This can also apply to the question of single player missions.
Mechwarrior in all of it's incarnations is owned by Microsoft. That includes this one, Mechwarrior Online.
Mechwarrior 2 had a great tutorial. So I suggest that PGI simply "lift it out" and brush it up then put it into MWO.
The dialogue is there (some changes maybe), the training facility need not be redesigned, simply use that layout and add MWO assets.
As far as copyright goes, I am no expert and may be wrong. But I fail to see how doing this could be a legal problem, as this would simply be using what PGI has a license to use, Mechwarrior.
At the end of the day Microsoft still owns Mechwarrior, so they could not be losing anything at all, and actually stand to make more if this would help to gain and retain more players.
Similarly with the single player mission idea, simply use the stories and maps from the previous games. Obviously it would be no small task, but the groundwork is there. If I am correct, it is all true to battletech history, so should be there anyway.
This would, in my opinion be the most economical way to introduce those features. They were all good stories, and even the Mercenary expansions could be woven in as well.
I remember the missions in, I think Ghost Bears' Legacy, where you were under water, and had to use torpedos instead of missiles, awesome fun. But it was not that that made me think of this, it was the awesome storyline, chasing stolen genetic material, and how the plot unfolded. And it is all Mechwarrior, so why not retell those stories, and create that atmosphere again.
Anyway, just a thought. But one I really do think would help the game. And yes, I remember from listening to the town hall, that this was not happening soon, but here is an idea as asked for by Russ. (thanks for doing those Russ)
More ideas:
For the single player, there would be a campaign, as was in the previous titles.
This could be purchased. I think reasonable. With the "campaign pack" you would perhaps get (perhaps) one hero mech. This is a mech that will carry over to the real core of PvP gameplay and Community Warfare. The mech would be House / Clan specific, and if there are multiple, perhaps a choice as to what to start with.
The mech should be locked to the single player campaign until the campaign is completed. After completion the mech and any CBills would be transferred on a one time only basis to the "live game" , thus provide a good starting point for new players.
The mech would be mastered upon completion of the campaign. (yes this violates the 3 chassis rule, but I think would be viable)
After the campaign is completed, no further mechs or CBills would be transferrable to the live game as was done for the first run through.
No mechs at all could be farmed, and as for CBills, any further run through the campaign, must be a) completed, and b)transferred at a rate similar to that of exchanging XP to GXP for MC. This, to prevent gaming the game and free farming.
The new player would have a mastered mech, experience in the game, and a few CBills to buy a couple more mechs.
For those concerned about farming CBills, no biggie, as any subsequent run after the first would effectively cost real money, thus creating revenue for PGI.
To stop people running the campaign more than once BEFORE the transfer in order to farm free CBills, simply lock out any reward beyond the first for FREE transfer. So you could run through 3 times, but only the first is free, and any CBills from the second and third are only transferrable for MC.
Edited by Dirk Le Daring, 17 January 2015 - 09:36 PM.