9 replies to this topic

[Matthew Ace]

The idea is to give players a wider selection to see what kind of role would be most suitable for him. The current selection is limited, even if it is going to be rotated weekly.

Ideally, each of these chosen variants of a chassis for Trial Mech choices needs to offer something distinctly different (if it is not already that way). For example, a stock variant with a larger bore autocannon (AC10/20) is currently not a choice and could be added to give a feel of how these weapons work. The current choices of Trial mechs based on speed is also limited (the previous selection seems more diverse to me somehow), so perhaps throw in a trial Cicada or return the Jenner. Somewhere along that line.

[Kmieciu]

Why not give trial access to all the mechs and variants?
I know what mechs I want to purchase because I got a lot of free MC during the beta and I tried them all.
The new players don`t even know if they like the mech they are grinding for.
How about "win X games in this mech to buy it at a reduced price" For example 10 games in a Commando, 100 games for an Atlas?

This would actually encourage fighting, not suiciding on purpose.

[Matthew Ace]

That would be all the better..

[Arnold Carns]

In my opinion the availability of the Trial 'Mechs shouldn't be restricted at all. The players should be able to choose any of the available 'Mechs and their variants as a Trial 'Mech.
If there would be needed a limitation due to frontends' hangar space or such, make them selectable via a listing similar to that for the 'bought' 'Mechs.

[RaNDoMPReCiSioN]

I think 4 trial mechs are plenty. If the full array of mechs were available as trials, there would be very little progression into owned mechs. As it stands they've been getting rotated anyway so what's the beef? One of each class should do the job nicely. If you can't get an idea or feel for the mech from the current choices there's not much hope for the rest of them.

In my opinion giving access to all mechs and variants as trials would give the free to play folks an unfair advantage. Play the game, earn the cbills and buy the mech you want. Half the fun is discovering the nuances of any new mech. If you want it sooner, spend a little cash. Other than the basic trial and founders mechs, none of us closed beta testers knew how they handled until we actually bought one and tried it out. Take away the goal, take away the appeal!

I'm not saying this because I'm a Founder either (not even in the slightest.) I would be more than happy to work my way into a bought mech. It would be a pleasure in this game. In fact I won't even be spending my MC on one. I'm holding off until I earn enough to buy them with cbills only. Sure I have 4 x founder mechs, but these are no better equipped then the trial versions and it still costs time and cbills to get to the loadout you want. Enjoy the trials as they are and remember you are getting to play for free.

I'll maybe splash out later when the highlander comes along (just for being a scot and it can only be had using MC.) I'll keep the remaining mech credits for more important things like extending premium time or less important things like cockpit items or skins.

Suiciding on purpose yields no benefits so if a player is doing this they don't have much attention span for the game anyway.

**Edit 01 Nov 12

Dreaming Demon, on 01 November 2012 - 06:38 AM, said:

They need to have a balance between giving players enough to get them interested, and dangling enough out of reach to encourage players to become paying customers.

Their charge for additional mech bays is inspired... it's small, but even grinders buying everything with cbills will need space to put their ponies. And a tiny cash purpose makes the next purchase easier to justify.

If they give out free cheap mechs however, then we will have 10,000 light mechs on the field. That may be a better idea than the alternative of 0 scouts and 8 missile boats, but it will certainly skew the balance of mechs on the field, probably in a bad way. The 4 trial mech method encourages a better mix of light and heavy units on the field.

I don't know the best answer. I suspect the trial mechs are not the perfect choice. But I cannot see a great alternative that encourages users to jump into cash purchases without being so boring for those without money that they leave early.

Trials are the only method free players can get into the game and that's perfectly okay by me. The concept of using them until they have enough cbills to buy thier first mech is well thought out. Do remember these mechs also serve the paid up players too. Sometimes we can run out of cbills which require us to use the trial mechs to make up the repair bills.

The whole idea of this game is to be a true free to play title. The emphasis is not on making players pay to get ahead, even if it does help in the short term. Anyone can work thier way into the mech and loadout of thier choice. The free players just want it all now. I say keep following the carrot.

Sure there might be a influx of the lighter mechs over the coming days, but thats ok. Most newbies will make a beeline for the cap points with them which is only cannon fodder for the big guys.

Again, the MCs I have will be kept for as long as possible. There's so many reasons for doing this. For one there is a shed load more content still to come. New (hero)mechs will be appearing steadily for the foreseeable future and there's all the new custom cockpit goodies to look forward to as well. Making my mech stand out visually unique has more appeal than anything else - vain yes, sad no. Like a custom car driving by pedestrians, players will stop to look at the fancy paintjob on my mech.

respect

Edited by RaNDoMPReCiSioN, 01 November 2012 - 09:14 AM.

[Mahotsukai]

Trial mechs suxx and might give a false impression of a mech
but they are free - so it is ok

if you allow customization - that might cause the lack of interest to play "normal" mechs

[Miken]

I think will be better to change list of trial mechs after each fight. List offer as randomly picked from all available canonic variants mechs of the game. Of course 4 mechs stays in different weight classes, like now.

Edited by Miken, 01 November 2012 - 04:36 AM.

[Dreaming Demon]

They need to have a balance between giving players enough to get them interested, and dangling enough out of reach to encourage players to become paying customers.

Their charge for additional mech bays is inspired... it's small, but even grinders buying everything with cbills will need space to put their ponies. And a tiny cash purpose makes the next purchase easier to justify.

If they give out free cheap mechs however, then we will have 10,000 light mechs on the field. That may be a better idea than the alternative of 0 scouts and 8 missile boats, but it will certainly skew the balance of mechs on the field, probably in a bad way. The 4 trial mech method encourages a better mix of light and heavy units on the field.

I don't know the best answer. I suspect the trial mechs are not the perfect choice. But I cannot see a great alternative that encourages users to jump into cash purchases without being so boring for those without money that they leave early.

[Werewolf486 ScorpS]

Restrict trial mechs to the light class only. Jenner, commando, and raven only! Then make people spend money to buy a real mech! Muahahaha!!

[Syrkres]

What would be interesting (not that I ever use trial mechs) would be Player built Mechs as Trial Mechs.

So every week you have your basic Trial Mechs, but every week players submit a build for the "Player build Trial Mech", then a poll goes up and all players can vote for 1 (by account) for the Mech builds submitted. At the end of the voting period the one with the most votes get put in for a week as a trial mech. and you repeat the process.

This would likely require people to be able to save/display their builds easily, but even without it ppl could post a build that others could vote on. Note, a weight class each week would probably have to be selected and maybe each week it rotates, , 1st week is light, 2nd week is Med, 3rd week Heavy, 4th week Assault, then back to Light.

All build submitted for a week would have to be for that class of that week.

This would give variety (and probably a good build) to new players to try out besides the standard trial builds.