51 replies to this topic

[Tweaks]

VanillaG, on 13 December 2011 - 09:18 AM, said:

I guess it depends on what kind of limits they put on being able to pilot a mech. If you have to grind through various weight classes to use various mechs than this would work. However, if on day one you were able to pilot an Atlas if you had enough C-Bills to purchase one then you need to put some kind of restriction on the simulator. Why would anyone play outside of the simulator if the could just pilot any mech at any time for no cost?

Adding a cost, using C-Bills not real money, to non-starter mech simulator matches would mean that the player would have to play in PvP matches to make some C-Bills so they could use the simulator. New players could play all day, every day for free as long as they use the starter mechs which should give them proper training on control layouts. Existing player could use the same starter mechs to test out changes to joysticks/control mappings at no charge with starter mechs. At a cost of 5% of winnings for a match a pilot could play 20 simulator matches with non-starter mechs for each PvP match they must play if they truly wanted to practice with their mech. Most Merc Corps should be able to do some level of simulator/training without breaking the bank.

There needs to be some kind of downside to keep people from living in the simulator since MWO is designed to be a PvP oriented game. The simulator gives the pilot a no risk environment to try out new things at the cost of C-Bills which prevents them from getting better mechs/equipment as fast as the guy who does not use the simulator and learns through PvP matches.

I never meant or mentioned that the simulator should be multi-player and have live targets in it, did I? A sort of "holodeck", virtual map with holographic obstacles or target dummies is all I'm asking for. There could be a place for spectators perhaps, but there would be no 1v1 or multiplayer combat in there. It's you alone in your own instance.

Nobody would "live" in there!?

Edited by Tweaks, 13 December 2011 - 02:51 PM.

[MaddMaxx]

A basic Training Instance. One Map comes up.
It has obstacles for Mech driving/handling.
Targets to shoot at.
A Parade ground for Lance maneuvering.
If you want to take a Team mate(s)/Commander in with you, simply check the box marked "SIM Mode" and all weapons damage to any Mech and its internal component parts is real but SIMULATED.

[Dashermkii]

Training ground sound good but you should also get no money or exp when you fight in these. they should also be the player verse AI instead of other players to motivate them to play online with risk there should also be a weak but free mech like the flea or something.

[Gorith]

I agree having this would be beneficial. As long as you gain NOTHING besides the ability to test and train from it. It would be no risk so gives no reward. Sounds fine to me

Honestly kinda reminds me of using SISI for training in EVE

[Havoc2]

Guys, the devs have already stated that there will be no PvE in MWO, having AI would fall under "E" and (if implemented) would take more time to code the AI and how they function etc.

I think if we're going to brainstorm here, we should keep the existing release timeline in mind.

That said, I think a "training" area for getting started should be the same as the live lobbies, single person only, 1 map, and have some dummy buildings/targets to shoot at.

KISS.

[TheRulesLawyer]

At minimum there needs to be the ability to run blue on blue training missions in the sim. That way clans can test tactics without having to show them to opponents.

[Dihm]

Redburn, on 12 December 2011 - 03:42 PM, said:

Using your example(s)' if I get a new joystick (or other controller thpe) a year from now and I've used my "training chits"' then I have to "pay" to setup and test out my new joystick, etc., control schemes.

Just to comment on this. That's one of the things I HATE about BF3. There's nowhere to practice or adjust your control scheme for jets/helicopters so you can get things tuned how you like, unless it's done in a live match.

I'm all for some sort of no exp/no damage matches which can be set up to do training or run missions against your fellow unit members to work on tactics.

[MaddMaxx]

TheRulesLawyer, on 15 December 2011 - 08:27 AM, said:

At minimum there needs to be the ability to run blue on blue training missions in the sim. That way clans can test tactics without having to show them to opponents.

And seriously, if after Launch , I have to get all our new Merc members to download and install(arrhgghh) MW4:Free just so we can practice. In Mechs, that may not be even true replica's (Lab wise) of what MWO has, that would be rather absurd really.

[CeeKay Boques]

Matches that don't mean anything is absolutely essential. I care so much about my online ego and Mechwarrior in general, that I want to often not care, to take an emotional break.

More importantly, I want YOU guys to not care. I don't want to bring my 7 and 9 year old (who will be playing) on to the field, and have a bunch of uptight nerd rage forced upon them because they play poorly and oh no now you're going to lose Carver IV and @#$@%$% Technoviking's kids for ruining our front line.

No sir.

[Grithis]

Even today, pilots get tons of training time in before seeing any action. It's not in the least bit unreasonable to give us a basic option for testing new mechs/ refining our skills. It'd be great if whole lances/ companies could work on group tactics within the same simulation.

[Rhinehart]

A training area is in fact essential for many reasons. I'm sure they'll have one, but why not look to cannon? Have the Chameleon and other mechs that were featured as training designs for the training area. In addition to the fact that it fits the universe, training Mechs like the Chameleon generally had energy heavy armament, which means a new player will learn about heat management fast.

Just a thought.

Edited by Rhinehart, 23 December 2011 - 05:58 PM.

[RuneStorm]

In all the books and stories there has always been a training academy. A place for newly minted warriors to hone their skills and advance. It would only make sense for a place like this in the game.

It should also include separate training session controls for computer base units based on alignment to inner sphere groups and/or Merc Units.

This also provides a proving ground for weapons combo testing and mech configuration.

Finally, for any online game, continuity to the storyline of the universe is as important to the mechanics of the combat. While the combat draws many, game content can draw a whole new group. This group will be used to game content and storyline continuity from other MMORPG and alike first shooter type games. As people new to the Mechwarrior universe adopt the game they will read the books, from Decision at Thunder Rift by Keith released in 1986 forward. (A republication of the novels....hmmm maybe good timing? A hardcover compilation perhaps?). This will reveal references to the various academies up to and including the spec ops training for the clan wars.

So for the sake of that immersion continuity to storyline I am in full favor of training areas.

Edited by RuneStorm, 24 December 2011 - 11:37 AM.