11 replies to this topic

[SpiralFace]

So today Russ dropped a really nice piece of info:

@russ_bullock/status/637325127634448384

I think many can agree that this is a massively positive change that will be launched with this release. But it does bring up something that many players have known for a while.

The Default settings for this game are bad.

Universally, nearly everything experience players relay to new players always boils down to a set list of things:

• Flip off default to 3rd person
  
• Turn down Mouse Sensitivity
  
• Bump up Feild of View
  
• Turn off Throttle decay (debatable for the newest players.)
  
• Turn off Arm Lock (debatable for the newest players.)

Since 3rd person is being addressed in a better way and with a larger focus on New Player experience, it seems like now is a good time to re-address some of the basic settings this game gives you. While Throttle Decay and Arm lock are debatable for completely fresh players to the MW franchise, FoV and default mouse settings are absolutely something that can be approved with the focus towards new player experience.

So lets try and get FoV and Mouse sensitivity changed to something more sensible for new players.

I would change the default settings on FoV and Mouse sensitivity to the following:

FoV: 70-80 default.
Mouse Sensitivity: .3

Remember, this should be a "middle ground" for new players, not your personal favorite setting for your own experience.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

Edited by SpiralFace, 28 August 2015 - 07:30 PM.

[Kiiyor]

SpiralFace, on 28 August 2015 - 07:24 PM, said:

• Turn off Throttle decay (debatable for the newest players.)
  
• Turn off Arm Lock (debatable for the newest players.)

The arrow is a fantastic idea, and I wholeheartedly agree with leaving it for normal matches.

Arm lock and throttle decay though are a bit more nebulous, because they are one of those things that quickly become muscle memory and are a matter of preference.

I hate throttle decay, because it means I stop when i'm typing, but I can see how it's useful. I even made a concerted effort to switch to it once, but just couldn't persevere long enough to overcome my press X to stop instincts. Just felt clumsy, even though there are far less finger gymnastics involved with using it. If I try to imagine myself as a new player, I can see the merits of both.

Arm lock though is something else entirely. I think it's effectiveness depends a lot on the mech - pinpoint builds like dual Gauss or PPC's+Autocannons benefit from it, but I don't like it because it makes torso twisting feel.... weird. The crosshairs move very differently when armlock is on. It's great for zoomed in, long range shots, but I find that if I have to make larger adjustments to switch to a new target I either vastly over correct or under correct.

Having said that, I often switch between modes in battle. I think that instead of concentrating on which should be default, there should be some explaining done on the benefits of both modes, and switching between them. A tutorial sounds like an awesome place to explain that.

I think the other options like FOV and mouse sensitivity are things that players could stumble on after they become familiar enough with the game to want to customize their own settings.

[bad arcade kitty]

>but the new arrow system on by default

wait... we will be able to have that huge arrow thing in the ordinary games? yes please! it will be so much easier to run between obstacles while watching side-wise in a fast mech

[dario03]

I really like the arrow. Probably because its exactly what I suggested in place of 3pv back when the debate about putting 3pv in was going on.

[SpiralFace]

Kiiyor, on 28 August 2015 - 08:23 PM, said:

I think the other options like FOV and mouse sensitivity are things that players could stumble on after they become familiar enough with the game to want to customize their own settings.

Thing is, by default, they are set to where the mouse is too sensitive, and the FOV is way too narrow.

Its true that players should choose how they wish to play, but setting the mouse sensitivity at 1, where most players leave it at 0 to .5, and FOV to the lowest setting when everyone leaves it higher is kinda slanting things in a negative way towards the new players, because I have yet to see anyone play with a 60 FOV or a 1 mouse sensitivity unless they where completely new.

[Wintersdark]

I really think the arrow from the tutorial is utterly brilliant, and absolutely should be on by default for new players even in normal matches. It solves one of MWO's (and Mechwarrior in general) greatest stumbling blocks for new players, and it does so in a very non-invasive way that doesn't impact gameplay like 3PV does.

I think Arm Lock is a terrible thing, and personally feel anyone who plays with it locked on is a bad person who doesn't deserve to be called a Mechwarrior, but I get that's a totally personal opinion and goes nowhere beyond that. Still, it's kind of a wash. Easier to learn to play with it on by default; but then those players are at a severe disadvantage until they learn when and how to toggle it off (or just plain turn it off like a real mechwarrior).

I'm sure the above paragraph has offended some. That's ok, because they are bad people who don't deserve to be called Mechwarriors and thus don't count.

(The above two paragraphs are a joke. Mostly.)

Throttle decay... erg. It's less offensive than Arm Lock, also largely a wash I think. It's actually advantageous for a light (as you'll accelerate faster than holding W normally) but it makes it a lot harder to move as a cohesive group as well. My "Old School Mechwarrior Player" self finds it marginally offensive too, but whatever works.

Mouse sensitivity? It absolutely should be dropped. Not as low as some of us go, but the default sensitivity should be far lower. One thing I noted when I dropped into the Academy with a clean PTS install was that I couldn't hit a damned thing. It was FAR harder to aim than my normal basically absolute minimum sensitivity. Mine's extreme, though, as I have a very high resolution mouse. However, I really think a "middle of the road" setting is much better for new players than "extremely sensitive". That way, players can (if they wish) adjust sensitivity both up or down, as they like, while also gaining easier aim out of the box.

FOV? Eh, doesn't matter. Easily adjustable in game by graphical settings, and it's not an advantage or disadvantage. Wider FOV's are awesome on some mechs, and horrible on others. Stick with the default as it is.

[Elizander]

+1 for mouse sensitivity. It's too high for most people and those that don't adjust it end up swinging their lasers across the horizon.

[Troutmonkey]

Throttle Decay is fine, and I prefer it over the other method even though I played through open beta without it.
Once you realise you can use the numpad for cruise control, you may find very little use for locked throttles.

Arm-Lock is tough, because it's far more difficult for newbies to play with it on, but at the same time playing with it off puts you at a massive disadvantage and we don't want new players getting it into their heads that arm lock is okay. Seen far too many standing on the edge of a platform, unable to aim at the cored enemy below them because they didn't know arm lock exist. :'(

[bad arcade kitty]

Troutmonkey, on 29 August 2015 - 05:26 AM, said:

Throttle Decay is fine, and I prefer it over the other method even though I played through open beta without it.
Once you realise you can use the numpad for cruise control, you may find very little use for locked throttles.

this

[JustEvil]

While we are at throttle decay... Any mech is literally more agile with it turned off on. Difference is very noticeable. It's like applying a whole lot different rules for a mech with throttle decay either turned off or on.

Same thing with arm lock, without arm lock you can torso twist faster.

Wouldn't be nice to have some consistency? I would prefer slow-paced option, but I'm fine with both. The thing is that applied rules shouldn't change with switching something off or on in options.

Edited by JustEvil, 29 August 2015 - 09:45 AM.

[bad arcade kitty]

JustEvil, on 29 August 2015 - 09:31 AM, said:

While we are at throttle decay... Any mech is literally more agile with it turned off.

any mech is more agile with it turned on

[JustEvil]

Yeah, true. Little mistake.