37 replies to this topic

[MuFasa]

I want to preface this by stating not only am I am fan of this game, but I am a paying customer. I would in many ways consider myself PGI's target audience. I am NOT a TT fan, I have never played it. I have played a previous version of MW on the PC. I'm NOT a fan boy. I am an avid computer gamer and I have a job. I spend money on things that interest me. I am adult. I built a fairly decent PC for the sole purpose of gaming. When this game came out, I not only bought the founder pack but I bought the “Legendary Founders Pack.” I have since made more than a few MC purchases. Like I said, I am at least in my mind the type of customer that PGI wants.

Next I want to state that I have had many hours of enjoyment playing MWO, and I am sure I will have more. I am NOT one of those guys that finds the negative in every little thing. Nor, will you find me running around these forums screaming the sky is falling, the game is broken or what ever it is the cook kids say.

Now to the heart of the matter, or at least my opinion of it. And, yes, I realize this is my opinion, you are welcome to yours as well.

The game has some serious issues. As a computer gamer, I appreciate that it came from a pen and pencil game. I also get that the basis of this computer game has been around for years and will likely remain so. Having said that, I could care less about what works and what does what in the TT version of MechWarrior. It is meaningless here. I am interested in what I think many gamers are interested in. Cool colored lasers, explosions and watching things generally go boom. I like to win, I accept sometimes I will lose. I just want, and I think everyone just wants a few things. Some competency from the development staff, fun and most importantly balance in THIS version. I could care less what is in the TT version or any other version, I’m playing this one. Stick with the general concept and balance it.

As a customer, things like every patch breaking something else cause me pause. I promise you, they have for sure stopped my mouse from even hovering close to that buy MC button. I doubt that I am alone.

I like ECM, I think its a great addition, I at the same time think it is a severally broken module. 2 slots and a ton and a half for all that it does. Like I said, I'm a fan of it but really. It's obvious there are issues with it. I wont claim to know the answer to fixing it but surely we all can see there are issues with it. It has become a “must have module.” PPC's the “counter” to ECM. Anytime you make one module so good that everyone wants it, and then make another module the required counter for it you are in essence making another “required” module. These things are all bad idea's ECM should have a penalty one that is sufficient enough to make one ponder the value of bringing it vs the benefit gained by having it. I don't mean to harp on ECM, like I said I tend to be a fan of it but then I think right now everyone is, there simply is no downside to carrying it. I'm more interested, perhaps interested isn't the right word, let's say concerned by things like it, and the recent fiasco's that were called patches. Patch 1 and LRM's are suddenly like the hand of GOD. You cant even peek out around a rock for more than 3 seconds before you suddenly felt like one of the Spartans “fighting in the shade.” Then the “fix” that has suddenly ruined that weapon type for pretty much anyone. First the splash damage was a mechanic that has been in place for what since CB? Then to let the patch slip out that just made missiles crazy. As a paying customer I'm left to wonder how do things like this slip past the quality control portion of your crew? Then vs fixing the problem the “answer is, to just dial back the dmg” till, it feels right? And it's not like it is the first time things of this nature have come out. I mean really. Do you guys test this stuff?

Listen I know much of what you receive here is negative in the extreme. I don't intend for this to come across that way, although I am sure it is. What you don't receive negative wise is those that are going to be fans no matter what. Or, they are the guys that are users of the mech and or weapon type that benefited from the last nerf. As I stated originally I am a fan of the game, and more importantly I am a customer. I am starting to have serious concerns and I'm certain I am not alone. I don't particularly care that missiles are weaker than lasers or what ever the case may be. Find a balance and for gods sake, take the time to check what you're putting out. Stop breaking the game every patch. I like even the most negative person here enjoys the game. It has issues though and sadly they issues you guys are creating. I know you're working super hard, I know you are pouring your hearts into the work but do the little things to ensure that things like this last couple of patches don't drive folks like me away.

Again, I apologize if I came across as one bashing you or your work, it wasn't my intent. But there are issues here, and as I customer, I have 2 ways to state my dissatisfaction. This venue, and by not opening my wallet. I will be exercising them both, at least til there is a change.

This is just my opinion, agree or disagree, you are welcome to yours, just be civil.

[Pater Mors]

While I don't agree with a lot of what you've said I appreciate that you haven't gone all 'holier-than-thou' on us because I am frackin' sick of seeing that on these forums.

I think that this game is still in a beta. People here disagree because they've obviously not been involved in a live beta before or if they have they made the same complaints there and then conveniently forgot about them when posting here. Patience and constructive feedback in the correct forums are what's needed to by the developers to give us the game we want, which I have faith they are trying to do. All patches break games in the first years of development. It's a given. Any time there is a patch, you can guarantee it will effect something that it wasn't supposed to or break something that wasn't thought of. If you believe there is a magic patch that doesn't have some unintended consequence then that's just being naive.

I like you am an adult gamer who works 13 hour days and has money to burn on games when I feel the need. The only reason that i haven't spent money on this game so far is that I believe MC is overpriced for what it is. $15 dollars for a single chassis is a bit much to justify.

[Monky]

I agree with the overall message, but bashing tabletop's balance and then stating ECM is OP (which is because it does so many extra things in MWO it didn't do in TT) is a bit off. Oh well.

The thing about a balance system, is you have to take it all in one chunk, then tweak it from there. Instead, equipment came piecemeal and mechanics are being tweaked to counter previously unaccounted for mechanics and everything has to shift and things break.

[Fishbulb333]

Seems like game balance and adding new features has taken a back seat to churning out lacklustre camos and hero mechs...Show me something NEW.

[Pater Mors]

Fishbulb333, on 28 March 2013 - 02:38 PM, said:

Seems like game balance and adding new features has taken a back seat to churning out lacklustre camos and hero mechs...Show me something NEW.

Completely different departments with completely different people working on them. Also I'd assume designing a camo mesh wouldn't take as long as designing a whole new freaking game mode.

[Fishbulb333]

Really? Take assault mode, remove the bases, hey guys we just designed team deathmatch, shall we break early for lunch?

Edited by Fishbulb333, 28 March 2013 - 02:47 PM.

[Rigatoni]

You have to keep in mind that this game IS still in Beta. There is going to be all kinds of broken and OP things, and the nerf bat hits hard. That being said, the fact that they are making money off of a Beta game strikes me as a bit pre-mature. Almost as if they are trying to get as much money out of the game before kicking it to the curb. Like Farmville or almost any other Zynga game. I would hate to see that happen because i have been a fan of this since TT days. This version doesn't really have the same feel as the TT version, but the core is still there. And honestly this version is by far the best real time game that i have played.

All in all, all i really want is my Warhammer and Maurader. Oh! and the Highlander! /drool.

[Pater Mors]

Fishbulb333, on 28 March 2013 - 02:44 PM, said:

Really? Take assault mode, remove the bases, hey guys we just designed team deathmatch, shall we break early for lunch?

Which then becomes, "Find-the-shutdown-Raven-in-a-little-hidey-hole-for-the-last-ten-minutes-of-each-match" mode. No thanks.

[Fishbulb333]

Pater Mors, on 28 March 2013 - 02:49 PM, said:

Which then becomes, "Find-the-shutdown-Raven-in-a-little-hidey-hole-for-the-last-ten-minutes-of-each-match" mode. No thanks.

That or another "mountain line" or "ugly swirly thing" camo? Pick your poison. I didn't mean it to sound like the simple addition of team deathmatch mode is the cure to this games ills, but to be honest, I'd much rather be playing that than conquest., and since CW is still a long way off...

[Zolaz]

From what I have seen it does not appear that PGI has a quality control or alpha test team. PGI seems to do things by crisis management and the "little dutch boy" approach to problems. No planning and just running around putting digits in the leaks.

[Pater Mors]

Fishbulb333, on 28 March 2013 - 02:51 PM, said:

That or another "mountain line" or "ugly swirly thing" camo? Pick your poison. I didn't mean it to sound like the simple addition of team deathmatch mode is the cure to this games ills, but to be honest, I'd much rather be playing that than conquest., and since CW is still a long way off...

Different departments. Apples and Oranges. Not a matter of 'pick your poison'.

I'd rather play Assault than find-the-shutdown-mech any day of the week.

[Slater01]

I give the game a year, so June/July this year.
I think by that time we will see some major changes to gameplay. there will still be minor fixes and refinements mind you.

Edited by Slater01, 28 March 2013 - 02:57 PM.

[Stone Profit]

MuFasa, on 28 March 2013 - 02:18 PM, said:

I want to preface this by stating not only am I am fan of this game, but I am a paying customer. I would in many ways consider myself PGI's target audience. I am NOT a TT fan, I have never played it. I have played a previous version of MW on the PC. I'm NOT a fan boy. I am an avid computer gamer and I have a job. I spend money on things that interest me. I am adult. I built a fairly decent PC for the sole purpose of gaming. When this game came out, I not only bought the founder pack but I bought the “Legendary Founders Pack.” I have since made more than a few MC purchases. Like I said, I am at least in my mind the type of customer that PGI wants.

Next I want to state that I have had many hours of enjoyment playing MWO, and I am sure I will have more. I am NOT one of those guys that finds the negative in every little thing. Nor, will you find me running around these forums screaming the sky is falling, the game is broken or what ever it is the cook kids say.

Now to the heart of the matter, or at least my opinion of it. And, yes, I realize this is my opinion, you are welcome to yours as well.

The game has some serious issues. As a computer gamer, I appreciate that it came from a pen and pencil game. I also get that the basis of this computer game has been around for years and will likely remain so. Having said that, I could care less about what works and what does what in the TT version of MechWarrior. It is meaningless here. I am interested in what I think many gamers are interested in. Cool colored lasers, explosions and watching things generally go boom. I like to win, I accept sometimes I will lose. I just want, and I think everyone just wants a few things. Some competency from the development staff, fun and most importantly balance in THIS version. I could care less what is in the TT version or any other version, I’m playing this one. Stick with the general concept and balance it.

As a customer, things like every patch breaking something else cause me pause. I promise you, they have for sure stopped my mouse from even hovering close to that buy MC button. I doubt that I am alone.

I like ECM, I think its a great addition, I at the same time think it is a severally broken module. 2 slots and a ton and a half for all that it does. Like I said, I'm a fan of it but really. It's obvious there are issues with it. I wont claim to know the answer to fixing it but surely we all can see there are issues with it. It has become a “must have module.” PPC's the “counter” to ECM. Anytime you make one module so good that everyone wants it, and then make another module the required counter for it you are in essence making another “required” module. These things are all bad idea's ECM should have a penalty one that is sufficient enough to make one ponder the value of bringing it vs the benefit gained by having it. I don't mean to harp on ECM, like I said I tend to be a fan of it but then I think right now everyone is, there simply is no downside to carrying it. I'm more interested, perhaps interested isn't the right word, let's say concerned by things like it, and the recent fiasco's that were called patches. Patch 1 and LRM's are suddenly like the hand of GOD. You cant even peek out around a rock for more than 3 seconds before you suddenly felt like one of the Spartans “fighting in the shade.” Then the “fix” that has suddenly ruined that weapon type for pretty much anyone. First the splash damage was a mechanic that has been in place for what since CB? Then to let the patch slip out that just made missiles crazy. As a paying customer I'm left to wonder how do things like this slip past the quality control portion of your crew? Then vs fixing the problem the “answer is, to just dial back the dmg” till, it feels right? And it's not like it is the first time things of this nature have come out. I mean really. Do you guys test this stuff?

Listen I know much of what you receive here is negative in the extreme. I don't intend for this to come across that way, although I am sure it is. What you don't receive negative wise is those that are going to be fans no matter what. Or, they are the guys that are users of the mech and or weapon type that benefited from the last nerf. As I stated originally I am a fan of the game, and more importantly I am a customer. I am starting to have serious concerns and I'm certain I am not alone. I don't particularly care that missiles are weaker than lasers or what ever the case may be. Find a balance and for gods sake, take the time to check what you're putting out. Stop breaking the game every patch. I like even the most negative person here enjoys the game. It has issues though and sadly they issues you guys are creating. I know you're working super hard, I know you are pouring your hearts into the work but do the little things to ensure that things like this last couple of patches don't drive folks like me away.

Again, I apologize if I came across as one bashing you or your work, it wasn't my intent. But there are issues here, and as I customer, I have 2 ways to state my dissatisfaction. This venue, and by not opening my wallet. I will be exercising them both, at least til there is a change.

This is just my opinion, agree or disagree, you are welcome to yours, just be civil.

Its like you dont know what a beta is for, testing and fixing bugs, and you dont know how software development works, fix one things and it breaks two others... Folks like you need to go somewhere and think real hard about the realities of life and the world.

[OneManWar]

So in total, stop breaking things every patch and ECM is OP. Did we really need ANOTHER topic like this? Does putting "An open letter to" make it seem like it's more important or different than the other 100 topics that are exactly the same?

Not to be bitter, but lets get some new discussions on here.

[MuFasa]

Stone Profit, on 28 March 2013 - 02:57 PM, said:

Its like you dont know what a beta is for, testing and fixing bugs, and you dont know how software development works, fix one things and it breaks two others... Folks like you need to go somewhere and think real hard about the realities of life and the world.

Ok the realities of real life and the world, I work for a metropolitan fire deptment, I am fairly certian I have a better grasp on the the realities of real life and the world than you do. Lets leave that one alone.

What you're missing is the point. Beta or not, which is a whole OTHER discussion, the process they are using or NOT using is driving folks like me, paying customers away. Releasing patches that break other things because something wasn't checked. Thats not beta thats shoddy quality control. I appreciate your opinion. I welcome you to both disagree and voice your own view point but do so in a constructive and helpful manner.

Edited by MuFasa, 28 March 2013 - 10:19 PM.

[Sephlock]

I look forward to seeing how long this thread lasts before it gets yoinked to jettisoned communications.

*sigh*

[Moromillas]

Well, yes, there are balancing issues with ECM, and yes new bugs and hotfixes with the patch.

It looks like testing isn't really your thing. If you're going to be somewhat disappointed with each new bug etc, It might just be better to wait until the full game.

[hkk]

The scientist went around the car changing all the tires one by one until the flat was fixed.
Was he in "beta" mode? Bad code breaks other things/modules/routines/calls.
And makes customers/players unhappy. What do I think is the answer?
Test More & Patch Less.

[Ralgas]

Slater01, on 28 March 2013 - 02:56 PM, said:

I give the game a year, so June/July this year.
I think by that time we will see some major changes to gameplay. there will still be minor fixes and refinements mind you.

People still forget this game is now less that 18? (correct me if i'm wrong there) months since it was still just design concepts with zero code written. Nil, nada, ziltch. Even another 18 certainly isn't unreasonable in the grand scheme of game design.

I know what people say about the beta tag being bogus, but this isn't an EA, Microsoft or Blizzard stable, they don't have huge resources just to dump on it to get the job done. They are a LONG way from the grand vision that may be CW:MWO one day as the game sits. As for the Alpha team, in reality that's us, but there are a lot of people out there that don't get it. They are too busy screaming "FIX IT NAOW" and that they just want to play instead of actually finding these issues and helping work through them.

[Cyberwolf]

Fishbulb333, on 28 March 2013 - 02:44 PM, said:

Really? Take assault mode, remove the bases, hey guys we just designed team deathmatch, shall we break early for lunch?

You are forgetting people propensity for griefing others, i can see long drawn out matches with people hiding and dragging the match out forever...no thanks