16 replies to this topic

[Dock Steward]

Can I take it as a given that the game would appear more balanced (not balanced, just more balanced) if the majority of mechs on the field were in the Medium weight class?

Well, too bad, I'm going to.

Want people to play them more? Give 'em away for free.

I'm not suggesting PGI remove the trial mech system, because it still seems like a good way to try out a mech without having to buy it and risk finding you don't like it. I'm just saying that if they gave all players one free Medium mech of their choosing, you'd doubtless see more Mediums being played.

Sure some people would just sell it and put the money towards the mech they do want, but some people would play them. Then they'd buy two more variants to be able to fully level them. Boom, more medium mechs.

How much of a loss could this free give-away possibly create for PGI? Not much, I'm guessing

So, do you agree that this plan would put more mediums on the field? I was half-kidding about taking it as a given that more mediums would be a good thing, so, do you even agree that more mediums being played would have a substantial benefit?

[Sephlock]

This would hurt their bottom line in the long run, and most people would probably just pick the most expensive one (one of the super OMGWTF FERRO FIBROUS + XL ENGINE variants) and immediately sell it.

[FupDup]

Or you could just make them competitively viable.


Making them free just means more trial nubcakes to roflstomp with ERPPC Stalkers.

[AntiCitizenJuan]

>Gets Free Medium from PGI
>Sells Medium and Gear for Cbills
>Buys Alpha Assault Boat

[Dock Steward]

You could get around the resale problem by making it so that mech has no resale value beyond the weapon and engine resale values. If I choose the Hunchback 4P as my free mech and someone else chooses the 4SP and then they later purchase the 4P, their 4P would have a resale value, but mine would not.

Solved.

Edited by Dock Steward, 18 June 2013 - 10:24 AM.

[AntiCitizenJuan]

Dock Steward, on 18 June 2013 - 10:24 AM, said:

You could get around the resale problem by making it so that mech has no resale value beyond the weapon and engine resale values. If I choose the Hunchback 4P as my free mech and someone else chooses the 4SP and then they later purchase the 4P, their 4P would have a resale value, but mine would not.

Solved.

>Plays Free Medium
>Gets Blown Up By Alpha Assault Boats in 2 Shots
>Realizes It's A Waste of a Mechbay
>Deletes Free Medium

[PanzerMagier]

what a silly notion, giving away a free product where currency is involved?! Preposterous! No company in their right mind would ever...

[Riffleman]

I will make it a point to laugh at anyone who paid for a 10 precent boost in xp on a hunchback, and you should too.

[Dock Steward]

AntiCitizenJuan, on 18 June 2013 - 10:31 AM, said:

>Plays Free Medium
>Gets Blown Up By Alpha Assault Boats in 2 Shots
>Realizes It's A Waste of a Mechbay
>Deletes Free Medium

Have it occupy a permanent mechbay slot separate from the standard 3 slots. A bay that can't be used for anything other than the free mech.

Solved.

Edited by Dock Steward, 18 June 2013 - 10:41 AM.

[AntiCitizenJuan]

Dock Steward, on 18 June 2013 - 10:40 AM, said:

Have it occupy a permanent mechbay slot separate from the standard 3 slots.

Solved.

It's just not going to solve the problem.

They need to fix Mediums by nerfing Heavies and Assaults. That's how we start seeing them again.

[Demos]

Haha, great.
This mediums will be piloted by the new players and only targets...

Seriously, it would be fine to give one free mech. Cannot be chosen, but will be given to each new player. This design should be something like the Hunchback Champion, upgraded with DHS at least.
Also, there should be no possibility to sell the chassis (or at least without gain of cbills).

But in the end, it will not increase the number of mediums in the game. As soon as the average new player acquired the cbills, he will buy the heavy or assault high alpha chassis.

[Weaselball]

Dock Steward, on 18 June 2013 - 10:40 AM, said:

Have it occupy a permanent mechbay slot separate from the standard 3 slots. A bay that can't be used for anything other than the free mech.

Solved.

>Takes free mech out for a spin.
>Still gets blown up by alpha assault boats in 1 or 2 shots.
>Permanent mech in its own unique mech bay will forever remind player of that bad experience, like a trophy of hatred.

[Dock Steward]

AntiCitizenJuan, on 18 June 2013 - 10:41 AM, said:

It's just not going to solve the problem.

They need to fix Mediums by nerfing Heavies and Assaults. That's how we start seeing them again.

Nerfing Heavies and Assaults is the last thing they should do. Balance weapons and heat better using any ideas proposed in other threads, maybe in effect nerfing big mechs, but you make it sound like you think big mechs just need to be nerfed outright. I strongly disagree. If you only faced 3 total Assaults and Heavies in an 8vs8 match, or 5 total in a 12vs12, they wouldn't seem so OP.

[NinetyProof]

The issue is not the cost to "buy" / "retrofit" mediums ... although you are correct, the issue is *cost* ... just not the upfront cost.

The real issue is that it more profitable to run Big Iron ... You hit harder, you live longer, so you make more CB/XP.

You want to know how to get more mediums on the field? give them at least a 2x bonus on CB/XP .. hell, give them 3X and that is all you would probably see. 8 Cent Zombies vs 8 Cent Zombies. Hmm ... that might get boring fast, but at least you would see a lot of mediums on the field.

[Dock Steward]

NinetyProof, on 18 June 2013 - 10:48 AM, said:

The issue is not the cost to "buy" / "retrofit" mediums ... although you are correct, the issue is *cost* ... just not the upfront cost.

The real issue is that it more profitable to run Big Iron ... You hit harder, you live longer, so you make more CB/XP.

You want to know how to get more mediums on the field? give them at least a 2x bonus on CB/XP .. hell, give them 3X and that is all you would probably see. 8 Cent Zombies vs 8 Cent Zombies. Hmm ... that might get boring fast, but at least you would see a lot of mediums on the field.

I agree there should be some incentive to running a medium. I just figured it could be that it was free. I spent a month piloting Hunchbacks and I really didn't feel like I was at a huge disadvantage. I just had to stop myself from picking fights with bigger mechs without some back-up. Once I did that, I played about as well and got kills and XP and C-bills comparable to what I get in my heavies.

[El Bandito]

Free mech is good. Can help to calm THE RAGE we felt today.

[Dock Steward]

Also the idea isn't to entice seasoned players into the Medium mech. Well it is, in part, but I only say give one to everyone because you can't say "give one to new players," because then everyone who wasn't new would say, "BS! I never got a free mech."

Edited by Dock Steward, 18 June 2013 - 11:23 AM.