Cheers All,
I think the question here ought to be "how" did the BIS folks achieve the NVG effect? Eviscerator points out that it's hard coded into the game, and it looks like he's right.
So lets look at the mechanics of how they achieved the effect.
I mean, we are talking about in-game properties and physics and what not. I am more than familier enough with how real NVGs work (Image Intensifiers. 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Gen. Micro Channel Plate, etc). But, this being a game and all, that's out the door because we are talking about a "simulated" environment.
So just what are the NVG's properties?
1. Localized effect. (i.e. turn 1 nvg on it doesn't effect everyone, only the nvg user).
2. Does not have to be in single person view (can use the third person view to see yourself in nvg mode).
3. Is a resource that can be used during cam cutscenes.
4. resolution and such doesn't seem to change much.
5. As I recall, it does seem to get appreciably brighter if used during "daytime", so the "exterior" light level can have an effect.
6. We have noticed an interesting phenomenon in multiplayer games. _CAMCREATE effects can go unnoticed (except for the actual explosion in arty fire) by all the players except the host machine (countered by the _createvehicle).
I would say this is interesting because in single player, who's gonna tell you whether or not whenever you put your nvg's on, that it really IS "night" outside. That the nvg screen is really a script for turning on "daytime" mode in the sky and a green filter over all?
But, we can confirm this isn't the case because in MP, when it is night for one player, it is night for all players. Any visual effects produced has to be localised to whoever calls the script. Kinda a confirmation of number 1.
All this would tend to lead me to think its a "scripted" effect. Even if hard coded into the game, we should be asking is there a set or series of commands that can replicate/alter the same? Anyway of screwing around with viewer contrast or brightness? If you were designing the game, how would you do this? Anyone want to get on the line to BIS and ask how they created the nvg effect? Not whether it can be altered but how is it done?
Are there functions of which we are unaware of that can manipulate the in-game environment (we can increase-decrease sound, the same for time).
Just mulling this stuff over.
NSDQ!!!