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Firstly, PGI - well done on getting this far. It's a good game - and so close to being a great game.
As a software developer with some game dev experience, I have some thoughts on how the community could perhaps help fast track some of those fantastic ideas that are floating around in the forums.
Let us test them for you.
No I'm not being silly, here a few ways we can try them out and see what works the best...
a) Beta Weapons in the Mech Lab
Along with the current weapons, add some new 'free' variations of these weapons with trial stats and mechanics.
eg
- AC20 that fires a four round burst (possible fix for ac20 boating and convergence)
- Pulse lasers with faster recharge rates and/or prolonged fire period (PL seems to have no place right now)
- ER/PPC that fires in a stream, not a 'round'. Though much shorter than a laser (Convergence fix)
- High damage SRM (Bring brawling back)
- etc etc
This will let you test multiple versions of the weapons without 'breaking/nerfing' already installed weapons.
b) Another game mode: 'Trial of passage'
Similar to testing grounds, but this mode drops you into a assault/conquest game with some trial mechanic
- Trial mechs with beta weapon load outs (as above)
- Mech of your choice but with a trial mechanic:
eg
- Movement bloom reticle
- Weapon convergence by limb
- Siesmic by weight/speed tweak
- Streak vs bones targeting
- New LRM arcs/spread
- whatever etc etc
c) Dedicated server where all this happens
Mix n match as desired.
Change weekly or fortnightly.
Poll/track results and feedback.
Test to see what works with a live community.
Speaking for my Merc group, we all like the new content, but we'd really love to test some of these new game balances a lot lot more.
Perhaps this way you can keep the 'status quo' of the larger game, while testing some of the great community ideas that could perhaps take this game from good to great and beyond!
Thanks PGI.
- Gazbo
