20517 replies to this topic

[CycKath]

As much as I wish it would be, I doubt it. Entirely HBS' baby it would seem. Wonder if they even approached PGI at all about their intentions.

HBS are still clearly using MWO models mostly, but wonder if this will make PGI inclined to go later for IS designs, even though they still could use 3025 stuff for MW5.

[Sereglach]

Odanan, on 22 August 2018 - 02:09 PM, said:

So... PGI... you must be working on something new, right?

I hope it's fully functional melee weapons for MWO.

One can dream. That Hatchetman does look sweet.

You know, I always thought it might be possible to make a very simple straight chop swinging motion that just disables weapon firing for the animation, does a hit-scan in the animation arc, and throws some sparks while hurting like the dickens (for the victim, anyway), if it hits. I mean, they've already got the tech in to prevent more than 1 Gauss from firing in tandem with PPCs . . . therefore they should theoretically have the tech to prevent weapons fire while swinging melee. Animation wise, who'd care about clipping if we actually got Battlemech melee in?! I know I wouldn't.

Also, the same animation would work for any mech with an actual arm . . . and it becomes an actual perk for mechs with real arms. Sorry, Cicada, Locust, Catapult, etc. . . . you can't melee, but have some more baseline agility and/or structure quirks to compensate.

Granted, I know it's not as simple as that . . . but it's at least a solid starting point.

CycKath, on 22 August 2018 - 04:11 PM, said:

As much as I wish it would be, I doubt it. Entirely HBS' baby it would seem. Wonder if they even approached PGI at all about their intentions.

HBS are still clearly using MWO models mostly, but wonder if this will make PGI inclined to go later for IS designs, even though they still could use 3025 stuff for MW5.

I'd REALLY like to know who did the concept art and modelling. It certainly seems to fit Alex's MWO style. It seems like there had to be at least some collaboration between PGI and HBS.

HBS and PGI also already had a two-way relationship on art assets (PGI got vehicle assets from HBS for use in MW5), so it stands to reason that even if the Hatchetman is 100% HBS concept/modelling PGI could still get access to use it.

[FLG 01]

CycKath, on 22 August 2018 - 04:11 PM, said:

HBS are still clearly using MWO models mostly, but wonder if this will make PGI inclined to go later for IS designs, even though they still could use 3025 stuff for MW5.

I would like that, but I don't think so. The Hatchetman was a novelty in the SW-era and would remain unique with its hatchet until the arrival of the Axman just before the Clan Invasion. It should be quite special even in HBS BT. HBS had to do this on their own, I guess.

I would love to see more FCCW-era designs for MWO but I think we get some more SW-era units (with FCCW-ties).

Sereglach, on 22 August 2018 - 04:16 PM, said:

I'd REALLY like to know who did the concept art and modelling. It certainly seems to fit Alex's MWO style. It seems like there had to be at least some collaboration between PGI and HBS.

I read Marco Mazzoni's art was the basis. I don't want to bash Alex or the 3D-artists of PGI, but they tend to make their models very wide. Just compare the extremely slim and elongated torso of the TT Nightstar and Alex's take; it's clearly wider. But you could also take the Centurion and others.
Again: I am not saying I dislike that style on an artistic level, I am saying it is a rather distinct. And this very slim Hatchetman does not look like something PGI would do.

[Bishop Steiner]

Odanan, on 22 August 2018 - 02:55 AM, said:

I saw you in action yesterday!

so...small sample size..... but.....
4 matches in the Bloodlust.

only 4 kills. but all 4 were solo kills, on Clan Heavy Omnis. 2 Timbys, a Hellby and a Nova Cat. And avg Dmg around 450-ish? For a guy who ain't comp, and ain't really played almost at all, in a year and a half?

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 22 August 2018 - 07:22 PM.

[Sereglach]

FLG 01, on 22 August 2018 - 06:23 PM, said:

I read Marco Mazzoni's art was the basis. I don't want to bash Alex or the 3D-artists of PGI, but they tend to make their models very wide. Just compare the extremely slim and elongated torso of the TT Nightstar and Alex's take; it's clearly wider. But you could also take the Centurion and others.
Again: I am not saying I dislike that style on an artistic level, I am saying it is a rather distinct. And this very slim Hatchetman does not look like something PGI would do.

Well, if you look back on the original Centurion concept art it was significantly slimmer. There's a whole bunch of repaints out there but here's a copy for reference (smallest I could find so it didn't take half a page, thanks Odanan):

Therefore, I wouldn't say Alex can't make thin mechs, per se, so much as PGI apparently prefers to spread out the hitboxes a bit more for a game like MWO. Other mechs, such as the Assassin, could also stand as "exceptions to the rule", so to speak.

However, that said, the HBS Hatchetman certainly flows within the typical MWO style of mech art, whether it's Alex's art or someone else's; and PGI should have access to it due to HBS and PGI sharing art assets. Also, if it is purely HBS in-house work, then that might be great for even more collaborative work between the two companies and seeing even more mechs that are worth a look for MWO or HBS Battletech.

It certainly makes me curious to see what the future will hold.

Edited by Sereglach, 22 August 2018 - 10:37 PM.

[Horseman]

The Hatchetman and Axeman look like an Enforcer and Trebuchet with extra bits bolted on. Just saying.

[Pariah Devalis]

I actually find the Hatchetman from HBS looking... not quite in place with Alex's art. Something about it seems odd. It could just be that it uses non-cuboid weapon mounts, though.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I am eager to see HBS's Hatchetman in better detail. What little we have experienced of it has been close-up shots in the trailer (from a dark hanger) and the promo still artwork.

I'd love to see it rendered in game and from multiple angles so I can get a real sense for what it will look like.

From the trailer it does look good IMO, but it isn't the footage to really soak in the mech and see what it looks like.

[Bishop Steiner]

MeiSooHaityu, on 23 August 2018 - 07:28 AM, said:

I am eager to see HBS's Hatchetman in better detail. What little we have experienced of it has been close-up shots in the trailer (from a dark hanger) and the promo still artwork.

I'd love to see it rendered in game and from multiple angles so I can get a real sense for what it will look like.

From the trailer it does look good IMO, but it isn't the footage to really soak in the mech and see what it looks like.

yeah this is about the cleanest I can find for now... I really want a lot more view of the head, etc. But I do trust Marco's overall sense of proportion more than almost anyone else I've seen working on battletech art to date. And he seems to revere the original Loose artwork for it as much as I do, based on a short convo I had with him. But he also had to tie it into making it fit the MWO aesthetic. So here's to hoping.

[Odanan]

Bishop Steiner, on 23 August 2018 - 07:57 AM, said:

<3

[CycKath]

The promo shot version looks great and good mix of classic Loose and MWO styles... but the animated video version just looks wrong. The altered weapons don't seem to mesh as well as most of MWO stuff, seems too busy. I watched the video first and had no idea what 'Mech it was until the hatchet came down.

[Jonathan8883]

That's a very, very stubby AC5 next to the cockpit - if, in fact, that's what I'm seeing.

[Bishop Steiner]

Jonathan8883, on 23 August 2018 - 07:14 PM, said:

That's a very, very stubby AC5 next to the cockpit - if, in fact, that's what I'm seeing.

should just be the part of the sensor package, if it's following the source art. Also Hatchetmen pack AC10s.

[Odanan]

Bishop Steiner, on 24 August 2018 - 08:16 AM, said:

should just be the part of the sensor package, if it's following the source art. Also Hatchetmen pack AC10s.

I wonder where is the AC/10, because it should be in the right torso.

I suppose it's that hole in the mech's chest?

Yep, there it is:

[Bishop Steiner]

Odanan, on 24 August 2018 - 08:50 AM, said:

I wonder where is the AC/10, because it should be in the right torso.

I suppose it's that hole in the mech's chest?

Yep, there it is:

that's the thing. traditionally it's just been a port in the armor, not a protruding barrel. I'm not saying that can't be the ac barrel in the picture. (In truth it would be a very realistically sized one, close to inline with my tinman version in many ways). and we don't know if there is any rear protuberance like I did, but, as your picture show, the Hatchetman was sensor masts on both sides of the head, and just a hole on the right breast for an AC.

[Virlutris]

So, Turkina next month? ClanTek heavy? Some Unseen IIC chassis? Or (please) another ClanTek medium?

[Odanan]

Virlutris, on 26 August 2018 - 05:21 PM, said:

So, Turkina next month? ClanTek heavy? Some Unseen IIC chassis? Or (please) another ClanTek medium?

Isn't it obvious? It's the Charger! (or any other IS assault)

Dang, it would be a nice surprise it it was the Hatchetman with a working hatchet.

I could see a lot of people coming back to the game if melee weapons were implemented.

[Imperius]

Odanan, on 26 August 2018 - 05:51 PM, said:

Isn't it obvious? It's the Charger! (or any other IS assault)

Dang, it would be a nice surprise it it was the Hatchetman with a working hatchet.


I could see a lot of people coming back to the game if melee weapons were implemented.

If we can’t get IK and working collisions. You’ll never see working melee. One can dream though.

[Virlutris]

Oh jah, derp. Forgot we did ClanTek last.

Sorry, that's what happens when I'm basically offline for most of a month.

Charger seems about right for ... reasons.

So how about an Imp! (MOAR 100-tonners! /s) ((this also seems to fit ... for ... reasons))

Edited by Virlutris, 27 August 2018 - 06:12 AM.

[FLG 01]

The loyalty rewards are coming and we get new variants... and they are nice!
https://mwomercs.com...ewards-program/

JVN-11F: MG boating Javelin
RLF-8D: Rifleman with JJ
WHM-4L: Warhammer with ECM
NTG-H: Night Gyr with ECM
MAD-IIC-2: JJ

Quite good choices. I am sad that we did not get an ECM Marauder (MAD-9S or -9M), but I like the jump capable Rifleman.

Edited by FLG 01, 28 August 2018 - 01:12 PM.