312 replies to this topic

[Tilon]

The very idea that this game could be financially supported solely through selling cosmetic hats for mechwarriors to wear in the cockpit, or selling new paint jobs for your Hunchback, is ridiculous.

So, we need to have a mature discussion on this, right now. If they turn this game into a 'pay for mechs' game, somewhat similar to World of Tanks where you pay for better ammunition, I daresay you are going to turn off much of the Battletech/Mechwarrior fanbase, along with many others who have the potential to be fans.

We want strategy and skilled combat, we don't have ANY interest in paying to win. Period.

However, I do understand the game needs to make money to succeed. I am willing to pay money, because I want to see this game succeed too.

The F2P idea has a merit: It lets large numbers of people in to both try the game, and to fill up the population, giving the world more of a persistent, alive feel. So I think it could be kept.

My proposal is this: The only thing that can be bought to gain an advantage is a monthly subscription. Increase XP gained by 20% or whatnot, and some other advantages that don't ***** over free players too much. There is a balance to be had here, and it needs to be discussed and decided upon sooner rather than later.

If this game goes down the 'pay to win' route, it will fail. We need to maturely discuss how this game can generate revenue without going down the dark side, and we need to let the publishers know how we feel about this.

Any other ideas?

[Balsover]

I agree. As much as I want another Battletech game more then any other genre/license, they should just come out with it. They can't be that early in the design that they don't have this planned out, unless the game has another year or two of development time.

I want to play this, and I will if it's good, and the F2P is handled well. But delaying is just making it look like you don't want us to know the details.....

[manny082]

i dont mind paying for paint job or even if i have to pay money for special ammunition like cluster rounds or inferno missiles, but if we have to pay cash to buy premium mechs, thats where i draw the line.

[omega5 9er]

I've been saying it all over the forums today. World of Tanks is VERY successful right now, and although yes paying for a better ammunition type would not fit Mechwarrior, paying premium money for "Clantech weaponry" or some such that gives a little difference in the player but not an over edge could be acceptable in my opinion.
World of Tanks not just makes money on ammunition types and premium tanks, but the type of "subscription" that they offer. Pay for some gold, then take your gold and buy days/weeks/month of premium account. With the premium account you get fifty percent more XP and In-Game credits.
I could very well see this working for Mechwarrior. And if the Publisher could afford it, seeing a premium c-bills card for $20 at a pharmacy or Wal-Mart would be very nice.

[Stinger]

Now, I was thinking about this very thing. Commonly in the battletech universe, many 'mechs have overlapping functions and sometimes even weapons. It is very rare to have a mech that is "better" than another mech of similar class and function (i.e. a medium scout). In theory, if they make a certain number of mechs free, and then have similar, but not tactically superior mechs for sale, I can see that. I am not talking super mechs here, just something like a Dervish and a Trebuchet. Both are 50 ton fire support mechs, serving the same role with slightly different load outs. Would the community find it acceptable to have a Trebuchet for free and a dervish is $5 to unlock? That is what I can see as a major possibility. Money buys variety, not superiority.

Edited by stinger, 01 November 2011 - 07:48 PM.

[AJC]

any premium paying options should be stuff like what is canon for the time line experimental tech/mech prototypes that should at least have prototype flaws like unreliability issues(like a prototype UAC/LBX autocannon more prone to weapon jamming than the eventual final standard production version and prototype energy weapons causing more heat or having slightly worse range than the eventual final standard production version) and standard MMO stuff like boosted exp/cash drop.

IMO

[Valheru]

Why not become house troops with the subscription and mercenaries without? Equipment and tech should come easier with being a house trooper, while the poor mercs needs to scavenge for everything he/she needs....

Being a house trooper should be granted titles of duke or baron or whatever happens to fit the house. Mercs can make it too, but it'll just take longer, just ask Grayson Carlisle.

Edited by Valheru, 01 November 2011 - 07:59 PM.

[Viking]

Well, League of Legends does very well with a cosmetic store, but yes, it would be nice to hear the devs elaborate on their F2P scheme to put our minds at ease.

[gregsolidus]

They said they wouldn't sell tactical advantages,I believe them.

[UncleKulikov]

Cosmetics, if there were enough and varied could support a lot.

I imagine three basic plans:
A monthly subscription that provides access to all paid content for a monthly fee.
Selected content, that a user buys piecemeal
and users who play the game entirely for free.

Paid content can include:
Larger Lance Size
Private Games/Servers
Prize Tournaments
Exclusive Mechs
Custom Mech Painter
Guild/Clan Support
Faster Repair Times
Faster In Game Currency collection
More Avatar options
physical items, like a dog tag that has a QR code for the account or something
Additional Game modes, like a persistent Map Campaign
Unlimited friend list/larger VOIP party size
Access to all cosmetic options

And you could pay for any one of those services individually as well, or none at all.

[Hexenhammer]

If this game has a premium option I'd be happy to pay 10 bucks a month for it. But if I pay a subscription for the game I want to see. I want more mech bays. A bigger drop ship, more mission options or reduce the time it takes to upgrade a mech. Or increase the number of items a player can have on the auction house at one time.

Premium subscribers go to the front of the login queue. Or to the front of the mission queue to form groups but that might annoy more players than its worth.

[Samson]

What could work is a LoL like model; based on the mission they have a limited number of mechs available but you could purchase your own mech to have always available in your roster,err, mechbay. That would not necessarily provide a tactical advantage but I know for one i'd pay a couple of bucks to keep my own mech always available. Throw in some cosmetic items (totally want a skull motif or a flame job) and I think they could pull it off.

[Helmer]

Leauge of Legends rotates out what Avatars you are allowed to use every few days ( week ?)

I can see limiting free players to only certain mechs , running only so many missions/contracts per day , limiting skill levels ,etc.

This added to the cosmetic customizations has made LoL a big success .

It could definitely happen for MWO.

[Lightfoot]

They have said you will not be able to buy things that confer a tactical advantage or allow you to skip levels. That leaves 'mech storage (character slots) and 'mechs (call them archtypes or classes) as possible selling items. I don't have a problem with this myself because, (A) they have to sell something and (B ) more 'mechs will be made available faster. (C ) You don't have to buy 'mechs you don't need and free 'mechs are also provided. Also, you can earn any 'mech thru C-Bills that you can buy with real money.

Things I don't want to pay $ for:

1. Mech refit and repair
2. Armor and Ammo
3. Basic weapons.
4. Maps (this restricts the player base.)
5. Drop Fees

Also any costs that might be incurred during each battle since this also restricts gameplay.

Discuss, but I have log off until later.

Edited by Lightfoot, 01 November 2011 - 08:12 PM.

[Ennui]

gregsolidus, on 01 November 2011 - 08:03 PM, said:

They said they wouldn't sell tactical advantages,I believe them.

This. They made it pretty clear that the F2P model isn't going to ruin the gameplay for those who elect not to spend money. They specifically mentioned League of Legends as their reference for the F2P model, so I'm guessing that you will be able to pay for stuff like cosmetic enhancements, unlocking better mechs/armor/weapons/parts instantly instead of having to grind for them in gameplay, and possibly (POSSIBLY) access to more variety when it comes to things like maps.

My guess is that besides cosmetic enhancements, you will be able to unlock/use any mech/weapon/etc in the game just by playing a lot (grinding), or you can take the easy route and just pay for these unlocks.

It would be very good for the developers to clarify the nature of the F2P model used by MWO though, if only to dispel the inevitable trolling and fearmongering about the F2P model. The FAQ is rather vague and the quote referenced above comes from one of the recent PC Gamer articles.

[gregsolidus]

^....You just described a tactical advantage.

[Hardware]

I think customization is the key to driving a F2P business model. Where the user has the ability to purchase upgrades for their mech that would take it out of original specification, like change the design by upgrading weapons pods to Omni, add ECM to a mech that normally wouldn't, even design a new weapons pod; calling these exotic upgrades.

Upgrades are purchased by whatever game currency is, which is earned with respect to time played,achievements earned, and/or purchased in blocks. F2P users can earn only so much, limited upgrades, capped achievements, limited mech use. Users who purchase the game are given greater freedom of choice, limited only by exotic upgrades. Monthly donation subscribers will have the closest link to the design team which can work in parallel with the users to create new content for the game, each sharing credit for the creation in equal parts.

Las Mech Vegas. Allow for users the chance to place bets on matches, with a real money or game currency buy-in, while payout is only in game currency.

Pink Slip Duel. Challenge a mechwarrior and his variant to an ownership duel, last one standing claims the mech of the defeated. With option for the defeated to purchase back the value of the mech from the victor.

Clan Variant purchase. A clan may supply their mechwarriors with a custom mech for purchase, this mech will be used solely by the originating clan. If large quantities of variants are purchase the unit purchase price is reduced. Clans may exchange Clan Variants at a cost.

M'Bay: Where to sell your variant, stock metal, trade, and communicate with anyone in the game-sphere.



Thank you to all responsible for this new iteration of the Battletech series. I wish you fortune and prosperity.

H

[gregsolidus]

Again,you just described a tactical advantage.

[Blair]

I think the key to any good F2P model is not offering anything for sale that a free player cannot get by investing time. Basically, as a player I should have the choice to work/level/grind my way to an item, or circumvent that time investment by paying.

This way, those who want to/can afford to support the game financially can, and those who can't can be in the game playing, supporting the game by helping to populate it (and trust me, an active population is a key selling point, they'd be doing their part by investing time).

[gregsolidus]

I'll say this one more time, if you can buy a weapon or mech they are selling a tactical advantage.