25 replies to this topic

[terminator]

A lot of new games seem to be getting ready for the coming e-sports scene that is really really starting to get huge. From Diablo 3, Starcraft 2 to all the dota games (Blizzard dota, "Dota" from valve), I think Mechwarrior/Battletech would be perfect for this type of scene. I can see 4 on 4, 8 on 8, house vs house huge tournaments. Battletech was one of the originators of this type of play before people even knew it was possible and would like to see a component for this. What do you guys think?

I can see the devs signing up with maybe GOMplayer or one of the broadcasting websites.

[Hayden]

I only think it'll work as "sport" if everything is based off player skill, instead of RPG elements.

[Souske Sagara]

If the gameplay is more like the grid then the vids I'm all in. I ran with some great Davion mercs back in the day and came into my own as a Kurita loyalist on the ol' hexboard and find myself better suited to tactics then rapid reflexes since I hit 14 over a decade ago. It would be refreshing to see a pro game that actually utilizes tactics and cunning bastardry.

[John Clavell]

Many years ago now, I can't remember which year specifically but it was around 2004 I believe. MechWarrior 4 was shortlisted for the World Cyber Games. In the end, it never made it to the cut. But it goes to show it was seriously considered. I remember at the time I registered my interest in representing the UK at the games if it made it in. It shows that even back then there was an air of e-sports around the game. Many of the league players will agree with me it was a worthy game indeed.

Where are we today? I think much will rest on how combat and teams work, I'm hoping it will be more than 4 v 4 that would be very disappointing. I remember back during the MW4 heydays myself and many many others wanted more than 8. Even back then 8 v 8 seemed limited compared to games like Battlefield 1942. At the very least it should allow for a full company / trinary of Battlemechs to be fielded by each team.

The other thing you need is really good spectator modes. DOTA has an amazing spectator AI which knows where the best action is happening and shows you the things you should be watching that are critical to the match. Replays would be really handy for teams to do drop debriefing and review their gameplay.

The developers have already mentioned the 'Battlegrid' a drop commanders birds eye view of the battlefield that scouts can relay information to in real time. This is good step.

[Raj]

When gamers talk about e-sports they tend to mean playing them but what makes a sport isn't in the playing it's in the watching. Games are for the participants, sports are for the spectators.

What seems to have prevented many prospective e-sports from taking off is that they aren't conducive to the basics of casting.

1. You need an observer position in game that allows a spectator or caster to quickly view relevant action.
2. That action needs to be easily understandable. Meaning someone who is new to MWO needs to be able to view the information on screen and understand the state of the game. (I watched Valves DoTA2 tournament and have to say as someone who is pretty familiar with videogames but only passably knowledgeable about the moba genre it was a complete mystery)
3. Easy ways to distinguish teams and players (for people to cheer for and sponsors to identify with)
4......other stuff (heh, I don't have all the answers this is just off the top of my head)

That's not to say MWO can't be an e-sport but I think that really needs to be built into the game from the ground up (and it could compromise some of the old rules of MW that we all love).

Edit: heh, John ninja'd some of my points.

Edited by raj, 03 November 2011 - 02:44 AM.

[Varador]

Competative gaming is the only type of gaming!

[snafu]

Can't wait, this game screams esport.

[SquareSphere]

I don't care for the title of eSports. MW has had leagues and organized play far before that word ever came about.

[Adridos]

I dont think it would do any good for the game, not many have the privilege of saying that their game will be there after it is released (like SC2). I would vote NO, but your pool is made tricky way, so you cannot say NO and still like the game. Please dont do things like this ever again, OK?

[GFierce]

E-sport could work perfectly into the model of a fighting arena like Solaris if it is included.

[Halflight]

Heh, Solaris VII anyone?

[Ghost]

The Esports community ruin games with their constant complaints about game balance. No thanks.

[CobraFive]

Ghost, on 03 November 2011 - 09:44 AM, said:

The Esports community ruin games with their constant complaints about game balance. No thanks.

Don't play many online games, huh?

I'm a huge fan of RTS, and before that team FPS like Team Fortress Classic and Natural Selection. balance discussion and tweaking is required for any type of competative game.

If the devs have half a brain, and I have faith in MWO, a game is always improved by this sort of thing.

[MookieRah]

Quote

2. That action needs to be easily understandable. Meaning someone who is new to MWO needs to be able to view the information on screen and understand the state of the game. (I watched Valves DoTA2 tournament and have to say as someone who is pretty familiar with videogames but only passably knowledgeable about the moba genre it was a complete mystery)

Oh so this is why I inherently understood football. Oh wait, I didn't, someone had to tell me what the heck was going on :-P.

Not trying to be an ***, but I'm just saying that if football wasn't as ubiquitous you'd get the same reaction. The thing about sports (and e-sports) is that if you have questions you'll tend to find fans that are enthusiastic to fill you in on what's going on. For an e-sport to be made you simply need a large and open fanbase that simply wants to share the experience with everyone.

I honestly don't see why MWO couldn't become an e-sport. I'm thinking serious teams will have their own decals which would distinguish sides, and if the game gets large enough then Piranha games can produce a spectator mode which will give a different HUD that displays information about the battle (much like Riot did for LoL during the season 1 Championships).

Edited by MookieRah, 03 November 2011 - 10:05 AM.

[Shepherd]

No reason why Solaris VII can't be a big part of the game. Maybe not at launch but certainly down the road. With good arena construction and good camera angles it could be really good. Would be great if you could enter a match as a spectator and record from multiple camera angles at once, then go through and edit together a broadcast about a match.

[terminator]

Shepherd, on 03 November 2011 - 10:22 AM, said:

No reason why Solaris VII can't be a big part of the game. Maybe not at launch but certainly down the road. With good arena construction and good camera angles it could be really good. Would be great if you could enter a match as a spectator and record from multiple camera angles at once, then go through and edit together a broadcast about a match.

Yeah I can easily see that happening, basically the spectators or presentors can fly around and just follow the combat and record or broadcast.

[Ghost]

Shepherd, on 03 November 2011 - 10:22 AM, said:

No reason why Solaris VII can't be a big part of the game. Maybe not at launch but certainly down the road. With good arena construction and good camera angles it could be really good. Would be great if you could enter a match as a spectator and record from multiple camera angles at once, then go through and edit together a broadcast about a match.

I'd love to see a recreation of the factory that Justin fought his epic match in.

[Pariah Devalis]

I was a bit miffed when Mech4 was axed from competition lists. It seemed incredibly worthy of it. The combat is understandable. The pacing is great without being overly frantic. Heck, it even comes with Solaris and built in pyrotechnics!

[Stormwolf]

I play for fun, not for some over the top competition.

[xMarshallx]

MPBT:Solaris had two game hosted prize winning tournaments.. the first one was Lance vs Lance. The second was 1v1. I wonder who won those tournaments? <G> /gloating now off

But no really, this game is designed for this - hell look at what Solaris VII is all about!


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