14 replies to this topic

[wickwire]

I have two friends on TeamSpeak with which I tried out MWO back when PGI sent out invites for the closed beta. But they hated the game, saying it was too difficult for new players, so I was the only one who sticked around.

Now, when we (hopefully) get the new UI, tutorials and meta game, I want to try and lure them back into the game.

What would you suggest is the most fun way to play MWO? Dropping in a group, I guess, but what mechs, loadouts and roles should we try for a fun and casual, but succesful play experience?

[Darwins Dog]

It's going to depend a lot on what kind of trial/champion mechs are available at the time. If they fully do away with the stock trial mechs (in favor of champions or something like that), then the choice will be easier. If they are still stock, then probably the heavy or medium choice. Do you know these people irl? Perhaps let them try your mechs out to get a feel for different styles.

Actually, depending on when they last played, they will either have the 7 million cbills that everyone got for the cadet bonus, or they will have the actual cadet bonus. Either way they will have some cash to spend on mechs that they like.

[scJazz]

Darwin brings up some great points but I have to disagree at least in part.

If the Trial mechs are still in use get on teamspeak and jump into whatever the Trial Light Mech happens to be. Three light mechs on Teamspeak might not be super overpowered but running around like madmen with hair on fire can't fail to be entertaining

Also this way you avoid any LRM induced rage caused by flying in the lower ELO ranges.

Edited by scJazz, 22 July 2013 - 08:00 AM.

[SmithMPBT]

I'd suggest waiting till the day you launch the game and actually see the new UI, Tutorial and CW to ask them back. Seems like its a long ways off and theres no point in scaring your friends away from MWO again.

Its sad that I've got a friends list of 20 and its a rare occasion to see 1 on.

[Dalziel Hasek Davion]

wickwire, on 22 July 2013 - 07:26 AM, said:

What would you suggest is the most fun way to play MWO? Dropping in a group, I guess, but what mechs, loadouts and roles should we try for a fun and casual, but succesful play experience?

Ideally they would have got their own first 'Mech - because trial 'Mechs tend to be sub-optimal in some ways, which may make your friends think "this is still too hard". However - that means getting them to sign up to 25 matches of earning Cadet bonuses to start with ~10m CBills each.

I would either recommend heavy/assault 'Mechs for being forgiving to new pilots, which is fun from a "blowing stuff up" point of view - or a wolf-pack of light 'Mechs (or "fast" mechs), which is hilarious.

You could run with a couple of missile-heavy 'Mechs (STK-3H or CPLT-C1) and you can "spot/TAG/NARC" for them?

[Hebdomas]

If they played in closed beta wouldn't the cadet bonus already be added into their c-bills?

[Fire and Salt]

Do a three man team of light mechs. Play conquest. Run off to a less commonly capture point (not theta) and swarm the 1 light you will most likely find there.


Cicada, blackjack 1x or dragon would also work for this...


Wheee!

I could get my friends to play if their computers didn't suck

[Rando Slim]

Yea I know how you feel. I only have like three or four friends who have decent pc specs, but I can't seem to get them away from playing SWTOR or D and D Neverwinter, or The Last Of Us, or whatever to play some MWO with me. Plus since they all like more typical fps games they will probably hate the movement in MWO. But, thats why I hired myself out in the Merc Hall.

Edited by Scrotacus 42, 22 July 2013 - 10:01 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

Hebdomas, on 22 July 2013 - 08:36 AM, said:

If they played in closed beta wouldn't the cadet bonus already be added into their c-bills?

Negative. you wold have to have played 25 matches after the wipe at the beginning of open beta but before the Cadet bonus was introduced to earn the lump-sum payment. Games played before the last wipe (ie, during closed beta) don't count.

[MoonUnitBeta]

I try to get them on coms as fast as possible, and let them know kind of what happens: You firsty play with trial mechs, it sucks for 25 games while you rack up the money, but then you’ll have a bunch of cash to buy your own mech you can customize.

The main thing is to get them over that first hump, give them tips and tricks as they go about how to navigate the mechlab after they buy their mech and how customizing their mech works. After that it gets real fun.

The big deal breaker for a lot friends I’ve tried to get playing was those friggin’ trial mechs. They all hated it, and some left because it was stupid that you weren’t given a choice to choose a first mech right away. (that was before the cadet bonus, mind you). I’m not sure why they just don’t put 11 million on their account right away. The only way trial mechs are effective are in skilled hands.
For totally new players it’s incredibly painful to watch them get taken down in seconds with about 20 damage done. Some people start to think that it’s them that’s the problem, but in most cases it’s the giant paper thin ovens they’re piloting. It’s not really that inviting.
So I hope PGI figures out something because the player base is shrinking and I’m starting to see “This is my first game” in my games and things like, “Wow GenericName123 you frickin suck” from experienced players and GenericName123’s response is, “This is only my second game”. It’s sad to see because no one needs that to be said to them when they’re trying to have fun and get a hang of things.

Edited by MoonUnitBeta, 22 July 2013 - 10:51 AM.

[TheCaptainJZ]

Also, we now have the training grounds. Let them run around in there first and learn the controls before an actual battle. If you know them in real life, this would be so beneficial, otherwise get them on comms and try to explain the hud and movement and firing groups as best you can. It may be boring at first, but it's a better way to initially start just for piloting. I'd recommend a heavy or medium for practicing movement. Lights are too fast and assaults are too slow.

Eventually, when we get UI 2.0 there will be a tutorial. I think at first they will only have a tutorial on movement but the other controls should be added in eventually too. Of course, evenually could be September....2014

[Aym]

wickwire, on 22 July 2013 - 07:26 AM, said:

I have two friends on TeamSpeak with which I tried out MWO back when PGI sent out invites for the closed beta. But they hated the game, saying it was too difficult for new players, so I was the only one who sticked around.

Now, when we (hopefully) get the new UI, tutorials and meta game, I want to try and lure them back into the game.

What would you suggest is the most fun way to play MWO? Dropping in a group, I guess, but what mechs, loadouts and roles should we try for a fun and casual, but succesful play experience?

Get them in a group AFTER UI 2.0 drops and the dumb trial mech process is gone. So, TL;DR wait till winter.

[wickwire]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yes, I will definitely wait until we get all the shiny new things like UI 2.0 and stuff. I don't know them IRL but I will try to give them a quick rundown on movement etc. in TeamSpeak. One of them once told he didn't even realize you must control your torso independently from the legs until after a few games (we really need a tutorial...). I think I will make a Light lance first since I fear them finding the game too slow and boring otherwise.

[Redshift2k5]

Tutorials and more freebies for new players would be great. In the last ask the devs my question was comcerning the new user experience.

[Koniving]

Edit: Added sniper.

I was almost done with my post when the power went out.

The tutorial system is around the corner. In its current implementation it's a bit lackluster. Navigation tutorial with third person elements to demonstrate the difference in torso twist versus turning to make the concept "You're in a walking tank" a little easier to grasp. This will likely see improvement in the near future. Also in Public Test 12vs12 be sure to keep your eyes open; last time they had the Lava World available as a testing grounds map. It clearly is not complete (it's cooler in lava than it is on the ground). But it's there!

Long story short... With the upcoming tutorial and new system, trial mechs will be gone from the system. Instead if you complete the tutorial you get lump sum (sign on bonus? Who knows) which is enough to buy your first mech. Since it'd still be about 8 mil, you'd be able to get up to a lighter assault mech.

That said: Consider what kind of mechs you think they would play best in to start with. Remember that what you or I play best in isn't necessarily what will click for them. For example I enjoy the Raven 4X more than the 3L. I consider the 4G Hunchback to be fun.
​

Spoiler

One of the most recent Hunch 4G vids.

Look at what they play. How they play it. If they have played Battlefield 3 what classes do they play and how do they play them? Remember we can't base it just on the classes because not everyone plays them 'as intended', as I snipe with my engineer and I use my "Recon" as an assassin.

Spoiler

(Then again I occasionally snipe with everything but the recon, and I use my sniper rifle without a scope to literally 'hunt' people with bolt-action iron sights for the thrill -- ever sniped with an RPK and an extended mag? Or used a shotgun to shoot down helicopters?).

Nope, no vid here. Totally not a video.

That said:

• Do they like to set up their bipod with an MG and fire at enemies coming down the line? If so, the Cataphract 4x, the Jagermechs (especially the S and DD with 4 AC/2s), Victor B, and anything else that can fire AC/2s or AC/5s rapidly will be ideal. Get them to position up high and provide ranged direct-fire support. (Example 1 Jagermech, Example 2 Jagermech, Example 3 CTF 4X Strategic match, Example 4 DRG-5N, Example 5 CTF 4X RC., Example 6 CTF 4X hardcore.)
  
• Do they prefer to set up mortars and bombard at range? Any typical LRM boat will work. (In the near future ballistic mechs will be good too, as I read something about 3 ton mortar weapons).
  
• Do they prefer to hang back and use the MAV of the recon class to scout for enemies for you to take out? If so they might like the Locust -- whose size is supposed to be Jenner-ish largest to slightly smaller than a Commando (but it will be larger than the Flea). Many other light mechs could fit, too. Examples: Spider 5D. Raven 3-L.
  
• For those who like jet fighting, I definitely recommend the Jenners. Preferably in a pack.
  
• Do they enjoy taking a shotgun or carbine or assault rifle and rushing into the thick of things? If so they might like assaults or brawling heavies (avoid the dragon and quickdraw). (We all know what brawling is).
  
• Do they like to man the MG of a tank or the gun of a chopper and let you drive on BF3? If so, they might like a medium mech in support of your heavy or assault. (Semi-related example)
  
• What if they like to snipe? Well if they prefer camping then Stalkers, Awesomes, Victors are good. If they like to shoot and move, Raven 2x, 4x, Catapult K2, C1 (PPCs), Blackjack (1X for example, slap on 1 ER PPC, large XL engine, bunch of SPL or SLs, snipe until spotted and relocate. Works great in a pack).

If not Bf3, what other games can you compare their playstyles to? Then think from there.

Edited by Koniving, 22 July 2013 - 05:13 PM.