Turrets!

Well should be able to port the 1.8.1 turret resource into 3d; once that's in its relatively simple. Turrets can be controlled by players or AI. They will fire with x amount of accuracy and x rate, will take x amount of time to start up after acquiring a target.

The animations for the turrets will be handled by the engine for the most part, with the use of nodes; codeTurret and codeWeapon. The first node codeTurret handles the z rotation (yaw) and codeWeapon the up and down rotation (pitch). This means the weapon attached to the turret can be changed (keep the top of the turret seperate from both the weapon and the base, as far as mesh goes).

The turret will play an animation called 'activate' when it acquires a target; and when it deactivates it will play this animation in reverse. This can be used to have the turret expand and contract or whatever you like; but keep it relatively simple.

It would be best not to make things til i update this with an all okay; and a small demo on the creation of turrets. I will supply a max file of a turret before I give an okay.

Edit : 12:23 PM, 08/09/09

That doesn't mean everyone should go put turrets on their ship.
-.-;
If you do, so help me... I will put 'fail' decals on your ship >:(

Edit : 1:23 PM, 08/09/09

Well turrets are working, they're quite powerful as they have a better way of aiming than players (as stationary turrets anyhow). So some adjusting may have to be done. The only issue is that killing a turret results in GAME DEATH! >.<

Also, currently targetting is hardcoded ^^* ... so your own turret shoots you and you cannot escape it. :X Turrets will need some modification before they're fully functional.