41 replies to this topic

[VPrime]

I put this to both the developers, and fellow players, what technology level are we/should we be starting off with?

In explanation, I am a long time Battletech player, reader, and enthusiast. I know that our start date is 3048, but that begs the question, which tech level will we get to play with? Will we start off at 3025 levels with PPCs Autocannons and Standard engines, with tech rolling out as the game progresses? Or will we start with 3050 tech levels, with XL Engines, Ferro-Fibrous armor and ER weapons? This will really affect game mechanics and how effective our mechs will be.

This leads to the 2nd part of the question, which level SHOULD we start out with? Most units when they engaged the clans in 3050 had only started getting upgrade packages, and they were mainly fighting with 3025 era tech. It really made the clan's invasion a cakewalk, when an ER PPC hit of theirs could take an arm clean off a Rifleman, before the Rifleman could even respond. Should we start with what line units had, or should we start off with the more powerful weapons and stronger armor?

[Trevnor]

Well, it's pretty much decided at any rate, it's too late to change that sorta stuff in game programming. I'm fine with starting with 3025 tech, then getting 3050 as it rolls out with the Clans. Only make sense to me.

[Tadakuma]

I really like the idea that we're running with 3025 tech.

The mech's are better balanced and are harder to pilot to their upmost. Riding the heatwave in original tech mech's is a fine balancing act and I think it would be interesting to see in a computer game.

In regards to switching to upgraded tech, I'm no in to much of a hurry to see it happen. I can live with it happening in 18-24 months, when the upgraded tech would have been making it's way onto the battlefield following the Outreach Accords.

[Breakout]

Base 3025 with Star League era upgrades just starting to role out. It gives your mech warrior something to earn in game.

[Felbombling]

Join the FRR and you'll start with 3025 era technology and then get Clan upgrades through salvage! You can totally skip the 3050 Inner Sphere junk!

[wwiiogre]

3025 was the norm even in 3048 with only comguard and a very few elite units having some of the upgrades. PGI has this one right. Work your way up to the good gear, and by that time your piloting skills might even be good enough to use it right.

chris

[MacabreDerek]

I voted for 3025. The first reason is it's the most common tech of the era. Most of the major developments didnt happen until reverse-engineering clan tech and lostech cashes were found, and even the lostech cashes wouldnt account for major updates to battlemechs sector wide. MWO seems to be based around the average tech, and in doing so should be focused around the more mass-produced mechs of the era, which would mean 3025 tech.

The second reason is due to the impending Clan invasion, the technology gap was huge and so should be reflected in the game, and that gap should be as wide as possible to have the most effect on the game.

I also have a fondness for 3025 basic tech from my own Battletech expirences. I never really got the chance to play clan tech as most of the readouts are 2-4 mechs behind alot of the compedium books, and the only tactical readout I have is from 3025. That's more personal than a rigid critisim on where the game should go, but it lets you see my own bias.

[Black Sunder]

VPrime, on 29 March 2012 - 06:22 AM, said:

I know that our start date is 3048,

3049.....not 48.

Rediscovered Star League tech at this time is around, but not in significant quanties but is becoming more and more common as more and more production facilities retool for it. During and after the Clan Invasion, there is increased motivation to build and rebuild to meet the demand.

[SirDenOfYork]

3025...To start,mostly said above and i totally agree,for pretty much the same reasons...

[Liteshow]

I agree it should start with 3025 and let the upgrades start to trickle into the market as time passes...

[Mason Grimm]

You must be from the future!!! What is all this new fancy technology from next year that you speak of?

Being that it's 3049 when the game launches, it's impossible to start out with next years technology until next year

Just sayin.

[Felix Dante]

StaggerCheck, on 29 March 2012 - 06:50 AM, said:

Join the FRR and you'll start with 3025 era technology and then get Clan upgrades through salvage! You can totally skip the 3050 Inner Sphere junk!

You hope.

[Naughtyboy]

well i voted for 3025 tech, and agree with that the timeline decides what comes out to play with .

[Grithis]

3025. It makes sense, and I like working towards a goal. A reward for all my pain and suffering.

[Lomack]

Definately 3025... It doesn't really make sense to have access to 3050 gear until 3050 at the earliest.

The question I see is more of a future issue. If we start the game in 3049 using 3025 tech on starting mechs. Assuming MWO does relatively well and people are playing the game in 3053. Will starting mechs still be in 3025 gear or will the base mech neeed to start at a higher tech level just to compete.

I assume they will counter this issue by limiting the match combatants based on the level of the tech, but thats just a guess...

[clutchgetspaid]

A lot of tech was recovered in the years between 3025 and 3049.
3035:

• Free Worlds League reintroduces;
  
  • Streak SRM-2,
    
  • Artemis IV Fire Control System
    
  • Narc Missile Beacon.
• Federated Suns rediscovers;
  
  • LB 10-X AC
    
  • Ultra AC/5
• Scientists from the Draconis Combine rediscover how to mass-produce Endo Steel internal structure.
  
• Lyran Commonwealth puts the XL Engines back into production.
  
• First Comitatus Class JumpShip/transport converted into Fighter Carrier by the Clans.
  
• Capellan Confederation reclaims Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry technology.
  
• K-1A series Black Boxes are introduced.

3036: Draconis Combine scientists reintroduceCellular Ammunition Storage Equipment


The DCMS reintroduces all version of the pulse laser and the ERPPC in 3037.
The gauss rifle is 3040 along with double heat sinks and AMS. The Capellans unveiled the Guardian ECM and Beagle Active Probe in 3045, and then the Arrow IV system in 3047.

Edited by HighlanderClutch, 29 March 2012 - 10:51 AM.

[Stormwolf]

3025 tech, 3050 tech should be made available through upgrade kits and new mechs later on.

Edited by Stormwolf, 29 March 2012 - 10:51 AM.

[AdamBaines]

I did not vote either because I feel its a bogus choice. It should be a hybrid with a majority of it (60-80%) being 3025 and the rest being a mix of whats available up to 3049. I does not have to be this OR that. If you want more advanced stuff it will cost you more, but maybe with 3025 tech you will get more bang for your buck.

[RecklessFable]

3050 is easymode. 3025 is hardcore *wink*

But seriously, when 3050 hits, it will be like when a level cap moves in other games. Everything you had previously, even Epics, become crap.

Edited by RecklessFable, 29 March 2012 - 11:04 AM.

[Pvt Dancer]

Standard 3025 tech in a F2P game like this really should be the base 'free' tech. You are given a nice progression to have Clan tech be the most expensive tech with 'lost tech' (IE ComStar and the tech listed by highlander) as the middle ground.

What will intrest me is what will actually cost money in this game, as they have stated all mech chassies and tech will be avaible to free players. I am guessing Mech bays?