27 replies to this topic

[MasterBLB]

Hello devs

Here are a bunch of new suggestions how to make the game experience better.
Previous ones: http://mwomercs.com/...e__pid__1399405

The Mechlab
1.The mech list and "Mech Inventory" on the left of it

• Ability to sort mechs in bays in desired order by drag'n'drop as well as some new arrow buttons in a mech menu (this sell/select/deselect etc).The arrows should work the way the mech stays in place but the list is moved till the list begin/end shows on screen.
  
• Remove arrows left/right to scroll mech list,add a normal scroll bar below mechs instead.
  
• "Mech Inventory" (Trial/Owned mechs group) - this should be enhanced by adding a functionality to create/merge/split(?)/delete/rename own groups and in a mech menu there should be added a new option "Assign to groups".Just remember a mech may be assigned to any number of groups,ex someone would like to assign his D-DC Atlas to both "ECM Mechs" and "Assault Mechs" groups.These groups should filter the mech list to display only the assigned mechs.Of course,such groups should be stored in user profile folder.

2.The details list

• The most needed functionality here is hard points map.It's unacceptable that players have to check external sites (excellent by the way) like http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/ to find out where exactly these points lies.I propose a checkable push button near these orange 'Hardpoints' text,after pressing it the mech model should be covered by mentioned map. By the way,for missile hardpoints the also should be an information how many tubes the hardpoint contains.
  
• Similar for the 'Equipment',it happens when someone has greater number of equipment that not all of it is listed here.In such cases that should be marked somehow clearly visible for players,and after pressing the button a list covering 3D model containing all equipment should appear.
  
• And same practically for all sections,ex for 'Armament' imagine someone put into his Hunchback P small laser,small pulse laser,medium laser,medium pulse laser,large laser,large pulse,er large laser,PPC.Well,how are you going to display that having only 8 slots?No way.
  
• For ammo-using weapons it would be much,much welcome if there would be listed how many ammo for the weapon we have aboard,both in bullet/missisle count and ammo pack counts,let's say in braces.Example 'LRM 15 (6 - 1080)' which means a pilot has six boxes of missisles,and their total number is 1080.That information should also be available during loadout.
  
• Since the "Mech Info" got information 'Jump Distance' mentioning 'Jump Jets N/A' for all chassises without jets seems to be obsolete and should be removed.

3.Loadout functionality changes

• The most annoying part during equipping my mech is moving equipment between them.Now I need to find which one has the needed stuff piece (and due to $2 it's inconvienient sometimes),go into its loadout screen and find where the part is put then remove it,save mech and go back to the 1st one.I propose that all parts,whetever equipped or not,would be available for any mech being equipped.In case a part is equipped already it should be simply removed from mech is already put into,and without any stupid confirmation messages.Of course,the application should be aware that a part of equipment has been taken away the next time we click on the mech it has been taken from.But this issue should solve the idea below.
  
• Other very,very welcomed option would be to save/restore current mech loadout.It's so inconvienient to completely change mech (ex brawler <-> sniper).And assuming someone remembers exactly how what his/her loadout was.In case of some part missing there should be a dialog message informing about that fact and also asking if you want to buy these parts (checkbox near each missing part)
  
• Another field where and improvement could be made is selling equipment.For now I have ~30 medium lasers,if I'd like to sell them I have to expand tree showing each of them,select one and then click 30 times(!) on sell and move my mouse to confirm the sale.I can't imagine something more user-unfriendly.So,to fix that,especially now when the items are auto-repaired to 100% health,add an dialog asking how many items a player wishes to sell.Simpe and effective solution.
  
• Also,although drag and drop mechanism works well,it'd be nice if parts could be equipped/removed by double mouse click. (Edited 06.01.2013)
  
• Weapon details panel should have to present ALL important informations,like damage,min/optimal/max range,heat,%bar heat generated (calculated based on how many heatsinks a mech has equipped),cooldown,generally all what can been found on http://mwo.smurfy-net.de (Added 12.01.2013)
  
• When saving a loadout which costs ANY amount of MC/Cbills that amount has to be displayed in the confirmation message in red. (Added 30.01.2013)

4.Modules and upgrades (added 17.01.2012)

• As for loadout,in case of many mechs it becomes difficult if we already have a module but equipped on some mech,or we need to purchase one.
  
• Already bought upgrades should be for free.Example if a player bought Endosteel Structure,then he/she should be able switch to standard then back to ES without any costs.
  
• I think the best way is to merge loadout,modules and upgrades into one,common tab with functionalities described above in $3.This would make equipping mech easier.

The Tactical Map

• Allow to target mechs by clicking on them,just like 'r' has been pressed.So many times I spotted a nicely uncovered for my LRMs target,but after quitting the map it's hard to find which one of the visible triangles it is.
  
• For the mechs about which the information is already known and shared between teammates let also the health % status be shown.That would help to choose which one enemy to attack.
  
• Allow it to be displayed and put marks during match startup,just as I mentioned in my previous suggestion.
  
• Each mech class (light,medium,heavy,assault) should have different icon (or marked in other way) both for friendly mechs and identified enemy mechs (thanks for Reno Blade)
  
• It'd be most welcomed if friendly mechs from my group would be marked a little different for easier recognition.That should also apply to normal,cocpit view,example not only blue,filled triangle but also some mark above,let's say '+' or whatever.
  
• The 'I' map option should work in states - show no details,show only group mates' details,show all players' details.It happened quite many times that mine pals or me had difficulties to find each other.
  
• Change the color of the sectors to red and it's font to bold (and the best,add appropriate options for own configuration),not only on the map itself but also in the radar seen in cockpit.Also,either make it be drawn above all mechs marks or repeat somewhere else in the HUD.Now it's barely visible on Frozen City map (white on white,but other maps also make difficulties with) or sometimes there are so many mech marks it can't be read because of covering.

The Weapon Groups



Well,here just one suggestion - allow to set them during match startup,or maybe even in mechlab.

Edited by MasterBLB, 31 January 2013 - 01:04 PM.

[cymeth]

Great ideas.

Might I suggest a cleanup on some points? Some go a bit off topic making the post hard to read and process.

[jay bea]

I have to agree with the weapons grouping, at the very least. I was griping about that yesterday.

[MasterBLB]

Sure Cymeth,what exactly you mean?

[cymeth]

I apologize, I feel like I have singled you out here, which was unnecessary. I didn't really mean to pick; I just think your ideas deserve to be seen but are long and vague - which makes them harder to parse.

I figure that ideas which are expressed clearly have a higher chance of being implemented.

Don't stress. I think we need threads which summarize all current suggestions in to big lists; which I suggested over here. Perhaps I ought to get editing.

[MasterBLB]

I see.And I have to tell you mate I agree such organisation would be welcome.
Well,when these subforum will be created I'll split this idea into each appropriate section.

[Cygone]

+1 for every point in the OP

[MasterBLB]

Hmm,would I ask for too much if I'd like to get a message from dev team if they like these suggestions,or at least got an acknowledged message?

[Victoly]

I agree with these suggestions. Nice work putting this together. As you'd possibly implied, perhaps my post would be a good addition to your MechLab section:

http://mwomercs.com/...30#entry1681430

I really do hope that the 'Devs read these and consider some of the changes.

[Kernel]

jay bea, on 25 December 2012 - 12:43 PM, said:

I have to agree with the weapons grouping, at the very least. I was griping about that yesterday.

Especially since you can talk in chat, there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to set up groupings. I do like the idea of already having that set in mechlab. Its only realistic that a pilot would of had that done already before a drop lol

kthxbye

[MasterBLB]

All these above are good suggestions,Victoly's ones too,and I wonder if Mechlab 2.0 would contain any of them.

[MasterGoa]

MasterBLB, on 25 December 2012 - 04:56 AM, said:

• The most annoying part during equipping my mech is moving equipment between them.Now I need to find which one has the needed stuff piece (and due to $2 it's inconvienient sometimes),go into its loadout screen and find where the part is put then remove it,save mech and go back to the 1st one.I propose that all parts,whetever equipped or not,would be available for any mech being equipped.In case a part is equipped already it should be simply removed from mech is already put into,and without any stupid confirmation messages.Of course,the application should be aware that a part of equipment has been taken away the next time we click on the mech it has been taken from.But this issue should solve the idea below.

Quoted for awesomeness!

We should have build lists, where you pick the chassis and the mech
and, assuming you have all the equipment available, it will send THAT build
in the field.

For example, I have a Cat.
I could have a brawler with short range missiles and an LRM boat.
I would pick cat and then boat and everything would be like in the list.
If I sold something, then I get a message: not enouch medium lasers to complete build.

Thanks!

[MasterBLB]

MaserGoa,I think this would suit your needs way better

MasterBLB, on 25 December 2012 - 04:56 AM, said:

• Other very,very welcomed option would be to save/restore current mech loadout.It's so inconvienient to completely change mech (ex brawler <-> sniper).And assuming someone remembers exactly how what his/her loadout was.In case of some part missing there should be a dialog message informing about that fact and also asking if you want to buy these parts (checkbox near each missing part)

[Darwins Dog]

I like all of those ideas.

[MasterBLB]

Ahhhh,how I could to forgot about such improvement like double click to equip?
Appropriate section updated.

[MasterBLB]

New update - for the mentioned in §2.1 hardpoints map there is also important to show how many missile tubes the hardpoint contains.

[Reno Blade]

Nice list.

I like to add something MW:LL does with the tac-map.
The units are identified by different icons for light/med/heavy/assault mechs. In MWLL case, its a 4-point star with filled sides for each weight class (1 filled in light, 2 filled in med,3 filled in heavy,4 filled in assault).
At least for friendly units on the minimap and tac-map and identified enemies (after target info gathering).
I'm working on a mockup screen of several suggestions and will add anything i can "paint" from your list.

[MasterBLB]

Very nice idea!I'm gladly add it to the list.
Shame on me as I forgot to add it on my own,I reminded about that when you mentioned such change.

EDIT:
Feel free to use any element of the list,only it'd be nice if you add a link to my post to your screen.

Edited by MasterBLB, 09 January 2013 - 03:24 AM.

[MasterBLB]

Updated section Loadout

[The Blazer of Lasers]

wow, you have a lot of ideas.