2003 replies to this topic

[Khushrenada]

well, i would like to buy "fanboy" stuff like shirts, posters or mugs, maybe even personalised in some way.

depending on the game experience i might consider buying a "premium account" (like in WoT, more exp, more c-bills, something like that).

skins for mechs or voice packs might attract me, depending on how well they are made.

honestly i might be willing to buy mechs (specific ones, that i like, not some overpowered mech that is going to stomp everything he sees) but actually i hope they wont sell mechs. i hope they find other means to make people pay for the game.

what i seriously hope they wont do, is sell items that directly impact on the gameplay and give players an advantage against others (weapons, "gold shells" like in WoT, artillery strikes as consumables, overpowered mechs, etc.).
this could actually drive me away from this game, so i sincerely hope they wont have such things in their shop...

[Tannhauser Gate]

What would I pay a subscription for?

• Premium paint schemes and skins
  
• Premium systems
  
• Premium mechs
  
• Premium cockpit items like skins, displays, colors, hula girls, etc..
  
• Ability to create or manage my own Mercorp or House unit.
  
• Join in instanced missions, co-op, or lore-based battles.. if any
  
• Play on premium maps or exclusive regions.
  
• Upload custom decals and other content for my mech or cockpit.
  
• Faster repairs
  
• Cheaper and faster travel times.

I’d also buy swag such as mech fatheads, bobble heads, t shirts, hats, mugs, bumper stickers (“My other car is a Timber Wolf”) etc… esp fatheads. Imagine a 36inch Summoner on your wall... yeah baby.

Edited by LakeDaemon, 13 January 2012 - 11:30 AM.

[PewPew]

I'm going to be honest here. I'm probably going to spend a lot on this game.

As long as the shop doesn't **** me off, I'll be glad to buy things. I won't buy things and would probably just quit the game if any regular-payment items like membership or premium accounts came out. Anything that gives players advantages would simply make me quit. I don't care how you argue it, getting faster XP puts you at an advantage. A lot of devs say "it only gives you more options to how you play". Well, yeah. Having more options is a distinct advantage.

[Elizander]

PewPew, on 13 January 2012 - 12:31 PM, said:

I'm going to be honest here. I'm probably going to spend a lot on this game.

As long as the shop doesn't **** me off, I'll be glad to buy things. I won't buy things and would probably just quit the game if any regular-payment items like membership or premium accounts came out. Anything that gives players advantages would simply make me quit. I don't care how you argue it, getting faster XP puts you at an advantage. A lot of devs say "it only gives you more options to how you play". Well, yeah. Having more options is a distinct advantage.

I've seen more than enough F2P games to not go ballistic over the cash shop just yet. F2P is pretty much synonymous to EXP boost items in the cash shop so I would actually be surprised if they did not have anything like that. Don't get me wrong, people can get the F2P part horribly wrong but there are some standards that aren't considered wrong for F2P and EXP boosts are usually one of them.

I personally prefer to spend my money on practical things in the game and only after getting those will I usually buy anything cosmetic.

[Sug]

I'm guessing they'll probably offer different paint jobs, similar to the options in MW4


How likely is it that they'll let people do totally custom paint jobs? I could see merc units wanting their own look but that means i'll have to store data for every different paint job i come up against.

Is something smaller like custom logos and decals more likely than entire paint jobs?

[Elizander]

Sug, on 13 January 2012 - 03:28 PM, said:

I'm guessing they'll probably offer different paint jobs, similar to the options in MW4


How likely is it that they'll let people do totally custom paint jobs? I could see merc units wanting their own look but that means i'll have to store data for every different paint job i come up against.

Is something smaller like custom logos and decals more likely than entire paint jobs?

If they didn't include the custom paint jobs and logos at the start of their planning then I doubt they will be able to include it now for launch (we're talking APB Reloaded extreme). The 'upload logo' and have everyone see it has been around for awhile now so it's nothing really complicated. It'll just be stored as a small graphic in a temp folder or something and downloaded when you start a match or encounter a person with it.

Having a poor quality pixelized logo on a fully rendered mech might ruin it for some people tho.

[autogyro]

I think this is an important topic so I'll chime in.

Here, in order, is my preferred list of what should cost real money:

1) EXP boost, C-Bill boost. Doesn't affect the actual combat engagement or skirmish, only useful for shortening the RPG grinding aspect of a game (and I would imagine, the biggest money earner for the developers).

2) Hangar and Pilots - Depending on how the gameplay is modeled, you should pay real money for additional hangar space. I definitely do not agree with ongoing rent for a hangar, but simply an additional slot should suffice.

3) Time boosts. An example of this is reducing repair times (e.g. better supply routes or technicians). Dependent on whether a time-based persistent universe is utilised including repair times or logistics-related issues.

4) Special unlocks - the Solaris VII example earlier in this thread is a good example of something interesting to receive. It's not directly part of the core game yet still provides entertainment for those with some deeper pockets, which seems to go quite well with the atmosphere of the Game World. Additional stuff related to this may be the chance to participate in tournaments or historical skirmishes for prizes,

5) Progression based purchases - This could be payments for converting EXP across tech trees, or to open up shortcuts along a tech tree, or what have you. Obviously dependent upon the progression model used.

4) Cosmetic bonuses - Stuff like paint, insignias etc. Seems like there's strong support for this in the forums but I'm personally not a fan - basically amounts to paying something like $3 for a jpeg texture.

5) 'Mechs and weapons. You'll get grumbles of pay to win, or worse yet, feelings of the game being incomplete or otherwise locked from access, from allowing the sale of 'Mechs or weapons but simply, I would imagine this to be quite a money earner for the developers. I honestly don't think it's avoidable and I would expect there will be premium mechs or weapons for sale with real money.

Whatever money model they choose, I think any significant repeat player should be adequately enticed to spend real money on a somewhat ongoing basis. Basically we must ask what content or advantages the game could confer to the highest spending player and how that differs to that of someone who doesn't pay. Skill should triumph over spending real money in a like-for-like battle. But the player who spends money must feel that the money was well spent. The best way, in my opinion to ensure both outcomes is spending for convenience - shorter repair and travel times, quicker experience gains and easier cash or better salvage. Basically, ways to reduce the RPG grind.

[The Boneshaman]

CBT Miniturs. ones that look like the MWO such as the Atlas, Hunchback ECT.

[Blackfire1]

True, we have to remember there is the possibility of a HUGE non-ingame market for posters, clothing, car decals (Personal guilt right here) and miniatures. I'm not sure what the licensing is on items OTHER then MWO. I think catalyst games stills owns much of the table top stuff. We'll see.

(I want an urban mech trash can....)

[Maximilian Thorn]

Black Sunder, on 02 December 2011 - 10:31 AM, said:

Personally I would pay for full and customization of a mech.

Agreed. I would definitely pay a few bucks to have complete access to a full customization mechlab. Then I don't need to worry about 'Variants'....I can make my own.

[Captain Thorne]

Honestly from my personal viewpoint I see it as this.

Micro Transactions are game breaking, Bring back monthly subscription fee's.

Lazy gamers go micro, its simple really some people can't afford to spend additional coin on a game due to rl restraints such as families and mortgages on property etc etc you get my point.

I'm not against custom clan paint jobs, voice/texture packs but I believe that the mech's themselves should be purchased by in game currency or even better at the end of battle all salvage is put up to the winners to bid on a random change indicator which then you can repair or add to your own mech to mod it up.

But likely the majority of people will win and MT will become part of this game as game design companies are greedy and only care about money.

Anyway enough said.

Thorn.

[Felicitatem Parco]

Sug, on 12 January 2012 - 06:21 PM, said:

You're not paying for the game. You're paying for servers, maintenance, patches, the forums, and hopefully some well crafted updates.

An Xbox Live memebrship can cost as low as $25 a year per person with a family plan, and that covers myriad servers just fine. Charging $10 a month would mean I'd have to turn my subscription on and off frequently based on how often I plan on plaing MWO and that would get anoying.

If I were to pay a subscription fee, it'd have to be less than $120 a year because that's the cost of 2 major studio games every year I choose to play this single game. It's a money pit. I *would* pay the cost of a single game per year for a single game, though... That's reasonable.


I think a good compromise would be a "Free to Play, Pay a Subscription for Advanced Features" model. So, it's free to play with 1 Mech in your Hangar with little-to-no space in your armory to stash weapons, and limited modules/equipment available - this is just an evaluation period, anyways, that's what the "Free" time is supposed to be. Once you pay a subscription fee (even possibly including 6-month bundles or something) then you get more hangar bays, an expanded armory, access to more equipment/modules, increased XP and C-Bill accumulation, and other goodies.

Edited by Prosperity Park, 22 January 2012 - 09:48 AM.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

I would be willing to pay for them if they grant NO actual in-game performance enhancing properties.

I will be purchasing micro-transactions however for small customizations to make my 'mech my own and to support the franchise and keep it alive!

[plodder]

I will PAY for FREE RETICLES>FREELOOKLOOKFREELOOKFLOAT MY RETICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaemon, on 24 January 2012 - 06:26 AM, said:

I'd agree, but multiple active reticles would be very cool, I'd also like to see different styles for different weapons (so you can immediately discern which weapon you have armed (if grouped you could set which ret you want to see).

I'd like to the reticles tied into the actual weapons more (so they float a bit when running/turning, not just fixed on the screen)

Maybe this should be optional via a module, so if people have lag/dislikes they can stick with 1 active (and I hope it's active, I really dislike dead reticles) and be happy with it.

I know for the catapult, a wireframe LRM missile window (ala Amored Core) with the option to see the med laser reticles (if they are grouped and active) would be very cool.

I NEED IT !! !! !! GET MY RETICLE FIX< TALK TO THE MAN FOR ME BRO< DO ME A SOLID

Dlardrageth, on 26 November 2011 - 09:48 PM, said:

Main problem I can see with multiple reticules (no matter if 3, 5 or a dozen) is the vulnerability to lag issues. It could easily lead to a major advantage for the player with a better connection to the server, or the latest glitz in terms of graphic boards. While others would get lagshots galore that go straight to the next moon.

Graphics board one could claim is everybody's own call how much to spend on it. Internet connections and especially packet losses unfortunately is nothing you as an individual have much influence on.

I really would like the option for multiple reticules, as long as it stays optional (Maybe you can, if you want, designate a seperate extra reticule for each weapon group or something?) Then everybody could decide if he wants to risk the performance issues due to using a multiplicity of reticules or rather stay safe with only one.

IF YOU HAD TO PAY FOR IT(HATE THAT IDEA) THER WOULD BE LESS LAG< CAUSE THOSE THAT WANT IT WILL MAKE SURE THE REST OF THEIR "STUFF" IS IN THE BAG

Prosperity Park, on 26 November 2011 - 09:12 PM, said:

Proposal: A target-designation scheme to provide optional auto-tracking.

1.) Keep a fixed reticule in the middle of the HUD at all times that acts as a general-purpose Reticule and Pointer.
2.) Bind a key to the keyboard that acts as a "Target Designator" button, let's call it X.
3.) Line up your sights on a target Mech's bodypart-of-choice and press X (you'll see a virtual target designation mark on the enemy Mech since I assume we'll have holographic HUDs). Now press one of your Firing Group Numbers.
4.) The Weapon(s) you just selected will now auto-track that exact location of the hostile Mech (within their respective firing windows)

If you create an arms-only firing group, then you can auto-synch it with a hostile Mech while simultaneously using your torso-mounted weapons via the center reticule. Maybe you could set aside a second button to bind an additional Target Designator button to auto-track two targets independently, taking advantage of the full reach of your arms (a very wide firing window).

I think the computing power coupled with the bio-feedback technology would exist for this kind of target tracking.

EDIT: Hey, this would be a great ability to dump XP into for Leveling Up. It'd require a good deal of experience to learn how to make those arms fire accurately in auto-synch mode. It would relate to how deeply in-touch your pilot is with the Myomer, how well your body and brain can multi-task, the strength of your neurological fortidu.... anyways, you get the picture.

We has some thinkers here.

UncleKulikov, on 28 November 2011 - 01:53 PM, said:

Having 3 default weapon groups (one for each arm and one for the torso) is what I would like to start out with. When all groups are selected, there is one reticle that you can move around and when a weapon can't track to where you are aiming, it greys out on the HUD.

If you select all the weapons on a single arm, it would adjust the reticle (perhaps a different color as well) to show which arm was targeting, and the same rules apply (if you track the reticle too far for a weapon to shoot, it greys out on the HUD).

Adding more weapon groups could be done manually, and would follow the same rules.

This is how things worked in Starsiege, and I really liked it.

ANOTHER WELL THOUGHT OUT POST>

plodder, on 24 January 2012 - 07:45 PM, said:

Because of this topic, I bought a joystick yesterday. I know i overspent, even though it is an older joystick, it seemed to work fine, I did not even need to load any software. I think it was a thrustmaster firefox topgun. It worked for torso and turning. I liked being able to fire different weapon groups with only pushing the next button. I would really like to reconfigure it with some kind of software. Anyone know how? Software outside of mechwarrior, Like I do my mouse. For giggles, I used the joystick with my left hand for a while. I then used my mouse with the right, it was pretty effective. I will try two joysticks later. I also bought a car racing setup for the pc. It has the steering wheel with buttons(hopefully programmable), and foot pedals. I will see how best to integrate what I have. I paid the same for the car stuff as the joystick.
I know I overspent, it was $1.29 each +tax, so it was under 3 bucks for the setup LOL. Blue tag day on monday at goodwill.I wanted to buy them at the twenty bucks at their normal price, but gambled nobody else would want that lostech. Thanks uncle danno

This guy is a cheapskate, but seems to know what he wants. or almost does....

Nik Van Rhijn, on 25 November 2011 - 11:54 AM, said:

I was thinking of 3 reticules, obviously each arm would only be able to track on their own side and to a little the other side of centre.
What it would mean is theoretically you could target 3 separate mechs. Ideal for flea swatting

YES

plodder, on 25 January 2012 - 06:38 PM, said:

This is more like my thinking. If you have the 2 free floating reticles aimed at the same spot, they turn a beautiful gold glow color showing optimal destruction shot. Trigger the the laser half a second after the lbx 10, or vice versa. Or have the left reticule targeting the hunchback that is about to wither your flank, but you rake him with your ac 5 to buy a sec. while you right look and with the right reticle, deliver the last destruct'o shot to the Centurion that has been giving you Armour Depletion Syndrome(A.D.S). Now the Centurions buddy, the Jenner hanging back, plinking as opportunity allowed, now gets a face full of lrm 5's from your permanent reticle centered, that was locking while you shot the Centurion. You fire then turn to the pesky Hunchy that is starting to wither your left flank. All that took between 2 & 5 seconds

Multiple freelooking, floating, fluidity equals, freaking fabulous fun, if you can fathom that fanatics...thanks uncle danno

NOW THIS GUY IS A LITTLE STRANGE, but I agree with him. Thanks uncle danno

[Treffies]

^ You are a special kind of crazy, I like it

I will buy anything and everything that I can that I want. Maybe not all at once, but overtime if the product is good I will buy it because I don't feel like grinding for anything and I want the tools I need to have fun my way. I'm glad the devs are more or less not paying attention to this subscription bullshit. It was dumb when that business model was introduced and it's dumb today

[Blackfire1]

Added. Cheap tier skill resets for mech. (resetting variant skills a-d)

[Tryg]

The thought that the ability to purchase C-bills will give players an unnecessary advantage amuses me. For players who cannot free up 40+ hours a week to play the game, how do you think those of us who can look to them? We have an advantage because through whatever real world situation we're in, we've got godly amounds of time to spend in front of the computer.

Now if they don't, why is it a bad thing that they can spend real world money (which supports our addiction by the way) to get access to more C-bills that they can use to buy the same equipment we have access to with our in-world earned C-bills? I fail to see how this is an issue. Yes, at launch if they have these options, some players will shoot ahead. But you know what? At launch some players will play every minute they can squeeze into the day, and those players will be right alongside the paying ones equipment-wise.

Exp buffs, and transit/repair reduction purchases, alongside Dollars to C-bill transactions, can drive the game without providing any super-benefit to paying customers. Nothing that those non-paying sorts who spend day and night playing don't have access to as well. Yes, you might have someone with better gear then you for the first week, but guess what? My bet is by the end of the next week, you'll be above him again.

These sorts of micro-transactions can both support the game, and allow for newer players to jump in with the veterans a year or two down the line (Can't just think about launch month you know.) when all of us have maxed out our skills on a half dozen mechs and are looking for the next chassis to upgrade.

Another consideration...upgrades per mech. Considering the potential number of mechs and variants in the BT universe, it will take an ungodly number of Exp buffs and the like to max out every potential mech. Think about it, sure, someone might max out that atlas, but then he's not getting any experience for his Catapult now is he? And when he jumps into that one, Oh look, he's back at square one.

And if some insane fool has enough money to pay to upgrade everything, let him! There's no reason to not let some deep pocketed type give the Devs a bonus. Cause you know what? From what hints and tidbits we've seen, the upgrades and bonuses will be nice, but not gamechangers in and of themselves. Skill will still play a vital role in the game. So what if someone pays to get to the end-game before you, you'll still get there and when you do...you'll have the same stuff, and a wallet of cash saved in the process.

That said, I am entirely against purchasing even mechs or equipment with real world currency. Everything game-affecting should be purchased with in-game currency (allowing everyone access to it) So if someone wants to use money to buy a shiny new variant or what have you, let em...but they can do it by buying in-game currency to then spend on the mech. And most certainly against adding equipment that provides any buff over in-game equipment (added damage, better accuracy, faster recharge rates) Thats the type of stuff that turns games ugly in a real hurry.

[Shalmyan Moonsong]

I am fine with most of the suggestions, someone mentioned maps, and I don't see that as being possible however. all players need to have the same mapset. So all the players can play in the battles.

Anything else I'd pay for, Hanger Space, exp/income boosts, I like the mech pack Idea.

[Artifice]

I like a lot of those options, and many of them won't have any impact on gameplay.

For the record, I'd never pay 5$ for a single battle boost. The most you could get from me is 1-2$ for a 24 hour boost.

I don't support a respec option - but certainly support a multiple persona account, even if you have to pay for additional characters. I'd chuck 5-10$ at that.

Also - Mech garage space. 1-5$ for an extra space for 'Mech storage - What, you thought they would give us unlimited space? Maybe an extra light slot will be cheaper than another assault slot, I'd pay for that. We should be given at least 4 slots per character however.

Also, not necessarily a pay option - Joint Battle Purchases : As part of the pre-battle preparations, have a choice of extra perks that the team as a whole can purchase with non-pay C-bills only - the more people that chuck in, the cheaper it is for everyone. Examples I can think of would be:
Dropships - if there is a dropship on the map, the team can throw in to upgrade it to a chunkier model.
Forward placement - The commander chooses a lance to be hot dropped up to 1/3 - 1/2 of the map away from the standard spawn zone.
Stealth Paint - One lance has automatic (at level whatever)ECM. Destroyed on the first hit, even machine gun fire.
Jump Pods - One lance, single use jump jets.

These could be game changers though. 1 per team, perhaps only with both teams consenting to their use during the Pre-battle.

Edit - As per Tryg's post just above, I also heartily support all game affecting options being available to all players with in game currency. Hey, maybe some cosmetic things are cash only - I can get behind that. League of Legends pulls it off quite well.

Edited by Artifice, 06 February 2012 - 05:35 AM.

[Ranger207]

I'm not against buying 'Mechs with real-life cash- the way I see it, a 'Mech is just another way to put some guns on. I could easily adapt to 1 PPC and an SRM6 if I didn't have enough cash to buy that 'Mech with a Large Laser and 2 SRM4s. To me, the 'Mech is mostly cosmetic. If a MW3/4 Mechlab is thrown in, then which 'Mech you choose will be mostly which you like the best.

Edited by Ranger207, 06 February 2012 - 06:40 AM.