Hey, I'm currently working out some idea's however I've hit a point in which I think it would be better if I ask some of your opinions before I continue. I won't lay down the whole game design because that would be pointless, so I'll simply tell you everything you need to know so you can (hopefully) give a meaningfull opinion. I'm trying to make a Combat(read: Fighting) game in which technology has advanced in such a way that it favours Close range weapons (swords, scythes, daggers) over Long range weapons (guns, rifles etc). However I'm trying to use technology that's already present or is currently in R&D-stage. So here's the list I already have. 1) Dragon Skin® Body Armor - This basicly works like the Water&CornStarch-trick. 2) Invisibility Cloak - It doesn't make you disappear completely which is a good thing 'cause if it did the light wouldn't reach your eyes making you blind aswell. Once again this would effect ranged combat alot more then close range since they won't be able to see the weird refraction at range. 3) Carbon Nanotube Muscles - http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/nanomuscle/ These would greatly increase strength and speed. 4) Evasive NeuroTech - http://science.discovery.com/tv/weird-connections/episodes/episodes.html If this could be used in combination with the Muscles allowing your body to response alot quicker then a normal human could. So where lies the problem? The Armor. Eventho Carbon NT Muscles are extremely strong and the DragonSkin Armor stops almost every bullet it still doesn't solve the problem. The kinetic energy will simply pass and mess you up nontheless. I came up with: Cloak-DragonSkin (think StarWars / Akatsuki (Naruto)). You would still be vulnerable at some spots but a large part of it would hang infront of your body unable to pass the energy to your body. However, I want to have it as realistic as possible and somehow it simply sounds weird ... a dress in combat?. I try to maintain a certain amount of logic/realisme even if it is a game. *)So my question to you is, does this indeed sound weird? *)What would be more realistic? *)Does any of you have a better solution? I'm awaiting your responses/opinions/feedback. ^_^

I can't remember what they are called, but there are materials that remain soft (sometimes fluid) state at rest, but solidify/stiffen when subjected to a sudden force, like the impact of a bullet. This material could lie close to a person's body, and then spread the force of a bullet around, stopping it from causing any serious harm. Here's one example of what I'm talking about: a lightweight bike helmet.

Hmm, as theOcelot said, a STF-based armor is more realistic than wearing a party dress, but another answer would be Magnetorheological Fluid. Which is pretty much the cape from Batman Begins; magnet filaments embedded within a material that reacts to electrical current. Hit a switch, and you got armor.


http://science.howstuffworks.com/liquid-body-armor2.htm

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Original post by theOcelot I can't remember what they are called, but there are materials that remain soft (sometimes fluid) state at rest, but solidify/stiffen when subjected to a sudden force, like the impact of a bullet. This material could lie close to a person's body, and then spread the force of a bullet around, stopping it from causing any serious harm. Here's one example of what I'm talking about: a lightweight bike helmet.

That basicly how DragonSkin works. However a bullet carries a buttload of energy with it, even if it was able to be spread you'd still get a good punch.

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Original post by Elhrrah Hmm, as theOcelot said, a STF-based armor is more realistic than wearing a party dress, but another answer would be Magnetorheological Fluid. Which is pretty much the cape from Batman Begins; magnet filaments embedded within a material that reacts to electrical current. Hit a switch, and you got armor. http://science.howstuffworks.com/liquid-body-armor2.htm

Altho the MR Fluid-concept is a very interesting concept it would once again be a cloak/cape still leaving the question unanswered, is a cloak in battle a realistic concept?

*****

EDIT: I misunderstood the STF-part, I thought it worked the same way as DragonSkin but it doesn't. So I guess this is the solution, MR fluid or the Shear-thicking armor.

I'm still looking forward to other responses.

[Edited by - CAPS on June 4, 2009 3:26:25 PM]

Stephen Coonts had a pretty good book about a suit of armor that would harden when impacted by something at very high velocity. I forget what it was called though...

Once people are augmented with cybernetics the range of combat will polarize ( either at extremely long distances or extremely short ones ). As the hit percentages drop too low at medium range given conventional weapons ( ie simple projectile weapons and unguided missiles ).

A cyborg, with full body augmentation and full stealth capabilities can move too quickly and silently over irregular terrain to engage using simple unguided weapons. Look at the various cyber suits in development :




These are just first steps, the 2nd and 3rd generation would be awe inspiring in their speed and strength.

These suits will allow the augmented/wearer to absorb enormous kinetic loads as well as carry and move with enormous weights (300+ pounds maybe) relative to todays solider quickly over rough terrain without tiring ( only limited by their fuel cells ).

That or full robot armies is where its going.

-ddn

Deflector shields?

Your post was very insightful, ddn3.

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Original post by loufoque Deflector shields?

Way to advanced, that's StarWars-era technology.

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So where lies the problem? The Armor. Eventho Carbon NT Muscles are extremely strong and the DragonSkin Armor stops almost every bullet it still doesn't solve the problem. The kinetic energy will simply pass and mess you up nontheless.

This seems to usually be handled by wearing an appropriately rated "soft" armor/layer for absorbing Blunt Force Trauma, such as TurtleSkin.

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Scientists measure the effects of kinetic energy imparted to the body by placing the soft body armor up against a slab of Plastalina Clay #1 before they fire a bullet at the body armor. The kinetic energy creates an indentation in the clay called a Backface Signature. NIJ Standards dictate that the acceptable level of blunt force trauma to the body may create a backface signature indentation in the clay not greater than 44 millimeters (1.73 inches) in depth. [Source]

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Original post by CAPS Quote: Original post by theOcelot I can't remember what they are called, but there are materials that remain soft (sometimes fluid) state at rest, but solidify/stiffen when subjected to a sudden force, like the impact of a bullet. This material could lie close to a person's body, and then spread the force of a bullet around, stopping it from causing any serious harm. Here's one example of what I'm talking about: a lightweight bike helmet. That basicly how DragonSkin works. However a bullet carries a buttload of energy with it, even if it was able to be spread you'd still get a good punch.

Well, I think that's as good as it's going to get. Every increase in the level of protection decreases your mobility. Given the "buttload of energy" carried by a bullet, even your thick cloak won't help much, unless it's very heavy, which would be prohibitively cumbersome. The bullet will just push it out of the way.

The whole concept of "technology has evolved to favor melee weapons over ranged ones" is a bit unrealistic in itself. By the time all these other technologies are ready, won't we also have directed-energy weapons too, á la laser guns? Those are being developed too. I think the US Army just tested a laser weapon on a missile.