8 replies to this topic

[FrozenWaltDisney]

Company Units, when they are available in game, should get a one time chance to choose 3 colors and 1 pattern in which will be discounted to their members. Any unit can change the colors and pattern once every year.



Here the the possible advantages:

1. Community
Anything that increases community is a good thing. It attracts and keeps people in the game. Therefore any addition to helping out the community is a welcome thing. In this case, 3 colors will allow MechWarriors to show their units with pride and are more apt to buy the colors to "fit in." And lets face it, but when you FRAPs a fight and your all in the same colors and patterns, its looks freaking sweet.

2. Increased Sales
Discounting is by far one of the easiest strategies to increase sales. With digital materials it's a no brainer. While there may be a few people that bounce between different units to get their discounted colors, this still increases sales. In general, people look to spend about the same amount of money regardless, and the less it is the more they don't think about before buying, which is sort of the whole strategy... no?

3. Choice Matters
Part of being an online community is that you can affect how the community is run, and how the game itself is done. Giving more choice to units will only make the player "own the game" or "own the unit" more. Anything individual increases attachment to the game.





Here are the pre-emptive problems and answer:

1. I already bought the colors.
Community warfare isn't realized yet, therefore you are still getting your colors/patterns before anyone else. Not to mention that many colors/patterns have already been on sale. Plus it would be pretty awesome to have your friends that can't afford the full price to sport it with you. I know for the people that spent a lot of money on these colors already will likely complain, but this isn't really unique is it?

2. Lone Wolf players are getting screwed.
The whole purpose of the colors/pattern themselves is to increase community and participation. Unfortunately Lone Wolf players are usually the outsiders of the community. While that does not make them any less a part of the game, there are multiple units, and even a Lone Wolf unit in which they can join.

3. Why once a year?
Part of any good unit is to remain cohesive highly identifiable unit. Merc Units especially choose wildly crazy colors to let the houses know who they are and that they are coming either to help or destroy them.


The story of unit colors and why it matters:

Scenario 1
Imagine that your running along the battlefield with your light lance, and the fight is going poorly. However, when you look across the field, you recognize the colors of a merc corp. Quickly you realize that these merc corps are like any other: FOR HIRE. A quick payment could allow the entire battle to swing in your direction. (Yes I realize this isn't currently possible...)

Scenario 2
Fear is your greatest ally. When your unit is recognized from a scout, your unit could instantly be primaried or avoided. Unit colors allow people to visual recognize who they are, and what they are usually know for.

Scenario 3
Steiner scout lance approaches the field with Davion markings... instantly there is confusion...




Note: If this has already been suggested / planned I apologize


Frozen

Edited by FrozenWaltDisney, 07 June 2013 - 01:50 PM.

[Adrienne Vorton]

afaik there will be paints/ colours and many more stuff within the (coming soon^^) achievement system... i´d wait for how that turns out when CW kicks in...

but generally, i´d not say no,if our recruits could buy our colours cheaper

Edited by Adrienne Vorton, 07 June 2013 - 01:50 PM.

[FrozenWaltDisney]

Adrienne Vorton, on 07 June 2013 - 01:49 PM, said:

afaik there will be paints/ colours and many more stuff within the (coming soon^^) achievement system... i´d wait for how that turns out when CW kicks in...

but generally, i´d not say no,if our recruits could buy our colours cheaper

This is why I am suggesting it now. That way we can plan for it, and also it can be implemented before the game is released.

[Pater Mors]

I think if they're going to discount stuff then it needs to be made available for everyone, not just members of units. I am a Lone Wolf as you say and have no intention of joining a unit any time soon. There is really no reason why I should be left out of any discount scheme and I do take a little bit of offence at being called an 'outsider' since I actively participate both here and in game.

My reason for being a Lone Wolf is that I enjoy that type of characterization (especially if I ever decide to RP) and it does not mean that I have no intention to participate as an active member of the community. Why should I not get the same benefits that you've described in your three scenarios? Why should people not go, "Oh noes! It's Pater! Look at his bright pink and mauve colours with a little pirate skull decal wearing a top hat! They are the herald of our DOOOOOM!" when they see me?

I would support a discount scheme for everyone, as long as Lone Wolves are included

[Deathlike]

I would actually like a better selection of colors than the 5 we can normally access (and no, I'm not counting the PC Gamer colors, because that deal is done).

Patterns on the other hand.. the sales themselves usually are incentives to buy them. I don't think it needs any straight changes to them. However, the basic "default" camo leaves a lot to be desired, because it suffers a lot from making the visuals too distinct to separate where to hit a mech (effectively, it helps the enemy brawl better) so the primary+secondary colors tend to make the mech sections too damn obvious (the tertiary color tends to have no actual impact most of the time). You're pretty much forced to color the mech the same way generally speaking.

In sum, I don't see the problem, but the basic pattern/camo/colors that everyone has access to is pretty bad.

Edit:
IIRC, Merc units AFAIK may or may not have to pay an MC fee to keep it "active" for registration purposes. Having something like this in compensation doesn't sound bad though... although, it should be made more affordable.

Edited by Deathlike, 07 June 2013 - 03:30 PM.

[FrozenWaltDisney]

Pater Mors, on 07 June 2013 - 03:17 PM, said:

I think if they're going to discount stuff then it needs to be made available for everyone, not just members of units. I am a Lone Wolf as you say and have no intention of joining a unit any time soon. There is really no reason why I should be left out of any discount scheme and I do take a little bit of offence at being called an 'outsider' since I actively participate both here and in game.

My reason for being a Lone Wolf is that I enjoy that type of characterization (especially if I ever decide to RP) and it does not mean that I have no intention to participate as an active member of the community. Why should I not get the same benefits that you've described in your three scenarios? Why should people not go, "Oh noes! It's Pater! Look at his bright pink and mauve colours with a little pirate skull decal wearing a top hat! They are the herald of our DOOOOOM!" when they see me?

I would support a discount scheme for everyone, as long as Lone Wolves are included

I can completely understand where you are coming from, however statistically people that are "solo" do not usually stay with the game as long. While I understand that you can be the exception to this, many games understand that online communities are the source of income. (Plus participating does make you part of the community, albeit not one of the units.) Units themselves also have something to represent, whereas a lone wolf can easily take advantage of the already discounted colors and be completely unique.

Being part of MWO community means you play the game, being part of a unit is somewhat special and this would encourage unity regardless if your rich enough to pay for the colors at full price.

Deathlike, on 07 June 2013 - 03:26 PM, said:

Stuff on colors/patterns

I definitely agree, but it is a bit off topic. Regardless, I think its important for units to be able to represent themselves.

Edited by FrozenWaltDisney, 07 June 2013 - 04:53 PM.

[El Bandito]

Yes to discounts!. No brainer.

[Johnny Reb]

I am all for any discount. However, the functional viability of company colors is really miniscule, if non existent since all friendly's are currently displayed clear as day. Does look cool running all the same, especially right now in 4 mans then the other 4 ppl on your team should know this is a group, otherwise not so much. Unless all 8/12 on your team does it, then it does look awesome!

Edit: also helps to find my own guys fast without looking for the slightly diff color above from the other temp teammates. Still not much. Heh, when we drop 8 v 8 against each other would also be interesting, still not much.

Edited by Johnny Reb, 07 June 2013 - 05:11 PM.

[Tennex]

there are no official unit colors yet

they will be made once CW comes out