338 replies to this topic

[DerHuhnTeufel]

Rather than posing my own question, I'll instead suggest you look at Tolkein's post, as ECM is probably the most controversial topic right now.

[bionicbadger]

When are BRIGHT colors going to be available? I'm talking about Day-glo pink, safety orange, shiny chrome, fluorescent/glow in the dark colors, etc. I need to taunt the enemy and run around in a bright shiny mech as a target that is too annoying to pass up

[OfTheDark]

I'll throw in a desire for an answer to ECM. I'll not go into detail as (many) others have asked everything about it I wonder myself. Yes I feel it's unbalanced. Yes I feel it needs change. But most of all it isn't going to go away. Even preleminary findings/it's being looked at would be helpful vs. the utter silence we've had on the subject so far. It (currently) is the single most talked about topic and really needs some kind of adressment.

[Joe Mallad]

Will I Am, on 11 January 2013 - 07:48 AM, said:

When should we look to see Decals implemented into the game?

If this is just current faction decals at first that would be fine, but in the end will we be able to upload our own unit decals? Maybe set these in a section to be reviewed by a moderator or something to filter our unwanted content in the game.

Also, will we be getting more paint schemes and / or colors to choose from anytime soon.

THIS PLEASE!!

[TheUnderking]

Tolkien, on 08 January 2013 - 10:51 AM, said:

Question 0 is about your definition of "best". Does best mean the one most liked by the community or is it still just the ones you feel like answering?

Question 1 is about ECM)
How was it considered balanced to introduce a 1.5 ton 2 slot piece of equipment that does all of the following?:

i) Counters Artemis
ii) Counters BAP
iii) Counters TAG bonuses and the whole system inside of 180m
iv) Counters NARC - a system which weighs more and requires real skill and teamwork to use
v) Counters other ECMs
vi) Destroys LRM locks (absent holding a TAG laser on a potentially lag shielded mech)
vii) Destroys SSRM locks (absent holding a TAG laser on a potentially lag shielded mech)
viii) Ruins information sharing via minimap
ix) Scrambles HUD display of enemies
x) is a better AMS than AMS itself
xi) Requires no exploding ammo
xii) Generates no heat
xiii) Costs less than a much less useful module by a factor of 15
xiv) Doesn't use up a weapon hardpoint

Going by tonnage and critical space the ECM should be about as useful as a small laser plus a regular heatsink.
Or a medium laser and a little armor,
Or an AMS and a ton of ammo
etc.

Here's a link to the existing unanswered question from 'ask the devs' 29:
http://mwomercs.com/...70#entry1598770
And another to the same in 'ask the devs' 29A:
http://mwomercs.com/...ost__p__1640301

The former question has 230 likes at last count, while the latter has another 94, and neither have been addressed yet.


Question 2 is about game outcome statistics versus number of ECMs on each team:
Put simply, are the outcomes measured here representative of the current state of the game? If not, how far off were my results?
http://mwomercs.com/...ost__p__1709146

tl:dr I gathered enough match outcome data that with >99.999% confidence (statistical not subjective) I can say that ECM superiority is a predictor of victory. Also I can say with >97% confidence that a team with more ECMs is at least 2x more likely to win than the team with less.

I like this series of questions.

[elitist]

Could we get an update on matchmaking? Phase 3 is listed as December TBD. If the ELO system is going to need more fine tuning / private testing before it's implemented to the public test servers, could we have a 'pick up only' queue? Given that we already have a separate queue system for the 8 mans, it shouldn't be too time consuming for the devs. Another quick fix that could be implemented to counter the timed drops would be adding a random delay for the actual match making process to start (1-20 seconds) generated immediately after hitting the launch button.

Edited by elitist, 11 January 2013 - 02:56 PM.

[Victor Morson]

As one of the many clans excited about community warfare, could your release any details on either it, or the plan to roll it out? I'd guess from previous experience we'll see things like official merc groups and such pop up before actual planetary conflict, so any new information at all would be appreciated by the both us, and many other serious groups in the community.

[Syncline]

When will a "leaver buster" type of system be implemented to stop people from c-bill farming by disconnecting early in the match? What do you intend to do about people who intentionally commit suicide early in the match for the purpose of c-bill farming?

[warp103]

Kaijin, on 10 January 2013 - 04:10 PM, said:

I'd prefer they make a statement. IF indeed they don't see an issue with ECM, I want to see it in writing here, from the head honcho, so I can quit wasting my time with BT-flavored CoD.

Then ask for him to release me to post the conversation and you would get it. Now the stats he talked to me about seem the total opposite to what I see. I have vidoed each day and other has posted there finding. Both say that stat show ecm is a issue.Then in the NGNG pod cast it seem to me that he said there is a issue but they are having a issue finding a fix that would work.Then when they talk about Tolken post I think the company put to brakes on any more comments.

Edited by warp103, 11 January 2013 - 02:38 PM.

[Lord Jay]

Please describe your vision of matchmaking after the implementation of Phase III.

Will we still have 4 and 8 man queues or do you hope ELO will naturally balance out the teams?

Has there been any thought given to creating a solo queue?

What are your thoughts on using tonnage or BV as additional balancing factors for the matchmaker? Or are they already somehow factored into ELO? What about drop tonnage limits?

Can you provide any information detailing how matchmaking will work in Community Warfare?

[Aidan]

Will you implement intra-lance and intra-team (2 or 3, 4-man lances per team) communication on pilot chosen chassis and loadout before a given drop begins or in the ready room lobby?

For example, all 8 pilots convene in a ready room as seen from their MWO client software. The Drop Commander or DC can see the names of all pilots on his/her team and can see a graphical picture of the mech each pilot is taking and the loadout for each mech below each mech picture. Pilot and faction pictures would also be present for each pilot.This would be updated in real time to the MWO client of the DC or lance leader as each pilot makes changes to their chosen battlemech.

Edited by Aidan, 13 January 2013 - 08:15 AM.

[0oFoxtroto0]

i feel like the easiest way to get rid of the ecm problem is to just make it available for all mechs. 1.5 tons that can fit in a cicada, raven, atlas, and even a commando must be pretty small or have a uniform size for each weight class. Make ecm weigh less for lighter mechs than the atlas and bring ecm coverage to a uniform distance depending on their weight class. But i feel letting everyone put ecm on any mech would stop the complaints completely. Then the players will calm down, balance out, and the mech world will be at a more measurable(debatable) level of peace yet again.

[Nash]

I just did wonder how many persons may fit in your friendslist in-game? ^^

[Monoc]

Tolkien, on 08 January 2013 - 10:51 AM, said:

Question 0 is about your definition of "best". Does best mean the one most liked by the community or is it still just the ones you feel like answering?

Question 1 is about ECM)
How was it considered balanced to introduce a 1.5 ton 2 slot piece of equipment that does all of the following?:

i) Counters Artemis
ii) Counters BAP
iii) Counters TAG bonuses and the whole system inside of 180m
iv) Counters NARC - a system which weighs more and requires real skill and teamwork to use
v) Counters other ECMs
vi) Destroys LRM locks (absent holding a TAG laser on a potentially lag shielded mech)
vii) Destroys SSRM locks (absent holding a TAG laser on a potentially lag shielded mech)
viii) Ruins information sharing via minimap
ix) Scrambles HUD display of enemies
x) is a better AMS than AMS itself
xi) Requires no exploding ammo
xii) Generates no heat
xiii) Costs less than a much less useful module by a factor of 15
xiv) Doesn't use up a weapon hardpoint

Going by tonnage and critical space the ECM should be about as useful as a small laser plus a regular heatsink.
Or a medium laser and a little armor,
Or an AMS and a ton of ammo
etc.

Here's a link to the existing unanswered question from 'ask the devs' 29:
http://mwomercs.com/...70#entry1598770
And another to the same in 'ask the devs' 29A:
http://mwomercs.com/...ost__p__1640301

The former question has 230 likes at last count, while the latter has another 94, and neither have been addressed yet.


Question 2 is about game outcome statistics versus number of ECMs on each team:
Put simply, are the outcomes measured here representative of the current state of the game? If not, how far off were my results?
http://mwomercs.com/...ost__p__1709146

tl:dr I gathered enough match outcome data that with >99.999% confidence (statistical not subjective) I can say that ECM superiority is a predictor of victory. Also I can say with >97% confidence that a team with more ECMs is at least 2x more likely to win than the team with less.

This ^^^ is my question.

[Marcus Tanner]

With the very real possibility of the clans arriving, how do you plan on handling Streak SRM-4s and Streak SRM-6s?

If the problem you're having only applies to mechs that bring many Streak-2s, wouldn't you run into the same problem with mechs that bring a pair of Streak-4s or Steak-6s?

---

Classic Battletech decided to sidestep weapon balance in terms of tonnage by picking up the Battle Value system. This was in response not only to the introduction of clans (which do far more for their tonnage) but in recognition of the fact that mechs within a given weight band are by no means equal (as a stark example Endo-Steel allows mechs to bring more tonnage of equipment making them strictly better than their un-upgraded counterparts).

Do you have plans to switch over from weight-class or tonnage balancing systems to a Battle Value system like Battletech did? Are you looking into some other system better suited to the online format?

---

If there were no LRMs or Streaks in this game, I would still bring ECM every time. Would you?

Edited by Marcus Tanner, 11 January 2013 - 07:31 PM.

[Snailio]

The "UI 2.0" has been removed from the Feature Roadmap without explanation. As such, can you please provide an update and roadmap for an updated UI including the expected timeframe for a integrated lobby within the UI?

[Pando]

I really don't want to waste a perfectly good answer on ECM. That is all.

[Nikoliii]

(1) When are collisions coming back? This was a great counter for light mechs and prevented them from getting too close to the Assaults and Heavies. It would cut back on some of the complaints against light mechs. A Jenner or Raven shouldn't be able to run through an Atlas.

(2) Stats. Any timeframe on rolling out more stats? Specifically, things like assists, average damage/match, weapon accuracy, etc. I don't even want leaderboards, I'd just like to know how good or bad I'm doing, what weapons I'm better with and where I can improve.

[Malcivious]

- Chat is horrible, any plans for that? Lets count the ways:

- When in spectator mode, and the mech you are watching dies, your chat is basically blanked out. So, if you're trying to say something to team or general, it's can be impractical.

- No scrollback.

- Unable to review the chat log after a match (which, sometimes I get committed to the fight and am unable to pay attention, but want to see what, if anything was said).

- I understand you may want to limit griefing by limiting chat, but damn. It's very hard to establish any sort of dialog with any community members you might briefly encounter in a match. You already have block, in case someone is being annoying.

- You need a FAR better communication system if you want any sort of in game community.

- Respond to ECM concerns already.

- Collision fixes? Yeah, you made some changes, but I still appear to go through a mech, only to sometimes reappear back behind it. Probably a netcode thing, but it's REALLY a constant annoyance.

- What about Mech XP to GXP when you maxxed out the mech you are piloting? I like to pilot certain mechs. They work well for me, while the variants... not so much.

- I NEED more C-Bills. It's the only thing that I'm severely lacking. I feel punished for trying out a new mech concept, something that keeps me playing the game. Why, because I can spend MC on going from Mech XP to GXP, I don't mind that so much... as long as that Mech XP isn't capped. But, I've got plenty of GXP and no C-bills to try out different mechs.. since, in order to try a new mech I basically need to buy 3 of those mechs to "level it up" to the point where I can do Speed Tweak, which is where I feel it's mostly complete. I don't mind spending the MC on the conversion, but I don't want to ALSO spend it on the mechs. I'm happy to throw a certain amount of money at you, but seriously, C-Bills are lacking IMO. It basically feels like you are being TOO greedy.

- A personal pet peeve, why doesn't my mech "jump" when using jump jets. It seems my legs should push off giving me an initial boosted lift. Also, if I turn my torso in flight, it should push me in the direction I'm facing. My boosters are mounted in my torso, why does it feel like they are mounted in my feet?

- Where is my medium Jump Jet mech already (I swear if it's not February... well, <insert passive threat>.) So yeah. Get on that already.

I enjoy this game, as I suspect many others do. Hence some passionate responses. The little issues we all have can seriously make or break the game.

Edited by Malcivious, 11 January 2013 - 08:16 PM.

[Wizard Steve]

I've seen this suggestion a couple of times on the forums lately and wanted to get your opinions on it.

The suggestion is that each variant's most iconic weapon be fixed. For example, the CN9-A's AC/10 and the CPLT-C1's LRM15s. Other hardpoints would function as they do now but one would have to retain these fixed weapons.

While I can imagine the outrage on the forums from the usual suspects, this change would make the game feel more BattleTech and encourage players to explore more mech designs.

As an alternative, perhaps there could be a small (but significant) boost to CBills/XP for players that drop using stock (or near stock) mechs.

Thoughts?