28 replies to this topic

[Insidious Johnson]

Epiphany. It is a good thing.

From threads which demand a "storyline" or "cutscenes" I walk away thinking that I the player will be a part of the BT universe and make an impact directly into that universe. With all the podcasting and the ability to fraps any game, the documentation of such is quite possible.

Since we will be within the confines of pre-determined events, I'd imagine we'll be "told" how the important stuff goes rather than any combination of factions being lumped together and told to duke it out in such a way that is consistent with a foregone conclusion. This makes sense, as we have already been told that certain factions or elements thereof will be NPC's. And yet, even a peon can change history.

I'd like to see the daily ins and outs of MWO to be summarized by holovids of player action. This should be presented as ISN flashes, actually canonizing players into the universe by their actions.

[FinnMcKool]

That is a fantastic Idea !

and why not?

[Zanga]

I like that idea. Let the canon of old be thrown down and let the players decide the course of the future through their own actions. There will, of course, be certain major events that will happen despite player actions. The future as a whole is tough to change, no matter what you do.

[Damocles]

Title made me nervous on thread entry but I actually really like this idea.

Even if the devs didn't implement it we can always have community-made systems to spread 'in-universe actions' like NGNG podcasts etc.

If we find the PGI MercNet or ISN feed is insufficient then supplement it with our own!

[Micheal Hessek]

Insidious Johnson, on 20 February 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

Epiphany. It is a good thing.

From threads which demand a "storyline" or "cutscenes" I walk away thinking that I the player will be a part of the BT universe and make an impact directly into that universe. With all the podcasting and the ability to fraps any game, the documentation of such is quite possible.

Since we will be within the confines of pre-determined events, I'd imagine we'll be "told" how the important stuff goes rather than any combination of factions being lumped together and told to duke it out in such a way that is consistent with a foregone conclusion. This makes sense, as we have already been told that certain factions or elements thereof will be NPC's. And yet, even a peon can change history.

I'd like to see the daily ins and outs of MWO to be summarized by holovids of player action. This should be presented as ISN flashes, actually canonizing players into the universe by their actions.

I could understand if the devs using some of the actions as ISN Flashes, but when actions on multiple worlds all it would take for the devs to bring back to near cannon would be to use reinforcements and recall commands steer outcomes.

[Exilyth]

The general idea is nice, but if there's going to be official 'hula holo news', I foresee complaints.

Edited by Exilyth, 20 February 2012 - 05:42 PM.

[Demi-Precentor Konev]

Yeah, the more mundane stuff can actually be the most entertaining. You don't need to be the 'Mech pilot that turns the Battle of Luthien. Smaller stories can be just as much (but are regularly more) fun than trying to inject yourself into one of the plot points that everyone knows.

[Solis Obscuri]

Exilyth, on 20 February 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

The general idea is nice, but if there's going to be official 'hula holo news', I foresee complaints.

Yeah, I don't see why the players can't put up their own fraps on Youtube.

Providing a newsfeed of who's doing what and who owns all the worlds non-critical to major canonical events is fine, but I see a lot of strife if the devco begins running player-made highlight/Pwnage compilations as "official" news feeds...

[Dlardrageth]

Quote

I'd like to see the daily ins and outs of MWO to be summarized by holovids of player action.

Daily? Seriously? You are aware what kind of manpower and resource commitment you're asking for here? I could imagine a monthly or perhaps even weekly bulletin, but daily... come on, even if PGI were to subscribe to that idea, it's not like they have the capabilities of a network broadcaster at hand. And I somewhat doubt they'd want to hire a bunch of extra staff just to bring to you daily newscasts...

[NeoDac]

i do tend to hope they preserve some sense of continuity but yeah sounds like fun the only problem i have with turning cannon totally on its head (alternate universes and reboots make great video games) is this nagging thought that if we're allowed to drastically change events... one faction is going to rule the inner sphere and which one that is might change monthly. news bullitens putting spotlights on the players sounds great but.. unless they are "pre generated" and waiting for you to do something particular its going to focus in on a very small numbers of what is shaping up to be a fair sized community.

[Micheal Hessek]

NeoDac, on 20 February 2012 - 06:31 PM, said:

i do tend to hope they preserve some sense of continuity but yeah sounds like fun the only problem i have with turning cannon totally on its head (alternate universes and reboots make great video games) is this nagging thought that if we're allowed to drastically change events... one faction is going to rule the inner sphere and which one that is might change monthly. news bullitens putting spotlights on the players sounds great but.. unless they are "pre generated" and waiting for you to do something particular its going to focus in on a very small numbers of what is shaping up to be a fair sized community.

A set of pre-canned news stories, that would not nessecarily be to flattering could allow certain players during pre-planned battles to be included and discriptions of their Mech's and battle effects.

There are other work-throughs.

Edited by Micheal Hessek, 20 February 2012 - 06:49 PM.

[AdamBaines]

Great OP and thoughts....Bad title for the thread :-)

[Insidious Johnson]

Dlardrageth, on 20 February 2012 - 06:24 PM, said:

Daily? Seriously? You are aware what kind of manpower and resource commitment you're asking for here? I could imagine a monthly or perhaps even weekly bulletin, but daily... come on, even if PGI were to subscribe to that idea, it's not like they have the capabilities of a network broadcaster at hand. And I somewhat doubt they'd want to hire a bunch of extra staff just to bring to you daily newscasts...

The point is: are we not all in this together? Why assume this will be lumped on the devs? Why assume they haven't already thought of it and I just spoiled the surprise. I would be willing to join in such a collaborative effort, time and pwnage permitting. I think it would be a good thing for the community to canonize itself through participation and make the backwater action just as palpable as the historical actions in which we'll never get to take part to the point of changing it completely. I'm just saying, such a proposal would allow Jr. Goober who just got the game to feel like he's not just jumping into an MMO, but the spotlight thereof. Win, lose, or draw it would be a part of history and, lol, as a side effect might help with "sportsmanship" issues that have been present before. Also, for those who care about Zellbrigen (spelling?) and its proper enforcement, stop and think what this could do for you if everyone believes they are being watched and might end up on the mega tv that is the internet. Anyone have ideas on implementation of such, as fans on our own?

[Petroff Northrup]

I see great potential in this idea and will watch it's development further.

[Kaemon]

Dlardrageth, on 20 February 2012 - 06:24 PM, said:

Daily? Seriously? You are aware what kind of manpower and resource commitment you're asking for here? I could imagine a monthly or perhaps even weekly bulletin, but daily... come on, even if PGI were to subscribe to that idea, it's not like they have the capabilities of a network broadcaster at hand. And I somewhat doubt they'd want to hire a bunch of extra staff just to bring to you daily newscasts...

***edits*** @ OP Title - Perhaps enraging the die hard BT fans when this really doesn't have much to do with messing with Canon is not the best way to start the discussion.

I do like this idea, but I agree daily would be too difficult to maintain.

This sounds like a job for the HyperPulse news crew, now we just need someone to actually start that up...

Edited by Kaemon, 20 February 2012 - 08:20 PM.

[Insidious Johnson]

Well, it does turn canon on its head. The players get to create new canon this way, instead of it ALL being dictated to them. Not trying to enrage anyone. Just was trying to communicate a bottom up approach to the genre since it has mostly been top down.

[Orzorn]

Love the idea, but if it were considered too difficult to do, a simpler automated system could be put into place (alternatively, it could still be used even if your idea was also used).

Many online games automatically collect data on the matches for balancing purposes. Using this information, a read out page could be made that updated instantly (more likely hourly) if they wished. Using the data, the system would be automated to display different messages. If a planet was lost, for example, and the attackers lost half their forces, the page would say "Planet Somethingortheother was taken by *Attacker* forces today, with major losses." whereas if they had lost no members, the page would say something like "*Defenders* on Planet Somethingortheother suffered a crushing defeat by *Attacker* forces."

The page would have a line like this for each planet. You could sort the list by planet name, attacker name, defender name, and maybe even the mechs used in the battles. Dota 2 has extensive tracking information on its games that can be viewed by anyone at any time. I would hope that MWO has something like this. I would love to be able to see a holovid recording of the game, a list of the mechs used and the loadouts of those mechs, etc.

Using this, players could not only keep track of the state of the Inner Sphere, but also see just what made each force stronger or weaker in their battles.

[Trogusaur]

I really like this idea! I don't feel especially inclined to play a battle by script, knowing my side will lose. Much less, it doesn't feel good knowing that my team's string of victories as a peon on unimportant worlds will have absolutely no outcome of the overall scale of the canon history. How are you supposed to play an MMO when the outcomes are already decided by books written decades ago?

Edited by Lord Trogus, 20 February 2012 - 09:18 PM.

[Riptor]

Quote

This makes sense, as we have already been told that certain factions or elements thereof will be NPC's

Wait.. say what? There wont be any PvE (at first.. whatever that means)so how come you say we where told that there will be NPC factions?

Also daily podcasts about player actions? Completly unrealistic... even Bioware isnt able to do that due to lack of manpower.


You are aware that once the game is out of the gate and "launched" the work for the Devs is anything but over? They will be constantly working to add new stuff to the game and im pretty sure they do not have the manpower to keep up with all the data comming in from the playerbase and record and compile said data into videos that reflect what happens on a DAILY BASIS

You would have more luck suggesting something of that kind on a monthly basis and i really doubt it would go into any more detail then what house pushed back, retook or conquered enemy worlds.

Also the time line is only set in stone till the launch day. Huge events such as the Clan invasion will still happen but anything else, how the war for example will progress for the houses and clans is up in the air since this is an alternate timeline that will infact be shaped by players as a whole and not single persons, player or not.

I highly doubt the actions of a single person or merc unit will matter much in the grant scheme of things since everyone and their kitchensink can take part in the meta game.

No matter how awesome it would be your idea is simply unrealistic :/

[Insidious Johnson]

Orzorn, on 20 February 2012 - 08:57 PM, said:

Love the idea, but if it were considered too difficult to do, a simpler automated system could be put into place (alternatively, it could still be used even if your idea was also used).

Many online games automatically collect data on the matches for balancing purposes. Using this information, a read out page could be made that updated instantly (more likely hourly) if they wished. Using the data, the system would be automated to display different messages. If a planet was lost, for example, and the attackers lost half their forces, the page would say "Planet Somethingortheother was taken by *Attacker* forces today, with major losses." whereas if they had lost no members, the page would say something like "*Defenders* on Planet Somethingortheother suffered a crushing defeat by *Attacker* forces."

The page would have a line like this for each planet. You could sort the list by planet name, attacker name, defender name, and maybe even the mechs used in the battles. Dota 2 has extensive tracking information on its games that can be viewed by anyone at any time. I would hope that MWO has something like this. I would love to be able to see a holovid recording of the game, a list of the mechs used and the loadouts of those mechs, etc.

Using this, players could not only keep track of the state of the Inner Sphere, but also see just what made each force stronger or weaker in their battles.

Pretty much what I was thinking! Slap on lead video on the most anticipated top story and banner the rest across the bottom next to an ISN logo. I've seen fan made stuff from similar games and even something close to it in MW4 without the video feed for a few of the more ambitious leagues in other titles.

Riptor, on 20 February 2012 - 11:41 PM, said:

Wait.. say what? There wont be any PvE (at first.. whatever that means)so how come you say we where told that there will be NPC factions?

Also daily podcasts about player actions? Completly unrealistic... even Bioware isnt able to do that due to lack of manpower.


You are aware that once the game is out of the gate and "launched" the work for the Devs is anything but over? They will be constantly working to add new stuff to the game and im pretty sure they do not have the manpower to keep up with all the data comming in from the playerbase and record and compile said data into videos that reflect what happens on a DAILY BASIS

You would have more luck suggesting something of that kind on a monthly basis and i really doubt it would go into any more detail then what house pushed back, retook or conquered enemy worlds.

Also the time line is only set in stone till the launch day. Huge events such as the Clan invasion will still happen but anything else, how the war for example will progress for the houses and clans is up in the air since this is an alternate timeline that will infact be shaped by players as a whole and not single persons, player or not.

I highly doubt the actions of a single person or merc unit will matter much in the grant scheme of things since everyone and their kitchensink can take part in the meta game.

No matter how awesome it would be your idea is simply unrealistic :/

NPC = Non Player Character, which often used in PvE, merely denotes someone a player interacts with but cannot be or role play in the course of the game. I was talking about the factions and historical people that PGI has reserved for driving the storyboard. You will never be Morgan Kell. You will never have a "Phantom Mech" situation outside of some serious glitches.

As for impossibility...Hi! This is the fan base, have you met us before? NBT's automation was a nightmare of complexity but had everything needed to make news feeds albeit in spreadsheets. Using the above suggestions from Orzorn, I believe impossibilty is the lens the lazy see through. If it doesn't come from PGI directly, an effort will be made to implement this using the above methods by the fans.

I am not talking about an hour long news program but up to the minute (style) feeds running in a banner on a website.feed by automation. Daily action summarized at an arbitrary point during the daily cycle for the most interesting parts of the day. That would be determined by the "newsteam". Initially, probably all just text until someone with a face perfect for radio with enough personality to rival Duncan Fisher is found to be willing to present it in podcast for weekly summation or news digest type show. Truly ambitious would be to find a Fox News caliber blond wanting to break into the news biz with a resume reel convert the weekly shows into a video format. I see nothing but huge opportunities here for fans, assuming this isn't already going to be implemented in some fashion by the Devs already.

As for how much liberty with the actual timeline will be allowed is not exactly known. The more "alternate" it is, the more important the actions of the day are. That would just make it more of a necessity to maintain a cumulative record somewhere. Right now, it is pretty much wait and see for launch day as to what all is in the game vs what there is room for. If we are chucking all history but not canon out the window after launch, only to be repeated at various intervals during the lifecycle(s) of the game, this would be its only possible record of "alternate timeline".

If it is not the "alternate" approach in total, then the timeline is more static and player actions take on a lesser actual role. But, players get to fill in all the gaps in the established, actual canon of the game. If it is the "alternate" in total, player action is everything. We just don't know.