my software gamma settings (monitor is already at max) before I start half-life. Since NS toys around with the gamma, which I understand is nessecary to get the awesome effects seen in-game, there are certain side-effects. The two (2) side effects I have noticed and have seen mentioned numerous time in these forums are

A) excessively blinding muzzleflash and
B) player ID boxes and a commander's map which are so bright they are unreadable

These are against very dark backgrounds, which just multiplies the problem.

In both cases I have successfully combatted this by making replacement sprites that devote less surface space to the more brillant colors in the pallette. The less brilliant and more contrasting the colors, the better they show up through the NS gamma tweaks.

Just food for thought. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'>

monkeymaster · August 2003

i just wanna say that ive had no probs with taht flash thingy, i might have just not noticed it.

Soylent_green · August 2003

Holy thread revival Batman!

Anyway, NS 2.0 supposedly has a smaller muzzle flash sprite than the 1.04 version this thread was about so that statement and this thread isn't all that relevant any more.

MrKNifey · August 2003

I still find it very bright.

NS really pumps up the gamma when you start it up.

Add to the fact that if I change any of my vid card setting, I'll get confused.......yeah.

The Darned Lmg Muzzle Flash

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