48 replies to this topic

[guardian wolf]

I am all for this, and I can not only see just a regular training session, as in no outside other than players in the room, and then I can see the Sim room, and this would be my optimum dream for what it could be.

The Sim room, would have three modes, that pits you against various AI opponents, which could in turn, be piloting certain, mechs or set to random, along with their numbers, including reinforcements, and would have three modes : Attack, Defend, Hot Drop.

1. Attack: This mode pits you against defending AI forces as you assault a position, and then try to hold that position for a said amount of time.

2. Defend: Basically you have a strategic point on the map, and you must hold it at all costs, if you are forced out of the point, you must recapture within an allotted time to continue the game.

3. Hot Drop: My favorite, this is where you simulate a drop from a dropship, and practice different landing maneuvers, along with fighting against immediate ground forces, and would be used as an extra option for the Attack, Defend modes.

[TimberJon]

Operations and objectives training would not be the point of a sim room. That should be covered in a comprehensive tutorial or initial campaign string.

The virtual sim room I think that was mentioned should just be for quickly testing the performance of a 'Mech you are configuring.

Am I shooting down (heh) your idea? Heck no! I like it. Those should be maybe seperate tutorial training modes that you can launch into as a refresher, but also to test certain weapons in the scenarios you mentioned.

But not for unlimited gameplay. The attack for X time, defend for X time sound like offline type of gameplay modes. We need team modes here. So by all means go up against a slew of AI's, but make sure that you are simulating only the same type of play you would otherwise be subjected to with real human pilots. I don't know if the devs will allow pilots to solo against AI waves for any period of time.

Being able to jump into a sim room to practice a specific objective gain or use of a module, drone, etc.. is great but each run should be quick and to the point.

Edited by TimberJon, 27 February 2012 - 12:32 PM.

[Aegis Kleais]

[EDMW]CSN, on 24 February 2012 - 11:39 PM, said:

There are plenty of Academies and training schools out there.
Off my head for the famous ones.

Davion
NAIS College of Military Science (Kai allard liao)

Kurita
Sun Zhang Mechwarrior Academy (Theodore Kurita / Hohiro)

Steiner
Nagelring (Victor Davion)

Comstar
Sandhurst Royal Military College

And of the course the infamous Star League Gunslinger programs that made the Clanners the excellent duelists they are.

As long as there are training solutions in place for Merc Corp and Loners as well, that'd be nice. I'm never a proponent of any game which believes "trial by fire" is considered any form of "training".

[CeeKay Boques]

Aegis Kleais™, on 27 February 2012 - 01:16 PM, said:

As long as there are training solutions in place for Merc Corp and Loners as well, that'd be nice. I'm never a proponent of any game which believes "trial by fire" is considered any form of "training".

How bout a manual? Too Archaic?

There's a middle ground that many games are going for today, which is "Trial by Fire" with "Tutorial Built in."

Which mean you start, in your Mech, you are playing the game, but popups like "Press Plus to accelerate", "Press T to Cycle Targets", comes on while you are playing.


Look for the bouncing, blinking paperclip saying "It looks like you're trying to overheat and die! Would you like help?"

[Anvil Dragon]

A big "yes please". As I am hoping to add ballistic non-guided LRMs to my mix of tricks I would like to work out how best to estimate their delivery and practice practice practice. I don't want to suggest such a tactic to my commander unless I could demonstrate a good level of profficiency.

[Dirk Le Daring]

Agreed , I like the idea of a training/testing area to get a feel for various loadouts. If I am correct, no army worth anything has ever fielded a weapon system without testing and evaluation, then more often than not more testing. Maybe it could be a client side function, this would take a potential load from servers. No A.I. just a few static targets and maybe a small map or restricted area from the larger maps.

[ManDaisy]

Also the need for merc units to fight themselves to train their own members without suffering losses/ affecting the outside game.

Edited by ManDaisy, 28 February 2012 - 10:51 AM.

[Major Payne]

I think that a "simulation pod" would provide an excellent platform for the introduction of game mechanics tutorials. There could be several levels of training available to choose from as needed. And should the developers release new tech into the universe, they could release a new tutorial for the new release, so you can practice up before you drop millions on the latest mech, or weapon.

The story tie-in could be that each house, or guild, or whatever affiliation owns some for training purposes. What's a few thousand C-bills for a sim pod in comparison to the millions for a mech? Heck, a lone wolf could afford one.

I don't know if the developers will have AI, I hope at least a basic form of it is present, I enjoy a good match against bots to hone skills (DFA, for instance).

The simulation pod could run as a closed (invite only) server off of your machine: small maps, the instances load based on the tutorial level/map selected. If you need help, just ask around if anyone wants to help you with the tutorial. If they are a **** who wants to just kill nubes, then boot them.

Edited by Major Payne, 03 March 2012 - 01:57 AM.

[Morgana]

Looks like another merging opportunity for the Mods.

http://mwomercs.com/...ng-area-please/

http://mwomercs.com/...aining-grounds/

Totally agree though

[Bluey]

First time I disagree with Aegis
It would kill the fun of achieving higher sets of goals.That players decided upon.

Edited by Bluey, 11 March 2012 - 06:58 AM.

[Felix Dracc]

Simulator pods were fairly common in the lore, pretty much every one had it rigging up some plausible training systems shouldn't be that hard lore wise. And I agree some sort of testing range would be nice while hard numbers are good actually seeing it in action can effect my choices.

[Nik Van Rhijn]

I know that thay have sais that they're launchimg as MVP but to be honest I think some form of training area should be considered part of this, even if it causes a slight delay. I think it would be preferable for it to be available at the start of Beta as this is when we will srart having newcomers.

[Alantin]

to the person who pointed out how expensive training is? Yes its expensive, but its WAY cheaper than dieing all the time, and reequipping your whole new force

its why real armies train.

[Paul Inouye]

Merging... *mumbles something about Aeigis and moves on.*

[Aegis Kleais]

Paul Inouye, on 11 March 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

Merging... *mumbles something about Aeigis and moves on.*

It seems once you go over 4 characters in a name, spelling just goes out the door...Still, impressive for someone who repeated the third grade twice.

[Soviet Alex]

Given the complexity of the controls, & the amount of info in the cockpit, I'd say some kind of training tutorial vs AI not humans is essential to the game. And I'd like it to be repeatable with any of the mechs in my hangar, so I could try out ideas without jeopardizing my team-mates in a live battle.

[Orzorn]

I personally agree with Aegis about the idea that purely having "Trial by Fire" is unacceptable. That will only frustrate very new players. We must understand that this could potentially be some people's first video game ever, or of this type, or first multiplayer game, or anything like that. Regardless, we must understand that some players will be totally ignorant of the most basic controls. A friendly NPC instructor and on-screen tips and commands in a totally safe training environment would do wonders to helping folks out.

[Semyon Drakon]

I'm a big fan of there being an ability for players to run their own training units. Allow them access to maps on the servers where the damage is simulated and mechs don't actually get damaged.

It allows new pilots to 'hire' sim time, units to work out tactics and get their integration and command structure down pat before risking thier hides. Also for a fee.

Experienced instructors can teach everything from mech piloting to large unit (company) tactics in a variety of environments and weather conditions, all set by the instructor.

I really hope we'll be able to do this. I could use the C bills.

Semyon

[Morgana]

Good point Aegis, even if they set up a few dedicated servers for Training Servers, it would be hard to secure it for your own clan's instance. I seem to remember MW3 having such servers, but don't remember any restrictions. You'd run into whomever else was in there training. Something to ponder further upon. I have no doubt we'd come up with a solution if we put our minds to it.

Hmmm, good question for the next Podcast (*note to self) Wonder if they've even given it any thought yet. May still be in too early of a stage. All we can do is ask.

[Drexxga]

You know I wasnt think about it but a gunnery range would be cool. But I would love to have a training area where I could get used to moving around in my mech. BUT, I just want to make this clear, I do NOT want another tutorial. Figuering out how to move and shoot was easy. Just took 30 sec to learn which buttons did what. I am just looking for somewhere to pratice shooting and moving so I dont kill myself or a lancemate. (If I shot or killed you in a match. Sorry, my bad.)