79 replies to this topic

[travelbug]

Lostdragon, on 16 September 2013 - 06:39 AM, said:

If I didn't love MW so much I would not have played this game past the first 10 matches. Let's just call a spade a spade here: the new player experience in MWO is terrible. I have tried to introduce several friends to the game and none of them wanted to play through the cadet bonus because that part of the game is really just unnecessarily painful.

Fortunately, PGI has acknowledged this and is working to improve it. They added the tutorial and hopefully will continue to expand it. They also acknowledged a while back that trial mechs suck and stated that with UI 2.0 they are looking to have a new system and will be able to gift a mech to nee players, which they are not able to do with the current setup. I had really hoped UI 2.0 and the new player changes would be in for launch, I feel that launching without them is probably going to hurt the game.

I also feel that only 4 mech bays is a really low number in light of the fact that you meed three variants to master mech. I think giving 6 or 8 bays would encourage people to stick around and play more.

agree.
gifting a mech and having 8 default instead of 4; and making mech bays purchaseable via cbills will go a long long way in making this game more accesible to new players rather than stupid features like 3pv(which could be preparation for a console port ackk!).

[Enigmos]

As far as the new player experience goes, new players should have an option for their first ten matches to drop only with other new players, have 3PV only available in those ten matches, and the cadet bonus should continue for the full 25 matches. 3PV should be an option on the practice ranges so older players could have a chance to see how their paint scheme and patterns look, but I would free up the camera for that element. Or we could just accept that there is a learning curve and competition.

[Sheraf]

Ymirok, on 15 September 2013 - 10:49 PM, said:

Hello. It's me. Generic new guy.

Why does this game shower me with sadness? Wasted potential, I am guessing. This isn't Mechwarrior. Rename it to Robotfighters or something.

Sure, it has the famed 'mechs we all know and love... nevermind, there's no Mad Cat. Not a Mechwarrior game.

But let's get to the point: Why can't it be like Dota 2? Now don't get mad and tell me I can't compare it to a MOBA (or ARTS if you so desire).

You know, all the heroes (think of them as 'mechs) are available to you right off the bat. There is no payment (or tedious grinding for that matter) to unlock that which is VITAL GAME ASSETS. There is no rotation. Everything is available. Pretty crazy, right?

MWO is more like League of Legends. Vital game assets are very limited to you. It'll be difficult to counter certain enemy setups. It's like having 20 Ravens (avid F2P enthusiasts) assault 20 Atlases (gullible, easily manipulated P2W sympathizers) head-on. This is only an example. I hoped you could figure this out by yourself.

The only things you can buy with real money are cosmetics and tournament tickets. To conclude; Why isn't this game more like Dota 2 in the sense of business model?

It's too late to change this trainwreck though. And I won't be the one sitting in the fire.

Time to give Mechwarrior: Living Legends a try. Let's hope it isn't wasted potential.

You need to play the game more, or you can go post the game balance forum. However you will receive help if you ask question here instead.

[Thunder Lips Express]

Ymirok, on 15 September 2013 - 11:20 PM, said:

When did I mention those hero things? I never did. That was also an example. An exaggerated, humoristic example. Indeed, I am questioning your intelligence here. And no, I'm not gonna wait 2 weeks to see what lame mechs I'll get killed in because they suck and you can't even customize loadout.

Even if I kept playing this game I would not give them a single bloody dime. They don't deserve it. I also NEVER said it was P2W. I said it was unfair to limit mechs to certain people that aren't dumb and gullible.

mechs don't suck, pilots do.
please go troll elsewhere, your "superior intelligence" is far from overwhelming

[Thunder Lips Express]

Dalziel Hasek Davion, on 16 September 2013 - 12:59 AM, said:

Hello and welcome!



You are talking about trial 'Mechs. A new player has to weather 25 matches in trial 'Mechs to earn around 10m C-Bills (8m cadet bonus and 2m normal earnings). This is enough to buy almost any chassis in the game, including an Assault 'Mech.

There are various possible reasons for this design decision. Firstly it gets a new player used to the controls and different size chassis with different capabilities. Secondly it gives them time to explore the forums, Smurfy's Mechlab, mechspecs.com and other community assets for help, advice and to find team-mates. Thirdly it creates a sense of earning the 'Mech you pilot and feeling a sense of achievement (even if you can't get this from winning).

These are valid design choices that have a few down-sides. The trial 'Mechs are (mostly) under equipped and early matches can feel, to a new player, like pushing boulders uphill. The cadet bonus is not advertised very well and can set poor expectations of earning rate leading to poor purchasing decisions. A new player has to build a stable of 'Mechs slowly - a 'grind' exacerbated by having to level 3 variants of the same chassis to unlock the most favourable 'Mech skills in the skill tree.

Your suggestion of a free and unhindered choice of 'Mech chassis is, similarly, a valid design choice, but comes with it's own pros and cons. For example, I would imagine the player retention rate being much lower as there is no sense of achievement at earning a particular 'Mech and, if they keep losing anyway, there is absolutely nothing motivating them to stay in the game.

This game universe has a wealth of back-story and a devoted and passionate following of players, many of whom love collecting different 'Mechs - perhaps to feed nostalgia - perhaps from a sense of completeness. The devs realise this and have created a business model that allows them to use the acquisition of 'Mechs to drive player retention and revenue generation (Phoenix, Sabre, new 'Mech bays et al).

From what I can see, this business model has been very successful. Even with extremely thin gameplay (two modes, limited maps) it has already demonstrated a certain longevity.

[size=4]

As I mentioned, relatively new players (25 matches) can afford an Atlas if they want it. Assuming that anyone in an Atlas is a P2W sympathizer is insulting and wrong - most of them will have earned the CBills in game to buy one. Also, the match-maker does not put all new players (in trial 'Mechs) on one side and all experienced players (in non-trial 'Mechs) on the other. It's a mixture. You can counter heavier 'Mechs with lighter ones - but it relies on piloting skill and a particular style of gameplay.

In-short. It's a team game that takes some time to learn - and the pay-off is the ability to collect your favourite 'Mechs and, perhaps, learning how to win more often as part of a team.



Well - the devs, to their credit, have been very careful to avoid pay-to-win, which I personally believe is a good thing. This means that they are limited in terms of what real money (Mechwarrior Credits) can buy. Extra 'Mech bays, Mech XP to General XP conversion, camo and colours, cockpit items and Hero 'Mechs, which can ease the grind, but are not essentially any better than any other 'Mech chassis of the same type.

I think it's a reasonable business model for a free-to-play game and probably better than offering players better in-game equipment for real money.

I hope you find what you're looking for from MW:LL or DOTA if that appeals to you.

very well said.
i missed the spot where he compared to ravens as f2p enthusiasts and atlas as p2w idiots...i have both chasis, and 30+ mechs, i have spent money on mechs but only hero's the rest have all been purchased with c-bills and i have sold as much as i own...at least.

[Corvus Antaka]

wtf? nothing vital costs money only.

[SIN Deacon]

This game has been P2W since open beta. Sensors that require to be purchased with real money, mechs that have completely different configurations and can only be purchased with real money. This is old news and why the player base is in a decline.

[Corvus Antaka]

SIN Deacon, on 16 September 2013 - 08:04 AM, said:

This game has been P2W since open beta. Sensors that require to be purchased with real money, mechs that have completely different configurations and can only be purchased with real money. This is old news and why the player base is in a decline.

Seriously? What are you guys playing? not this game...only MC only items in this game is paint, camo, and hero mechs, none of which confers any advantage. Everything else is cbills OR MC optionally.

[AceTimberwolf]

SIN Deacon, on 16 September 2013 - 08:04 AM, said:

This game has been P2W since open beta. Sensors that require to be purchased with real money, mechs that have completely different configurations and can only be purchased with real money. This is old news and why the player base is in a decline.

Not Sure if you are trolling or being sincere? Sensors with money? What? and yea a Config can only be paid with money but most of the time the regular Cbill models are better or equivalent. The only one that over powers the others and not in a very significant way is the Muro. Most people like the Muro over a normal CTF. I don't even use CTFs

[Lostdragon]

Ecliptor, on 16 September 2013 - 07:53 AM, said:

mechs don't suck, pilots do.
please go troll elsewhere, your "superior intelligence" is far from overwhelming

Sorry, but you are just dead wrong about this. Non-Champion trial mechs suck. A number of variants and chassis suck.

Compare the Victor and the Awesome at 80 tons and show me one thing about the Awesome that is better. The Victor has better hitboxes, a smaller profile, better hardpoints for the current meta, and jump jets (which are a huge help now that the movement restrictions are in). The fact is choosing the Victor is a no brainer, it is really not a choice at all. Are there people that can do well in an Awesome? Sure, but there is a reason you rarely see them in matches.

[SIN Deacon]

Niko Snow, on 16 September 2013 - 07:40 AM, said:

http://www.mechlivin...the-founders-3/

Bryan has indicated that his conversations with MWLL have always included a mutual respect for each others' craft, and the developers of both games have addressed and refuted this allegation several times. There were also allegations of a 'cease and desist' among other pressure tactics... this is also false

Living Legends was an awesome fan-created and free mod which touched on the MechWarrior franchise in a different way than MWO has: But the notion that we were somehow involved in their creator's decision to cease development is inaccurate at best, and toxic at worst.

Living Legends did a better job at being a simulation than a game that is suppose to be a simulation that uses "Chance" critical strikes and bought sensor upgrades. This game only contains a grind that is terrible to go through, and yields ZERO end game content unless you like randomly dropping against another random team. Carry on!

[AceTimberwolf]

SIN Deacon, on 16 September 2013 - 08:12 AM, said:

Living Legends did a better job at being a simulation than a game that is suppose to be a simulation that uses "Chance" critical strikes and bought sensor upgrades. This game only contains a grind that is terrible to go through, and yields ZERO end game content unless you like randomly dropping against another random team. Carry on!

Where are Bought Sensor Upgrades??? What are you talking about?????

[SIN Deacon]

Colonel Pada Vinson, on 16 September 2013 - 08:10 AM, said:

Seriously? What are you guys playing? not this game...only MC only items in this game is paint, camo, and hero mechs, none of which confers any advantage. Everything else is cbills OR MC optionally.

LMFAO

Last I played, and sensor package cost MC. If I have to use real money to obtain a advantage, thats Paid 2 win. Regardless, Hero mechs are paid to win which is enough. Regardless this game can continue to decline and will only be second best compared to any of the other titles under the name.

[Sheraf]

Lostdragon, on 16 September 2013 - 08:11 AM, said:

Sorry, but you are just dead wrong about this. Non-Champion trial mechs suck. A number of variants and chassis suck.

Compare the Victor and the Awesome at 80 tons and show me one thing about the Awesome that is better. The Victor has better hitboxes, a smaller profile, better hardpoints for the current meta, and jump jets (which are a huge help now that the movement restrictions are in). The fact is choosing the Victor is a no brainer, it is really not a choice at all. Are there people that can do well in an Awesome? Sure, but there is a reason you rarely see them in matches.

Most people don't play Awesome because they can't handle it. That does support his idea that mechs don't sux, pilots do . If you can't handle a chassis, it doesn't mean that no one can also, keep that in mind.

[SIN Deacon]

Sorry I should correct myself, the modules in general not just the sensor packages. Once they took rearm and repair away they officially scrubbed this game.

[WVAnonymous]

Still suspect OP is a troll account opened by a longer term disgruntled (or banned) MWO player.

[Corvus Antaka]

SIN Deacon, on 16 September 2013 - 08:18 AM, said:

LMFAO

Last I played, and sensor package cost MC. If I have to use real money to obtain a advantage, thats Paid 2 win. Regardless, Hero mechs are paid to win which is enough. Regardless this game can continue to decline and will only be second best compared to any of the other titles under the name.

what sensor package? the UAV? you can buy that with cbills too....

[VanWinK1LL]

Relatively new player here. No matter what mech is being piloted, from Commando to Atlas, experience and skill trump everything. You have to take your lumps like everyone else, before you start getting good, no matter how good a mech you pilot.

[Itsalrightwithme]

Colonel Pada Vinson, on 16 September 2013 - 08:03 AM, said:

wtf? nothing vital costs money only.

Just time. And vanity ;-).

[SIN Deacon]

I took a quick look at the merc corps out reach. No high end tier team from before January 2013 is still around. I wonder why....