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Developer Diary: AbramsX Autocannon

Commanders!

As you know, we have recently released the AbramsX Tier 10 Premium Main Battle Tank and while the machine was very well received, the launch didn’t go as smoothly as we’d have liked. Most issues have since been addressed but one of the matters left to resolve is that of the autocannon behavior.

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Simply put, right now, the autocannon generally fires using the main gun’s reticle. Its shells are flying from the autocannon’s barrel but due to the limitations of the engine, it’s possible to aim the reticle below the autocannon’s maximum depression (since the reticle follows the main gun) and when that happens (typically at short distances), the shells “bend” and start flying below the autocannon barrel axis. This leads to an effect where the tank is standing behind an obstacle with just the autocannon peeking out but the shells hit the obstacle even though they should definitely fly over it.

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Incorrect behavior (screenshot courtesy of Hustodemon)

To fix this problem, we have devised a new aiming system where switching to the autocannon makes a new reticle appear above the standard one.

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Main Gun Reticle

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Autocannon Reticle

On one hand, this will make switching between the autocannon and the main gun a bit harder because you will need to re-align your shots. On the other hand, this will give the tank the ability to fire over obstacles with most of its hull and turret safely in cover, which was something that was promised at its launch. You can see a demonstration of the system below.

But this isn’t the final iteration of the system. Remote-controlled weapon stations are appearing on more and more vehicles and we’d like to introduce this mechanic properly. That is why we are currently working on a system where, in the future, “mini-turrets” such as the AbramsX’s one will work independently on the main turret and will effectively add as a second turret.

We hope that you’ll enjoy this change and, as always:

See you on the battlefield!

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