Hi.
I started learning C++ a couple of weeks ago, and recently bought that C++ Without Fear book recommended on the site. I'm basically wondering how long it'll take until I'll be able to make some mods for some FPS deathmatch games such as Quake or Half-Life 2.
To be more specific, what I want to do with my mod is the following. In a deathmatch game, if a player sees another player (player 2) in the distance, I want to be able to have the game draw player 2's model to be a lot bigger (say, 15 percent of the screen's height or so), so that it can be seen in detail. You'll still be able to see the originally sized model, it's just that you'll also see a translucent targetting image of it, over-layed on top.
Ultimately the point is, this would allow players to see a lot more of the player models- unlike as is often the case, when they're too far away or just flash by.
The targetting model's feet will still be on the ground, too, so it should look convincing enough. This larger image of player 2 will also have a crosshair on it, that shows where you are currently aiming on it (you don't aim at the targetting model, you aim at the normal one, and the crosshair shows where you're aiming). This will make it easier to go for headshots with sniper rifles etc. (I think).
So yeah, that's the basic idea. So I'm wondering.. how much experience would it take to be able to make a mod for Quake/ HL2/ UT that would incorporate this?
Thanks for your help.
BTW If anyone has the experience/ inclination to make this now, cool, let me know, and I'll explain more about the idea/ some of my other related ideas.