24 replies to this topic

[Octobit]

I'm not really sure if this is the right place, I sort of feel like it's a suggestion, but I also think it's a question. If it isn't in the right place, then feel free to move or delete it, mods. (Except you, Ghost, you demon, you.)

Anyway, in Mechwarrior 2/4 Mercenaries, you were the head of a mercenary corporation, and you got to choose 'mechs for your teammates, and choose their 'mech loadouts. My question is, would you be able to set your mercenary corporation so that the owned 'Mechs, components and C-bills are shared? Or would you only be able to use what you personally have?


Edit: I probably should have rethought the title, I don't think it really fits with post anymore. :S

Edited by Octobit, 09 January 2012 - 03:38 AM.

[Mason Grimm]

Moved to OT since this isn't really "MWO Specific"

[Emiko Luan]

That sounds really fun, my EVE corp has a setup like this, where we share all ships and modules. It's the best kind of socialism

[William White]

This would require input in mech design for your merc group and a lot of trust.

[Octobit]

Mason Grimm, on 09 January 2012 - 03:58 AM, said:

Moved to OT since this isn't really "MWO Specific"

Well, really, I was specifically talking about how MWO's merc corps worked. Was it the way I said it that didn't make it clear? Oh well.

William White, on 09 January 2012 - 04:13 AM, said:

This would require input in mech design for your merc group and a lot of trust.

Yeah, I was thinking more about it being an option for if you were with a group of friends, and you trusted each other.

[Phelan Kerensky]

I think this idea would/could be very effective in a very tight knit and trustable group of friends. The biggest problem is if they start adding people and those people or even a well liked friend gets into a fight with another and then they may sell everything or something and ruin it for everyone. Essentially this sort of group could become a battleground against each other. So I would think very carefully before starting a unit with such free privileges... I am also a clanner so I do not condone of Mercenaries in the first place... However, if you know your friends are very trustable and what not, then feel free to give it a shot...

[Mason Grimm]

If I had the power to edit your title I would have helped clarify a little bit. I saw you talking about Mech 2/4 in here but not MWO so was unclear... I'll move it back. Even Mods can make mistakes before coffee

[Tarvitz]

Emiko Luan, on 09 January 2012 - 04:00 AM, said:

That sounds really fun, my EVE corp has a setup like this, where we share all ships and modules. It's the best kind of socialism

It would make sense to use EVE as a comparison to see how it would work. Is there much room for abuse or problems caused by this sort of set up in your corperation?

[Threat Doc]

Honestly, I think there would need to be a financing system to aid with this. My thoughts are that the first third of the payment from a completed contract would go into unit coffers specifically, while the remaining two-thirds would go into something of a general pool for continued repairs, upgrades, etc., to be used by all of the unit's MechWarriors for whatever they couldn't pay for themselves. It would be even better if there were a selectable time of between 24 and 48 hours for whatever remains of the two-thirds to go back into unit coffers automatically, so that money can then be used for unit upgrades, purchasing new 'Mechs for the Merc Corps stables, etc. Does that make sense to everyone?

Alternately, it would be good (better?) if the unit coffers and pool were simply exchangeable, where the unit CO could simply put into the pool whatever was not needed for unit upgrades, and/or pull back the money needed when needed, and then open it up so MechWarriors could contribute to it as well.

[Havoc2]

I think it should be an option based on Corp permissions.

Like rank 3 and above can access the Corp 'Mech Hangar and bank, maybe Rank 5 and above can access the Corp armory (for weapons and ammo).
If trust is an issue, well then leave the person at rank 9 or whatever the basic rank is.

I know with the group of guys/gal I run with, there is no issue and pretty much everyone is rank 1 (except for whoever has created the guild in whichever game we're playing of course).

IMO give the players the options to manage their Merc Corps, don't make the devs do it for us.



EDIT

After reading Kay's post I would also like to see more Corp management options.

Member permissions, unit costs, travel costs, upkeep/upgrade costs etc.

Mission rewards could be paid out something like:
Merc Corp recieves 100% of payment from the mission.
Depending on Merc Corp settings, money can be set for upkeep costs, upgrades for future weapons/equipment/chassis, home base costs (if Merc Corps are allowed to own planets/factories) travel costs and whatever's left over the Mercs who were involved in the mission can get a cut.

Edited by }{avoc, 09 January 2012 - 06:33 AM.

[Octobit]

Mason Grimm, on 09 January 2012 - 06:16 AM, said:

If I had the power to edit your title I would have helped clarify a little bit. I saw you talking about Mech 2/4 in here but not MWO so was unclear... I'll move it back. Even Mods can make mistakes before coffee

Cheers

}{avoc, on 09 January 2012 - 06:27 AM, said:

Like rank 3 and above can access the Corp 'Mech Hangar and bank, maybe Rank 5 and above can access the Corp armory (for weapons and ammo).
If trust is an issue, well then leave the person at rank 9 or whatever the basic rank is.

I like this idea. Have certain ranks which you can set permissions on in the group.

[Phelan Kerensky]

I happen to heartily agree with Kay and I believe that a system like his would solve some of the trust issues and help things run smoother in the unit while allowing people to retain some of their freedom within the unit as individual mechwarriors, etc... Also, as I see you are all coming up with suggestions for the devs on the merc unit setup and such I suggest you start a new topic together in the suggestions thread for the devs about these things. Especially if you want to see some of these things implemented. Keep in mind that the devs care what ya think but it is difficult for them to know what you want if you do not let them know...

PS: As a Warrior of Clan Wolf I do not condone the use of Mercenaries... That is all.

[Gustaf Brackman]

This might be intersting if used right.

[Octobit]

Kay Wolf, on 09 January 2012 - 06:26 AM, said:

Honestly, I think there would need to be a financing system to aid with this. My thoughts are that the first third of the payment from a completed contract would go into unit coffers specifically, while the remaining two-thirds would go into something of a general pool for continued repairs, upgrades, etc., to be used by all of the unit's MechWarriors for whatever they couldn't pay for themselves. It would be even better if there were a selectable time of between 24 and 48 hours for whatever remains of the two-thirds to go back into unit coffers automatically, so that money can then be used for unit upgrades, purchasing new 'Mechs for the Merc Corps stables, etc. Does that make sense to everyone?

Reading this again, I think that sounds about right.

To be clear, you're saying that 1/3 of the contract reward goes to the pilots directly, then the rest is for repairs and corp upgrades, then whatever's left over is split between the pilots?

[Nik Van Rhijn]

This thread and others have highlighted that what PGI do with regard to Merc Corps is important. The system needs to be set up to allow individual corps to run under their own rules within a framework set up by PGI. Each corps will be different. Many will be small groups of friends that want to fight together with no interest in admitting otheres on a general basis. Others may have a distinct ethos and be prepared to admit members (after vetting) that they feel meet their requirements. Any corps should, IMO, be able to accept members on probation with final acceptance down to the unit in accordance with their own internal rules. Teamwork is based on trust and in general the willingness to follow orders.
In my view membership of a Merc Corp or being a Lone Wolf is not the easy choice. I have suggested elsewhere that new members should have a grace period (a few weeks?), with perhaps House membership and a "free transfer" when they get their feet in the game. this would allow an informed choice (on both sides) to be made, particularly with those new to the IP. Many of those on these boards have already made their choices, but a number of them are waiting to see what happens and how the game plays before deciding.
Yet again we are in the position of not having sufficient information at present, but wait in hope.

Edited by Nik Van Rhijn, 09 January 2012 - 01:08 PM.

[MitchellTyner]

I like the idea also. Where the corp gets the payment then it's divided up for corp use, and the pilots get a % of the cut. Say if things like personal upgrades etc are in use. I would like a group this tight and use standard fittings for the group that way everyone knows what the mechs are capable of and what each others jobs are etc. Plus if you get bumb rushed by 3 lances of 100T Assualt mechs like I know is gonna happen then the merc corp throws me another Light scout mech and I'm on my way again.

Just my .02
fox

[Phelan Kerensky]

I absolutely agree with Nik Van Rhijn on how the system should work. Many Merc COs and Merc Units(the close knit friend filled kind)will want to make their own rules and guidelines for that individual merc unit. I also believe that how Pirahna sets up merc units will determine whether or not many players like or dislike this game. I know plenty of people who wish to be mercs and this will be integral to their interest in the game...

[MaddMaxx]

And given the "global" nature of any Online game, a Merc Corp may require this type of system in order to delegate to more than one group when they do Battle on behalf of the Corp while the other half sleeps. Mirrored Command sturctures would each require the ability to utilize and any all resources available to the Corps as a Whole and would go along way to allowing this to be done internally to avoid issues about one Team over spending vs another, contract selections based on cost etc.

Not overly concerend myself about the Houses but wonder how it would work on a much larger (as in more sub-groups) with in the larger whole? hmmmm....

Edited by MaddMaxx, 09 January 2012 - 09:27 AM.

[Threat Doc]

Octobit, on 09 January 2012 - 07:27 AM, said:

Reading this again, I think that sounds about right.

To be clear, you're saying that 1/3 of the contract reward goes to the pilots directly, then the rest is for repairs and corp upgrades, then whatever's left over is split between the pilots?

No, actually, but I'll need to really put some things in step-by-step to explain the whole plan...

1) the contract is negotiated, and then completed...
...... A) Naturally, the Merc Corps gets a certain percentage from the contract to keep the Corps itself running, and
...... B ) Each pilot, based on their rank and/or MechWarrior Quality (per the Mercs Handbooks, Green, Regular, Veteran, or Elite) gets a percentage of what remains

2) The Corps pays whatever 'bills' are necessary to be paid and then uses the HQ interface to...
...... A) split off one-third of what remains after 'bills' to KEEP in its own coffers, and
...... B ) shoves the remaining two-thirds into a central maintenance/upgrade coffer to be used by any MechWarrior/Officer in the unit, with ranked Officer approval, to repair and/or upgrade their machines

3) Whatever money from the maintenance/upgrade coffer that is not used, or cannot be used because parts are too expensive and/or are unavailable, after a certain amount of time, would go BACK into the Merc Corps main coffer for...
...... A) any upgrades to the HQ
...... B ) for stockpiling parts or other supplies necessary in the game, or
...... C) purchasing more 'Mechs for the Merc Corps' stable

Basically, what I'm saying is there should be multiple options for the use of any money coming in through the contractual economy.

EDIT: Whatever ***** came up with the idea to use B ) ( ) for cool/sunglasses should be taken out and summarily shot to death. How dumb. How about :cool: ?

Edited by Kay Wolf, 09 January 2012 - 10:08 AM.

[Dlardrageth]

Mercenaries... and trust... together in the same phrase? What exactly am I not getting here?