47 replies to this topic

[Woodstock]

"ISN News Flash

by Inner Sphere News Nov 17, 2011 3:00 PM PST
Thur. Nov 17, 3048: Despite only a year’s operation, ’Mech Magic Incorporated has become “the” BattleMech custom mod outfit on Outreach."


So this tells us that Mech customisation will be available for merc units. We will not be restricted to canon variants. Exactly how much customisation we will be allowed only the dev's know

Edited by woodstock, 18 November 2011 - 01:28 PM.

[DFDelta]

I was always expecting customisation to be in, the question for me has always been "how much?" and "how expensive?".

[Woodstock]

me too but the 'canon variant' crowd was pretty vocal.

I have to admit to hoping customisation would only be allowed for omni's.

[Threat Doc]

To the best of my knowledge, Q&A 1 stated that full customization would be allowed. What was not expressed is how the costs and time constraints of customization will be accounted. If anyone has further information on this they would like to be able to share, I would be grateful, please?

[Rogal Dorn]

They said in the interview Q&A as well that there would be customization for weapons and armor.

[Woodstock]

you got the direct quote from that? cos I dont remember that

[Woodstock]

ohhhh I missed this new interview ... thought you meant the dev Q&A

[Rogal Dorn]

PAUL] We want the player base to be able to experience Inner Sphere tech combat and really to get used to how ‘Mech technology works. We want players to really get into this game and create builds that they can share with friends and allow the community to share strategies in combat and creating/customizing BattleMechs.

Also, from the "GAME" page up top:

Mech Warfare:

We want to make sure we bring the roots of the MechWarrior® titles back to the surface and also incorporate the basic rules from the BattleTech® Universe. Players will be able to customize their BattleMechs with weapon and armor upgrades as well as customize their cosmetic appearance in the MechLab. This means players can look unique or fall in line with their Merc Corp colors and truly represent themselves in combat. The next part of Mech Warfare is controls/piloting a BattleMech. Since our key platform is the PC, it only makes sense to really bring the simulation control system back for seasoned players, with the option to have easy access configurations for newer players. When dealing with controls, we really want to bring skill back into combat rather than heavily assisted combat as seen in most modern day first person shooters. The interface between the MechWarrior® and the BattleMech is being revisited as well. A new 3D HUD system is being designed for the neurohelmet pilot information display. The view point of the game is from the pilot (MechWarrior®’s) point of view. Players will be able to look around their cockpit and even customize the interior to suit their tastes.

[DFDelta]

Idea would be to make it expensive and take a mech out of commission for a prolonged time, depending on how much you changed.
A faster customisation could even be something to be purchased for real money, tough the price should stay just as high.

[Threat Doc]

Holy smokes, Rogal Dorn, I'd forgotten completely about that. It seems like years since I read that, even though I know it's only been a couple weeks. Thanks for bringing that back to the front.

[Rogal Dorn]

It took me a while to remember where I'd seen it too.

[CobraFive]

I wonder how much we'll be able to go into painting.

I liked in armored core 4A, being able to place stripes and decals and stuff anywhere on the robot.

[DocBach]

I'm hoping if customization is open to changing complete loadouts around, it is limited to what you can salvage, like the drops in other MMOs. Unless you've salvaged 10 ER large lasers, you can't make a super ER large laser boat. Something cool would be different types of equipment with stats based on the manufacturer - in BattleTech fluff, you can see that there are hundreds of manufacturers of medium lasers, but the board game stats are all the same; perhaps in MWO you could loot a Martell medium laser, which isn't as accurate as say a Diverse Optics, which might take longer to recharge then a Intek, which might not hit as hard as a Defiance B3M.

Edited by DocBach, 18 November 2011 - 02:41 PM.

[Rogal Dorn]

I'm looking forward to customizing the cockpit and camo/paint/insignia almost as much as the weapons/armor.

[Melissia]

DFDelta, on 18 November 2011 - 01:52 PM, said:

Idea would be to make it expensive and take a mech out of commission for a prolonged time

The former sure, the latter no.

Saying "lol you customized your 'mech so **** you, you don't get to play for a few days" is an utterly stupid design choice I hope they aren't dumb enough to make.

[EDMW CSN]

Melissia, on 18 November 2011 - 03:17 PM, said:

The former sure, the latter no. Saying "lol you customized your 'mech so **** you, you don't get to play for a few days" is an utterly stupid design choice I hope they aren't dumb enough to make.

Just use another mech or use small incremental upgrades then (like adding half a ton of armor, or swapping the MG for a flamer etc) ?

Really if you are rich enough to overhaul the entire mech like stuffing in a light engine / XL engine or switching to Endo / FF armor. Be prepared to have at least some downtime and cost to it.

In any case anyone ought to have a spare mech because I doubt the devs just leave you with 1 mech to begin with. Unless u sold em to fund your "ultimate mech" then that is just bad financial planning, anyone who played MW2 : Mercs should know

Edited by [EDMW]CSN, 18 November 2011 - 07:30 PM.

[DFDelta]

That pretty much sums up what I was getting at
That is also good in campaign play on a planet (or conquest if you want to call it that), while instant changes would be bad. Example?
Notice that the enemy players on planet prefer laser heavy outfits? Ololol rip out weapons and built a flamer boat with some infernos in no time *trollface*

If that mech is out of commission for at least 4 or 5 hours after such a huge change it would have no effect on that current invasion, so you'd have to make plans for such specialized mechs before you start the attack.

Near instant changes are reserved for Omnimechs once they become available.

Edited by DFDelta, 18 November 2011 - 07:40 PM.

[Yeach]

DocBach, on 18 November 2011 - 02:40 PM, said:

I'm hoping if customization is open to changing complete loadouts around, it is limited to what you can salvage, like the drops in other MMOs. Unless you've salvaged 10 ER large lasers, you can't make a super ER large laser boat. Something cool would be different types of equipment with stats based on the manufacturer - in BattleTech fluff, you can see that there are hundreds of manufacturers of medium lasers, but the board game stats are all the same; perhaps in MWO you could loot a Martell medium laser, which isn't as accurate as say a Diverse Optics, which might take longer to recharge then a Intek, which might not hit as hard as a Defiance B3M.

I like this idea; just don't let the TT purist catch you though with the thought that medium lasers made by different manufacturers have different stats.

[Halfinax]

I just hope it's limited, and balanced by the Battle Value system (as appropriately determined to work within a simulation/FPS system). Otherwise the game will become unplayable in short order, and will stagnate very quickly with just a few builds being viable. This honestly is the most disappointing news I've seen. If it's not balanced by some abstraction of the BV system the game will quickly devolve into bigger is better game-play regardless of information war.

[DFDelta]

Different stats for different manufacturers would have my full support. It would be interesting especially on the autocannons, where the different brands can be like totally different weapons.