40 replies to this topic

[Deathz Jester]

I dont mean to sound stupid, but Why exactly is it that I get all of the mechs on one day for having Overlord, and the rest of anyone who didn't purchase pack has to wait for specific chassis? What exactly is spreading the release dates of the mechs? If they're ready to be injected on Oct 17th for a bonus pack, then why cant they all just drop at the end of the month?


I know its marketing and what not, but thinking about it, it just seems kind of stupid that "hey these people get all of them on Oct 17th, but the rest of you get them all by the end of next March"

[Bilbo]

Iron Harlequin, on 02 October 2013 - 01:21 PM, said:

I dont mean to sound stupid, but Why exactly is it that I get all of the mechs on one day for having Overlord, and the rest of anyone who didn't purchase pack has to wait for specific chassis? What exactly is spreading the release dates of the mechs? If they're ready to be injected on Oct 17th for a bonus pack, then why cant they all just drop at the end of the month?


I know its marketing and what not, but thinking about it, it just seems kind of stupid that "hey these people get all of them on Oct 17th, but the rest of you get them all by the end of next March"

It's part of the perceived value of the bigger packages. Simple as that.

[Hans Von Lohman]

Iron Harlequin, on 02 October 2013 - 01:21 PM, said:

I dont mean to sound stupid, but Why exactly is it that I get all of the mechs on one day for having Overlord, and the rest of anyone who didn't purchase pack has to wait for specific chassis? What exactly is spreading the release dates of the mechs? If they're ready to be injected on Oct 17th for a bonus pack, then why cant they all just drop at the end of the month?


I know its marketing and what not, but thinking about it, it just seems kind of stupid that "hey these people get all of them on Oct 17th, but the rest of you get them all by the end of next March"

This is an easy one to figured out.

People are paying for early access. emphasis on "paying".

Basic salesmanship says people will pay more if they can get something they want earlier than others. PP will set you back $80, money generated for the game. If all you did was get the mech bay slots, 12 of them for $3 each and get the actual mech with C-bills, then the most money PGI will make is $36, and that is assuming you even buy all of the same mechs from the package.

[Grimlox]

Hans Von Lohman, on 02 October 2013 - 12:57 PM, said:

I've never had a problem hitting mediums and larger mechs. The size might not be as bad as you think if the mech is short for it's weight.

The main thing is that the CT is very skinny on the T-bolt than the side torso. The Centurion lives longer than most due to that, because of the whole 50% damage transfer for shooting a side torso that is technically gone.

The T-bolt looks like a slender CT, so it should be survivable.

I don't think it's quite as simple as that. Consider that the Awesome has a much harder time shielding it's torso because it basically has to turn further to get those arms to come far enough across to shield it. While a smaller CT can be helpful it also makes XL engines less attractive. The overall profile of the width is still pretty important I think.

[BlueVisionWarrior Online]

Iron Harlequin, on 02 October 2013 - 01:21 PM, said:

I dont mean to sound stupid, but Why exactly is it that I get all of the mechs on one day for having Overlord, and the rest of anyone who didn't purchase pack has to wait for specific chassis? What exactly is spreading the release dates of the mechs? If they're ready to be injected on Oct 17th for a bonus pack, then why cant they all just drop at the end of the month?


I know its marketing and what not, but thinking about it, it just seems kind of stupid that "hey these people get all of them on Oct 17th, but the rest of you get them all by the end of next March"

Not only money, like others have said, but it also gives the illusion of regular content updates. How hot would these forums be if PGI released 6 mechs on one patch day, then didn't release another new mech for 6 months? Some people would grind them all out the first week and then not come back as there's no new content to grind. Others would simply freak out and start all sorts of nutty hashtag campaigns like #OMGgiefMOARmechs

[Carrioncrows]

Ooooo


Bigger picture here:

https://pbs.twimg.co...IncdL.jpg:large

[Bishop Steiner]

Hans Von Lohman, on 02 October 2013 - 12:57 PM, said:

I've never had a problem hitting mediums and larger mechs. The size might not be as bad as you think if the mech is short for it's weight.

The main thing is that the CT is very skinny on the T-bolt than the side torso. The Centurion lives longer than most due to that, because of the whole 50% damage transfer for shooting a side torso that is technically gone.

The T-bolt looks like a slender CT, so it should be survivable.

we can hope brother man, we can hope. Much like the poor Orion, all I wan't is a skinny CT to have a good reason to carry a Standard Engine. Though all my smurfy builds for the THUD already leave off Missiles in the hope the variable geometry will keep my Phoenix Mechs from being the next HBK.

[Bishop Steiner]

Iron Harlequin, on 02 October 2013 - 01:21 PM, said:

I dont mean to sound stupid, but Why exactly is it that I get all of the mechs on one day for having Overlord, and the rest of anyone who didn't purchase pack has to wait for specific chassis? What exactly is spreading the release dates of the mechs? If they're ready to be injected on Oct 17th for a bonus pack, then why cant they all just drop at the end of the month?


I know its marketing and what not, but thinking about it, it just seems kind of stupid that "hey these people get all of them on Oct 17th, but the rest of you get them all by the end of next March"

It's actually pretty simple. Mixture of marketing and buying themselves time.

They have been working overtime to get the Phoenix stuff done for a simple reason. Now, through the end of the year, they are not having to make any new IS mechs. In fact I am almost certain we will see Founder's Mech variants for the remaining Heroes this year (small chance of Hero Phoenix Mechs but that might be spitting in the Phoenix buyers eye a little too soon. They WILL come though, obviously).

Why? Simple, actually. The Clans. They have flat out said they are needing breathing room to get the done and balanced and make what ever changes are needed to balance them in game. (Neither Ekman nor Bills nor Weisman like how they were introduced in the original form, so don't be shocked by substantive weapon mechanic changes) Now they just have to click "go" for that month's "Mech of the Month" to be available. A few Geometry and hardpoint changes for the Hero. Done.

As for the PPPacks hitting all at once, as has been said: Marketing. It got a lot more excitement and early capitol going in place of releasing them 1 at a time for said sales would, and got more people to bite for larger packs, as most people would have picked and chose otherwise, skipping the Locust here, maybe getting the Shadowhawk, or maybe a THUD, etc. This got a lot of people to buy the whole enchilada, not just to "Collect them all", but to get to play with them EARLY with lots and lots of Premium time to boot!

And the Clans will almost certainly be introduced the same way (after all, hard to have a "Clan Invasion" if only one chassis is invading each month.) There will be at least 4-6 available for "Instant" access, too.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

I seriously doubt we will get the Pheonix mechs either

1) On time, all at once

2) without serious hit detection, scale, or hitbox issues.

[Bishop Steiner]

mwhighlander, on 02 October 2013 - 08:44 PM, said:

I seriously doubt we will get the Pheonix mechs either

1) On time, all at once

2) without serious hit detection, scale, or hitbox issues.

I feel good about getting them all together.

Scale and Hitboxes though....... buyer beware. Those are two things PGI has chronically whiffed on.

[Johnny Reb]

Bishop Steiner, on 02 October 2013 - 08:55 PM, said:

I feel good about getting them all together.

Scale and Hitboxes though....... buyer beware. Those are two things PGI has chronically whiffed on.

Agree, I only hope 2 have issues, could be all 4! One will be terrible hit-box wise, in my opinion.

[Deathz Jester]

Thats a large number of mechbays full of mechs I'll be having issues with then if the hitbox/detection is off.

[Johnny Reb]

Yeah, it will suck! Hope I am wrong.

[Hans Von Lohman]

Getting the hit boxes to work so you don't feel like you are in a worse mech than the ones already in the game is probably a bigger deal for them now than it was.

You have to think that they've learned that lesson at this point. If they haven't, then I give the proof about the very fast fix for the Kintaro. Now I still don't want to drive a Kintaro, but it is now just a personal preference against the look and the revulsion I had for the original artwork of that mech, but not a gameplay decision.

Getting the height of the mech correct is also something they probably should be more aware of as well. The Quickdraw being taller than assault mechs still sits wrong with me.

[Johnny Reb]

Hans Von Lohman, on 02 October 2013 - 10:29 PM, said:

Getting the hit boxes to work so you don't feel like you are in a worse mech than the ones already in the game is probably a bigger deal for them now than it was.

You have to think that they've learned that lesson at this point. If they haven't, then I give the proof about the very fast fix for the Kintaro. Now I still don't want to drive a Kintaro, but it is now just a personal preference against the look and the revulsion I had for the original artwork of that mech, but not a gameplay decision.

Getting the height of the mech correct is also something they probably should be more aware of as well. The Quickdraw being taller than assault mechs still sits wrong with me.

Yeah, what about the Orion?

[Hans Von Lohman]

Johnny Reb, on 02 October 2013 - 10:53 PM, said:

Yeah, what about the Orion?

I have them, and they're not the best for brawling. In close people go for the CT.

However, I do use them and they work. My twin PPC Orion VA with quad streak launchers is one of my more fun mechs. I don't feel like I am gimpy with it, and there are other mechs that have a similar CT always hit issue such as the Awesome and Catapult.

But, the Thunderbolt may end up being my favorite heavy mech if it has a better/smaller CT than the Orion.

[MisterPlanetarian]

Bishop Steiner, on 02 October 2013 - 03:52 PM, said:

It's actually pretty simple. Mixture of marketing and buying themselves time.

They have been working overtime to get the Phoenix stuff done for a simple reason. Now, through the end of the year, they are not having to make any new IS mechs. In fact I am almost certain we will see Founder's Mech variants for the remaining Heroes this year (small chance of Hero Phoenix Mechs but that might be spitting in the Phoenix buyers eye a little too soon. They WILL come though, obviously).

Why? Simple, actually. The Clans. They have flat out said they are needing breathing room to get the done and balanced and make what ever changes are needed to balance them in game. (Neither Ekman nor Bills nor Weisman like how they were introduced in the original form, so don't be shocked by substantive weapon mechanic changes) Now they just have to click "go" for that month's "Mech of the Month" to be available. A few Geometry and hardpoint changes for the Hero. Done.

As for the PPPacks hitting all at once, as has been said: Marketing. It got a lot more excitement and early capitol going in place of releasing them 1 at a time for said sales would, and got more people to bite for larger packs, as most people would have picked and chose otherwise, skipping the Locust here, maybe getting the Shadowhawk, or maybe a THUD, etc. This got a lot of people to buy the whole enchilada, not just to "Collect them all", but to get to play with them EARLY with lots and lots of Premium time to boot!

And the Clans will almost certainly be introduced the same way (after all, hard to have a "Clan Invasion" if only one chassis is invading each month.) There will be at least 4-6 available for "Instant" access, too.

Deductive reasoning! All to rare on these forums.

Bishop Steiner, on 02 October 2013 - 08:55 PM, said:

I feel good about getting them all together.

Scale and Hitboxes though....... buyer beware. Those are two things PGI has chronically whiffed on.

Battlemaster head hitbox worries me a bit but the others seem fine.

Edited by MisterPlanetarian, 03 October 2013 - 05:42 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

MisterPlanetarian, on 03 October 2013 - 05:38 AM, said:

Deductive reasoning! All to rare on these forums.





Battlemaster head hitbox worries me a bit but the others seem fine.

more worried torso and Missile "Hunches".

[ShotgunWillie]

Hans Von Lohman, on 02 October 2013 - 01:32 PM, said:

This is an easy one to figured out.

People are paying for early access. emphasis on "paying".

Basic salesmanship says people will pay more if they can get something they want earlier than others. PP will set you back $80, money generated for the game. If all you did was get the mech bay slots, 12 of them for $3 each and get the actual mech with C-bills, then the most money PGI will make is $36, and that is assuming you even buy all of the same mechs from the package.

Your overall point is valid, but your math is off, which bothers my OCD, so:

Mech bays are 300 MC. If you buy MC in the least efficient manner (1250 MC for $6.95), a mech bay costs $1.67. To buy 12 mech bays in this manner, you have to buy the 1250 MC package 3 times, for a total of $20.85. This gives you 3750 MC. To get the 12 mech bays, you will spend 3600 MC ($20.02, actually 20.016, but rounding FTW, right?). You will have 150 MC ($0.83, actually 0.834, but again, rounding). Regardless, PGI only gets 20.85 out of that.

Even if you buy the two lowest MC packs once each (3000 MC for $14.95 and 1250 MC for 6.95), PGI gets 24.90 and you have 650 MC ($3.35 [3.349]) left over after buying your mech bays. You spend $18.55 on those bays and have enough MC left to buy 2 more.

If you buy enough MC to only have to do one transaction (6500 MC for 29.95), PGi still only gets $29.95, but you get your 12 mech bays for $16.59 (16.587) and have 2900 MC ($13.36) left over.

So, PGI never actually gets $36.00 out of those 12 mech bays.

But yes, your point of "Some people will just buy mech bays with MC and buy the mechs with CBills later and PGI gets way less money that way" is valid.

[Finn McShae]

After a month plus hiatus due to comptuer exploding, I'm finally going to get back to playing MWO.... soon.

Since I missed the ENTIRE Orion month (and that was my #1 mech I wanted from day 1) I'm going to pray that my Thuds show up ON TIME and I can use my 2nd favorite TT mech to grind CBills for my favorite TT mech.

So, excited. Very excited.