Since the release of the demo for Outriders, the cover system has been a topic among players. Now the developers have issued a statement regarding the mechanics and outlined some problems they are working on. MeinMMO summarizes the key information from the statement.
This is what it’s about: One of the biggest criticisms of the Outriders demo is the cover mechanic of the loot shooter. At first glance, it resembles other third-person shooters like The Division or Gears of War. However, players have expressed some criticism about the system in Outriders.
- It doesn’t work smoothly for many
- Some describe it as clunky and impractical
- Others go even further and talk about a completely bugged cover system
MeinMMO author Tarek has also written about the cover issue in a special: Don’t make the same mistake I did and play Outriders as a cover shooter.
In the Outriders subreddit, the developers from People Can Fly have now commented and specifically listed the known issues with the cover mechanics.
Outriders’ cover system is an important part of the shooter
This is what the developers say: They thank the fans for welcoming Outriders’ more offensive approach. However, they emphasize that cover is an essential part of the gameplay and is crucial for certain playstyles.
Even when playing extremely aggressively, sooner or later one will have to take cover to catch one’s breath. The developers go into detail about how the mechanics should ideally work. There are three basic systems:
- “proximity cover detection” – Nearby cover selection: You can take cover at the press of a button when you are not moving (walking, running, sprinting). The nearest available cover will be used automatically.
- “predictive cover selection” – Predictive cover selection: This system activates when you are moving. It calculates the nearest cover within a few meters of your running direction and leads the character there automatically when you provide the corresponding input.
- “cover to cover” – Cover to cover: You can select the next cover in reach from one cover and automatically run to that point by pressing the appropriate button.
Based on player feedback, the developers have identified several issues with the current system. This primarily affects the reliability and responsiveness of player inputs.
In the gameplay, you can see how Outriders looks in action:
There are some level bugs
These are errors on the map that cause the aforementioned systems to not function properly.
Due to some bugs in specific locations, the cover system is impaired, making it difficult for players to seek protection behind covers. The developers are working to fix these for the full release.
Basic systems interfere with each other
Apparently, in certain situations, the basic systems can interfere with each other.
- For example, a player may not be moving, but still, the calculation of the next cover is activated.
- The game should recognize the next cover for a stationary character.
- The error can result in a different cover being selected that is several meters away.
According to the developers, this is one of the most common reasons for frustration with the system.
No direct way to run around a corner
Many players criticize that you cannot run around a corner from cover. This is also a design decision by the developers.
While this works in many games like The Division without manual input, Outriders requires a command for this. Visually, it looks like this:
It is known that this is unfamiliar for many players. However, the decision was made consciously since all the other systems are designed this way.
Cover after a dodge roll
This concerns players who want to go into cover directly after a dodge roll. There have been many complaints that this often does not work.
According to the developers, this is not a bug or error, but a design decision. Players must be in a certain phase of the dodge animation to go directly into cover. However, they are looking at this based on the feedback. Possible solutions being considered are:
- Either the time window in which players can go directly into cover from a dodge roll will be increased.
- Or a roll-canceling function will be introduced, allowing players to interrupt the dodge animation at any time to go into cover.
Animations block each other
In some situations, it occurs that one cannot take cover immediately after firing a weapon. They are aware of the problem and are working on a solution.
In the statement, the developers ask for further feedback on the mechanics. They emphasize that they continue to work on improvements.
What do you think about it? Do you find the cover system in Outriders good as it is, or do you have some problems as well? Let us know in the comments what improvements you would wish for.
If you haven’t played Outriders yet, take a look at the test version: All information about the free demo of Outriders
