44 replies to this topic

[El Bandito]

MadBadger, on 13 October 2018 - 04:11 AM, said:

This isn't even a PGI issue. This is a BattleTech IP issue. Clan tech is better, Clan mechs were introduced later in the game and were purposely given better and more deadly design layouts and equipment. You can't ton-for-ton balance Clan and IS and still remain BattleTech.

YES. YOU. CAN.

Just because back in the days FASA made a huge mistake of introducing OP Clanners in TT--which the devs themselves admitted was a mistake--doesn't mean PGI has to make the same mistake. Especially in an online arena game where most people don't wanna play inferior mechs.

Day 1 made an abomination called MechAssault and that is still considered a BT game, and sold 1.1 million units. HBS completely ignored canon slot values for weapons, yet Battletech is still considered a Battletech game.

Edited by El Bandito, 13 October 2018 - 09:10 AM.

[ilKhan_OrHan]

+1 leaving dropdeck tonnage equal and not for limited trial periods.

[Scyther]

@El Bandito:

"YES. YOU. CAN.

Just because back in the days FASA made a huge mistake of introducing OP Clanners in TT"

I agree Clans were a poorly designed addition to the BT game. They work and are interesting in story mode, they break game balance when placed in TT or video games against IS.

That said, my point was 'you can't ignore Clan tech advantage and remain BattleTech'. You think you can. I think what you mean is "Let's have a game where the mechs *look* like BattleTech mechs and have the same names, but where all the gear follows different rules". In effect, that isn't BattleTech - it just looks similar.

I am actually okay with saying "The game is no longer BattleTech, it is a BattleTech-themed game with different rules". But if you are throwing out the rules, why try to balance the sides at all? Just declare Mixed Tech Is In, and let either side use any gear they want. Then you have perfect balance and only had to throw out one rule.

To make it (slightly) less of a deus ex, you could say "You must participate in a planetary conquest in FP to unlock the gear of the opposing side". Or just win an FP match. I suppose you could remove all quirks at that point, set tonnage even, and call it a day.

[Luminis]

MadBadger, on 13 October 2018 - 03:05 PM, said:

"Let's have a game where the mechs *look* like BattleTech mechs and have the same names, but where all the gear follows different rules". In effect, that isn't BattleTech - it just looks similar.

Jordan Wiseman did exactly that. Got together with Hare Brained Schemes, made a game that retains the look, names and fluff but changed construction rules, damage and heat values, slot requirements and whatnot. Guess what that game is called?

BattleTech.

Personally, I'd argue that the creator of the IP is the ultimate authority regarding what can and can not be called BattleTech. And he demonstrably is okay with a game being called BattleTech even if it doesn't follow the TT's rules to a T.

[El Bandito]

MadBadger, on 13 October 2018 - 03:05 PM, said:

I agree Clans were a poorly designed addition to the BT game. They work and are interesting in story mode, they break game balance when placed in TT or video games against IS.

That said, my point was 'you can't ignore Clan tech advantage and remain BattleTech'. You think you can. I think what you mean is "Let's have a game where the mechs *look* like BattleTech mechs and have the same names, but where all the gear follows different rules". In effect, that isn't BattleTech - it just looks similar.

I am actually okay with saying "The game is no longer BattleTech, it is a BattleTech-themed game with different rules". But if you are throwing out the rules, why try to balance the sides at all? Just declare Mixed Tech Is In, and let either side use any gear they want. Then you have perfect balance and only had to throw out one rule.

1. Even with mixed tech, IS mechs will still suffer because of clearly inferior IS XL, IS Endo/Ferro, IS DHS... things that cannot be changed.

2. Mixed tech will make the game even more boring than what I am proposing. I am trying to find the perfect spot between balance and variety.

Edited by El Bandito, 14 October 2018 - 05:21 AM.