26 replies to this topic

[DaZur]

One strong argument against S7 is that it's pulling a portion of a already shallow playerbase from QP and FW...

What are thoughts of using S7 to incentivise QP and FW though gradient increase to net payout?

Long and short, a small stipend of X% added to pay based on ones positive progress in S7... This would incentivise players to invest in S7 to net a higher profit in QP and FW.

Add to this it fits with lore as mechwarriors who prowess in S7 were sought after and were rewarded with premium pay... It's kind'a a win/win.

This creates a symbiotic reward system where the better one does in S7 the better paydays they could potentially net in QP and FW. Additionally it incentivises players to invest time in both environments.

Thoughts?

[El Bandito]

Easiest way to incentivize the grind in Solaris is to improve the crate rewards per accolade level. Right now level 3 crate in Solaris doesn't necessarily have better items than level 2 crate, and that's a big turn off. If PGI have fixed rewards that are worth getting, such as guaranteed mechbay/MC for level 3 crate or above, then S7 will have much bigger population, for they will be motivated to grind. As a bonus, it will open up new ways for the players to get mechbay/MC without having to go through the nightmare that is solo FP experience. Win, win.

As for using S7 grind to increase QP/FP reward, that is indeed a good idea. I personally think it should be flat % increase bestowed only upon the end of the season, for the top 1000 ranked players or something. However, gradual increase based on performance like you mentioned is also workable.

Edited by El Bandito, 25 April 2018 - 05:24 PM.

[SFC174]

The only advantage a S7 player should gain over a player who chooses other modes of play should be improved experience/skills in 1v1 and 2v2 combat (I have no problem with unique cosmetic items that don't influence game balance/competitiveness)

Trying to lure players in with boosted payouts may please some people, but you're just going to piss off the people that don't care for that game mode. It's like FW, in its current state, I'm not going to play it unless you actually give me cold hard cash (not in game currency, actually put funds in my bank account). That doesn't mean other people can't enjoy it, but don't penalize me for not playing it.

[El Bandito]

SFC174, on 25 April 2018 - 06:12 PM, said:

Trying to lure players in with boosted payouts may please some people, but you're just going to piss off the people that don't care for that game mode. It's like FW, in its current state, I'm not going to play it unless you actually give me cold hard cash (not in game currency, actually put funds in my bank account). That doesn't mean other people can't enjoy it, but don't penalize me for not playing it.

That's a misguided way of looking at things. PGI is not gonna penalize anyone with such a mechanic, just offering extra for those who actually care to grind. It is meritocracy, of sorts.

[Khalcruth]

As if I need more cbills...I'm rapidly closing in on 1 billion. I think there are lot of us veterans for whom extra cbills or xp are absolutely no incentive at all.

[SFC174]

El Bandito, on 25 April 2018 - 06:30 PM, said:

That's a misguided way of looking at things. PGI is not gonna penalize anyone with such a mechanic, just offering extra for those who actually care to grind. It is meritocracy, of sorts.

Why shouldn't grinding QP or FW offer just as much benefit as grinding S7? That's the point. Trying to bribe players into one mode or another is not a winning idea - precisely because you'll piss off the ones who don't want to play it.

I don't begrudge anyone their choice of modes of play, even if I don't understand the appeal. But juicing rewards is a bad idea. Hell, it bothers me that there is a subset of players who constantly chooses Conquest mode just because they can get a few extra c-bills, even if its a poor mode choice for the maps available.

Here's another way to look at it. PGI usually offers several events during new mechpack releases. Some of them are specific to the new mech, but there is usually another event for everyone. That's balanced. Let the modes stand or fall on their own rather than tweaking the odds with incentives.

[K O Z A K]

SFC174, on 25 April 2018 - 07:20 PM, said:

Hell, it bothers me that there is a subset of players who constantly chooses Conquest mode just because they can get a few extra c-bills, even if its a poor mode choice for the maps available.

whether you agree or not, many players believe conquest is the best mode, and not because of the c-bills, we're all entitled to our opinions

[El Bandito]

SFC174, on 25 April 2018 - 07:20 PM, said:

Why shouldn't grinding QP or FW offer just as much benefit as grinding S7? That's the point. Trying to bribe players into one mode or another is not a winning idea - precisely because you'll piss off the ones who don't want to play it.

Except others modes do offer different advantages. QP, for example, offers far more C-Bills and XP per time spent, compared to Solaris. FP also offers more C-Bills and XP per time spent, compared to Solaris, but with additional prizes per faction level, which includes MC, and mechbays. Which means if we incentivize Solaris, it will actually bring Solaris prizes up to par with the rest, instead for making it dominant choice.

As I said before, allowing high level Solaris crates to drop guaranteed MC/mechbays will allow those who really do not like to play FP another means to get them. Options, mate.

[Asym]

El Bandito, on 25 April 2018 - 06:30 PM, said:

That's a misguided way of looking at things. PGI is not gonna penalize anyone with such a mechanic, just offering extra for those who actually care to grind. It is meritocracy, of sorts.

Not of sorts, it is.... Increase on the leaderboard and get paid more.... I'm not sure anuthing wil llure many to S7... Infact, if you increased the rewards in S7 you'd actually see less players overall because that would really split the popultation....and, all would be unhappy....

S7 needs S7 rewards like large XP bundles so that mastering a new mech isn't a horrible grind in S7. I'd never get the new Uziel mastered in S7 because I'm not a brawling pilot and don't have those skills.....it'd be a waste of time....now, if there were say 5,000/10,000xp bundles.....

Again, MC wouldn't draw me either; although, some players might be tempted?

[El Bandito]

Asym, on 25 April 2018 - 08:35 PM, said:

Not of sorts, it is.... Increase on the leaderboard and get paid more.... I'm not sure anuthing wil llure many to S7... Infact, if you increased the rewards in S7 you'd actually see less players overall because that would really split the popultation....and, all would be unhappy....

S7 needs S7 rewards like large XP bundles so that mastering a new mech isn't a horrible grind in S7. I'd never get the new Uziel mastered in S7 because I'm not a brawling pilot and don't have those skills.....it'd be a waste of time....now, if there were say 5,000/10,000xp bundles.....

Again, MC wouldn't draw me either; although, some players might be tempted?

If people want faster XP/C-Bills, then they should do QP. That's a no-brainer.

[sycocys]

Can't really use the Solaris ranking system to promote rewards for other modes because the ranking system is a broken mess.

[Asym]

El Bandito, on 25 April 2018 - 09:08 PM, said:

If people want faster XP/C-Bills, then they should do QP. That's a no-brainer.

No, I agree but, some people are drawn to S7 because it IS 1x1......and, with low rewards, that may drive off part of that population. Where would they go? Back to something they hate?

What I am saying is that S7 should have "unique" rewards QP, CP and FP don't: one, to reward those in a "different" grind and two, to give S7 a "draw" to entice QP and FP to it.... XP bundles or unique weapons might just do that....

[El Bandito]

Asym, on 26 April 2018 - 07:13 AM, said:

What I am saying is that S7 should have "unique" rewards QP, CP and FP don't: one, to reward those in a "different" grind and two, to give S7 a "draw" to entice QP and FP to it.... XP bundles or unique weapons might just do that....

1. What do you mean by, "unique weapons"?

2. Also, regular XP bundles are not good for those who do not need it, as almost all Solaris mechs are already min-maxxed. GSP bundles are far better alternative.

Edited by El Bandito, 26 April 2018 - 07:24 AM.

[KodiakGW]

Best way to incentivize solo QP for me is to either/both do 8v8 and/or fix PSR so the matchmaker works properly. Payouts are fine IMO, and there have been plenty of QP events. It’s the experience that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Can’t CARRY HARDER with a ‘fun’ or unleveled mech. Learned that with my recent experience with a Nova Cat CBill purchase during double XP. 5 wins, 12 losses, but still doing 460 average damage per game (7,823/17) with all Pulse Lasers (5 MPL on arms, 2 LPL on torsos). If they adressed either, I’d be buying a Collector’s pack of Nova Cats. I like the paint job on the (S) one better than hero, and it seems like a pretty decent moneymaker.

Guess some people are now having the experience I have had for a long time. Good.

[Asym]

El Bandito, on 26 April 2018 - 07:23 AM, said:

1. What do you mean by, "unique weapons"?

2. Also, regular XP bundles are not good for those who do not need it, as almost all Solaris mechs are already min-maxxed. GSP bundles are far better alternative.

Weapons in Lore that can only be obtained in S7.....and, used where ever that pilot wants.
cannon variants
X-ray lasers
NLRM
MML series especially with HE in S7
Mech Mortars because they aren't affected by AMS
HAG's

GSP or what ever would work make a lot of sense: what would it take to get me to play S7??? Something I can't buy or obtain elsewhere... It's like unique camouflage in WoW's or premium vessels that are rewards from campaigns and are not easy to earn...

Edited by Asym, 26 April 2018 - 09:26 AM.

[El Bandito]

Asym, on 26 April 2018 - 09:20 AM, said:

Weapons in Lore that can only be obtained in S7.....and, used where ever that pilot wants.

GSP or what ever would work make a lot of sense: what would it take to get me to play S7??? Something I can't buy or obtain elsewhere... It's like unique camouflage in WoW's or premium vessels that are rewards from campaigns and are not easy to earn...

Making certain weapons only obtainable through Solaris is a very bad idea, as not everyone who wants those weapons wants to play Solaris, no matter what. So that's a no-go.

Unique camo/cockpit items only obtainable through Solaris is far better idea, as those will not influence gameplay.

[Dragonporn]

I honestly don't think anyone really wants or looking forward to loot caches, they hold barely anything you can't live without, more often than not just useless junk. No idea why this stuff even exists tbh...

In the long run, I believe S7 will at least reinvigorate QP playerbase (not like it suffers anyhow atm, but still), cause folks will eventually get tired of non-stop brawls and running roughly same build (even in different mech) all the time.

[Asym]

El Bandito, on 26 April 2018 - 09:26 AM, said:

Making certain weapons only obtainable through Solaris is a very bad idea, as not everyone who wants those weapons wants to play Solaris, no matter what. So that's a no-go.

Unique camo/cockpit items only obtainable through Solaris is far better idea, as those will not influence gameplay.

Weapons and S7 have potential. Take the "hiding"in corners concept; especially, if that continues to be a trend. A MM would be the "optimal" weapon counter to corners, especially, if the corners have no over-head cover. Imagine a small cannon that is an area denial weapon designed for close urban ops...Magshot was tested in Solaris...NLRM's are armed when fired, no min range and carry some cool warheads designed for small areas. MML's allow you to carry both SRM/LRM in the same units utilizing ARTEMIS, which allows for "other" weapons for the unused space and weight. I would love to see HAG's and the clanners would go nuts with them in a brawling situation...

S7 is all up close and personal. Imagine how unique weapons systems could compensate for massive weight differences. A medium mech with a HAG could seriously take of an Assault at close range... It would keep game play "interesting" and some of the weapons would seriously discourage some of the present exploits.....

Como and cockpit items are nice. Bu, GSP and weapons are a commitment in making S7 more lucrative to play.... Just ideas.

[SFC174]

Hazeclaw, on 25 April 2018 - 07:42 PM, said:

whether you agree or not, many players believe conquest is the best mode, and not because of the c-bills, we're all entitled to our opinions

They're entitled to their opinions. But when I ask why people choose Conquest on a giant map like Polar Highlands, especially when each team only has 1-2 lights, I invariably get the "it's worth more c-bills" answer.

Choose what you like, but choosing modes for c-bills regardless of whether its a good mode/map combo - bleh. It's like choosing domination on Grim because reasons......

[El Bandito]

Asym, on 26 April 2018 - 11:46 AM, said:

Weapons and S7 have potential. Take the "hiding"in corners concept; especially, if that continues to be a trend. A MM would be the "optimal" weapon counter to corners, especially, if the corners have no over-head cover. Imagine a small cannon that is an area denial weapon designed for close urban ops...Magshot was tested in Solaris...NLRM's are armed when fired, no min range and carry some cool warheads designed for small areas. MML's allow you to carry both SRM/LRM in the same units utilizing ARTEMIS, which allows for "other" weapons for the unused space and weight. I would love to see HAG's and the clanners would go nuts with them in a brawling situation...

S7 is all up close and personal. Imagine how unique weapons systems could compensate for massive weight differences. A medium mech with a HAG could seriously take of an Assault at close range... It would keep game play "interesting" and some of the weapons would seriously discourage some of the present exploits.....

Como and cockpit items are nice. Bu, GSP and weapons are a commitment in making S7 more lucrative to play.... Just ideas.

So you want MML, HAG, Magshot etc... to be obtainable from Solaris only? That's gonna bring HUGE shitstorm from the player base. No bueno, mate.