363 replies to this topic

[Bud Crue]

So...that is a lot of vague statements of intent, and to my read, the abandonment of even making a show of trying to balance.

Who here really believes that the skills tree, the complete rework of all quirks in the game, a complete rework of PGI's revenue model, the addition of new tech, and the next era of super duper high hard point mechs (Fafnir, Blood Asp, etc.) is going to result in game play where "every mech down to the variant level has equivalent value regardless of their role" like PGI claimed was their balance goal over a year ago?

Last months patch still had performance tweeks to heat sinks, SRM heat out put, Gauss range, clan AC cool down performance, Machine Guns, etc. Before that UACs. Before that ERLarge lasers, etc. They are forced to use tonnage changes in CW to try and entice clan mercs to play with the IS. Russ posts on twitter regularly about how hard it is to balance this game. And yet with that back drop, here we have an announcement that it is PGI's intention to add: new tech, new mechs, redo quirks, and a brand new skills tree all within a couple of months of each other.

And the community's reaction seems to be excitement at this prospect...cuz NEW MECHS!!!!

Well. Great.

Given the current state of the game and the track record around here, I for one am not excited, but rather very much concerned that they are about to fill the dumpster that is this game full of more untenable and unbalanced "features" that PGI does not fully understand in the abstract, let alone when they are all thrown together and lit on fire in the game environment. All we as players will be able to do is watch that dumpster burn.

But at least we will get to watch from our sweet new 3060 era Mechs! Whoohoo!
Well, there ya go, finally something to be excited about.

[Mystere]

BLOOD WOLF, on 13 January 2017 - 08:34 PM, said:

Next time PGI, don't say anything. Then it really can be of "no substance".

Frankly, I sometimes prefer they say nothing instead of saying something about absolutely nothing.

Edited by Mystere, 14 January 2017 - 08:05 AM.

[Mystere]

Juodas Varnas, on 13 January 2017 - 11:13 PM, said:

Psssst.
It's still better than just out-right DYING

Psssst! As good as dead is just as bad as outright dying when facing a competent opponent.

[Ovion]

Kael Posavatz, on 13 January 2017 - 11:53 PM, said:

[spoiler]Not just tweets, he was hinting at it in all-chat in mid-drop too.

Thing that has me worried though is the tech upgrade. RB's been hinting for 4+ months at a tech upgrade (mostly in reference to the Mad Cat Mk II) so it isn't suprising. But PGI blanket refused to discuss balancing FutureTech at MechCon. There is no word about balance FutureTech here. But there is another blanket-nerf to the Clans. ~six months out to a potentially major destabilizing patch and still pulling blanket changes? Seriously?

And how hard is it to give a buff for a change? Make IS XLs survive a side-torso kill. It'll probably have to happen anyway if the IS Omnis (I think only the Hauptman runs a standard) are to hit the field, that or unlocking armor/structure/engines and if you do that for IS it's harder to justify not doing it for the Clans.

For that matter, make standard engines come with a massive armor buff to side/center torsos, start at, say, 30% and adjust from there. The Clans don't need it that high, but enough to make the standard engine relevant for the OrionIIC and Highlander IIC (Nada for the Kodiak which is generally fine as is).

Oh hey, there's two ideas right there that don't require nerfs, help to make something relevant, and don't require a new item (looks at light fusion engine). How many posts will it take for someone to come up with a third potentially-balancing buff in place of a nerf?

But seriously. The last thing this game needs is another wave of seriously unbalanced tech--and there's enough stuff floating around in post-3060 that both IS and Clans could be stupid OP in completely different (and equally screwy) ways--that require massive rounds of nerfing.[/spoil;er]

Because, in the established lore (the background, the whole reason for the game existing, etc) does not do those things.
They don't make sense either.

Cub, on 14 January 2017 - 03:00 AM, said:

Uhhhh.....another IS light 'mech? Is that a typo? Ya'll at PGI understand Clan is missing representation in the 20 ton light 'mech range, right? If I'm not mistaken, this will increase the IS light mech options up to 10 and leave Clan with 5 to choose from (none of which are 20 tons, an important number when it comes to drop deck building.)

Yeah, but any new light is still welcome (so long as it's not yet another 35T mech).
And hopefully it'll be one in March.

[Tordin]

Im mostly happy with the roadmap. Looks like a brighter future for MWO. PGI just needs to keep their head cool and stick with the gun and be on track
Alot of great things be it new tech, different mech pack model, new skilltree system, mechbay tweaks, reverse kinematics, more improvements to CW/ FP and so on.
Its better that they are kinda vague and open for changes and improvements, than surely promise all these new things and then just drops the promises and trash it all into oblivion in the end. With such a roadmap for 6 months, they cant just revert it all like they had before in some cases, like with power draw and info warfare. It will be a riot then, no doubt. Who know, maybe PGI now, have nailed it.

Oh and I hope if they can fix the speed limit wall hindering the release of the Fire Moth and Flea for example. It will be very much appreciated. Im sure gonna buy the Flea and even gift a few packs for some friends of mine. To support the Light class in on itself and because the Flea is my favorite 20t and due to it being used by Wolf's Dragoons.


Anyway, In short Im careful optimistic with all of this

Edited by Tordin, 14 January 2017 - 07:15 AM.

[Juodas Varnas]

Mystere, on 14 January 2017 - 07:14 AM, said:

Psssst! As good as dead is just as bad as outright dying when facing a competent opponent.

How often do you face a competent opponent in MWO?
NOT THAT OFTEN!

[KH Slaine]

Having stepped away from the game 4 years ago and just returning, I'm glad to see any development happening, as vague as the time line may seem.
I'm not too fond of the cash/*****/cow feeling of the mech pack system. Needs some real balance right there, never mind clan/IS balance, my bank balance isn't happy at all.

[Mystere]

Cathy, on 14 January 2017 - 05:37 AM, said:

Oh your friend is correct.

Coupled with more promises if I.K which P.G.I have been working on and failing to make work for over a year now.

More Tech making it harder to balance a game they've failed to do for over a year.

Vastly offsets anything good in the write up.

I wonder if the new tech will ever see light of day, or just like I.K. is just a hook to try and keep more people once Battletech is launched.

I think you nailed it!

[Javin]

I think we have some potential here.

I would still like more maps. Even one per month would be incredible. If you need help let the players design a few maps for you. Free work for PGI, more content for players, and everyone is happy!

[ExAstra]

InnerSphereNews, on 13 January 2017 - 06:20 PM, said:

For some time now, the selection of weapons and equipment technology in MechWarrior Online has been an ongoing discussion, both internally here at Piranha Games and in discussions throughout the community. Not since the Clan Invasion have we seen a major release of advanced technology onto the battlefields of the Inner Sphere.

The time has come for a new era of ‘Mech warfare.
A new era approaches.

[Mystere]

Bud Crue, on 14 January 2017 - 06:41 AM, said:

Who here really believes that the skills tree, the complete rework of all quirks in the game, a complete rework of PGI's revenue model, the addition of new tech, and the next era of super duper high hard point mechs (Fafnir, Blood Asp, etc.) is going to result in game play where "every mech down to the variant level has equivalent value regardless of their role" like PGI claimed was their balance goal over a year ago?

Short of making all mechs and equipment exactly the same visibly differing only in shape, color, visual and sound effects -- aka. everything is just "skins" -- anyone believing that line is a fool.

[Mystere]

Juodas Varnas, on 14 January 2017 - 07:14 AM, said:

How often do you face a competent opponent in MWO?
NOT THAT OFTEN!

Did you just say that balance should be based not from the top but from the bottom?

[Bud Crue]

Mystere, on 14 January 2017 - 07:28 AM, said:

Short of making all mechs and equipment exactly the same visibly differing only in shape, color, visual and sound effects -- aka. everything is just "skins" -- anyone believing that line is a fool.

That's not nice to say about Paul.

[Juodas Varnas]

Mystere, on 14 January 2017 - 07:31 AM, said:

Did you just say that balance should be based not from the top but from the bottom?

I think you're projecting.

[Mystere]

Juodas Varnas, on 14 January 2017 - 07:44 AM, said:

I think you're projecting.

I think you did not comprehend the full implications of your post.

[Juodas Varnas]

Mystere, on 14 January 2017 - 08:01 AM, said:

I think you did not comprehend the full implications of your post.

Or you're reading too much into a joke.

[Mystere]

Juodas Varnas, on 14 January 2017 - 08:02 AM, said:

Or you're reading too much into a joke.

Huh?

[rolly]

Mystere, on 14 January 2017 - 07:20 AM, said:

I think you nailed it!

Yeah its pretty much this. This was a whole lot of fluff, a bit of live bait thrown in and a whole lotta hooks.
Who needs real content, or following your own roadmap time line anyway? This formula has worked for 4+ years anyhow and as this thread is proving right: "There are still plenty of new fish in the sea".

Lets just continue bait and stall them (our faithful and loyal to the IP player base audience) with more minor things and more promises because the "Wanna buy a mech pack line is stale, and we're all outta the glitz and hype from MechCon, and the teasing of Revamped Assault didn't catch. So let's snow them under with platitudes and put a few hooks to trigger the die hard fans into sticking around.

I would not be surprised if the teaser light mech will be a Dasher, Piranha (if they want to get cheeky), and we'll see the Nightstar, Annihilator, Nova Cat released at key times throughout the year when things are again at a low. April for Assault/Incursion? I'm betting Fall 2017. The new time line jump is really just an attempt to keep the Hope alive for all those wanting the mechs they grew up. Essentially its refarming the newer player base after leaving the field fallow.

Sadly Juodas I doubt we'll see our quad mechs. PGI isn't desperate enough yet. Maybe in 2018 after MechCon hype fades they may just yet announce it.

Such a waste of text and so shamefully disgusting.

Edited by rolly, 14 January 2017 - 08:19 AM.

[Joshua McEvedy]

Sooooo, since the timeline will be jumping to 3060+, will the Smoke Jaguars disappear from the game, and will the Ghost Bears be moving entirely to Rasalhague space?

Edited by Joshua McEvedy, 14 January 2017 - 08:12 AM.

[Jay Leon Hart]

Mystere, on 14 January 2017 - 07:14 AM, said:

Psssst! As good as dead is just as bad as outright dying when facing a competent opponent.

Make Clan XLs die on side torso loss? Ok, if you insist!