With release allegedly in a couple of weeks, I thought I would list a couple of things that need to be fixed (IMHO) before a game can "go gold". At least when I was working in game QA, we certainly would not have released without fixing stuff like this.
Please note that these are all fixes to existing systems, where the current state is blatantly wrong or holding back other systems (Or mech builds) from working to their full potential.
In many cases, the fix is probably pretty easy also.
1) Zoom
Allow users to program mouse wheel to zoom like they used to
1a) Add zoom out.
The 3-stage loop is very unwieldy in combat.
1b) Make Advanced zoom return to the last used zoom level when closed.
Currently it always pops you back to 1x zoom, which is annoying. If you went 1x > 1.5x > 3x and then hit advanced zoom to view at 4x, when you close advanced zoom it should go back to 3x.
2) Usability fixes
2a) Fix Backspace (Need to spam it repeatedly to delete stuff)
2b) Left / Right arrows (Same issue as above)
2c) The missile bay door light is unusable in thermal or night vision.
Maybe make no light for closed, light on for open?
3) Fix chain fire
3a) If you hold the button down for a weapon group, MWO does not fire at (Weapon RoF / num weapons), it fires at a static rate. An issue with something like the HBK-4P with it's 6ML, even more of an issue with 4xAC2 - it is not even possible to chain fire at full rate without a macro or making your fingers bleed.
Trying to make changes to discourage Alpha builds, whilst requiring people use 3rd party software to make proper use of sustained fire builds is dumb beyond words. Give people proper chain fire and they might not have to resort to alpha striking.
3b) UACs should not double shot if the button is held. Some other mechanism should be used - either an extra key, or you have to click it rapidly.
Again, requiring 3rd party software to be able to properly use a weapon is poor design.
4) Fix weapon loading order.
If you drop an SRM6 and SRM4 into the LT of a QKD-4H, it puts the SRM4 into a 10 tube and the SRM6 into a 5 tube and there is nothing you can do about this - this is not limited to the QKD, merely an example.
Forgivable for not having, but really should:
5) Joysticks
5a) Allow relative analogue throttles.
5b) Allow absolute analogue aiming.
6) Weapon toggle
Requiring a user to hold down a TAG button is kind of silly
8) Proper Arm Lock toggle.
The current hold-to-toggle system sucks.
As it stands, there are way too many things in MWO that require 3rd party software to use properly - I have software to solve (1), (3), (5a), (6) and (8), but new users coming to the game should really not need my software to solve basic failures in PGI's QA system.
I am kind of hoping that (1) will be fixed with UI2.0, but I see absolutely no dev comment on (3) and (4), which particularly worry me.
Edited by evilC, 14 September 2013 - 05:58 AM.