Machine Gun

Pea Shooter?

Overview -- The most powerful default spawn weapon in any id game, the machinegun was implemented to provide players with a fighting chance as they spawn into the game. Damage-wise, the machinegun compares similarly to the machinegun in Quake 2. As with any machinegun, it is an instant-hit, rapid-fire gun, which can quickly bleed the health off an enemy if they are without armor.

My Thoughts -- I have to admit, my first thoughts about having a machinegun as the default spawn weapon were not pleasant ones. In fact, I thought it would be too powerful and would not give much incentive for players to attain better weapons, and thus the game would deteriorate into a lame default weapon fest ala Sin. But instead, the machinegun was worked masterfully into the game, doing a great job of deterring players from racking up the spawn frags (killing freshly respawned players who are naked and vulnerable) while keeping up the level of intensity.

There was one particular thing I thought id did brilliantly with the gun, which was completely overlooked previously - the amount of default ammo you have as you spawn. It provided just enough ammo to finish off a hurt or armorless enemy, but not near enough to use as your primary weapon. By keeping the default ammo reasonable, they prevented the game from turning into a machinegun fest.

On the same token, this'll make team games more interesting. I'd imagine running around solo would be more hazardous to your health. No matter how beefed up you are, if you run into three enemies with machineguns, they'll be able to bleed away your health and armor within seconds.

Suggestions to id -- Don't change a thing. It was extremely well done and should be kept the way it is.