Ok, so I have been pining for some mech action, and have pretty much worn out MW2, MW3, will not touch MW4 or MechAssault again, and have already played through MechCommander 1 and 2 yet again. I even played through a few of my old Armored Core games again. I hesitate to come back, after throwing money at this game to support it, only to see the devs do a complete 180 once they had my cash.
However, I am considering it. I had a few questions, though, to which I could not find any answers by browsing posts (some seemed old, possibly outdated), and patch notes (did not see any notes about the 'features' about which I am curious).
1. Is a functional version of UI 2.0 actually here? The version of it PGI was pushing when I last played was...really bad. I'll just leave it at that.
2. Have the devs trashed that stupid charge-up mechanic on the Gauss Rifle?
3. Does the ghost heat multiplier still exist?
4. Last but not least, does the game's balance work, somewhat (not perfect...balance rarely is)? Or is it in the throes of another lurmageddon, or something similar?
5. Does free-to-play really work? Or would I be forced to further fund PGI's tyranny in order to enjoy the game? I've already spent a few hundred bucks here; I really don't want to give them any more unless they fulfill the promises they have broken.
Thank you for your time; I truly appreciate it. I was going to keep digging through the forums, but I already regret taking a look in the General Discussion area.
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10 replies to this topic
#1
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- Mercenary
- 2,037 posts
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- LocationSt. Louis, Niles, Kerensky Cluster
Posted 21 September 2014 - 12:38 PM
#2
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- The Solitary
- 695 posts
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- LocationIn your base, killing your dudes
Posted 21 September 2014 - 01:31 PM
Welcome back. Here is a playlist of tutorial for the new UI or you can just look for yourself. It's fine. Maybe a little click heavy but it works.
https://www.youtube....zNViBM9F3irlt51
Charge and heat multiplier still around.
I think the game is mostly balanced, but as you said it hard to be perfect.
Free to play works. You can enjoy the game without spending more money. Everything except for hero mechs is or will be available for c-bills. They have started to release mechs for mc or in pre-order packs, but those will be available for c-bills after a few months at most.
On a personal note, I am most pleased with how PGI has handled it's relationship with the players since the split with IGP. It seems to me that IGP was causing some of the issues and now the seem to be making a great effort to fix the mess. I enjoy the game and would recommend it. As always that MY opinion and you or others may disagree and that's just as valid.
https://www.youtube....zNViBM9F3irlt51
Charge and heat multiplier still around.
I think the game is mostly balanced, but as you said it hard to be perfect.
Free to play works. You can enjoy the game without spending more money. Everything except for hero mechs is or will be available for c-bills. They have started to release mechs for mc or in pre-order packs, but those will be available for c-bills after a few months at most.
On a personal note, I am most pleased with how PGI has handled it's relationship with the players since the split with IGP. It seems to me that IGP was causing some of the issues and now the seem to be making a great effort to fix the mess. I enjoy the game and would recommend it. As always that MY opinion and you or others may disagree and that's just as valid.
#3
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- Mercenary
- 2,037 posts
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- LocationSt. Louis, Niles, Kerensky Cluster
Posted 21 September 2014 - 01:45 PM
Spike Brave, on 21 September 2014 - 01:31 PM, said:
Welcome back. Here is a playlist of tutorial for the new UI or you can just look for yourself. It's fine. Maybe a little click heavy but it works.
https://www.youtube....zNViBM9F3irlt51
Charge and heat multiplier still around.
I think the game is mostly balanced, but as you said it hard to be perfect.
Free to play works. You can enjoy the game without spending more money. Everything except for hero mechs is or will be available for c-bills. They have started to release mechs for mc or in pre-order packs, but those will be available for c-bills after a few months at most.
On a personal note, I am most pleased with how PGI has handled it's relationship with the players since the split with IGP. It seems to me that IGP was causing some of the issues and now the seem to be making a great effort to fix the mess. I enjoy the game and would recommend it. As always that MY opinion and you or others may disagree and that's just as valid.
https://www.youtube....zNViBM9F3irlt51
Charge and heat multiplier still around.
I think the game is mostly balanced, but as you said it hard to be perfect.
Free to play works. You can enjoy the game without spending more money. Everything except for hero mechs is or will be available for c-bills. They have started to release mechs for mc or in pre-order packs, but those will be available for c-bills after a few months at most.
On a personal note, I am most pleased with how PGI has handled it's relationship with the players since the split with IGP. It seems to me that IGP was causing some of the issues and now the seem to be making a great effort to fix the mess. I enjoy the game and would recommend it. As always that MY opinion and you or others may disagree and that's just as valid.
PGI has split from IGP? Interesting...I will have to read into this further.
Thank you for the info, sir. o7
#4
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- The Solitary
- 695 posts
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- LocationIn your base, killing your dudes
Posted 21 September 2014 - 02:37 PM
NGNG did a Q & A with Russ. Start there lots of info. It's three parts I'll link the first.
Edited by Spike Brave, 21 September 2014 - 02:37 PM.
#5
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- Mercenary
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- LocationSt. Louis, Niles, Kerensky Cluster
Posted 21 September 2014 - 04:36 PM
Spike Brave, on 21 September 2014 - 02:37 PM, said:
NGNG did a Q & A with Russ. Start there lots of info. It's three parts I'll link the first.
I appreciate the link; there is plenty of good information there. However, I think I will keep my distance until, at the very least, either ghost heat or the gauss rifle charge mechanic get fixed (removed); as little faith in the devs' promises as I have at this point, it would take a rather grand gesture like that to begin to regain my trust.
I looked back, and counted up how much I have spent here; in my zeal to support a new Mechwarrior title (which, at the time, looked promising), I spent $976.15USD over the course of my time playing MWO. I have no problem at all dumping money into the games I play, so long as the business model is sound, and the devs do not go back on their promises. I have spent tons on STO, MWO, WOT, and SWTOR; I guess you could say I spent tons on EVE as well, if $30 monthly for my two accounts for 8 years counts as 'tons'. And yet, MWO is the first one on which I actually regret spending a lot of money.
Time will tell, I suppose...but, thank you again for the info; it has given me food for thought.
#6
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- Storm
- 3,708 posts
Member
- LocationUnited States
Posted 21 September 2014 - 10:05 PM
Russ is planning more Town Hall meetings in the future to give more insight into how things came to be in the last couple of years. I'd recommend watching those whenever they come out.
#7
Posted 22 September 2014 - 02:31 AM
Ghost heat isnt an issue at all. I've never heard a decent player moan about it, game is the most balanced its been at in months.
If ghost heat didnt exist every player would be using a nova with 12ML's It stops rediculous mechs coming to the fore IE 4xPPC, Ghost heat separates the skill level further and this is a good thing, I never exactly enjoyed getting killed by someone just spamming out 4 ppc's at once etc
If ghost heat didnt exist every player would be using a nova with 12ML's It stops rediculous mechs coming to the fore IE 4xPPC, Ghost heat separates the skill level further and this is a good thing, I never exactly enjoyed getting killed by someone just spamming out 4 ppc's at once etc
#8
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- Bad Company
- 3,559 posts
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Posted 22 September 2014 - 02:51 AM
Arn0ldSchwarzenegger, on 22 September 2014 - 02:31 AM, said:
Ghost heat isnt an issue at all. I've never heard a decent player moan about it,
Yes, you have. But people quickly stopped because 1) nobody would listen (certainly not PGI), and 2) it is ultimately the lesser of two evils (the other being worse balance, but without the ****** heavy-handed mechanic).
Edited by Modo44, 22 September 2014 - 02:51 AM.
#10
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- Stone Cold
- 11,975 posts
Welcoming Committee
- LocationNewfoundland
Posted 22 September 2014 - 04:57 AM
Welcome back.
I'll note that the gauss charge and heat scale/ghost heat are the only thing keeping MWO from being nothing but one-shot-one-kill and they are not ever going to be removed.
You can still build mechs with large pinpoint alphas, but it requires less damage (AC10 2 PPC) or the higher skill of managing the gauss charge. Mechs with 50, 60, or more pinpopint damage on one-click is bad for the game. Dual gauss+dual PPC is still very powerful and if you could just point and click all that damage no other build could compete.
Balance is pretty good, in that a wide range of weapon systems and builds are valuable on the battlefield. A team with a good NARCer will make it feel like your own personal LURMageddon, so be aware of your nearest high cover and be aware of enemy lights with NARC.
Free to play is working fine, and you also qualify for several one year anniversary rewards including a free custom King Crab since you are a Legendary founder (you also get a free cent AH,a and free Atlas S, all three with mechbay, custom camo, and 30% cbill boost) but may or may not qualify for the 100-matches reward, check your challenges page.
I'll note that the gauss charge and heat scale/ghost heat are the only thing keeping MWO from being nothing but one-shot-one-kill and they are not ever going to be removed.
You can still build mechs with large pinpoint alphas, but it requires less damage (AC10 2 PPC) or the higher skill of managing the gauss charge. Mechs with 50, 60, or more pinpopint damage on one-click is bad for the game. Dual gauss+dual PPC is still very powerful and if you could just point and click all that damage no other build could compete.
Balance is pretty good, in that a wide range of weapon systems and builds are valuable on the battlefield. A team with a good NARCer will make it feel like your own personal LURMageddon, so be aware of your nearest high cover and be aware of enemy lights with NARC.
Free to play is working fine, and you also qualify for several one year anniversary rewards including a free custom King Crab since you are a Legendary founder (you also get a free cent AH,a and free Atlas S, all three with mechbay, custom camo, and 30% cbill boost) but may or may not qualify for the 100-matches reward, check your challenges page.
#11
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- Mercenary
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Posted 22 September 2014 - 08:00 PM
The odd thing is, I did not stop using Gauss Rifles due to their inability to mesh well with PPC's; I seem to be one of the few that like to run balanced builds. For example, my favourite Centurion is a CN9-A with an AC10, 2ML, and a Streak 6 (3 Streak 2's). It's nothing ridiculous, and is even completely believable in a canon sense, which I like. One of my other faves was a Dragon of some sort with a Gauss Rifle, a few ML's, and an SRM6.
The problem here is that, with the new charge system, it made weapon management that much more of a handful (I was already managing 3 aim points; one for lasers, one for ballistics, and one for missiles...now a charging system on top of all that). The other stupid thing is that Gauss Rifles explode even when they are not charged, which is stupid...and, the last time I played, I was able to verify that the ammo was exploding as well; I loaded an all-energy Cicada with a couple tons of gauss slugs, and within a few matches, I was killed by an ammo explosion...not sure if that was fixed.
As for ghost heat...I agree that something was necessary to prevent boating, but this was a poor solution that was executed even more poorly, with some of its perameters making no sense at all. Battletech already has a system that works fine: punish people for going over their heat threshold, whether they override or not. Slow them down, chance of internal ammo explosion, aim goes to hell in a handbasket, and the pilot can even black out. The heat scale in this game is a little odd, to begin with, but it *is* going to be different; this is not a tabletop game. Still, there are a great many things from tabletop that would work great here, or could do so if modified a little to better suit a game like MWO.
In short, I feel that both mechanics were poorly thought-out, and was frustrated that they did these things to discourage boating, but never considered their impact on the folks who were NOT boating. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. Thus, my annoyance with these two mechanics.
As for 3PV, I can kind of understand it; it might help to draw in new players, and I enjoy looking my sexy mechs over once in a while myself. My gripe here was that PGI promised us this would never happen...then did it anyway, after they had our money, then told us to just deal with it when we complained. I can live with it, at this point, but it still disappoints me.
Anyway...that is where I am at; I appreciate all your comments, and will mull this over a bit, and wait for some more signs from PGI.
The problem here is that, with the new charge system, it made weapon management that much more of a handful (I was already managing 3 aim points; one for lasers, one for ballistics, and one for missiles...now a charging system on top of all that). The other stupid thing is that Gauss Rifles explode even when they are not charged, which is stupid...and, the last time I played, I was able to verify that the ammo was exploding as well; I loaded an all-energy Cicada with a couple tons of gauss slugs, and within a few matches, I was killed by an ammo explosion...not sure if that was fixed.
As for ghost heat...I agree that something was necessary to prevent boating, but this was a poor solution that was executed even more poorly, with some of its perameters making no sense at all. Battletech already has a system that works fine: punish people for going over their heat threshold, whether they override or not. Slow them down, chance of internal ammo explosion, aim goes to hell in a handbasket, and the pilot can even black out. The heat scale in this game is a little odd, to begin with, but it *is* going to be different; this is not a tabletop game. Still, there are a great many things from tabletop that would work great here, or could do so if modified a little to better suit a game like MWO.
In short, I feel that both mechanics were poorly thought-out, and was frustrated that they did these things to discourage boating, but never considered their impact on the folks who were NOT boating. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. Thus, my annoyance with these two mechanics.
As for 3PV, I can kind of understand it; it might help to draw in new players, and I enjoy looking my sexy mechs over once in a while myself. My gripe here was that PGI promised us this would never happen...then did it anyway, after they had our money, then told us to just deal with it when we complained. I can live with it, at this point, but it still disappoints me.
Anyway...that is where I am at; I appreciate all your comments, and will mull this over a bit, and wait for some more signs from PGI.
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