Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
By looking at the accuracy curves on the same graph, we can see not only how
each weapon performs over the given range, but also how they perform compared
to each other. For example, while the shotgun is the most accurate close-range
weapon (due to the scatter effect), its accuracy falls off dramatically as the distance
increases. On the other hand, the accuracy of the machine gun remains relatively
good over the range of the graph.
Of particular note is the graph of the rocket launcher. As we mentioned above,
the Shift parameter moved the vertex of the parabola to the right. Rather than hav-
ing a peak accuracy at a range of 0, we can see that it is at its best at a range of 50
(the Shift value for a rocket launcher). Both nearer and farther than 50 feet, its ac-
curacy decreases.
We can view the results of the damage formula on a graph as well (Figure 14.5).
The range of the graph is the same as in the accuracy graph (Figure 14.4). Again, we
can see the telltale parabolas of the quadratic equation.
FIGURE 14.5 The damage curves of the four weapons are a result of the data
for the respective weapons entered into the damage equation.
For what should be obvious reasons, the rocket launcher is the most potent of
the four weapons. The lowly pistol is on the low end of the range. It is more impor-
tant to note the effects of the different shapes of the damage curves as the range
increases. As we would expect, a shotgun blast is fairly potent at close range. As the
range increases, however, a shotgun blast loses much of its kick. In fact, at about 50
feet, it would be less powerful (per second) than being struck by a bullet from a
pistol. At 60 feet, the shotgun blast does no damage whatsoever.
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