- Allow camera to look directly down from above (not sure if this is possible to implement, but it would be very helpful)
This is not possible until/unless
all objects are 3D models rather than 2D sprites. Then, I want to retain the option to support 2D sprites for the sake of custom content. So ultimately - this won't happen. However, the intention is there to add minimap in future versions, which should help a bit with this.
- Autocamera (I've not finished imagining how this would work yet because I haven't played enough of the game, so don't consider it a full-on suggestion yet. Maybe you could assign the camera {or one axis of it} to a lemming, and it would move according to where that lem goes, all you'd have to do is zoom in and out {and control the other non-automated axis}, something like that...)
Hm, so, like Virtual Lemming but at an arbitrary distance / angle / etc from the lemming...? This idea has potential and should be split off into its own topic. Very much a long-term rather than near-future goal.
- Immediate skill assignment (I get that it's an L3D clone, and L3D works in blocks, but that's one of its drawbacks IMHO. I'm not sure if the game physics would allow on-the-spot assignments, of course, so maybe this isn't possible)
Not going to happen to any further extent than it already does (there are a few cases, in particular with floater, turner, blocker and bomber assignments, where the exact timing can make a difference).
- 3D models for the lemmings, objects and terrain (this is dreamland really, but it would be cool)
This is something I'd like to do at some point, actually! I picked up a Blender course from Humble Bundle a while back, and was going through it but got sidetracked by developing Loap. But when I get further along in that, much like how Loap itself is good practice for 3D logic / rendering code, making models
for Loap will be good practice in modelling. Of course, if other people want to help out, I won't say no,
when the time is right (and by that, I'm thinking that support, let alone provided model files, for models instead of images for objects is likely to be a V2.X feature rather than V1.X).
- Or at least, better 2D animations (I'd be happy to look at this if others want it as well)
...and for that reason, this one is not worthwhile.