132 replies to this topic

[HammerSwarm]

Damocles69, on 12 March 2014 - 09:07 AM, said:

This is a great point. Even if the meta changes, any way you slice it hawks seem to be king of the mediums

Until you fix SRMs. You want a mech to challenge the shadowhawk fix SRMS, the Griffon will eat it alive.

[Tiamat of the Sea]

TELEFORCE, on 12 March 2014 - 09:08 AM, said:

Are the Vindicator and the Blackjack the only available Inner Sphere 45 tonners in this time period?

EDIT: Forgot the Wyvern.

Technically, the Hatchetman and Phoenix Hawk, but Phoenix Hawk is reseen, and physical combat/destructible terrain/knockdown package (apparently these are grouped together as one package for some reason?) is in the out-of-range future. Wolfhound hasn't got the variants.

Edited by Elli Gujar, 13 March 2014 - 03:50 PM.

[Monsoon]

Majorfatboy, on 13 March 2014 - 01:26 PM, said:

There is another 45er.......................




Le Wolftrap, from TRO 3050.

But if you read, the only variant available rolled out in 3051, so unless this is the one they're going to 'fudge' with the timeline, I'd highly doubt it.

[Monsoon]

HammerSwarm, on 13 March 2014 - 03:47 PM, said:

Until you fix SRMs. You want a mech to challenge the shadowhawk fix SRMS, the Griffon will eat it alive.

Personally, I couldn't wait for the Griffin. But I really do enjoy piloting the Wolverine more then I ever expected.

But for my most efficient mechs, it's the GRF-1N, followed by the SHD-5M.

[Appogee]

Monsoon, on 13 March 2014 - 04:52 PM, said:

...the only variant available rolled out in 3051, so unless this is the one they're going to 'fudge' with the timeline, I'd highly doubt it.

They've already said they've given up on the timeline.

[Cavendish]

Appogee, on 13 March 2014 - 10:25 PM, said:

They've already said they've given up on the timeline.

Where is this posted? Never heard anything about that.

[Strum Wealh]

Cavendish, on 14 March 2014 - 01:33 AM, said:

Appogee, on 13 March 2014 - 10:25 PM, said:

They've already said they've given up on the timeline.

Where is this posted? Never heard anything about that.

Actually, they said exactly the opposite in ATD #50.

Quote

#13 Xenroth: What do you think about not-so-common weapons that already exist in the timeline, like the Long Tom and Swarm LRM? Will we see them in the future?
A: We're focused on Clan tech weapons and items currently. After that we can look at adding any other items that are currently available in the 3050 era.

...

#43 Sir Stomps A Lot: Any chance we'll see a small ballistic weapon other than machine guns in the near future? My Locust 1V(P) would really like some variety.
A: If it's in the timeline and available, eventually.

Basically, they're not using the timeline for marketing purposes at this point (e.g. tweets, ISN posts, and so on), but the timeline is still being used to determine what 'Mechs and equipment they would make available.

[NextGame]

Mott, on 13 March 2014 - 07:34 AM, said:

I don't "get" the moaning that the Vindicator won't give us anything we don't already have.

I understand the sentiment... The Vind won't do anything better than any other mech.

But looking ahead to CW and back on Lore, it makes perfect sense. Houses didn't have access to ALL mechs of ALL weight types, so they developed many different chassis of their own, that ended up being very similar in abilities/weaknesses as some mechs of their enemies.

Right now, while the game is nothing more than repeated pointless skirmishes, better mech variety would be great.

But, when CW launches with weight restrictions and you need a 35-50 ton mech, and your unit holds no worlds to make the BJ or HBK affordable, you may be very happy to realize that you can afford the Vindicator and flush out your unit for a full tonnage drop.

Blackjack is also capellan is it not? Seems like house laio is getting a bit of a monopoly at the lighter end of the medium market.

[Appogee]

Strum Wealh, on 14 March 2014 - 04:23 AM, said:

Actually, they said exactly the opposite in ATD #50.

Last November. That was their position at the time. Try to keep up. Listen to the NGNG podcasts and read Twitter.

[Strum Wealh]

Appogee, on 14 March 2014 - 05:44 AM, said:

Last November. That was their position at the time. Try to keep up. Listen to the NGNG podcasts and read Twitter.

I do all of that, and none of Bryan, Russ, or Paul has made any indication that their position on that point had changed on Twitter.

Additionally, none of Bryan, Russ, Paul, David Bradley, or Thomas Dziegielewski has made any indication that their position on that point had changed in any of their forum posts.
In fact, Thomas mentioned timeline concerns at the end of last January, with regard to the proposed chaff system (vs the BT Chaff Pod, which isn't available in-universe in BT until 3069): "Due to timeline infringements this system is up in the air at this time but could be ready for deployment at any time. That is up to the space-time continuum to figure out."

I'm up to date on the NGNG podcasts (still up to only #104 at the time of this writing).
The podcast you're probably thinking of is NGNG #79, which I've previously referenced in another post of mine... in July 2013.

Quote

That was actually said (by Russ Bullock in NGNG # 79, starting at the 24:50 mark) with regard to the timeline was:
"The timeline was interesting at first. It was kinda cool with the tweets and everything, but it's not a very... it's not really a driving factor anymore, it's a minor tidbit. It really... the only importance left there is that people say 'Yes, stick to it!' because they want their Clans, right. Otherwise, it's not a very important aspect; it's more important to have a quality game across the board."
Taken in context, the above statement was made in reference to when certain in-universe events (e.g. the arrival of the Clans) might happen - that we would/should happen to be in the middle of the fourth wave (of five waves) of the Clan Invasion is not terribly important by comparison to getting MWO as a product to a point in its development where it could be considered launch-ready by mid-September, and changes to when "important timeline event X" happens must, by necessity, be made in deference to this fact.

Given the continued absence of post-Clan 'Mech chassis & variants, weapons, and other equipment, we can still reasonably assume that the Devs may be planning to return to the timeline as a concept once the "big push to launch" is done (so that the various "important timeline event X" situations can be used for in-game events), and that available 'Mechs and equipment are likely still to be governed by timeline availability as a result.

Given that NGNG #79 was recorded on June 26, 2013, both ATD#50 (Nov. 2013) and Thomas D's post (January 2014) supersede it - and both of the latter indicate that PGI is still using the BT timeline as a factor to determine 'Mech & equipment availability.

-----

So, if you have some statement from someone at PGI or IGP that specifically & explicitly indicates that PGI has stopped using the BT timeline as a factor to determine 'Mech & equipment availability, then provide a direct link (or a link & a timestamp, for a podcast)... or admit that your claim cannot be substantiated and, given what we can confirm, is full of hogwash.

[Appogee]

Strum Wealh, on 14 March 2014 - 08:00 AM, said:

In fact, Thomas mentioned timeline concerns at the end of last January, with regard to the proposed chaff system (vs the BT Chaff Pod, which isn't available in-universe in BT until 3069): "Due to timeline infringements this system is up in the air at this time but could be ready for deployment at any time. That is up to the space-time continuum to figure out."

So, you read that quote, and despite him saying "could be ready for deployment at any time", you interpret his quote as meaning ''we are sticking to the current timeline to determine which Mechs and weapons systems we will deploy".

Really...? Perhaps you need to read it again.

(Would you feel better if I add a little eye-roll emoticon at this point..?)

Edited by Appogee, 14 March 2014 - 12:16 PM.

[Monsoon]

Appogee, on 14 March 2014 - 05:44 AM, said:

Last November. That was their position at the time. Try to keep up. Listen to the NGNG podcasts and read Twitter.

Oh really, from Bryan's twitter feed:

• 
  
  
  
  Imperius ‏@H4RDC0R3_G4M3R Feb 25
  @russ_bullock @bryanekman please tell me you're not going to follow the timeline in a 1:1 ratio. Not willing to wait 16 years for fav mechs.
  
  
• 
  
  
  
  Bryan Ekman ‏@bryanekman Feb 25
  @H4RDC0R3_G4M3R @russ_bullock we're going to fudge some aspects. I think it's safe to say some mechs will come out early in Proto phase
  
  Fudging and throwing out the timeline completely are two different things.

Edited by Monsoon, 14 March 2014 - 12:29 PM.

[Jody Von Jedi]

I read that post by Thomas too. He writes as a fictional character. I wouldn't put a lot of faith in, "Due to timeline infringements this system is up in the air at this time but could be ready for deployment at any time. That is up to the space-time continuum to figure out." as meaning Chaff is ready to be released in the game out of time line.

If it is, it would surprise me.


My .02

[Appogee]

Monsoon, on 14 March 2014 - 12:29 PM, said:

Fudging and throwing out the timeline completely are two different things.

LOL. Yeah, the same way they ''fudged'' the launch dates of Community Warefare ... initially January 2013, now "Fall 2014" (as if anyone puts any stock in that date, either). Same as they ''fudged'' the launch date of UI2.0, and same as they "fudged" their commitment that "noone would ever be forced to play with people using 3PV", and, and, and...

With that much fudge, they should be making confectionery, not software.

The funniest thing about this argument is: I doubt even PGI know what they're going to do in advance anymore. They have no grand plan that they're working to, they are mostly just making it up as they go along at this point, churning out chassis and bobble heads and putting them on sale relentlessly to keep the cash flow up.

Therefore: clinging to whatever grandiose pronouncements they made last week, last month or two years ago, and quoting them as if they were ever bibliographically accurate sources, let alone continue to be "the plan", is simply hilarious.

Edited by Appogee, 14 March 2014 - 12:55 PM.

[Appogee]

Jody Von Jedi, on 14 March 2014 - 12:39 PM, said:

I read that post by Thomas ... as meaning Chaff is ready to be released in the game out of time line.

Yes. And that they don't exactly know when they're going to release it. Could be Tuesday, could be in the future. As I said in my previous post, even they don't know.

That they'd code it now but not release it until well into the future, when the timeline says it should become available, seems more unlikely than likely. After all, there are plenty of actual game content items well overdue that they could have been working on instead.

Edited by Appogee, 14 March 2014 - 12:57 PM.

[Monsoon]

Appogee, on 14 March 2014 - 12:42 PM, said:

LOL. Yeah, the same way they ''fudged'' the initial - and subequent - launch dates of Community Warfare, and UI2.0 etc.

Wow, way to bring a completely different topic into a subject. Sorry if I don't cry about developmental delays...

[Bhael Fire]

It's the Vindicator.

https://twitter.com/...576207724482560

[Monsoon]

@OP

Here's the twitter:

Russ Bullock ‏@russ_bullock 3m
@jecrego2k14 Vindicator - a personal favorite of mine. There I said it but not in April - no eta announcement at this time.


So, No it's NOT the next mech.

Edited by Monsoon, 14 March 2014 - 12:53 PM.

[Appogee]

Monsoon, on 14 March 2014 - 12:47 PM, said:

Wow, way to bring a completely different topic into a subject. Sorry if I don't cry about developmental delays...

You don't see perceive any correlation between ''ability to develop to a committed timetable'' and ''ability to stick to the game's timeline''...?

I hope you brought plenty of fudge, we could be here for quite a while.

[Monsoon]

Appogee, on 14 March 2014 - 01:00 PM, said:

You don't see perceive any correlation between ''ability to develop to a committed timetable'' and ''ability to stick to the game's timeline''...?

I hope you brought plenty of fudge, we could be here for quite a while.

Well considering the discussion was about 'Timelines' as in: will we see the Wolftrap or a Bushwacker in the next few months? vs 'timetable' and developmental delays. No there is no correlation. One and nothing to do with the other, Alex and the Mech making department are doing just that, making mechs, they don't have to worry about UI2.0, DX11, bug fixes, CW, Achievements, Loyalty points...etc. And as such there isn't any delay on mechs coming out, we'll get another one in April and May and probably two-a-month starting in June. I'm just as impatient as the next guy to really get into CW, but I'm not going to worry about a 6-month or one year delay, because this isn't the first time in history that a project has fallen behind due to unforeseen problems.

This is pretty common in the Video game and Film Industries. Man of Steel 2 got pushed back nearly a year, sure the fans QQ, but stuff like that happens all the time...So long as this doesn't turn into another Duke Nukem Forever (where the 'Forever' part actually refers to how long it'll take to come out), then I'm cool.

Edited by Monsoon, 14 March 2014 - 01:13 PM.