So essentially point and shoot. Thats how i see it still. I understand what your getting at with the lag time, but i still think its degrading the tank warfare.
I highly suggest you go chat with a Gulf War and Iraqi Freedom veteran by the name of "M1C1", he served in multiple roles as a tank crew member in an M1A1 Abrams. He said outright that a tank operates on the commands of the CT. The driver, gunner, and loader are all tunnel visioned and tuned into their job, the CT is the only one (unless otherwise specified by him) that will be the "eyes" of the tank, from either unbuttoned or buttoned positions. The new modeling will lend to the realism of that system, not dumb it down or make it less "real". The only thing that would make it more real is for you the player to verbally say the commands before you execute them.
The current system is very linear and not relative. With the new modeling, the CT tells the gunner to engage target at X position and "puuf" from the CT position you get to the gunner position to operate the gun. Once the firing sequence is done, the player resumes the CT position (while the loader/gunner make ready for further firing orders) and commands the driver to go X direction at Y speed. Simple stuff.
The new system lends TOWARDS realism and does nothing to dumb it down. It does make the interface easier to work with no doubt, but that is not dumbing it down in the least bit. In fact, I bet the learning curve will be that much longer because of the differences in gun sights. The ranging systems, reticules, and zoom powers are all different. There will be a shift in ENY, I'll put money on it. The Panther, Tiger, and Firefly will all be even more deadly because of their sights. The Panzer IV H and T34/85 will both take a step backwards in k/d ratio, I bet. Their gun sights cant match other long range tanks yet they both have respectable AP performance. The M4/76 probably wont change much, it has the sights that can match the big boys, and reload faster than the big boys, but is still behind at the longer ranges in AP performance. Time will tell.
EDIT: In response to those who are panicked about the main gun firing while the player is in the CT position, I dare say to you fellas: RELAX. Those of us who have fired a rifle, shotgun, or other such firearm from the hip know just how inaccurate it is (use the sights for accuracy!). Even with the circle/dot showing the aiming position of the main gun, just how accurate are you going to be at anything beyond point blank range???
