Computer Crew Omniscence Bug

[Rinix]

http://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/11858-do-computer-crews-detect-atgm-launches-too-easily/#comment-176875
I've seen this happen myself, but I was used to it, and the full force of it didn't hit me until I read this:

There is an 'outrageous' bug in Steel Beasts that has survived a long time: computer tank commanders are aware of all shots fired at their vehicles. Therefore, a vehicle is never really 'ambushed', because the tank commander always knows he is being ambushed- by ambushed i mean he always knows that he is being shot at the moment the trigger a weapon system is pulled and will never be blindsided- artillery, ATGM, main tank gun, auto-cannon, small arms, RPG, whatever it is, the TC is aware the instant the trigger is pulled. The first screen shot here shows another m1 tank off in the distance over 2 km away about to fire at another m1 in the foreground, which is facing away and which can't see it. The instant that main gun flashes, the tank commander 'disappears' down the hatch- he knows he's shot at. The second screen shot is taken just an instant after the threat tank shoots and the computer TC disappears down the hatch.

Seems to be the detection routine:

-Threat shoots at tank

- Computer TC immediately and always knows the tank is under attack.

- Signal sent from the TC to the rest of the tank: the tank goes through its sorting routines trying to locate threat- a large target in the open of course will be spotted sooner.

This bug likely escapes detection even though it's in plain sight, but once you're red pilled, it can't really be unseen. Likely it's not really detected if most of the time players are using tank guns or ATGMs at closer ranges, usually the enemy tank is dispatched or damaged usually before detection routine locates the threat. In the case of ATGMs, because of the slow flight time, given enough time (again say 2 or more km to travel to impact), the tank more often than not will detect a large vehicle such as a Bradlely shooting at it- smaller ATGM teams are more difficult to spot.

So in sum, players using slower weapon at longer ranges, in particular missiles have this effect biased against them; whenever you fire anything at a tank, the enemy TC knows it immediately; the TC is never 'surprised', it's just that the rest of the tank as an extension of his commands hasn't located the threat yet. It gives the illusion that the tank is being ambushed. With ATGMs though the risk is amplified. In sum:the target tank always has a head start in locating the threat because a computer TC always knows whenever the tank is under attack.

[Asid]

I noticed this behaviour a long time ago. I just accept it as a limitation of SB Pro.

[Rinix]

http://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/11858-do-computer-crews-detect-atgm-launches-too-easily/#comment-176902

Well, I certainly have an idea what may be going on there. But I don't want to engage in idle speculation, I don't read the code.

We will investigate.

[Lumituisku]

Makes me wonder could enemy be fooled with missiles...  by not aiming at enemy but away from it at the start.

and I wonder too...  that even if you would not have ammunition... and youd hit space bar... would enemy tc notice?

[Beef]

Did the developers reply, "These aren't the bugs you're looking for. Move along...move along!" ?

[Asid]