Icons and Transparency

[Badger85]

Hi guys,

I thought of this idea, and after a search of this forum, I saw that it was brought up about 13 years ago. I still think it's an interesting concept and want to know what you guys think of it now.

I'm always looking for ways to make any flight simulation I fly feel more "realistic" for me -- immersion really contributes to my enjoyment of the game. The idea I had was to make the plane icons vary in transparency based on how far away contacts are. So, for example, a plane that is 4,000 yds. away from you may have 85% icon transparency while a plane that is 200 yds. away may have only 5% icon transparency. I think it would force pilots to be more vigilant when scanning for distant cons because those cons wouldn't suddenly appear as a bright red icon out of the blue, as they do now. Also, at far distances, friendly and enemy icons would appear in a very similar shade, forcing the pilot to look a bit closer to distinguish between them (as in "real life," presumably).

What do you guys think of this idea?

Thanks for listening 

[TheCrazyOrange]

I like it. Would be interesting to say nothing else.

[FLS]

If it doesn't reduce frame rates and it's optional it might be fun.

Some of our pilots can barely see the icons we have now.
I think the text size option might increase a little.

Text size sets the icon size also but it's linked to the text size in the buffer.
Maybe separating the two might help those who don't like icons so much.

[Chilli]

I actually enjoyed the way the latter version of clouds had that effect on icons. 

[BnZs]

The point of this idea is to increase the chances of being able to execute a historical 'bounce' without going full-on no icons and simulating legally blind pilots I take it?