9 replies to this topic

[FrOdO]

I love the core Mechwarrior franchise and its unique blend of action and simulation. Some of the franchise's more frowned upon iterations such as the MechAssualt series of games (love em or hate em) did have some unique features that may in fact enhance a game such as MechWarrior Online.


For instance:

Before the start of each match in MechAssault 2, while people were still waiting for the server to fill, the game would allow you to control your mechwarrior avatar on the bridge of a starship. Also on the bridge, were all the other people on your team currently waiting for the game to start. I just liked the feeling of being able to see the other people and interact outside of combat. It added a sense of community. I believe it also added just a little more investment from the player; You can see your mechwarrior... they aren't just some ghost in the machine...they exist!

Now, I am not asking for this huge fleshed out world were mechs suddenly become some back burner subject but, a game lobby similar to this would suffice. Maybe even make a larger lobby, where you can walk over to the mech hanger bay and tweak your mech for the next battle. Then walk over to the store and sell some of the parts you salvaged for new ones that you may want to implement into your mech (maybe your bro has parts you want). All the while passing the faces of other players who you will surely see on the battlefield sooner or later.

While maybe difficult to implement at first, i think something like this would be a unique feature that while subtle, would make a lasting impression. Your not just a lumbering 100 ton Assualt mech wrecking *******, your a man/woman part of a team.

You are a mechwarrior, not a machine, time to start making that a little more clear.

[Schnuffs]

Honestly I would luv to look at my Mechs from a human perspective.

[Threat Doc]

Heck, would it be possible to use Second Life as a lobby? Have player groups build their own areas there, players are given log-ins for those specific areas, and then they have stores and what-not that could work there, and a Launch button once all of the parameters of missions, teams, 'Mechs, etc., are formed.

[phalanx]

Mechwarrior:Mercs did it the best in my opinion. For those that don't know, let me show you: (Interface starts at 2:00).

Perhaps have the lobby as a Dropship or Base(depending on where you deploy from) with key areas that you can access for information.

Area ideas:
(Dropship):
-Bridge(Review Mission Information)
-Mess Hall(Chat)
-Mech Bay(Mech Lab Options)
-Personal Quarters

(Base)
-Command Center(Review Mission Information)
-Bar(chat)
-Mech Bay
-Personal Quarters

I like the idea of a mechwarrior avatar. The personal quarters functions like a "house" in RPG. You can decorate it with personal items to add a unique look and feel to your character(perhaps a picture of the wife and kids, or a piece of shrapnel from an enemy mech you downed).

What would be really cool is if each Dropship and Base was unique on the conquest map. Basically that your personal quarters would only be on one base or on one Dropship.

[Silent]

Kay Wolf, on 28 November 2011 - 11:51 AM, said:

Heck, would it be possible to use Second Life as a lobby? Have player groups build their own areas there, players are given log-ins for those specific areas, and then they have stores and what-not that could work there, and a Launch button once all of the parameters of missions, teams, 'Mechs, etc., are formed.

Second Life is absolutely terrible and ugly. I understand that some people want to be able to walk around a world and interact with each other or whatever, but I think the developers could do better than Second Life.

[Sabbathiel]

I hope they do it. It would make it more real. even add a bar, a store where you could change your MW's style, heck even a boxing arena, where they could test thier metel. Top MW pics on the walls, most kills, most salvage, Most HONOR..etc... a holo deck that shows you specs on all mechs so you can look for weak points or setup ideas. I was even thinking a Clan or Guild hall that could house your banners and logo. and some fun stuff, I wish they would add this. housing and rewards of SWG, Traning to be a better pilot/gunner, like AA3. you would need to learn how to use differant weapons and eq. or you could not. and if they are lazy they are stuck with basic weapons, and piloting skills etc. The concept of MW is the best, why not do it right? just my thoughs.

Sabbs

[Raeven]

Chat rooms were the greatest part of MPBT:Solaris VII. You had chat lobbies beside every drop area and each sector in the district had at least 2 bars. While you were waiting for space to open up in the drop, you could talk with people. Real friendships were made with those chat lobbies.

[FrOdO]

Phalanx, on 28 November 2011 - 01:00 PM, said:

Mechwarrior:Mercs did it the best in my opinion. For those that don't know, let me show you: (Interface starts at 2:00).

Perhaps have the lobby as a Dropship or Base(depending on where you deploy from) with key areas that you can access for information.

Area ideas:
(Dropship):
-Bridge(Review Mission Information)
-Mess Hall(Chat)
-Mech Bay(Mech Lab Options)
-Personal Quarters

(Base)
-Command Center(Review Mission Information)
-Bar(chat)
-Mech Bay
-Personal Quarters

I like the idea of a mechwarrior avatar. The personal quarters functions like a "house" in RPG. You can decorate it with personal items to add a unique look and feel to your character(perhaps a picture of the wife and kids, or a piece of shrapnel from an enemy mech you downed).

What would be really cool is if each Dropship and Base was unique on the conquest map. Basically that your personal quarters would only be on one base or on one Dropship.

Great reference! Mercs did do it right and at the time it was enough to add another layer to the entire experience. I'm sure the team at Piranha is trying to encapsulate that experience into their own iteration or something like it and why? Because that is part of what Mechwarrior is all about and I believe fleshing out those experiences will bring a greater sense of community to all that play. If your going to make a strictly online entry in the series, it is all about the community.

Besides that.... the Mercs intro is boss.


"Team Venom, this is Dropship Command"

[Mattiator]

Customizable 'homes' and 'pilots' also give Pirhana/Infinity another way to make money without resorting to P2W, even if it doesn't make them a lot of it, it's still money.

[FrOdO]

I guess some of what I was trying to say might have been lost.


I believe Phalanx put it best when he referenced Merc's user interface as an interactive experience that broke up combat.

If you could imagine something like that with a modern touch and maybe even have it act as a hub for your clan.... I think that's more on the right track.

I mean just essential things such as:

-Mech Lab
-A Conquest Map (Shows Map of territories, different colors represent what clan owns what territory, gives player ability to see where the fight needs to be directed and what servers they should look to join)
-Shop (Buy Parts/Sell Parts + Salvage)
-News ( To keep track of innersphere news updates)

Just for you and your clan mates....


Keep it simple yet innovative..... No Playstation Home "Theme Park" style rendition.