24 replies to this topic

[ZenWarrior]

Well to me the metagame is, essentially, the combination of weapons, mechs and various patches added or 'removed' to create a mech configuration that is both unmatched in its efficiency and unequal in its usefulness. It kind of creates the End All Mech for people to punish newer or inexperienced pilots in order to increase they're score. Or more simply put, its the AK-47 to everyone's m92 Beretta pistol.

So why is this?

Well obviously there are two contributing factors, the players and the developers, there is no one person or people responsible for this.
We whine about one weapon people are using to effectively and is causing us pain because we are not able to counter it effectively. So the developers tweak it to appeal to masses, while not a bad thing, can lead to MetaBuilds. Or the developers feel that the speed of certain projectiles or energy weapons are to fast so they change them in order to facilitate a better play experience.
Which again isn't a bad thing but can lead to exploits and so on. The fact of the matter is, I don't care about Meta builds like it seems the very vocal public online here seems to. If anything I challenge myself to challenge the Metagame and have not stopped playing because of it. (Although I will say I stopped playing because of the LRMpocalypse when LRM's came in at nearly a 90 angle. I'm sure those of you who lived through that hell agree as to why I stopped playing for that week ) In fact during the last Meta I was apart of, the PPC UAC 5 one, I routinely ran my Hunchback in opposition to that build.

Not to say I'm some higher than thou pilot who only plays 'pure' builds. I've tried the Triple Ripple Ilya Build, which was much fun I might add, I've played the 4 PPC K2 build that was popular before the Ghost Heat add on, and still do, I have and love my AWS-8R 4 LRM 15 doom machine, and I would like to play with the NARC once I get a new computer.

All that being said, well the Meta it's our doing, ours and the developers of MWO. So really its up to us in my opinion. We can all use the great builds and rack up lots of kills and points, which is always fun, or we can challenge ourselves into moving away from that and making this a greater game.

Ok....let the discussion begin.

[Charons Little Helper]

The rules of the metagame -

1. Don't talk about the metagame.

2. Don't talk about the metagame.

3. Don't talk about the metagame.

4. Don't talk about the metagame.

5. Don't talk about the metagame.

[ZenWarrior]

I'm sorry i'm not sure what type of game you are referring to.

[T Hawk]

Metagame? I thought the only content this game offers is endless grind.

[Thorqemada]

The Metagame Goal is to suck the fun out of the game for the sake of fast and easy success.

[Hellen Wheels]

Force use of hard points.

No more boats.

Problem solved.

[Davers]

Hellen Wheels, on 29 March 2014 - 03:45 PM, said:

Force use of hard points.

No more boats.

Problem solved.

what?

[ZenWarrior]

Hellen Wheels, on 29 March 2014 - 03:45 PM, said:

Force use of hard points.

No more boats.

Problem solved.

What do you mean by 'Force use of hardpoints'?

There is not need to force the use of them, the whole reason for having them is to use them in unique and fun ways. The creation of boats was an example of this, as was the need to initialize Ghost Heat to penalize and limit the boat use.

Although I may be misunderstanding what you mean.

[ZenWarrior]

Thorqemada, on 29 March 2014 - 01:49 PM, said:

The Metagame Goal is to suck the fun out of the game for the sake of fast and easy success.

Only if you adhere to the Metagame.

Although continually being pounded by the 'Meta Builds' is quite annoying I will admit.
And I thank PGI for all their tweaks to the game, even despite their mistakes, to make this a fun experience for all.

[Coolant]

Don't understand why people call what you are referring to, "Metagame".

metagaming from Urban Dictonary
(1) The act of using outside or previously gained knowledge within a gaming universe for personal gain or advantage.
Ex. John was accused of metagaming when he immediately moved his player to the most protected area of the map to snipe the enemy team members, since he had played the map before and knew from experience.

(2) When game information outside of what is available in a game is used to give a player an advantage in-game. Most commonly seen and frowned upon in many forms of role playing especially when consent has not been given.

I don't see how the currently used topic of Metagame in MWO forums fits either of those definitions.

[Alik Kerensky]

Coolant, on 30 March 2014 - 11:38 AM, said:

Don't understand why people call what you are referring to, "Metagame".

metagaming from Urban Dictonary
(1) The act of using outside or previously gained knowledge within a gaming universe for personal gain or advantage.
Ex. John was accused of metagaming when he immediately moved his player to the most protected area of the map to snipe the enemy team members, since he had played the map before and knew from experience.

(2) When game information outside of what is available in a game is used to give a player an advantage in-game. Most commonly seen and frowned upon in many forms of role playing especially when consent has not been given.

I don't see how the currently used topic of Metagame in MWO forums fits either of those definitions.

Actually, number 1 seems to fall in this category... Jump snipers using the pinpoint accuracy of dual PPC and AC build. Using the knowledge that the relative speed of the weapons will almost always strike the one location over in over with only basic aiming. Granted it is still aiming as opposed to locks of LRMs... and at least the LRMs are not like that one patch where they were coming down at right angles.

[Appogee]

[Stehmar]

Very tiresome to hear about the METAGAME. What is it? Nobody really knows. Its just one of those words used to be negative about the game.

[Fut]

Alik Kerensky, on 30 March 2014 - 12:48 PM, said:

Actually, number 1 seems to fall in this category... Jump snipers using the pinpoint accuracy of dual PPC and AC build. Using the knowledge that the relative speed of the weapons will almost always strike the one location over in over with only basic aiming. Granted it is still aiming as opposed to locks of LRMs... and at least the LRMs are not like that one patch where they were coming down at right angles.

This is all info that can be found in-game though, isn't it?

[Bobzilla]

I thought metagame was just taking the most efficent load out and using the most efficent tactics which perpetuates itself. You can't really blame anyone for doing that, so the passive agressive term 'meta' is used.

As far as the definition, all that info can be gain though experince, no need to get it out of game.

[Kommisar]

The use of the term "Meta-game" or just "Meta" has been largely used by most video game players in a way that is not consistent with the words actual definition. Here, in MWO, it is commonly used to refer to optimized mech building along perceived or real imbalances in the various weapons and equipment.

By the strict definition of the term "Meta Game" (or metagame, meta-game), there really isn't a substantial meta-game here. Unless you a coordinating 12-man synch-drops, you are not planning or playing against specific players (their styles, habits, etc...). Information about the weapons, equipment and mechs is all public information; even if it can be very hard to find at times. About the only meta-game present is knowing what the current popular build types are and building a mech that can counter them.

For practical purposes here, however, when someone is talking about the meta-game, he is talking about using one of the popular mech builds. Generally, pop-tarting autocannons and/or PPCs.

[Apnu]

"Metagame" is a term PGI uses all the time. I their meaning as: a "game" of messing about in the mechlab to find the most efficient build around a given weapon system.

I think other players are confusing it or abusing it with min/maxed builds that are based around some weapon system to the exclusion of others. Such as the 2xAC20 Jagermech, the 6xSSRM2 Cat-A1, the 3xUAC5 Ilya or the 3xAC2 Shad or the 4xPPC stalker or its cousin the 4xLL stalker. Several of which got PGI to bring out the nerf bat.

A great example of "metagame" is the 2xPPC, 2xAC5 JM6-FB. That pairing is almost perfect on just about any map in any match and it is not dependent on all one weapon system.

[Sandpit]

The "meta" game is whatever demographic PGI currently thinks will make them the most successful. In other words, they have no idea.

Whatever they claim it is, they'll just change their "position" at some future date. That's my opinion on it anyhow

[Rhaythe]

Hellen Wheels, on 29 March 2014 - 03:45 PM, said:

Force use of hard points.

No more boats.

Problem solved.

Believe it or not, there are mech games that do exactly that: (http://www.playhawke...ame-guide/mechs) And the level of customization therein is pretty close to zero. You can choose one of three primary guns. That's it.

I like Hawken. But the customization and personalization of playstyles in MWO is something that is impossible elsewhere. So pick your poison.

[BourbonFaucet]

The efficient, easiest way to win, maximizing reward output while minimizing skill input.

Right now that's AC/PPC poptarts.

But who knows what it could be if the weapons or pinpoint damage were changed drastically.

Anyways, as my signature suggests, I just prefer to enjoy games with loadout customization for the variety and fun. That's why I started playing since MW2. Today, if I lose to metagamers who are poptarting exclusively and the concept of enjoying the variety... well, they're missing out on all the fun! More for me!


Edit: By the way, I did try 2 PPC's and 2 AC/5's on my Dragon Slayer. It was a bit interesting, but it feels like it'd get boring after a while. I went back to 3 LL + 2 AC 5's after a few games. So I find the "meta" a bit boring to my tastes. I guess I just like playing with the weapon loadouts more than I like having to win every last game.

Edited by Techorse, 08 April 2014 - 10:52 AM.