12 replies to this topic

[TheVengeant]

Dear devs,

Battletech is an iconic game with a vast number of fans who have, in one way or another, "gone to ground" as the franchise suffered declines and setbacks over the past couple decades. They're out there. Many of them are us: active here. Many more are (understandably) jaded, letting their more enthusiastic friends feed them information, or are at best only peripherally involved. But they're still listening, waiting to see if this experience will be different. As such, I believe that it is crucial that you avoid treading on canon, particularly in the two areas of Lore and Visual Design.

LORE.
Though most long-time fans reading this need no explanation, folks that are new to the series may not realize that Battletech (Mechwarrior's real name as far as many of us are concerned) has an incredibly detailed backstory and lore to it. For my own part, I will add that it is the single most well-constructed fictional storyline that I have ever experienced, and I would consider myself a well-traveled gamer. It would simply not do to Smith and Tinker (I'm so clever, huzzah!) with the storyline in any way.

I've not seen any evidence of this yet, mind you, if nothing else just a note of caution. I am curious whether we will be able to join House units, rather than the player base amounting to countless little generic merc outfits. If it's the latter, well this note applies, since while Battletech lore featured small units and had a role for them, they were not the mainstay of the action in the Inner Sphere in any real sense.

VISUAL DESIGN.
On the above note, I implore the development team to reconsider the Atlas design, and any others which have undergone similar revision. While I appreciated presentation of the tease process, I was disappointed when I finally realized that the Mech we were looking at was an Atlas, because it is clear that there has been some artistic license taken in depicting the venerable Atlas design (legs, torso, shoulders, some weapon locations). I wonder if I am alone in thinking that I'd prefer to see the design remain true to its original depiction and model, and suspect I am not.

As an aside, I'm aware of the need to avoid the Unseen situation (though I wish someone would manage to acquire or license that IP so we could all be done with that junk and let that awesome look be a part of Battletech again), so no need to school me on that.

It's just that visual design is so crucial here -- consider the role Ralph McQuarrie's concept art played in founding the unique visual design and appeal of the original Star Wars movies; quite literally, without it, Star Wars as we know it today would not exist. I believe Battletech is no different in this regard: it is already a known visual commodity, recognized as a brand instantly by veteran and new fans alike. Changing them now, even if to address a perceived need to "freshen up" the venerable old designs, feels wrong.

Please keep classic designs intact. Thank you for your time!

[SquareSphere]

I just want to say, too much adherence to lore ends in the Jihad and Dark Age.

[godmonkey]

the dev's have already kept to the lore in the @innerspherenews pushing the timeline and telling tiny tidbits of news that happen during any given day. i do not presume that they will mess things up too badly since Jordan Weissman is also involved.

as for the artwork, everything changes with time especially art

[Vance Diamond]

We all love our Battletek, but we should not allow nostalgia to deny the artists and design team their own creativity. Especially since your vision of canon and art can never be held to represent the entire fanbase.

They are taking something they love, and they are crafting something new and great out of it. Something of them will be left behind- that's what gives the enterprise soul.

There are always the old games, old pictures to look at. There is nothing wrong with evolution, so long as it is guided by caring hands. I think that's what we will have here.

[CoffiNail]

I like what they have done with the Atlas. As long as they keep most of the TRO loadouts I am fine with them updating the look of some of the mechs... more so letting them look like their loadout reads. XD

[Sesambrot]

CoffiNail, on 02 November 2011 - 11:22 AM, said:

I like what they have done with the Atlas. As long as they keep most of the TRO loadouts I am fine with them updating the look of some of the mechs... more so letting them look like their loadout reads. XD

I agree, when I first saw the new design of the atlas, I didn't quite like it either. But after some time to get used to it, that design now looks like the big bully this mech was always supposed to be.

I think, if you can still recognize what mech it's supposed to be, and it looks awesome on top of that, then there's really nothing to complain about!

[TheVengeant]

SquareSphere, on 02 November 2011 - 11:10 AM, said:

I just want to say, too much adherence to lore ends in the Jihad and Dark Age.

Point taken, and I would hope that we didn't get THAT far along in the story to worry about encountering that ugly chapter...

As for the other responses so far, well, we'll just have to disagree unfortunately. I don't think "well as long as it looks mostly like the old one, that's what important" works. Canon is not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of looking at the source material for the time period you are depicting, and showing us a digital version of that model that is accurate to the original. The artists can flex their muscles plenty without changing the designs that already exist for this, especially since one of the problems plaguing the entire BTech franchise after the 3025 tech readout was substandard and inconsistent quality art.

Edited by Jaren Ward, 02 November 2011 - 12:26 PM.

[CoffiNail]

Kerensky's Ghost it would be simply amazing if MWO lasted for 17+ years. The Community can keep it going as long as they keep giving us new toys

[IS Wolf]

Long as we don't end up with Clickytech, then I'm satisfied with it.

[Amarus Cameron]

SquareSphere, on 02 November 2011 - 11:10 AM, said:

I just want to say, too much adherence to lore ends in the Jihad and Dark Age.

Dark age is not lore and anyone who says it is is smokin crack. That was not battletech that was like battltech light...something for 12-15 year olds, no offense to anyone who liked it but it simply was horrid. It sidlined the best thing in Battletech...the Clans. I am sorry the idea of a clan civil war is just stupid....they are always at war...trials anyone. Ok I am just gonna stop, before I actually start to care where this discussion goes.

[MasterErrant]

I'm more worried about the fact that they pretty much totally threw away everything technical about the concept. the artwork differences I can leave or take. but they pretty much Pi***d on every about the mechs them selves. Nothing is right and almost everything is broken. which is why we are "Paying" for a beat test game.I not convinced that the corporate stooges in charge actually carew about a finished game.

I waited so long for this game it makes me sad. but i'm not giving up yet.

[Kaio-Kerensky x10]

Amarus Cameron, on 02 November 2011 - 03:29 PM, said:

Dark age is not lore and anyone who says it is is smokin crack. That was not battletech that was like battltech light...something for 12-15 year olds, no offense to anyone who liked it but it simply was horrid. It sidlined the best thing in Battletech...the Clans. I am sorry the idea of a clan civil war is just stupid....they are always at war...trials anyone. Ok I am just gonna stop, before I actually start to care where this discussion goes.

Because the War of Refusal didn't happen, nope.

[Ter Ushaka]

OP, would you support a Tetaete bobblehead cockpit item? They are canon.

Edited by Ter Ushaka, 13 April 2013 - 10:16 PM.