Improved artifact tracking range in 'Echo' detector for 'Clear Sky' game.
The purpose of this tweak is to boost the early artifact hunting game in the aspect of artifact awareness.
The artifact tracking range in 'Echo' detector has been improved by 40%. The change was applied in "/gamedata/configs/misc/devices.ltx" on "af_radius" parameter under "[detector_simple]" section. The parameter value was changed from original "30" to "42".
Extra, the "af_vis_radius" parameter value under the same section as above mentioned was changed from original "3" to "3.6" - making a 20% increase, not yet matching the 'Bear' detector status in said regard. The parameter determines how early does one see an artifact emerging from the anomaly.
In the afterthought, the artifact tracking range in 'Bear' detector has been improved by 10%. The change was applied in "/gamedata/configs/misc/devices.ltx" on "af_radius" parameter under "[detector_advanced]" section. The parameter value was changed from original "30" to "33".
Furthermore, the "af_vis_radius" parameter for the 'Bear' detector was changed from original "4" to "4.2" - making a 5% increase.
Finally, the artifact tracking range in 'Veles' detector has been improved by 2,5%. The change was applied in "/gamedata/configs/misc/devices.ltx" on "af_radius" parameter under "[detector_elite]" section. The parameter value was changed from original "30" to "30.75".
Consequently, the "af_vis_radius" parameter for the 'Veles' detector was changed from original "5" to "5.0625" - making a 1,25% increase.
Generally speaking, my observation is that detectors differ by three major traits: perception bonus or how quickly do you spot a physical artifact in anomaly field, highest rank of artifact detectible, audio/visual signalling system which is unique to each device. Variety of detectors is clearly meant to shape a hierarchy, built upon comfort and efficiency of use - also the pricetag and the time a device given becomes available in the game storyline. Regardless, the range of detection appears constant in vanilla game setup for all sorts of navigational equipment - the 'Deeper Echo' mod brings some differentiation into that space. With or without the 'Deeper Echo' applied, the 'Echo' detector still remains the most crude of options - particularly in the realm of perception bonus - which does not mean it is not fun to use.
The tweak is compatible with 'Clear Sky' version "1.5.10" and casually with any relevant mod leaving the "devices.ltx" alone.
Chosen toolbox credits:
'gedit' text editor version "41.0"
'colordiff' file content comparer version "3.8"
'AXRToolset' for 'Call of Chernobyl' by revolucas
The mod icon on 'modDB' is posted by the courtesy of Internet. Thank you.
