804 replies to this topic

[Wulfren]

isn't your faction already chosen through the spoken languages of the factions? or are they just servers? think i read that steiner has as most spoken language english and german, kurita japanese

[FinnMcKool]

Bryan is looking kind of like Paul right now , do you think he was taken out by Comstar?

[Ursus_Spiritus]

Marowi, on 02 May 2012 - 06:54 AM, said:

Even though this topic has gone on for quite a while and has been more or less exhausted of viewpoints, I'd still like to throw in my 2 cents:

1. The claiming of canon units/factions as one's own always seemed a little gauche to me.

2. Pursuant to Paul's comments in the FAQ, the devs are going to keep notable factions and units off-limits: for example, no "Clan Wolf" and no "10th Lyran Guard".

3. MechWarrior/BattleTech is the only game franchise I've seen where a large number of the player-base actively tries to emulate the in-game lore. That we have this problem ("Are we going up against Jade Falcon Elite or the Oklahoma Jade Falcons?") is utterly fascinating. Usually, people name their factions things like, "Goonsquad" or "The Vietnam ROFLcopters" regardless of the fictional setting of their game. I can't think of a way for PGI to capitalize on this: other than to create unit templates within each faction and let players create derivatives. So, for example, if you were a Davion player, you could take your pick: do you want to be a Crucis Lancer, an Avalon Hussar, or a Robinson Regular? Then, you'd get the next # of that unit in line that wasn't already "claimed" by canon--102nd Avalon Hussars, for example. Given that virtually all House/Clan units use some numbering scheme (with exceptions: the Falcon Guard, which would be off-limits), I think such a system might work.

I can't say I would be out to emulate a particular Warrior from DCMS, or CGB. I just find the belief systems and ideals, politics of these two factions appealing, as in I identify with much of what I have come to learn about each. That and they are/were direct adversaries during the invasion.

Personally I love Bears, Polar Bears, the cold, snow. I am fascinated by Bushido, Japanese culture and the Warrior spirit and other aspects of beliefs commonly associated. Both factions hold Honor in high regard (most of the time.)

So for me any who it isn't about a Bekker, or Kurita. It is about what their banners have come to symbolize.

[AlfalphaCat]

Might wanna check this out guys. Looks like claiming is all you need to do, and have your own site.

http://mwomercs.com/...038#entry226038

We got on, and I didn't even sign us up. Early bird gets the worm I guess, since we've been lurking here since day one. Actually Ghost was the one that tried to start a 12th Vegan Ranger unit(still welcome to join). We were all like hey! we're standing right here dude.

I would much rather people claimed names from the myriad choices in the BTU than everyone calling themselves 101st(insert trendy meme here) Cavalry or whatever.

[Insidious Johnson]

OK, time to weigh in with something other than comedy. This is a MW franchise. They don't want people with a 100% free hand to drive the story in less than predictable directions. There must be some common touchstones in the lore we are about to make and the canon which has gone before. What I find absolutely abhorent is that even with some units being the domain of PGI only, is allowing ANY pre-teen g00ber or anyone else for that matter to lay claim to anything without some record of competance in unit formation, maintenance, and performance. Think of them all as trademarked brands with PGI as the parent corporation. You don't want ANY brands tanking. You don't want drama and turnover, you want bottom line performance. The current hodge-podge, while allowing the greatest freedom, also allows the greatest mismanagment. I see many of these brands eventually being the equivalent of "sold off" to more compentant leaders in the future after the popularity contests die off. In the meantime, the parent company is the one being tarnished.

Given that, those who claim a unit with no past performance record in previous MW leagues have already shot themselves in foot and are recruiting based on popularity, a brand name, randomness, or something equally as transient without a resume of victories behind them. That being said, I'm all in favor of new blood getting a chance to prove themselves. At the same time, look to make friends and resources of those whose feet weren't simply fast enough to get them here faster than you. That or be a dead unit from defections within the first month. Having said that, you know why I'm a lone wolf , I plan on skipping the first few months of unit drama and not just feeding off the weak, but feasting.

Edited by Insidious Johnson, 02 May 2012 - 08:55 PM.

[CSG Gunslinger]

Listless Nomad, on 23 April 2012 - 11:09 AM, said:

Well that would make this forum pretty dry and boring.



We know they AREN'T allowed actually. As of right now, merc corps are the only player driven guilds allowed. There are plans to implement that functionality post launch, but until we hear different - there are no player run anythings related to houses.

Right, take CSG for example, we were always part of Comstar / Inner Sphere. Currently we are planning on going as a Merc unit with the CSG name. If its allowed at the time all will be well, if not, we'll do what we can to get by.

[Omega59er]

The hierarchy of the houses and major factions will be led by PGI and alpha testers. (What isn't Null, anyways)

Also, remember this game isn't all about mercs. There are groups that play as House regiments and armies, and that's just fine. It's their right to do that, and that is what will partly make this game immersive.
No one can take the name "Wolf's Dragoons" as a player driven company because they are a big canon faction, but we can take the Wolf Dragoons regiments and companies as our own. (As we have)

[Korbyn McColl]

AlfalphaCat, on 02 May 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

Might wanna check this out guys. Looks like claiming is all you need to do, and have your own site.

http://mwomercs.com/...038#entry226038

We got on, and I didn't even sign us up. Early bird gets the worm I guess, since we've been lurking here since day one. Actually Ghost was the one that tried to start a 12th Vegan Ranger unit(still welcome to join). We were all like hey! we're standing right here dude.

I would much rather people claimed names from the myriad choices in the BTU than everyone calling themselves 101st(insert trendy meme here) Cavalry or whatever.

That post hasn't been updated in a long time. Largely because the devs hadn't settled on anything for the less important canon merc units. If they lock out all canon names, I'm sure the 12th Vegan Rangers will be on the lock out list as well.

[FinnMcKool]

SO where is the promised info from Bryan?

[Opus]

Insidious Johnson, on 02 May 2012 - 08:14 PM, said:

OK, time to weigh in with something other than comedy. This is a MW franchise. They don't want people with a 100% free hand to drive the story in less than predictable directions. There must be some common touchstones in the lore we are about to make and the canon which has gone before. What I find absolutely abhorent is that even with some units being the domain of PGI only, is allowing ANY pre-teen g00ber or anyone else for that matter to lay claim to anything without some record of competance in unit formation, maintenance, and performance. Think of them all as trademarked brands with PGI as the parent corporation. You don't want ANY brands tanking. You don't want drama and turnover, you want bottom line performance. The current hodge-podge, while allowing the greatest freedom, also allows the greatest mismanagment. I see many of these brands eventually being the equivalent of "sold off" to more compentant leaders in the future after the popularity contests die off. In the meantime, the parent company is the one being tarnished.

Given that, those who claim a unit with no past performance record in previous MW leagues have already shot themselves in foot and are recruiting based on popularity, a brand name, randomness, or something equally as transient without a resume of victories behind them. That being said, I'm all in favor of new blood getting a chance to prove themselves. At the same time, look to make friends and resources of those whose feet weren't simply fast enough to get them here faster than you. That or be a dead unit from defections within the first month. Having said that, you know why I'm a lone wolf , I plan on skipping the first few months of unit drama and not just feeding off the weak, but feasting.

You are the King of Lone Wolves !

[Listless Nomad]

EDIT - Thanks Bryan

Edited by Listless Nomad, 03 May 2012 - 11:23 AM.

[wwiiogre]

Bryan is back to work and posted on another topic, I of course posted a reference to this topic in the hope we may get a nod.

chris

[CoffiNail]

The man is busy, he will work on it when he can obviously. Would you rather he writes of a blurb about this, or finishes up stuff to do with Beta

[Listless Nomad]

EDIT - Thanks Bryan

Edited by Listless Nomad, 03 May 2012 - 11:23 AM.

[Kenyon Burguess]

good lord peoples. just name yourselves the southwest highlanders and clan frosty penguin and call it a day

[CoffiNail]

Geist Null, on 03 May 2012 - 11:09 AM, said:

good lord peoples. just name yourselves the southwest highlanders and clan frosty penguin and call it a day

NEVA!

[Marowi]

I'm claiming Clan Adjective Noun for myself and anyone sarcastic enough to follow me. You heard it here first. Copyright, baby. (Actually, PGI's probably got it because of the terms of use, but whatevs).

[SquareSphere]

I honestly bet that for famous units, they'll let you claim a "sub group". Like Wolf Dragoons 28th regiment or something like that. Of course in addition to making up orginal merc units

[Garth Erlam]

One thing to help with all this:
Player made 'Clan Smoke Jaguar' would be:
ClanSmokeJaguar

In terms of canonical reference, the actual Clan Smoke Jaguar would be called thus.

So players can be clans and merc units from the universe, but they will be clearly marked as player made; IE. ClanJadeFalcon, etc.

[Bryan Ekman]

Alright... long overdue, much distraction in between.

Players will NOT be able to claim canon units as their own. When it comes to Mercenary Units/Corps/Companies, these names will not be available during MC creation. Trying to circumvent the naming system will result in the Merc Corp being renamed/denied.

Faction units are being handled slightly different. When a player aligns themselves with one of the major factions, say House Kurita, they will have the opportunity to join famous house units as the rank up by earning loyalty points. Some house units will require additional feats of excellence and challenges to achieve before membership is granted. Since these units are not run by the players, and we can reserve/restrict access to very active/famous units for sake of preserving the BattleTech timeline.

Our general stance on player run merc units is simple - create your own legacy! It's very unfair for players to stake ownership over a canon unit, and creates a host of politic and pr issues. So we're avoiding the complexities and edge cases associate with players assuming the role of these units by encouraging you to forge your own destiny.

This is our launch POV. As always, we listen to your feedback and ways to improve the system.