Artwork - Alexander Iglesias is the man when it comes to making mechs. He can turn the ugliest mechs from any TRO and transform them into mechporn stars. You can post pics of MWLL's gameplay all you want, but in the artwork department, that man has you beat. When even the "Godfather of BattleTech" Jordan Weisman, wants to use your mech art for his BattleTech game and Catalyst Game Labs gives you the honor of creating a new cannon mech like the Roughneck, then you know you've done something right.
Camospecs - It is no secret that I love vanity items. So whenever a new mech comes out, I enjoy painting them up and posting them on the forums. With decals that feels like icing on the cake. I have to give Laura Bamlett credit for her camo skin designs and Alexander Garden respect for his commitment to new decals. It makes me feel like I am painting a mech miniature but in virtual form.
Role Play Factor - I love it when I or others put some elements of roleplay into the game. To me, it does add some fun to MWO. Being a lore nut, I hold a high amount of respect for people or units who can show appreciation towards factions or lore based mercenaries rather than the people who don't care about the lore and treat this game as a generic Counterstrike skin.
Some Good Decisions - I've seen PGI make decisions that were either nonsensical, bad, or eyebrow-raising. But I cannot deny that there were good decisions as well. The removal premium time for private lobbies, fixing hilariously bad walking animations like the Mad Cat Mk II, New Clan Factions for the game, new weapons and tech, the reworking of the "Nova Bat" logo, a new 20-ton clan mech, etc. Though there is still much more work that needs to be done, they are reasons why I can tolerate PGI to a certain extent.
Some Degrees of Respect - Despite the subpar communication PGI has with its players, I have seen them show respect towards players from time to time. The Sarah's Jenner was made to honor a player's late daughter who died from brain cancer and was put up for Cancer research, Bishop Steiner asked for his Deputy Dawg and he got the K-9 in return, Imperius asked for his Mad Cat Mk II and it happened, TheArisen asked for the NightStar and it happened. They even delivered on the Clan decals I've asked for. Sure PGI didn't have to add any of those requests, but it is remarkable that they did it anyway.
TL;DR version:
The friendships, artwork and vanity, roleplay, decisions and certain degrees of respect are reasons why I still play.
Edited by Will9761, 13 October 2017 - 09:53 PM.