When reloading your character should slow down because our characters are running and you cant run and reload at the same time.
So it should slow down to crouch pace.

Also I think reloading should just lower your gun down on your character.

Does every game have to be realistic?
Imagine if mario or minecraft were realistic *shudder*

Minecraft slightly realistic and mario well... that be cool

Well, the game doesn't need to be realistic, it needs to be fun. Sometimes "realistic" means better looks though.

It's meant to be abstract, not necessarily realistic. I think that slowing down isn't needed - reloading is already slow enough for gameplay in my opinion.
The lowering of the gun would be eyecandy, but would be awkward to show someone reloading it - not sure how that would pan out in voxels..
Both are nice ideas, just not sure how they could be made to look good/act well.

For reloading, the only thing I've heard as an improvement is allowing other players to hear that you are reloading. Would make for more tactical play - moving out to attack when hearing the reload (etc)

Edited I meant lowering your gun down on other people... like if I was looking at someone reloading their gun would be lowered.

^No need. It's not very high priority.

reloading makes you slow down...hmmm.....easier targets i guess :D

Hmm, if we did have to be stationary while reloading (or slower movement as you suggest) it could be pretty darn cool actually. Its hard to know.

As some may have seen, there is a pattern that I support a more calculated approach style of gameplay. This suggestion would support that, but it could also be a bit frustrating.

For definate there should be a loud reloading sound and maybe animation (like lowered gun as you suggest). I think that is a must. Slower movement speed I would really like to test out, and would probably support.