8 replies to this topic

[xengk]

The idea is similar to VIP mode or "Protect the President" mode found in other online FPS title.

Concept:
- 2 teams are dropped into 2 starting position on the map.
- 1 team will be designated the Hunter, while the other the Prey.
- Within the Prey team, 1 random player will be assign as the VIP.
- Hunter cannot visually identity who is the VIP and needs to scan the VIP's mech to gain that information.
- The map will have 3 different Extraction Point,1 Extraction Point will be randomly selected as goal for the prey team.
- Only the VIP can trigger the countdown, if VIP leave the Extraction Point area the countdown will be frozen until VIP reenter the area.
- Unlike base capture, enemy mech in the Extraction Point area will not stop the countdown.
- Hunter team will be notified when the countdown begins but not informed of which Extraction Point.

Win Condition:
Hunter
- Destroy the VIP's mech

Prey
- VIP reach the designed Extraction Point and stay within the area for x seconds.

Strategy
Hunter team will not know which Extraction Point the prey team is moving to, and will have to send units to scout/guard the area.
Fast light and medium mech can act as interceptor and patrol possible access to the Extraction Point.

Prey team will have to protect the VIP and escort him/her to the Extraction Point, and defend him/her while the countdown begins.
Prey team could split the team and use 2 group as decoy when the VIP group heads to the real Extraction Point.

Possible Pitfall
- VIP is a XL engined Light; Extraction Point rush.
- VIP is a XL engined ECM Light; ninja Extraction Point.
- VIP disconnect/AFK in game.
- Hunter team rush Prey team's drop zone.
- Farmers Team Kill the VIP to end match.

Edited by xengk, 04 January 2013 - 12:56 AM.

[Alistair Winter]

The solution to your pitfalls is to use a NPC mech / vehicle as the VIP and give it two or three different waypoints instead of making it move in a straight line to a marked extraction points.

[xengk]

Alistair Winter, on 03 January 2013 - 09:22 PM, said:

The solution to your pitfalls is to use a NPC mech / vehicle as the VIP and give it two or three different waypoints instead of making it move in a straight line to a marked extraction points.

Having an NPC VIP is not as engaging as having an actual player VIP, but it does solve some of the pitfall.

[blinkin]

i like how well thought out this is but i see some major problems beyond the ones you listed:

for a player to even have a chance as VIP they would need to be cautious. in the current game types one bad player sucks, but a decent team can make up for the difference. this puts far too much power in the hands of one player.

i love the idea, but realistically VIP type missions in any sort of game only work consistently when the VIP is within punching distance IRL of the other players. i wish i didn't have to destroy such a carefully planned out and interesting idea.

[xengk]

blinkin, on 04 January 2013 - 12:14 AM, said:

i like how well thought out this is but i see some major problems beyond the ones you listed:

for a player to even have a chance as VIP they would need to be cautious. in the current game types one bad player sucks, but a decent team can make up for the difference. this puts far too much power in the hands of one player.

i love the idea, but realistically VIP type missions in any sort of game only work consistently when the VIP is within punching distance IRL of the other players. i wish i didn't have to destroy such a carefully planned out and interesting idea.

True, a single troll can ruined the whole match by:
1. Suicide as VIP
2. TK the VIP
3. Broadcast teammate/VIP position

But the uncertainty of how the VIP will behave, think of them as the hotheaded young prince, paranoid merchant, or a loyal captain who tries to get everyone off this rock, is what also makes VIP mode fun.

However, most VIP mode in other game generally have the VIP seriously buffed with more life or armor. But that might make the prey team gunho and went full offensive instead.

Game mechanics-wise, I am more worried about Hunter team getting bored because it virtually plays like Assault mode, except you can win the match by killing 1 mech instead of a whole team.

[blinkin]

xengk, on 04 January 2013 - 01:06 AM, said:

True, a single troll can ruined the whole match by:
1. Suicide as VIP
2. TK the VIP
3. Broadcast teammate/VIP position

But the uncertainty of how the VIP will behave, think of them as the hotheaded young prince, paranoid merchant, or a loyal captain who tries to get everyone off this rock, is what also makes VIP mode fun.

However, most VIP mode in other game generally have the VIP seriously buffed with more life or armor. But that might make the prey team gunho and went full offensive instead.

Game mechanics-wise, I am more worried about Hunter team getting bored because it virtually plays like Assault mode, except you can win the match by killing 1 mech instead of a whole team.

my point was less about trolling and more about unskilled players who may not understand the VIP role, just want kills, or generally being risk takers. seems like there are far too many ways a player who might just be inexperienced could ruin the round for everyone. then that one player gets yelled at by everyone for being a "newb" and all the people yelling are just left angry with no way to stop the VIP from losing the whole round.

[xengk]

blinkin, on 04 January 2013 - 01:22 AM, said:

my point was less about trolling and more about unskilled players who may not understand the VIP role, just want kills, or generally being risk takers. seems like there are far too many ways a player who might just be inexperienced could ruin the round for everyone. then that one player gets yelled at by everyone for being a "newb" and all the people yelling are just left angry with no way to stop the VIP from losing the whole round.

Looking from another angle, some matches might end up with a skilled or experience VIP and everyone get to have a good time.

If the developer fixed up the match making system, the chance of have "newb" VIP would be lower... unless it is a whole team of new/under experience player getting matched together.

Having disruptive player in any game mode will ruin the match for their team.

[Daora Wing]

I like your concept for this new game mode. Of course there are many ways to ruin a match in this mode, but it seems interesting anyway. What really fascinates me about this game mode is the idea of playing it in 8vs8 premade teams (ECM has to be balanced or banished from this mode)

[Risto Risto]

When others mentioned that a random player/troll could ruin this game type. I wouldn't play this game type unless I was dropping a pre-made. So this is a gametype that should be designed with community warfare in mind. 12 v 12 house factio is the only way I would take VIP mode seriously.

I believe this mode should be placed in the game, especially for large maps such as Desert and Alpine.

But will it make it to the community before 3055, probably not.