From our friends across the pond....

[[SS]Chief]

Here is a summary of what some of the EU guys wanted to give to Zipper when they talked to them....there is quite a bit of information. Sorry for the long post:

Gameplay

* Bullet hits have effect on character’s aim and speed (High)-S3=Partial Yes*- -- Arm shots affect aim. Leg shots slow you down. Knocked down by clean back shots. Bleed to death. Etc. (i.e. your aim could be adversely affected by your dead zone/acceleration and speed moving away from your settings) *Apparently in Scoom III, bullet hits will slow you down for a moment or two before you ramp back up to full speed. So yes, you are affected!
* Variable movement speed based on equipment load (High)-S3=Yes called "Encumbrance"- -- Heavier weaponry and equipment would limit/slow player mobility. (one of the most popular suggestions)
* Overall speed more realistic, especially side to side strafing (High)-S3=Yes*- -- Just make the players move at realistic paces. This would cut down a lot of the strafe & spray tactics- *Socom III will add some momentum to your side to side strafe in order to cut down on unrealistic side to side firefights.
* More commands for VIPs and Hostages (High)-S3=Probably not*- -- Lay down, crouch, scatter, etc -*Looking into the possibility
* Training and practice modes (Low) -- ability to have 8 vs. 0, Tracer bullets to help players work on aim, option to select Bots to fill the opposing force, No time limit on practice, option to have both sides "on mic"
* Improve turret realism, rotation degree and strength (High) - rotation degree and strength of weapon. Currently they are just death magnets.
* Return grenade “drop” when shot while throwing grenades (High) -- Great realistic action that was somehow lost after the March 10th patch
* Toggle thermal and night vision on/off while in scope (High)-S3=Yes- - You should not be forced to look through your scope in thermal or night vision. You should have the ability to turn it on or off when you please.
* Ability to toss grenade while running, less accurately (Low)-S3=Yes- -- Obviously less accurate, but more realistic then locking you in one place.
* Ability to "cook" grenades (Low) -- "Pull pin" or activate grenade before you toss. Great surprise for campers!
* Co-op play online, 4-8 man missions and other game types (Med)-S3=No- -- Play offline mission online with friends. Also, online split screen play in UNRANKED games ONLY (with use of a Multi-tap for up to 4 players!
* Knife/Butt kills if you can get behind opponent for 2 seconds (Med)-S3=No- -- Perhaps you must get in position BEHIND ENEMY and hold X for 2 seconds to initiate kill animation. This way it would only be used as a true stealth maneuver. Not a "Halo" type whack!
* Laser designator online for more random air-strike locations (Med) -- With fixed air-strikes, they become almost totally useless after a week or so of online play. Different spots for air-strikes would keep us guessing. (Some places might have to be "off limits", but at least add more then 2 targets only)
* Option that Mine locations be shown on terrorst radar (Med) -- Very necessary for public games where people don't call out their mines. If it is on the radar, that is enough warning. This should proably only be an option and be something that you can switch off (for expert play).


Maps

* All lights should be able to be shot out (High)-S3=Probably Not- -- This adds to the randomness and variations in the way to play maps. *Another one they are looking into. Remember, this is more info to be passed around so it could affect network conditions.
* More destruction of walls, doors, bridges, vehicles, etc (High) -- More of the Socom world should be breakable. Almost anything hit with an RPG or grenade should crumble or be damaged. Would add to more variations in tactics.
* Variable Weather and time of day on all maps (High)-S3=Yes*- -- Night, day, rain, wind, storms, snow, etc. *Night / Day confirmed, weather is being looked into.
* Keep at least current total number of maps (High)-S3=No- -- The best blessing of SOCOM II is that they kept the old maps. Increases longevity… Just keep adding (if space allows). Adding a map creator/editor would be a nice bonus too! *12 New maps have been built from scratch and must now be larger. Zipper will make no promises about old maps being re-built for Scoom III.
* Innocent civilians in some online maps (Low) -- Both sides could lose points for killing non-combatants.
* Lockable doors that can be shot or blown open (Med) -- Adds to variation in the game. Some doors only terrorists could lock (but seals could blow up).
* Choice or Random spawn starts on maps (High)-S3=Yes- -- With the larger maps in Socom III, it should not be a given that you know EXACTLY where the enemy starts.


Design

* Default option on dead body should be weapon switch, not dance (High) -- Why is my first choice to do a friggin' dance?!? Especially during the round.
* Clan [TAG] not needed over head during actual play (High) -- No one needs to know what clan someone is in while in the game. Those extra characters above the players head just add to the already cumbersome name blocking view.
* Player names smaller and more transparent during play (High) -- The bright white names above peoples heads are helpful, but often very annoying. They should be smaller and more transparent as they get further away from you.
* Host can force game start after 2 minutes (Med)-S3=Probably Not- -- At least give us one hope for someone who will get the game going if there are a bunch of annoying "chit-chatters" *Something that is being looked into.
* Instant replay available after you die (Low) -- The ability to replay the last 20-30 seconds of your life (after you died). Similar to Sega sports games. Show "kill shot" as with a red trajectory tracer line.
* Health bar shaped as human figure with specific damage locations (Med)-S3=No- -- Red marks on body show where damage has been taken. (exact life bar is too unrealistic) But since you can't feel it… you should see where you've been hit


Options

* Complete customization of online games (High)-S3=Mostly Yes- -- Enable/Disable Specific weapons (i.e. weapon x vs. weapon y ONLY), ability to force OFF names over heads and kill notifications for true "expert" play, make any map suppression game, allow terrorist to use seal weapons as well as their own and vice versa, etc. Realism/Arcade mode on/off. Every possible customization should be an option. Zipper can define what options are required for RANKED games. *Much more online game customization will be included... to what extreme detail, is unknown.
* Quick switch (L2 or L1) should be toggle of primary and secondary weapon (High)-S3=Yes*- -- Why take up two buttons? L2 should toggle primary to secondary and back again. This would open up L1 for a working "run & talk" feature (where you still can select other weapons). *Wow... you know they are listening eh?! L1 will now be a quickswitch toggle as suggested.
* Custom online character skins (uniforms/camo) and faces (Med)-S3=No- -- a la Tony Hawk Underground, This includes adding even more choices of uniform, clothes, etc... unlock-able or not. Snipers should have specialized character skins for heavy cover (leaf netting etc) This skin would hamper the snipers movement (making them go slower) but would provide maximum cover for the sniper if used effectively
* Fully customizable (mapping) controls (High) -- Let us map our own buttons completely. Make reload and fire-rate double click only (no hold down)... solve some of the aggressive gamers issues once and for all. This should be required in all video games.
* Opacity setting for all on-screen HUD displays, including scrolling info (High) - Avoid screen burn in (which DOES happen) and softens that obstructive message scroll box at the top of the frame.
* Option to take screenshots and save (Low) - Cool idea, and a good way to catch cheaters in the act. (And imagine the signature fun on this board you could have!)
* Headset audio to TV speakers (Med) - You should have the option of hearing the headset communications through your TV speaker. Help share in the Socom fun with you friends watching you play.

[[SS]Chief]

PART II.....I told you it was long:



Community Features

* Improved friends list system (High)-S3=Yes- -- Do not require both players to be logged on at same time to accept invites for friends list. Ability to add friends directly from game and/or game lobby. Add option to base friends list on a single account (so all alternate names are listed too) OR ability to transfer your friends list to another name...
* Name-link feature to link all your user names and friends list (low) -- And even get your master stats
* Join games directly from friends and clan lists (High) -- Many of us just jump on and see who we know that is also online. Why not let you jump directly to their game from the friends list and clan lists?
* More keyboard chat commands (High) -- Add /c "clan" and /t "team" so you can send text messages to your whole clan or team.
* Internet access for clan management and friends list features (Low) -- Ability to access your account through the internet to chat w/ online players and manage clans, leave clan messages, check rank, etc
* Ability to check user profiles/stats from game lobbies (Med) - Find out who you are playing with. See how many team kills they have... do they look like a rank upper? Report 'em (or vote them right out of the lobby)
* Waiting list to join full games (High) -- While in the spectator mode, have the option to join a queue system for people waiting to get into the full games. Maybe have the option to alert you outside of the game too... but spectators should have priority.
* Vote of option available in lobby (Med) -- Get rid of those people who just want to hold up games for no reason
* Player Name and Clan Search Function (Med)-S3=Yes, I think*- -- Make it easy to look up and find other clans or players to play with. Allow option to be "not-searchable" in player and clan options (this way, high ranked clans and players can avoid being spammed). *I'm pretty sure one of the Zipper reps said there will be a search function... Not positive though.


Chat

* Lobby chat can be heard while in armory (High)-S3-Yes*- -- Seems like an oversight… I heard that it worked in the beta. *This was said to be a bug in S2 and is apparently fixed
* Two man team open mic option (High) -- Chat would work same as it does now, with the option to choose one teammate to keep open mic with
* Add “no mic” icon when no mic is present (Low) -- Small suggestion so you don't spend all round trying to talk to someone who can't hear you.
* Option to chat (trash talk) with enemy in one on one games (Med) -- For ONE ON ONE games ONLY... allow mic chat between players on opposite sides.
* Proximity Chat Feature (Med) - When close enough to an enemy, you can hear their chat and they can hear yours. Obviously you wouldn't be able to hear their teammates chat. This would also be great for last second trash talking.
* Ability to pick up dead players headsets OPTION (low) - This could be turned on or off in the game setup. When on, you could stand over the body of a dead player and retrieve his headset. After you've taken it, you can listen in on the other side's chat.


Clan

* Clan tags can be any five characters, not forced brackets (Low) -- (i.e. ~234~ ) Instead of auto brackets, allow 5 total characters for clan originality.
* In game clan ladder and tournament system (High)-S3-Yes*- - complete w/ match set-ups, reporting, etc. *Something is supposedly added in this regard... details are sketchy.
* Clan leader can assign internal clan ranks (Med) -- give clan leader to set internal clan positions. Perhaps some positions are given permission to add clan members.
* Better Clan Message Board-S3=Yes- -- More space to leave clan messages and match information. *There is an internal email system
* Auto Clan Queue that puts you in room with highest available ranked Clan (Med) -- Feature to automatically place in the highest ranked room (based on the clan rating) . You would set up for a specific # of clan members, and once everyone enters the room, it matches you with another clan that entered the same settings.


Detail

* Show “hit’s taken” and “hit percentage” at end of each round (High) -- Bring this back. Let's just be honest about the realism here…. Or the lag… We just want to know what the SERVERS think they saw.
* More stats, team kills, MVP’s, overall Seals vs. Terrorists, etc (High)-S3=Yes*- -- Especially team kills. Also, add MVP's and average rank of player you've killed and avg. rank of players who have killed you. Also your MOST USED, and least used guns (if not the percentage of time you use each gun) *There will be more stats in Socom III... Exactly which ones is unknown
* Use Universe News Screen for Daily Stats Updates and more (High) -- Real time ticker and news updates. "G-Money345 just scored 7 kills in one round"... "The M4A1 Silenced was the most used gun in the last hour"... etc... Plus more news and update interaction directly from Zipper/Sony
* More game details when browsing server games (Med)-S3-Yes*- -- Include current game score. Game description (which would be longer than the game name and set by the game creator). Weapon limitations. Average rank of players in room, etc. *From the screenshots, it appears so.
* Blood trails when wounded (like in offline) (High) -- Good for tracking slow moving, wounded players. You could even use your own blood to "bait" an enemy.
* Add colored smoke (Low)-S3=Yes*- -- Because it looks cool. They could give it uses too. Like signaling for VIP evacuation. *Not sure if it is selectable or just something at extraction/hold type points.
* Info scroll at top should show enemy kills and friendly kills in different colors (Med) -- This way you can spend more time playing and less time reading!


Rankings

* Automated system to detect and eliminate rank-up tactics (High) -- Auto detect feature for "rank up" tactics. "Oh, you have more hours of play than the game has existed?" NAME DELETED FOREVER. PERIOD.
* Names not used for 15 days hidden from rank ladder until they re-login (High) -- THIS WOULD NOT DELETE THE ACCOUNT, STATS OR RATTING, but drop it from the ranking ladder after 15 days of inactivity. As soon as you logged back in (after 15 days) your name would go back into the ladder where it should be... so you'd never even know you were removed. This would keep the ranking system more legit by quickly removing the majority of names that aren't being used.
* Add additional Navy ranks for more brackets of rank (High) -- Add all eleven Naval ranks (shown here in Navy Column) See the thread on this topic here
* All friendly-fire OFF games should be unranked (High) -- Too many unrealistic tactics in these games. Running through grenades, mines, rpgs, etc.
* All rooms have option to be ranked or unranked (Low) -- Have rooms that don't track stats (other than time played) so people can practice or mess around.
* Auto feature that puts you in room with highest available ranked players (Med) -- Feature to automatically place in the highest ranked room (based on all players in room) available for true rank play. This would be where the best possible competition available to you would be.


Servers

* Moderators for online play to eliminate cheating and ranking up (High)-S3=Possibly- -- This goes under "system for eliminating cheating/glitching" but needs to be said. Just ONE or TWO moderators could eliminate enough evil-doers to scare people off from cheating and glitching and clean this game up once and for all. * Apparently, they are trying to make this happen. There is a new rank system which will obviously requre it. It would be a huge blunder by Sony not to provide 2 or 3 moderators.
* Show player connection speed in lobby (High)-S3-Maybe- -- Absolute must. Let us know who is causing the room to lag! This is the best way to get closer to lag free games. The ability to avoid bad connections. *One of those "looking into it" deals.
* Ability to switch user names without re-booting PS2 (High) -- Simple as can be.
* Change password feature (Low) - Simple as can be. Your name gets out... it gets hacked... etc.
* Favorite server list, to be placed at top of all servers (Low) - Create your own "Favorite Servers" so you can quickly navigate to the rooms you want to play in (and not have to scroll through 59 East rooms).

[GwcDragon]

Excellent, excellent, excellent information. Thanks for your hard work to get us this!!!

[<WH>sMoKeOuT]

Hell ya.Thanks guys.