What functions would a real pipboy have?

[mattig]

Hello all,

We all know, or I hope we all know, that the in game pip boy is a game mechanic. A way to get to your inventory, see your stats, and play some music while you play.

So, lets say someone was able to come up with a pip boy in modern times.

What functions do you think it would have? Do you think it would have some of the same functions as the ingame one (radio, capable of playing audio and text files, geiger counter, possibly blood pressure).

Do you think it would have to have a competely different set of functions from the in game one?

[thedUWUmslayer]

See: smartphones. There are apps for radio and you can read audio and text files on most smartphones now. There is a little device you can plug into your smartphone to read blood pressure and one to take blood samples for diabetics. And it wouldn't be too hard to make a similar device to detect radiation.

[White Knight]

I thought you might like this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCEXEuICWs

[Rocky_Fox_Boi]

I think another thing that would be useful is if the real-world pip-boy had a bottle and can opener. Think about it, how does the courier open a nice, sugary bottle of pre-war Sunset Sarparilla? I'd imagine that the bottles don't have screw caps.

[White Knight]

^^^You certainly didn't grow up in my neighbourhood. I could probably show you about twelve different ways to get a bottle-cap off without a special tool. There are numerous tricks for getting corks out of bottles and opening tin cans too. Take a gander on the internet, it will prove to be educational no doubt.

Humanity is far more resourceful than you realize.

Edit - I was bored so I went and fetched some for you:

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/09/20/open-beer-bottle-without-bottle-opener/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3vMNwj7FQ

https://www.yahoo.com/food/how-to-open-a-bottle-of-wine-with-everything-but-a-73520983092.html

[Beef Hammer]

Originally posted by Rock_T_Balanced:

I think another thing that would be useful is if the real-world pip-boy had a bottle and can opener. Think about it, how does the courier open a nice, sugary bottle of pre-war Sunset Sarparilla? I'd imagine that the bottles don't have screw caps.

His teeth? Couldn't tell you how many times i've seen people do it. Oh theres the lighter way, using the side of a table, so many more.

[mattig]

Originally posted by White Knight:

I thought you might like this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCEXEuICWs

that...that...its beutiful *snif*.

but back on track *wipes away tear*, no one has really answered my question just yet. What functions do you think a device with 3 main menus, and varios sub menus you need to get to via 2 knobs would have? Do we think it would be just another smartphone on your wrist? Do you think it would be able to monitor your health in some way? do you think it would be a portable radio?

[Pèpè Silvia]

The only thing that really makes the pipboy special is VATS targeting, which curently makes no sense...how does a computer somehow control time and all weapons (no matter the type) functions?!?!

edit: this modder has the right idea - http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/45611/?

[MB Ghost]

Originally posted by MutualAssuredDestruction:

The only thing that really makes the pipboy special is VATS targeting, which curently makes no sense...how does a computer somehow control time and all weapons (no matter the type) functions?!?!

edit: this modder has the right idea - http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/45611/?

Uhm.. i dunno i guess it enhances your aim.. and gives you superhuman reflexes... for a while..
aka i guess it's pumping you with a sheetload of cocaine

[White Knight]

Originally posted by MutualAssuredDestruction:

The only thing that really makes the pipboy special is VATS targeting, which curently makes no sense...how does a computer somehow control time and all weapons (no matter the type) functions?!?!

edit: this modder has the right idea - http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/45611/?

I see it as nothing more than an advanced targeting system not unlike the tech we have today. The Pip-Boy is attached to your dominant hand which guides your weapon. VATS doesn't stop time, it's simply a perceptual thing to simulate the near-instantaneous targeting effects. A man fighting a computer would also have the mistaken impression that the computer could "stop time" simply because of the difference in perspectives.

Using VATS long range can be next to useless. At close range, it's siginificantly better. None of it is game breaking in my mind but if overused, it can rob the player of the joy of using ironsights.

Issues around line-of-sight, situational awareness, sound and light, etc. are much more problematic from my perspective.

As for what a Pip-Boy could be used for, that is entirely up to the imagination of the person building it. Like the video clip above points out, there are limitations that have to be considered but the available tech of the day is the guiding rule. This game enjoys the freedom of being able to make up whatever they like because no one knows what will be possible in sixty years, let alone in an alternate timeline.

Why couldn't a Pip-Boy provide nutritional supplements, convert persperation/urine into drinking water, heal the wearer, boost S.P.E.C.I.A.L. skills, etc. Another device that is quite similar is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - a Pip-Boy should be able to do any of that stuff as well. Throw in a tricorder while you're at it. There are no limitations when playing "what if" in a sci-fi scenario.

[baddude1337]

Pretty much a smartphone, right? There is an actual app that is pretty much a pipboy. I think it's called Pipclock.

[Problem?]

Originally posted by mattig89ch:

Originally posted by White Knight:

I thought you might like this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCEXEuICWs

that...that...its beutiful *snif*.

but back on track *wipes away tear*, no one has really answered my question just yet. What functions do you think a device with 3 main menus, and varios sub menus you need to get to via 2 knobs would have? Do we think it would be just another smartphone on your wrist? Do you think it would be able to monitor your health in some way? do you think it would be a portable radio?

it would be simple, the left button would do a 24/7 scan of your body to check for crippled limbs/diseases what have you, middle button would be like having a notebook where you would type in information, and the right button would have GPS and AM/FM radio stations. Hope that answered your question.

[Vagineer1]

My idea for a Pip-boy? Create a Pip-boy Iphone dock which fits on you're wrist and put your Iphone on it.

[Yingfortheking]

Originally posted by Takemikazuchi:

My idea for a Pip-boy? Create a Pip-boy Iphone dock which fits on you're wrist and put your Iphone on it.

you predicted that ♥♥♥♥, bravo man

[imtani seven]

Originally posted by Yingfortheking:

Originally posted by Takemikazuchi:

My idea for a Pip-boy? Create a Pip-boy Iphone dock which fits on you're wrist and put your Iphone on it.

you predicted that ♥♥♥♥, bravo man

this is kinda epic.

[Incunabulum]

Originally posted by mattig89ch:

What functions would a real pipboy have?

The same functions your smartphone/PDA have right now.