Vehicle controls in Wrath

by Zach Yonzon Jul 24th 2008 at 1:00PM

WoW Insider tipster Dinnerbone sent in some interesting findings about the siege vehicles in Beta while spelunking through the LUA files. He notes that these are all viewable -- if you get those lines of code, at least -- in the current Wrath build. Here are a few tidbits about vehicles and how they might work in the expansion:

Right-clicking character portraits have the option to "Leave vehicle," just like when players are in a party. This suggests that vehicles aren't buff-type spells like mounts but actual, physical vehicles you can enter and exit.
Vehicles need fuel. There're no clear details on how vehicles can be refueled or what happens when it runs out of fuel.
Vehicles have an "ammo slot"; Dinnerbone isn't quite sure whether this means siege vehicles will run out of ammo or if it simply means they fire different projectiles.
Pets and vehicles don't mix. Vehicles apparently replace Hunter or Warlock pets and have their own set of controls or abilities. New ability buttons or bars will appear when inside a vehicle.
There might be an entirely new UI frame for vehicles, with sliders and other new interface mechanics. The sliders "power" and "angle" range from 0 to 100 and can be seen in the LUA files. A developer note on one of files says, "Placeholder for eventual vehicle controls, currently just two sliders," so there may be more controls. I'm imagine a third person Worms with the power and angle controls.
Blizzard has stated that vehicles can carry passengers, and Dinnerbone seems to think it, too, although he can't seem to find indications of it in the code just yet.

If you're experienced with LUA files, you can poke your head in through the current build and see if you can find out anything new about the siege vehicles. We're always excited to see what's up with the Beta.

Tags: Beta, LUA, LUA-files, Siege-Vehicles, Vehicle-controls, Wrath, Wrath-of-the-Lich-King

Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion, PvP, Wrath of the Lich King

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SkwidSpawn Jul 24th 2008 1:07PM

The power and angle selectors are actually visible in game through one of the Death Knight quests. One of the quests requires you to use the cannon like the one you see on top of the alliance cannon there.

They aren't super useful considering you can just right click and drag to adjust angle and direction instead of using the sliders. But I guess for people who still use the buttons to turn (LOL!) it's a workaround.

Verbe Jul 24th 2008 1:17PM

1 = first bullet point etc.

1) Yeah, you get ejected - although every time I've done it in the beta so far, the parachute has deployed far too early and I die. Every time.

2) Oil drums spattered around the area where you can use the vehicles, you just ride over them afaik. You cannot leave said area though, or you will be ejected... and be killed.

3) I've used a couple so far, and they use Mana, not ammo...

4) Just replaces your characters action bar. No 'pet' bar.

5) And up and down button frame appears so you can change the pitch, although you can just right click on an enemy for it to auto-set for you.

6) There is a quest where you have to rescue injured soldiers, it's actually a spell on your action bar - so you click on the target and hit the spell. Not sure how this would work with player characters, however.

Brasson Jul 24th 2008 1:49PM

World of Wormscraft? Oh yes.

Lab Monkey Jul 24th 2008 1:53PM

Am I the only one that hates this idea? I thought we were getting back to a strong fantasy setting after Outlands. Why do seige weapons have to be tanks with fuel? What's wrong with good old catapults?

RogueJedi86 Jul 24th 2008 1:58PM

Fuel isn't sci-fi. No more than the goblin shredders already are. Notice many Goblin Engineering recipes require Goblin Rocket Fuel. Fuel for contraptions is already in the game. Engineers can make non-magical teleporters. This game has never been pure fantasy. It's a mix of fantasy and steampunk. If you want pure fantasy, try Lord of the Rings Online.

Art Jul 24th 2008 2:06PM

Considering gnomes and goblins have been engineering things for a long, long time now (and teaching all of us to do the same), it wouldn't make much sense for the war effort on either side to use inferior technology.

Doffencrag Jul 24th 2008 2:09PM

Strong fantasy setting, yes. But this is still the world of the RTS game, where sieges were conducted with "steampunk-ish" Siege Engines, Gyrocopters, and Demolishers. It's essentially bringing these elements into the MMORPG version. This is the level of tech extant in Azeroth, as established in the RTS games.

Frank Jul 24th 2008 3:00PM

I agree man, I think these vehicles are goofy. I already have Halo, just let WoW be what WoW should be.

Zrob Jul 24th 2008 3:06PM

Yes, you are the only one that hates this idea.

I suggest you go to the Barrens and stare heatfully at the oil derrick in the Sludge Fen.

You could also load up Warcraft 2 and write a long blog post about how non-fantasy it is that oil is a necessary resource to gather in the game.

Retron Jul 24th 2008 3:15PM

I love this idea, I've been predicting it since before BC. As for vehicles with fuel, remember there were siege engines in WCIII, not to mention oil tankers in WCII. Sorry, but I gotta agree you should play a more strict fantasy game if you don't like the steampunk aspect of WoW. Me, I love it.

RogueJedi86 Jul 24th 2008 1:53PM

I recall reading some quest text on wowhead that says you ride over fuel barrels to refuel, so it might be that easy. When I hear LUA, I think addons. Vehicle-specific addons? Oh boy.

kiaus Jul 24th 2008 3:19PM

Back in 1996 I was gathering oil as a resourcein Warcraft 2 when most of you small minded haters were still nursing Gameboys, so if you honestly have a problem with this, I suggest you just suck on it or go play Lord of the Ring Online, as someone else more politely suggested.

Warcraft = Techno fantasy. has done for over 10 years. Deal with it.

Kyudo Jul 24th 2008 4:28PM

7337 alot?

Kyudo Jul 24th 2008 4:31PM

Typos ftw

Michel Jul 24th 2008 8:36PM

Warcraft is steampunk. and it's fine.

Taytayflan Jul 24th 2008 10:09PM

Engineers better get a vehicle bonus.

Meme Jul 25th 2008 10:05AM

Okay, if they are not spells but the vehicles stay on the street, how busy will it be and will we get special parking lots for vehicles just outside the main cities?
Not to mention, the traffic jams we will get when everyone wants to get into, say, Stormwind! Will there be a jam until Goldshire or something??