Check LOS MCU

[Charon]

The mission editor has Check Zone MCUs, which can trigger on spherical or cylindrical areas.

 

I propose a Check LOS MCU. It would function as a Check Zone MCU except that:

 

* If the objects are obstructed by clouds, it should not trigger. From my testing, I know you have some function that computes this check already.

 

* The effective horizon, as a function of azemuth, should be precomputed when the mission is saved, and objects beyond and below this point should not trigger the MCU.

 

* Objects in the sun (within some angular distance of the sun) should not trigger the MCU.

 

It should still have a radius parameter, and if a standard spherical or cylindrical Check Zone evaluates to false, it should fail immediately, without running the additional LoS logic. This would keep the resource cost no higher than a normal Check Zone, provided the object(s) are outside of its radius.

 

Such an MCU would enable a couple of useful things:

 

* It could simulate ground based spotters. A mission designer might want to trigger an intercepting flight or a subtitle if aircraft are spotted. A Check LOS MCU would enable gameplay where the player must sneak to a target, using clouds and terrain to avoid interception.

 

* It could be used to control AA activation. A mission designer might want to activate AA at a target only after a delay, to simulate the crews running to their guns. A Check LOS MCU would enable historical tactics, such as attacking out of the sun or using terrain to mask the approach on a target.

 

Even if you don't add this to BoX, please consider it for the new project.