8 replies to this topic

[TseTse]

I know the title is a rhetorical questions and a bit silly, but I really think that PGI's focus is miss placed. I can only think that they are considering 3rd person because the are VERY aware of the learning curve for new players.

To my knowledge it doesn't seem like the veteran and paying customer base are clamoring for this feature. Beyond that, I don't think PGI would put this feature in because people want a different way to view their mech.

At best this solution is a bandaid on a wound that requires surgery. In reality ( and I will admit I am biased) it seems like dumping bacteria into said wound. Here is why I'm thinking this way:

In my opinion, the people that will benefit most will be vets who utilize the 3rd person feature. It doesn't matter what the final version will look like. If you segregate the players match wise, it will be an all you can eat noob buffet. If the two view modes are integrated it will force all but the most stubborn, or RP heavy players into utilizing it to stay competitive.

The reason I say it will help the vets out more than the new players is because they have an understanding of game mechanics, map layout, and tactics. Couple this with a 3rd person mode that will most likely allow one to watch movements from cover, and find a way to gain a tactical advantage in far more ways than a new player.

I understand that there are time and budget constraints, but the harsh reality is that there needs to be a total rework of the new player experience. 3rd person will DRASTICALLY alter the face of the game now, and for its entire life span. I believe the games development will be heavily influenced in different direction depending on whether this feature is allowed. I hope it is in PGI's means to address this issue in another way. If not, I would further hope PGI does not implement a feature that, yes will make piloting easier, actually raise the learning curve for new players. Lets not even mention the nearly infinite amount of unintended consequences that may crop up with 3rd person.

I won't go into alternatives, because there are many great, viable, and easy solutions already out there in the forums. Why not segregate trial mechs for instance?

My two cents. Please comment on how you think 3rd person may affect the game in ways no one else is thinking of, or at the very least you don't think PGI may be aware of.

Also, even though I didn't go into alt solutions, please feel free to share yours.

[jazger]

Er.. I'm fairly new only been playng two weeks or so..

but, isn't the idea of the trial mechs to give us newbies a "free" mech we can use to learn to play the game and as we don't have to pay for repairs and such.. a way for us to make money, which we can then use to buy our own mech, that we can then customize?

I know they are.. less than idea, but thier free and cost nothing, a perfect way for new folks to learn and make creds? (espicaly give NO tutorial on how to play..)

After "grinding" enough creds to afford a new mech and some upgrades, do not most folks have a far better idea how to play?

I mean i used them to get into my own jenner, upgraded everything except for an XL engine.. Then relized.. "Wow.. er i still kind of suck.." so i went back to the trial mechs, started earning some more creds. (up to 6.2 mill now I've lost FAR than i've won.. but a few times i've won.. Heck once i ended a game in a cammando, both arms and side torsos blown off and all my other locations red w/ like 2 or 4 rounds left for my missle launch.

I guess what i'm getting at.. whats this about "Grinding" it's part of the learning curve.. so by the time you've earned enough to buy a decent mech, you've hopefuly learned enough you know how to drive your new mech.

all that said - I personaly, wouldn't mind a 3rd person view, as honestly i suck as 1st person shooter types, but it's not a make or break kind of deal.. (i'd be far, far, far more intrested in some kind of mission system, aginst MOBs, to learn, earn creds and such..

[weaponx26]

Russ said in NGNG MDB2 hip or shoulder cam probably so you can't see beyond your mech's FOV or behind you. So New players can understand how torso twist works which is apparently a big issue with new players and can be chosen in matchmaker , as a long time player i wouldn't mind a hip cam so I can see any damage physically or see any camo on my mech especially if I bought it.

[Drake Morgan]

I don't think the game will be as "terrible" once the metagame aspects are released.

[ulziel]

its called Trial Mech for a reason

[QuantumButler]

Drake Morgan, on 18 November 2012 - 04:33 PM, said:

I don't think the game will be as "terrible" once the metagame aspects are released.

The problem is that the game might not have enough going for it to last long enough to get the metagame in play.

[Captain Midnight]

I think if Star Citizen can get made for less than we kicked in as founders, this game can get community warfare out of the door for five million dollars.

That said, the problem with the new player experience is NOT the camera angle, it's the everything. It's just completely terrible. They ought to either segregate trials or give new players a free Flea.

[jazger]

@captain Night - a "free flee" er.. as a newbie.. who's played a ton of table top and every mechwarrior pc game..

you put inexperiance newbie in a Flee mech, no matter how you let them customize it.. being destroied in like 2 or 3 hits will drive off most newbies. they are just far to weak. (i admit in the hands f an experiances poilit, a flee can do great. in one of the old pc games, i took out a squad of 4 battle masters w/ a flee...)

but in a pvp game like this, getting kill so quickly will turn most folks off...

if you mean a flee in adation to the trial mech.. actualy that might not b e a bad idea.. a free mech folks can play wiht? mabe keep the zero; or a far reduces repair cost? yea that be rathr sweet.. trial mech, and something you can test out weapons, speed, ect.. and still be able to make a lot of cash to buy a "real" mech? oooo me likely that very much!

[Lefty Lucy]

PGI has failed to attract new players by going OB without dealing with any of the long-standing new-player retention issues such as:

1. Matchmaking that does not throw new players up against pre-mades
2. Intuitive in-game group formation
3. Heat system makes trial mechs overheat far more than mechs customized to deal with it.
4. Lack of tutorial.
5. Lack of in-game information on weapon effectiveness.

They *should* be focusing on those 5 issues. Instead they're thrashing around, trying to slap band-**** on the game.