6 replies to this topic

[Ecrof]

To me it seems depressing that with all the time the flea has been delayed that masc would have been done a long time ago. I do not think that the speed cap needed to raised to figure out how masc would work as a game mechanic. Is the speed cap going to be raised again? That is the only reason I can think of that masc has not been finished. Any ideas why the flea/masc has not been released?

Edited by Ecrof, 09 November 2013 - 04:52 PM.

[Arnold J Rimmer]

As I recall, it was something to do with the fact that the engine couldn't handle the mechs moving at the high speeds they were capable of on paper. It's why the speed cap was introduced at 151.3kph, and then (I think - it certainly felt like it) they nerfed the speed further while keeping the numbers the same (so what was 151kph before was not so after, while the speedometer still read 151).

They seem to be getting over these hurdles though, which was why they increased the cap to 171.2kph. Hopefully MASC will come soon!

[Deathlike]

There is no honest ETA in this. I suspect the "Cryengine" update that is required will need UI 2.0 finished before potentially "breaking things further".

Adding MASC as a concept could be added, but right now it's tied to the Flea, which has no actual ETA date... at least 2014 at the earliest and that's not even counting how delayed CW will be.

[pbiggz]

Bad netcode is why there is no masc. No ETA so far but the netcode is good enough now to move the speed cap to 170, so its not too far off.

[Strum Wealh]

Another issue would be modeling MASC's tonnage and crit requirements.
In BattleTech, IS-built MASC takes up a number of tons & a number of criticals (that all have to be in the same place) equal to a 'Mech's total tonnage divided by 20 (rounded up to the nearest integer for both tonnage and crits), while Clan-built MASC takes up a number of tons & a number of criticals (again, that all have to be in the same place) equal to a 'Mech's tonnage divided by 25 (rounded up to the nearest integer for both tonnage and crits).
As such:

• a MASC system for a 20-ton IS 'Mech would weigh 1.0 tons and consume one critical & a MASC system for a 20-ton Clan 'Mech would weigh 1.0 tons and consume one critical,
  
• a MASC system for a 45-ton IS 'Mech would weigh 3.0 tons and consume three criticals & a MASC system for a 45-ton Clan 'Mech would weigh 2.0 tons and consume two criticals, and
  
• a MASC system for a 100-ton IS 'Mech would weigh 5.0 tons and consume five criticals & a MASC system for a 100-ton Clan 'Mech would weigh 4.0 tons and consume four criticals.

There may also be the issues of whether MASC should be available to all 'Mechs or restricted to specific variants (thus giving incentives to playing those specific 'Mechs/variants), and whether MASC can be mounted anywhere that there is space (like BAP) or if there would be a specific "MASC hardpoint" (as there are specific hardpoints for both AMS and ECM), how to make not equipping MASC an option comparable in potential value to equipping MASC (that is, how to make it so that MASC does not become a "must have in order to be competitive" item), (if cross-tech customization in general is allowed) how to deal with cross-tech MASC compatibility as well as cross-tech MASC comparability/balancing (e.g. what additional drawbacks (if any) would/should Clan-built MASC have in exchange for being lighter and smaller, in order for IS-built MASC to remain worthwhile as a potential option).

[Sandpit]

UI2.0 according to devs

[Ahja]

Well it should not be a surprise that it is not in game. Frankly I glad it is not after the disappointment I have over other systems they have in game. Like PPC's, ECM, BAP, Ultra AC5, and many more. I would rather they leave it out if they cant make it like it was intended to operate. We dont need another crappy game changing system like ECM running around the field (he he joke).