6 replies to this topic

[TheMightySpin]

So a few of us in my Unit, WTAU, have been kicking around the concept of setting up a sort of Mech pool for Units. Basic concept is that it would be a means for players to donate (or perhaps lease/sell) their unwanted Mechs to their Unit rather than just sell it back into the game. The unit would have it's own set of Mech bays, same set up as for individual players. Players would then be able to rent Mechs from the unit with the proceeds going to the unit coffers for a period of time with the Mech reverting back to the Unit at the end of the rental period. Only Members with permission would be able to modify the builds.

Units with new or inexperienced members would be able to draw upon the Mech Pool to help learn Mech builds, build drop decks for faction play and gain C-Bills to purchase their own Mechs faster. Units would be able to get new members trained and equipped while being able to earn more C-Bills for further recruitment. Should a member who has donated leave the Unit, the Mech will be retained by the Unit to which it was donated. Should the unit be disbanded the total sales cost of the Mech, in C-Bills, would be evenly distributed among members who donated Mechs.

This will be a great way to encourage growth and membership in units of all sizes as well as increased participation and competitiveness in faction play at all player and Unit skill levels. Players will be able to access Unit preferred builds for both quick play drops and for building drop decks where otherwise they would be forced to rely on Trial builds for faction play, severely limiting their usefulness in the Unit, an aspect which seems to negatively impact Unit recruiting currently. This could also help to encourage creativity in Mech builds allowing players to try chassis and builds beyond the Meta without having to expend the same time, effort and C-Bills/MC that is often associated with straying from the beaten path. This would also allow new players to have at least partial access to fully skilled Mechs, which would be particularly helpful given the complexities of the new skill tree.

From the perspective of you, the developers, this could also be an opportunity to expand your sales base for Hero and MC variants. Many players are reluctant to spend cash on something they aren't confident will be worth the investment. Allowing players the option to get rid of a Mech they've spent money on, but didn't like, and still be able to get use of it within their units would be a bit of a safety net for some players. For others it would be a chance to test MC and Cash Only variants without risking making a "bad" investment while encouraging players to buy the Mech themselves rather than lease it from the unit indefinitely.

This is only a rough concept, but I hope that it might get some gears cranking. Keep up the great work!

[TrailingWings]

Fantastic Idea, interested to see how this progresses and will be following closely.

[Michaelson Snow]

Yes, fantastic idea. Allowing officer mechlab ability on unit mechs could/would also give something to do with stockpiled Unit c-bills(beyond recruiting that is)

[JoanTheLiar]

Great idea but won't happen. Pgi won't be able to make money off of us as much as he is now if every mech is now going to be there for us to use from other players.

[Thinkagain01]

Bump

[Rattler85]

Excellent idea. I do have mechs that I would not mind lending to people.

[Your Father Really]

JoanTheLiar, on 27 February 2017 - 06:33 PM, said:

Great idea but won't happen. Pgi won't be able to make money off of us as much as he is now if every mech is now going to be there for us to use from other players.

They will be able to use them, but they will not own them. Thus, they will test like or dislike purchase or not. Remember, for people to want to spend you need to entice them with new fun options. Quality does cause quantity, simple sales strategy. This in turn will also cause players to do more faction play, now adding the skill tree even new players can find some type of fun early on. You are grooming future spenders, who at this time frame will not spend because of not knowing if it is worth it or not.

Mech Pools will early on give experience to brand new mech warriors, and early on they will know what they want to buy and utilize from their options.Instead of spending,regretting and leaving the game. These are just my views on this, I am taking into consideration what I went through, and which I think many have gone trough.