129 replies to this topic

[Primez]

Nick Makiaveli, on 08 October 2013 - 03:46 PM, said:

Bottom line....if you aren't having fun running around blowing stuff up, you're doing it wrong. Or you just aren't a mechwarrior and maybe you should quit and go back to being an astech.

Thats just it alot of people have quit to the point where you see the same poeple over and over again in matchmaking. Also those people who quit most likely won't be coming back.

Edited by Primez, 08 October 2013 - 09:44 PM.

[Roadbeer]

Skiddywinks, on 05 October 2013 - 06:56 AM, said:

now starts looking seriously tasty.

Just by using the word 'tasty' completely invalidates anything you said before it... which, by the way, was for the most part wrong.

[japes]

Pasted this the other week on reddit and got a lot of responses. I've voiced concerns about the monetisation of MechWarrior Online to support but it fell on deaf ears and I never received a response.

Let me start by saying that I believe I'm more inclined to spend more money on F2P titles than many others, at least those I play with. I'm in my mid-twenties, no children, which means a decent percentage of my income is disposable and I've got a fair bit of time every night to game. I currently play three F2P titles: League of Legends, War Thunder, and MechWarrior Online. I believe I've spent USD$280 on MechWarrior Online so far (4*50 + Phoenix Overlord).

Let me start with the positives of the current MWO model:

I don't believe MechWarrior Online offers any serious pay-to-win elements:

- 'Mech slots aren't necessary to be competitive (you can Master a single competitive chassis without buying any)
- Premium Time simply increases currency accumulation and saves time.
- Hero 'Mechs offer no competitive advantage other than the YLW (Only Centurion that can AC20) and Misery (Only Stalker with a ballistic) but it's minor.
- Colours and patterns are purely aesthetic.

Now the negatives.

Everything is too expensive other than 'Mech Bays.

First point is to start by reverting the cost of MC into real dollars so it's more recognisable and comparable: USD$50 for 12000MC == $1 for 240MC. For some industry relevance, lets also say $50 is the average cost of a full price title release (more here in Australia, but thanks internet).

- This places 'Mech Bays, arguably the most important upgrade, at a mere $1.25 each, something I believe is more than acceptable.

As far as reasonable priced upgrades in MWO, that's about as far as things go unfortunately. Let's take a look at regular 'Mech prices, what you get for that money, and how it compares to other games.

Lets look at a few popular and competitive Heavy and Assault chassis' for this example, the Catapult K2, Cataphract 3D, and the Highlander 733C. The 3D is more expensive than other Cataphracts due to it having a 280XL at purchase.

- Catapult K2 is available for 2125MC, or USD$8.85
- Cataphract 3D comes in at 3955MC which puts it at USD$16.47
- Highlander 733C will set you back 3465MC, so USD$14.43

The K2 is about where 'Mech prices should be in my opinion, however, keep in mind that most chassis' are not competitive in their purchase state - most are not provided with Endo-Steel or Double Heatsinks, and only the 3D comes with an engine that I'd even consider using in the load-out. Consider also that you need to purchase at least two other variants of the chassis to master it and get the most out of it.

Compare these prices to the current king of F2P titles, League of Legends, where at the absolute maximum you're paying USD$7 (975 Riot Points) for a single champion in their most expensive pricing tier. On top of that, it's ready to go in its basic state.

It essentially means that you can only pick up about only 4-5 standard variant 'Mechs, that aren't even (truly) ready to use, for the price of a standard full release title.

Things get even worse from there:

Hero 'Mech's range from USD$7.81 for a Death's Knell (widely regarded as useless in the current state of the game) to a staggering USD$28.12 for a Heavy Metal (and more now with the 100T Boar's Atlas), with two of the most popular and viable Hero's being priced at $21.87 for the Ilya Muromets and $26.56 for the Misery.

Simple paint colours, a staple of customisation in games since I can't remember, cost $2.08-$4.16 each depending on their grade. Patterns, which are awkwardly implemented into the game with no description, are reasonably priced for the Single Use ($0.31-$0.52) but will set you back $3.12 to $5.20 per Chassis-type. Decals aren't introduced yet so we'll wait and see their pricing.

It's probably too late now for a complete overhaul, but I'd like PGI/IGP to at least consider adding packs in for players similar to what War Thunder did when being introduced to Steam. The Phoenix packages are the a step in the right direction for value, but should not be offered as a desperation pre-order.

Players should be able to choose high value packages for Lights/Mediums/Heavies/Assaults where they're given a 'Mech of 3 different chassis', 'Mech Bays to hold them, and an amount of MC to allow customisation of those Chassis.

For Example:

MechWarrior Online "Pigs can Fly" Heavy Package - USD$24.99 (One Purchase per Account)

Provided with the following 'Mechs:

- Catapult CPLT-C4 (Usually 2350MC)
- Cataphract CTF-3D (Usually 3955MC)
- Quickdraw QKD-5K (Usually 2235MC)

and the following account unlocks:

- "Amaranth" Pink Colour (Usually 500MC)
- "Pyramid" Brown Colour (Usually 500MC)
- "Titanium White" Premium White Colour (Usually 1000MC)
- Unique "Flying Pig" Decal, acquired through this package only.

Plus:

- 2000 Mechwarrior Credits added to your account.

Order now and receive immediately ingame blah blah

Note: Immediately is important. Pre-orders for well-valued packages raises suspicions about developer motives. Give us the well-valued packages immediately.

The total of the package, not including the unique decal, comes in at 12540MC/USD$52.25 worth of goods for a once off $24.99 - I'd buy it if I didn't already have everything on it but the colours and Quickdraw - run a heap of packs themed like that or varying, just like they do with their sales every weekend, and I guarantee it would do well. Hell, chuck in a new Quickdraw Hero or another Hero Heavy with JJ's, plus replacing the C4 with the A1(C) for that price as well. Only need to take one look at the popularity of the War Thunder Steam Advanced Ace sale package that was something like $150 worth of value for $30 with 25% off.

Players should also have the option of purchasing chassis bundles, where you can essentially buy every 'Mech of a single chassis at a bundle price, and have the Hero included for it - and in my opinion it should be at about the price of what single Hero 'Mech's are now.

On top of that, the weekend sales are so hit or miss. Last fortnights CataConversion sale was good, and then it was followed up with the Chaos Theory sale which offered nothing of any real interest to most players. Colour themes should be offered up every weekend at 50% to encourage customisation and battlefield variety - even at 500MC the so called 'Premium' colours are too expensive in my opinion. They should be somewhere along the lines of 100/250MC standard.

I could go on but that's a wall already. Offer more incentives, especially if you refuse to drop some of the obscene prices.

[Almond Brown]

Sandpit, on 26 September 2013 - 12:27 PM, said:

It's not that I "can't" afford it, it's that I have too many other options that give me more value for that same amount of money. I'm tired of people making it sound like those of us stating the prices are too high are poor slobs who can't afford a couple of burgers off of the dollar menu at McDonald's.
Don't you get it? We aren't saying this because we cant' afford it. Get that mentality out of your rhetoric. We are saying I can buy 2-4 games full games for the price of a single mech in a game that has no other replay value other than let's stomp out and shoot the bad guys again. You couple with the fact that PGI seems to be much more focused on pushing out sale events and purchasable items than game content itself and that even worsens my opinion on spending money with them.
$40 for a single mech in a game with absolutely no depth or storyline and only one real game mode is not a good value. For that exact same price I got 10k MC and a month of premium time in the founder's pack. I understand that was a special investment type sale but it still gives you a better example of what that same amount of money COULD get you.
Take a look at the greatest hits section of PS3 sometime (almost every game priced at $20) and you compare just about any of those games not only against a single mech purchase but the entire game of MWO itself and tell me which really has more value overall?
Why would you even argue against those talking about this? NOBODY is saying PGI shouldn't monetize certain things and have ways to generate revenue. Most of us are simply stating you don't have to try and earn your entire third quarter profits in 5 purchases

Hold on there Chief! No one called anyone cheap. If you got the money and don't see a bargain, then your good. Marketing tells these Dev's, and ALL F2P Dev, what their Market(s) will handle for price ranges. Not everyone is going to BUY, whether they have the money or not.

Stating that you would buy it things were cheaper, need to have 450k more voices, with CC's already in the PAID queue to have any true validity. Saying it on a Forum is simply wasted text. There is no way for the seller to be assured it is the truth (not that anyone would ever simply outright lie about their claim to spend on the Internet, right?)

Edited by Almond Brown, 10 October 2013 - 10:21 AM.

[Almond Brown]

OmniJackal, on 26 September 2013 - 05:26 PM, said:

Are you saying that people who have waited a year for real content are impatient? I see that you're not only not a founder but probably a freeplayer as well. Don't lecture me on patience.

Well excuse us non-founders. Don't get butt-hurt or feel lectured dude. Most games, back in the day, would never provide players access to any Development under 2.5 years in. Nowadays the Devs let everyone in after 12 months and this is what they get. "Hurry up you slackers" when those who scream have NO idea what is actually involved.

So yes, you are impatient claiming the Content delivery is slow. That or are one of many who simply feel they are "entitled" as they spent a few dollars early on. Grow up ffs.

[Roadbeer]

OmniJackal, on 25 September 2013 - 07:01 PM, said:

Exactly. The Phoenix package hasn't even been delivered yet and they're already talking about a clan invasion package. This is a SLAP IN THE FACE to everyone that spent money on these guys in good faith. I wish I was a lawyer because the constant lip service to INVESTORS at this point seems down right criminal.

Um, you're not an investor in anything but investing in future entertainment, and if you've used your premium time, MC, mech, or early entry into beta, you got what you paid for...
If you have used a single mech that has been released or dropped on any map that has come out since CB, you have received a return on your investment.

Unbunch your panties Sparky, you're entitled to squat.

[Saarna]

Almond Brown, on 10 October 2013 - 10:19 AM, said:

Stating that you would buy it things were cheaper, need to have 450k more voices, with CC's already in the PAID queue to have any true validity. Saying it on a Forum is simply wasted text. There is no way for the seller to be assured it is the truth (not that anyone would ever simply outright lie about their claim to spend on the Internet, right?)

Lower prices generating more transactions and revenue is not just a claim, it's a fact backed up by Steam sales for example:

http://www.gamasutra..._your_games.php

To quote a few pertinent bits:

"We find that we get several thousand percent increases in units and revenue on the days of the Steam sales, and unit sales are usually about double the normal for a few weeks after the sales are over,"

"2D dungeon crawler The Binding of Isaac, for example, saw sales multiply by five when it was marked down by 50 percent, and once it hit the front page as a temporary "Flash Deal" (for 75 percent off), sales multiplied by sixty."

"It's not uncommon for our partners to see [a] 10-20 times revenue increase on games they run as a 'Daily Deal.' Some titles really take off and see as much [as a] 70-80 times increase in revenue," Holtman said.

"Rather than looking at it as a 'lost sale' when people wait for these Steam discounts, I think it needs to be viewed as reaching out to a new customer that never would have purchased your game otherwise."

On a personal note the last bit is especially important. At the current pricing I will never purchase any 'mech, vanity item or a color - outside my already owned unit colors - for MC, nor premium time for that matter. The only reasonably priced items available in my opinion are 'mechbays and single use camo schemes, both of which I incidentally own a plenty.

[mad kat]

Knock Knock......Hello....Knock Knock....PGI are you listening?

[Shae Starfyre]

I haven't posted in a long time due to lack of drive to want to, but I feel like something needs to be realized.

A Grind, cost, and everything seems to high comparison...

Dungeons and Dragons Online (F2P) Character, and I am no Expert here;

Working from 1st level to 12th level so far; as a casual gamer (not power leveling); approx 20 hours of play waiting for groups, looking for EQ on the auction, etc..

I compare this, since DDO has 1-28 levels, as it gets more lengthy to level as you go, seeing that a light Mech might be like leveling 1st-10th, 11-16 a Medium, 17-22 a Heavy, and 23 + an Assault.

As a casual gamer, I have only two 20th level characters, and one I TR'd before Epics were introduced. I have been playing DDO casually for several years.

I feel that the chassis of Mech is kind of like creating a character, but with the added weight of getting to at least 7th level - now, in DDO, I can purchase the ability to create 7th characters, bypassing some of this...etc.

Personally, I believe, it is the perception of the Grind that is the issue; in DDO, there are little things, constantly, that you get nearly everyday; new item, a pip to use for enhancements, possibly a level, make adjustments to the character in other ways, roll a die for something random, etc. that make it feel less like a grind.

If PGI revamps, with UI 2.0, adding tutorials, possibly a means to test drive, perhaps the salvage, turn MC to c-bills, and so forth, the grind my seem less like a grind, as there are even more things to manipulate and evaluate.

But, from a progression perspective, I see no difference between MWO and DDO, and god forbid you try and play EvE Online (been doing so for nearly 9 years, and I still don't have a capital ship (atlas equivalent, maybe).

Besides all this, even the costs are very similar; see what it takes to buy your way into a level 28 character with the best stats possible. It will cost you about the same as 3 Atlas', it just doesn't seem like it because they are a lot of little transactions (+3-5 stat tombs per main stats, Crafting Materials, possibly Shards, Hearts of Wood if you make a mistake, and so forth).

It is the perception alone that causes the strife.... it just doesn't seem like you are getting anywhere.

I used DDO because of the similarities as a time sync. If I compared EvE, there is no comparison; as a matter of fact, probably 90% of this games player base could not survive the first 14 day trial period, so that would be a moot exercise.

Suffice it to say, almost all F2P games I have tried over the past 2-3 years have very similar time frames to an end game character (3 Atlas', one mastered).

Anyone who thinks otherwise, causally speaking mind you, is deluding themselves due to the perception of the grind without seemingly any rewards for a long period of time as opposed to those other games.

After all, who would want to level or play any of the other games for 20-50 hours before you got anything?

And yet, it would be a similar end result.


F2P with tons of little rewards that lead to a big end reward versus a F2P with a only a few high end rewards towards the end is the perceived difference.

So, in retrospect, I do not believe it is the cost, the grind, the c-bills earned, it is the length of time before something can be tangibly received from the day to day effort.

That's my take, and sorry for the lengthy post. If you read its entirety, I think it will make sense, and I applaud you. If you pick it apart, your feeding the perception/delusion.

After several months of playing, I have 33 bays, 28 Mechs, mostly mastered, around 15 mil in cbills, and yes, I bought almost ever hero (hate the Kintaro ), but never used premium time although I bought the overlord package, probably will never activate the time, because I play so causally.

Point is, over time, and a little money here and there (thinking the cost of a new game once a month), your inventory will grow, and you too can be a play-for-fun kind of person (not that it wasn't fun since the start for me, I just never prescribe to the need to be worried about virtual things, K/D, W/L, costs, etc.).

Good luck.

FYI: I know Eve Online is not free to play, I was using it as a generalization of a time sync/perception of what the work 'Grind' CAN REALLY MEAN! In comparison, MWO, in the past 9 months or so, for me, compared to EvE, is like staying at 4th level in DDO that whole time at the same cost as spending some MC here and ther.... See, now I am just getting mad, you people have no idea how easy you have it in this free to play model....I better stop.

Edited by Aphoticus, 11 October 2013 - 05:36 AM.

[tvaughanx]

Its way to expensive you can buy skyrim with dlc's for 60$ an that 500+ hours of game play what takes longer to make 500+ hours of giant map multiple classes hundreds of weapons 1000's of hours of voice overs and a sound track...... but some how Bethesda only charges 60$

oh yeah skyrim with hires looks better than this game an with mods its not even close

Edited by tvaughanx, 11 October 2013 - 05:33 AM.

[Accursed Richards]

Aphoticus, on 11 October 2013 - 05:24 AM, said:

After several months of playing, I have 33 bays, 28 Mechs, mostly mastered, around 15 mil in cbills, and yes, I bought almost ever hero (hate the Kintaro ), but never used premium time although I bought the overlord package, probably will never activate the time, because I play so causally.

But a big chunk of that time was under the old earnings, wasn't it? Now imagine you're starting out (or never had that many mech bays), and how the grind to trying out all those awesome designs the game teases you with looks now.

My history is much the same as what you describe, and I think the old earnings were balanced just right. There was a sense of progression towards the next mech (the only sort of progression that the game HAS now), but it wasn't "instant gratification" by any stretch of the imagination, and it was easy to talk myself into dropping the odd tenner to try out a Stalker or whatever. Paying for a poor mech or loadout wasn't punished harshly, and stuff like XL engines or the DHS tax felt far less obnoxious.

Aphoticus, on 11 October 2013 - 05:24 AM, said:

Point is, over time, and a little money here and there (thinking the cost of a new game once a month), your inventory will grow, and you too can be a play-for-fun kind of person (not that it wasn't fun since the start for me, I just never prescribe to the need to be worried about virtual things, K/D, W/L, costs, etc.).

Good luck.

....or I could get an actual new game once a month, often one that comes with it's own online modes. Or multiple budget games

[Shae Starfyre]

Accursed Richards, on 11 October 2013 - 05:45 AM, said:

But a big chunk of that time was under the old earnings, wasn't it? Now imagine you're starting out (or never had that many mech bays), and how the grind to trying out all those awesome designs the game teases you with looks now.

My history is much the same as what you describe, and I think the old earnings were balanced just right. There was a sense of progression towards the next mech (the only sort of progression that the game HAS now), but it wasn't "instant gratification" by any stretch of the imagination, and it was easy to talk myself into dropping the odd tenner to try out a Stalker or whatever. Paying for a poor mech or loadout wasn't punished harshly, and stuff like XL engines or the DHS tax felt far less obnoxious.



....or I could get an actual new game once a month, often one that comes with it's own online modes. Or multiple budget games

Points well taken, but I believe that Clan Wars and Loyality Points and fine tuning, U.I 2.0, etc., will make it feel less grindy.
I do admit, that I feel like I have been able to achieve some 20-30% less acquisition since the c-bill nerf.

So, in that sense, I would have, 33 bays (still bought what I bought, and the reason it was so high is I bought and sold mechs to buy better mechs), 20-30% fewer Mechs (so around 22 instead of 28 Mechs)., and around 11.5 mil CBillls.

When you get to the end result, the difference appears to have less of an impact.

For the new player, sure, I agree that the perception is that they are getting no where, but if the reduction really is 20-30% in profits, by the middle of next year, they will be embarrassed to re-read some of their posts, if they can get passed the perception of micro gains versus end result gains.

I know I would.

Not one reply in all these posts, took some founders loot and reduced it by 30% and went, 'Uh, that's not so bad" ... it is the perception of the moment that keeps getting in the way of having fun.

Sheesh, I didn't know I could make Isk without doing anything until someone turned me on to Data Core mining after 2-3 years of play.

I didn't know for at least a year, in DDO, what crafting really could do for your character.

MWO players have no idea what their gains will really look like in 6 months if they use a little common sense, read the forum, and spend judiciously (that would be roughly 10-12 Mechs Mastered, 30% of what I have - less the hero mechs, 30% less of those if they care to buy them, of course.).

What is really interesting, is that the more I play, the more fun I have, at times, the more I make without realizing it. If I look at my gains each match, and start doing math, I get depressed. I then have to remember, it is only a game, and when will I see that a-hole next game so I can put an AC 20 in his rear!

Perception is the Key to Understanding. The reality is, we spend money foolishly, all the time, and waste a lot of time on a lot of stupid things. This is no different. It just seems there are many people who want to get to wasting money and wasting time faster for some reason... who would have thought?

Edited by Aphoticus, 11 October 2013 - 06:16 AM.

[Harmatia]

MechWarrior Online and League of Legends are an interesting comparison on how-to and not-to do something.

[Sandpit]

I love it when people make definitive and blanket type statements based on pure speculation due to not having any actual data lol

[Accursed Richards]

Aphoticus, on 11 October 2013 - 05:59 AM, said:

Points well taken, but I believe that Clan Wars and Loyality Points and fine tuning, U.I 2.0, etc., will make it feel less grindy.

That's great! Or it would be, if we had any reliable idea when the features were arriving (and if you intend to quote a PGI statement in response, bear in mind CW was originally said to be coming out within 90 days of open beta). Or an idea of how they would improve earnings. And why reduce earnings months and months before the features that will balance those reduced earnings?

Aphoticus, on 11 October 2013 - 05:59 AM, said:

For the new player, sure, I agree that the perception is that they are getting no where, but if the reduction really is 20-30% in profits, by the middle of next year, they will be embarrassed to re-read some of their posts, if they can get passed the perception of micro gains versus end result gains.

Which doesn't really have much effect for the new player who calculates how many games they'l have to play for the mech that caught their eye, shrug and move onto a new game that doesn't strong-arm them into paying up--well, at least not so shamelessly.

Aphoticus, on 11 October 2013 - 05:59 AM, said:

Sheesh, I didn't know I could make Isk without doing anything until someone turned me on to Data Core mining after 2-3 years of play.

I didn't know for at least a year, in DDO, what crafting really could do for your character.

MWO players have no idea what their gains will really look like in 6 months if they use a little common sense, read the forum, and spend judiciously (that would be roughly 10-12 Mechs Mastered, 30% of what I have - less the hero mechs, 30% less of those if they care to buy them, of course.).What is really interesting, is that the more I play, the more fun I have, at times, the more I make without realizing it. If I look at my gains each match, and start doing math, I get depressed. I then have to remember, it is only a game, and when will I see that a-hole next game so I can put an AC 20 in his rear!

Perception is the Key to Understanding. The reality is, we spend money foolishly, all the time, and waste a lot of time on a lot of stupid things. This is no different. It just seems there are many people who want to get to wasting money and wasting time faster for some reason... who would have thought?

I don't get the notion of having to "earn" your fun. You keep saying "Reduced earnings are depressing, but other stuff is good." Those aren't reasons to have reduced earnings. Be honest, the day before the nerf did you think "You know, I'm really making far too much money here, something should be done about it!" ? Probably not, unless you were a player with all the money you could need already stockpiled. And guess what? The earnings nerf didn't affect those players in the slightest.

I agree that if someone uses clever tricks to save money and exploit the earnings system (graze every enemy with a ERLL for maximum assists, don't cap, don't play Conquest), they can get a semblance of their old earnings (assuming your team is non-dreadful, of course). But again, why? What does that add to the game, other than a vague feeling of superiority at having dodged a noob trap? You're saying the game is fun despite the money nerf, not because of it.

And again, it's a bold assumption that someone who sees their earnings crawling up at a snail's pace will stick around for six months to begin with! There's demanding instant gratification, and there's not being a (pain lover). This game does not, let's be honest, have the depth of any MMO out there. You drop in even teams to fight over the same handful of maps with no metagame, no reward except money and XP. Out of the actual fights, the only activity where player choice matters is in buying, outfitting and testing new mechs. The earnings nerf makes that far harder than it used to be, so an already unvaried game becomes even more monotonous because I must use the same familiar mechs time after time after time. And I've got a decently varied stable; I'd hate to be locked into just one or two!


(edit) Apparently the medically accepted term for someone who enjoys pain is considered obscene by the forum software.

Edited by Accursed Richards, 11 October 2013 - 01:32 PM.

[Team Leader]

Well, whatever happens here in the future, best of luck. PGI has my money, they can keep it. I just dropped $80 dollars on Star Citizen and am playing Roller Coaster Tycoon and GTA V until it goes Alpha I have absolutely no desire to play this game anymore not even go on the forums. Its just... all the fun is sucked out of it. The forums themselves feel like a grind to get to "real content" that never comes.

Edited by Team Leader, 11 October 2013 - 03:20 PM.

[Roadbeer]

Team Leader, on 11 October 2013 - 03:19 PM, said:

Well, whatever happens here in the future, best of luck. PGI has my money, they can keep it. I just dropped $80 dollars on Star Citizen and am playing Roller Coaster Tycoon and GTA V until it goes Alpha I have absolutely no desire to play this game anymore not even go on the forums. Its just... all the fun is sucked out of it. The forums themselves feel like a grind to get to "real content" that never comes.

We'll see...bet cashy money you post again within 30 days

[Ph30nix]

Archio, on 25 September 2013 - 12:29 PM, said:

<tinfoil hat>

This game feels like a ploy to grab as much money as possible while holding out a carrot on a string (UI 2.0, CW, ClanTech). Then once they have enough money, or feel they cant get any more, they'll walk away.

</tinfoil hat>

its not a tinfoil hat sir, It's happened before and it will happen again.

[monk]

I've never paid for anything yet. I don't know if I will. Frankly, the prices are insane. If mechs were 3-7 bucks a pop with their mech bay included and we had sales popping up regularly I'd probably own a ton. As things are right now, the only way I'll ever spend money on this game is if the CW is so amazing that I feel they deserve something in support. I have no problems paying full price for a good game, but the pricing model they have right now is madness. Right now, if you buy a few mechs and you are already past full price for another game that has all the features already completed. This game is far more like a CCG than anything else right now, but the sad part is that everything is priced like that special rare you've been drooling over. There are a ton of mechs I'd like to try, but never will because I'm not about to drop the MC costs on them and I don't have thousands of hours to grind out the cbills and lets be honest, I can't even get the mech bays anyhow without spending money (which I think is stupid, btw). However, if I could pick up a barebones mech for 3 bucks...I'd try a ton and see which ones fit my style.

I have a hard time believing that they wouldn't sell a ton more if they seriously cut prices. This isn't product they have to manufacture after it's been designed. It's just free to reproduce for anyone who wants it after they have made it. The point of not wanting every player to own every mech? I can't see one. Really, the goal should be to have every player want to own EVERY mech for their collection. As is, this will never be. I can't even imagine what it would cost to buy every mech in the game right now. I'm sure someone knows what that cost is, but I don't remember seeing it posted around here.

Anyhow, the bang for the buck with MWO is awful. Premium time doesn't make any sense right now. What are you going to do with those extra cbills? You still have to buy more mech bays if you want to buy new mechs with those extra bills you earn, so it's like double dipping into your wallet.

I don't mean to suggest that those who have supported PGI/IGP are wrong to have done so (I think crowd sourcing games is a great thing - everyone wins when they turn out as expected), but a lot of us aren't mega super fans of MechWarrior or BT. Sure, I grew up with the TT books and all, but that doesn't mean I am about to spend hundreds of dollars on digital miniatures. I've already been down that road way too many times in real life. =)

It's sad, though. The game is fun right now, even with it's issues and missing features. And honestly, I'd be happy spending cash if I didn't feel like I was being abused for doing so.

[The Animus]

Sarah's Mech. Otherwise I haven't paid anything. The sad part is that this game as "released" is worse than a beta made like 10 years ago. Multiplayer Battletech 3025 as a beta actually has in game factions, a map divided into territories, and if you won in a territory you'd gain +x% control of it. It didn't actually give you anything for finally taking out another faction after much planning and a long night but at least it was SOMETHING. And as I said that was beta.

Give us real community warfare and fix the other issues like the matchmaker, hit detection, MC pricing, C-bill grind and I will pay $$$.