15 replies to this topic

[vettie]

Sorry for the length of this post (if you think it is too long) but I have something to get off my chest.

Let me start by saying I really enjoy this game. It is the only online game I play. I joined back when closed beta was for founders or invitation only. I got an invitatation. I dont complain about changes, although I might make a comment on someone's post about certain things, but mostly I try to adapt and play the game the best I can.

Now for my main complaint (and it has been brought up MANY times before, so it is not new). MAPS. I played MW4Mercs for years until MWO grabbed me (and MekTek shut down their servers).

In MW4, there were so many maps that game play never got old or stale. Yes, most were added by the community. So? They were fun and kept the game interesting. Even 1 map could have different vsion levels based on fog or weather and most could be day or night.

MWO took several maps out of circulation and replaced them with a new version. OK, but why not leave the old or original version as well. That alone would almost double the map population. MWO seem to have and an aversion to user created maps, so lets use what we already have.

Not only could we use the old maps, but we could add a couple of elements within all the maps (or most). Tourmaline for example, could be a night map and a snow map (or heavy rain). That makes 3 maps of the one. This could happen with (most) all maps in the game. Alpine at night anyone? River City with a frozen river(maybe one that has thin ice in places, altho this is doubtful). Polar Highlands as a desert, Crimson Straight with snow, Canyon Network with snow or at night... The list is only limited to the maps we currently have.

I am no programmer, but I suggest these additions do not require too much in the way of programming. It is possible that these things already exist and it is a matter of turning it on or off in the existing files. If that is the case, it is much easier and cheaper than creating NEW maps (altho I am all for new ones).

Also, like Grim Plexus, there are other maps in FW that could be alterred, cut down, etc to make additional QP maps again without creating a new map.

Mechs are great and fun, maps keep the game interesting.

Old man ramble - over...

[El Bandito]

vettie, on 25 February 2018 - 07:39 PM, said:

Not only could we use the old maps, but we could add a couple of elements within all the maps (or most). Tourmaline for example, could be a night map and a snow map (or heavy rain). That makes 3 maps of the one. This could happen with (most) all maps in the game. Alpine at night anyone? River City with a frozen river(maybe one that has thin ice in places, altho this is doubtful). Polar Highlands as a desert, Crimson Straight with snow, Canyon Network with snow or at night... The list is only limited to the maps we currently have.

I'm sure adding dynamic daylight time is entirely possible on maps that currently lack it.

[vettie]

Not really talking about dynamic daylight, I personally do not like that feature, I mean a daylight version ANd a night version like the old River City was. Then add weather to them or make a winter/summer version (opposite of what they currently are). That is more what I was thinking.

[ocular tb]

vettie, on 25 February 2018 - 08:56 PM, said:

Not really talking about dynamic daylight, I personally do not like that feature, I mean a daylight version ANd a night version like the old River City was. Then add weather to them or make a winter/summer version (opposite of what they currently are). That is more what I was thinking.

I’m with you on the dynamic day/night cycle. I’d rather have multiple versions of each map with different time/weather than a single dynamic map. Looking back, we used to have Frozen City night (clear) and day (snow storm with low visibility), River City day (hazy, smoky, late day orange sky) and night (pitch black), and Forest Colony snow (blocked-off path near tunnel) and normal (clear). I wish we could bring back the old maps and do like we did with those and just add some new variations of our current maps.

Edited by ocular tb, 25 February 2018 - 09:56 PM.

[ShootterMcGavin]

I too am in favor of adding some of the old maps, and even if not, the point made about trimming and editing some of the FP maps would be beneficial for quick map additions.

Too I'm glad for the new Solaris maps, as they look like they will be fun, however, I hope this doesn't mean that QP maps come at an even slower pace than they already do.

To PGI's credit, it does look like they are taking the map issue to heart with a new one coming out in March but I do hope they announce they have another one in the pipeline after that.

[Vellron2005]

vettie, on 25 February 2018 - 07:39 PM, said:

Sorry for the length of this post (if you think it is too long) but I have something to get off my chest.

Let me start by saying I really enjoy this game. It is the only online game I play. I joined back when closed beta was for founders or invitation only. I got an invitatation. I dont complain about changes, although I might make a comment on someone's post about certain things, but mostly I try to adapt and play the game the best I can.

Now for my main complaint (and it has been brought up MANY times before, so it is not new). MAPS. I played MW4Mercs for years until MWO grabbed me (and MekTek shut down their servers).

In MW4, there were so many maps that game play never got old or stale. Yes, most were added by the community. So? They were fun and kept the game interesting. Even 1 map could have different vsion levels based on fog or weather and most could be day or night.

MWO took several maps out of circulation and replaced them with a new version. OK, but why not leave the old or original version as well. That alone would almost double the map population. MWO seem to have and an aversion to user created maps, so lets use what we already have.

Not only could we use the old maps, but we could add a couple of elements within all the maps (or most). Tourmaline for example, could be a night map and a snow map (or heavy rain). That makes 3 maps of the one. This could happen with (most) all maps in the game. Alpine at night anyone? River City with a frozen river(maybe one that has thin ice in places, altho this is doubtful). Polar Highlands as a desert, Crimson Straight with snow, Canyon Network with snow or at night... The list is only limited to the maps we currently have.

I am no programmer, but I suggest these additions do not require too much in the way of programming. It is possible that these things already exist and it is a matter of turning it on or off in the existing files. If that is the case, it is much easier and cheaper than creating NEW maps (altho I am all for new ones).

Also, like Grim Plexus, there are other maps in FW that could be alterred, cut down, etc to make additional QP maps again without creating a new map.

Mechs are great and fun, maps keep the game interesting.

Old man ramble - over...

Again with this? Really?

Ok.. here we go again..

1) Bringing back old maps - NO.. why? Cose' they are too small for 12vs12, even for 8vs8.. They were removed for a reason.. Only way this would be feasible, is if compatible maps (like Crimson and River city for example) were stitched together to make them bigger.

2) Adding day/night cycles to maps that don't have them yet - it's the same map, only different conditions a bit.. not different enough to make it less stale.

3) Re-skinning maps like Polar to make snow into sand - again, not different enough to make it less stale.

What could be done to make the map situation better:

1) Use existing map resources to make new maps quicker... we don't need more city maps with new building types.. we need more city maps with different layouts for example.. I mean why have only 1 River City, when we can have 10? Same with every other map type.. Why just one Canyon Network? Use the same resources and make a different canyon..

2) Let the community make maps. A map that somebody else has made, and PGI just has to "check and adjust so that it works" is cheaper than making a map from scratch.. also, makes the community very very happy. Extends the shelf-life of the game. Make it clear that any map submissions are done of own's free volition, and that submitted maps are PGI property, and PGI is able to modify as it sees fit. Reward popular submission's creator with a cockpit item or MC.

3) Understand that yes, Meckpacks bring money, but maps bring, and more importantly, keep players.. players that are paying customers.

4) Make maps that don't cater to just one playstyle. Not everyone is a Gauss/PPC sniper, or Brawler, or Lurm Boat.. promote all types of playstyles.

6) Stop making extreme weather maps. Not every new map has to be hot or cold. Most planets attractive to a human would be temperate, with just an occasional hot/cold hell.

Edited by Vellron2005, 26 February 2018 - 01:32 AM.

[MW Waldorf Statler]

for PGI is it to many Work to editing the Terrain for Gamemodes ...the delete some Buildings in the Spawnzone from Crimson , or make Hills a Little Flatter near the Dropzones from Alpine ...thats only a work from 20 Minutes and to must for PGI ...and now ...different Maps ,who the half from the Team has only eyes for russ new Horse MW5 and the Most from the MWO Team is building Solaris and new Mechs to buy

[Bombast]

Blah blah blah Map voting is a bigger issue la de da la de do New maps are pointless when the players only vote for the same 3 maps anyway shoop de woop de poop Democracy was a mistake.

[Bud Crue]

Easiest way for PGI to give us new and actually playable maps would be to do use the wasted assets from some of their existing maps. Examples:

Split Forest in half and turn it into two maps: 1/2 would be the coast with rolling hills/forest and beach cliff including the pass and open area abve the beach cliffs, other 1/2 would be the quarry area and water (with the busted ship), as well as the arch, up to the pass at I9.

Same thing with Grim Plexus. As it is the sides of the map are forgotten zones that only occasionally do fast lights use to try a flank. Could turn both of those areas with half the central region into their own maps.

Same thing with Emerald. Take out the gates and invasion accoutrements, turn the forested rolling hills and water into one map, the city and backing cliffs into another. Same thing with Vitric. Rock plains and hills for one map and the city for another.

Etc.

PGI has lots of existing assets that no one plays because the maps are so messed up/focused on the whole nascar around a central feature/follow these two paths, while 70% of this giant map is ignored style of map making. Do something with that 70% ignored territory and I guarantee people will gladly play these "new" maps, and each one would cost a **** load less than "$250,000 to make. Too bad this will never happen.

[Tom Sawyer]

Bud Crue, on 26 February 2018 - 04:27 AM, said:

Easiest way for PGI to give us new and actually playable maps would be to do use the wasted assets from some of their existing maps. Examples:

Split Forest in half and turn it into two maps: 1/2 would be the coast with rolling hills/forest and beach cliff including the pass and open area abve the beach cliffs, other 1/2 would be the quarry area and water (with the busted ship), as well as the arch, up to the pass at I9.

Same thing with Grim Plexus. As it is the sides of the map are forgotten zones that only occasionally do fast lights use to try a flank. Could turn both of those areas with half the central region into their own maps.

Same thing with Emerald. Take out the gates and invasion accoutrements, turn the forested rolling hills and water into one map, the city and backing cliffs into another. Same thing with Vitric. Rock plains and hills for one map and the city for another.

Etc.

PGI has lots of existing assets that no one plays because the maps are so messed up/focused on the whole nascar around a central feature/follow these two paths, while 70% of this giant map is ignored style of map making. Do something with that 70% ignored territory and I guarantee people will gladly play these "new" maps, and each one would cost a **** load less than "$250,000 to make. Too bad this will never happen.

Stop making sense Bud! Buy a mechpack and you will feel better.

[Bud Crue]

Tom Sawyer, on 26 February 2018 - 04:47 AM, said:

Stop making sense Bud! Buy a mechpack and you will feel better.

That actually used to work. Oh for the good ole days.

[vettie]

Bombast, on 26 February 2018 - 04:07 AM, said:

Blah blah blah Map voting is a bigger issue la de da la de do New maps are pointless when the players only vote for the same 3 maps anyway shoop de woop de poop Democracy was a mistake.

One thing at a time. EITHER maps first or no voting first. Then push for the other.
We have been pushing for no vote and seems to fall on deaf ears. At least with some new/old maps there could possibly be more choices in the vote cycle (to not vote for).

As to Vellron and Buds post above - I "liked" the post but I may not agree with all of it. Not here to argue points, just to point to simple way of adding maps to the game without 6 month wait or 250k$ per (still dont believe that $ figure).

PGI does not seem to want community submitted material. I dont get this. Its a free asset for them. Maybe inject a mechpak of choice to the submitter - no big deal to PGI. The NGNG guys guys give them away often. Maybe if someone were to make one ane submit it, PGI would at least look at it and consider it.... IF i knew how to, I would do so.

Bud's idea for splitting / joining maps is another good idea.

Just trying to get us some more play grounds.

[F1oyd]

I would take everything, new maps, old maps or 'Frankenstein' maps that are cut out of existing maps (which is an awesome idea in view of all the completely unused areas on some maps - kudos Bud Crue), community created maps, variants of the existing maps like we had on old Forrest C. but pls PGI add more maps.

More maps and dynamic spawn points would add so much fun to the game and would help to keep the players experience fresh. Imo skirmish and conquest and maybe assault would be enough for any new map. Escort and Incursion are no fun to play imo and could be shifted into the private lobby.

#weneedmoremaps

Edited by Floyd Foster, 26 February 2018 - 07:52 AM.

[Bud Crue]

Floyd Foster, on 26 February 2018 - 07:52 AM, said:

...dynamic spawn points would add so much fun to the game and would help to keep the players experience fresh.
...
#weneedmoremaps

I keep forgetting about this. This has been asked for for years but never instituted, so I assume its some sort of Herculean programming effort/burden. I asked years ago, but never got an answer. Anyway, it seems like changing them up a bit would do a lot toward adding some zest to a given map’s game play.

[Fox the Apprentice]

iirc, there was a dev comment on it being a pain to map the VIP's AI path for new maps. But I can't find it (didn't look to hard) so maybe my mind is playing tricks on me again.

[vettie]

Bud Crue, on 26 February 2018 - 08:01 AM, said:

I keep forgetting about this. ....

Me too. this would even make current maps more interesting.

Fox the Apprentice, on 26 February 2018 - 12:01 PM, said:

iirc, there was a dev comment on it being a pain to map the VIP's AI path for new maps. But I can't find it (didn't look to hard) so maybe my mind is playing tricks on me again.

Im ok with anything being added to only be the big 3 modes. Incursion and Escort DO NOT have to be a part of anything added (my opinion)