456 replies to this topic

[Valder]

Hey, awesome post, Bryan. I think this is exactly what everyone has been waiting for when it comes to Q and A. Thanks for spending all the time on this. You have restored my faith in dev communication =D

[MightyMeatShield]

Thank you for making a great new format Ask the Devs 30 first impression!

[Damecles]

Thanks for taking the time to answer:) Been having a ball playing this game (probably too much!). My Merc unit is really looking foward to being able to train against each other, really glad this is coming soon! Keep up the good work, and don't let the haters get ya down.

[Elizander]

Q: In the offical trailer you show an Atlas making a "hot drop". Are there any plans for a game mode where one side defends and the other side makes a hot drop? Maybe for when a unit makes it's frist drop on a contested planet when community warfare is implmented?

A: Yes, we are exploring asymmetrical gameplay modes.

Looking forward to this. It will certainly give that 'mission' feel back.

Q: Is your team discouraged at all by the community outrage?
A: It hurts, and you are always amazed at how nasty people can be. Some days you don’t want to deal with it. But you suck it up and try and understand why someone would call you an ***** or *******, or threaten you. I can’t tell you how many people complain, yet play dozens if not hundreds of matches a day, and spend significant amounts of money. I generally don’t take it to heart any more, especially when comments come from someone who has 100s or 1000s of posts. It’s the guy who has 1 post that I’m worried about. It took something significantly good or bad for them to come and make a post, and we tend to listen to them more carefully. And before you all go off about not listening to the core fans, we still listen to you as well.

In the end, we always try our best to have compassion and see through the screen in hopes of understanding why people say the things they do. The CR team in Montreal are truly amazing people that deal with a very vocal and passionate user base, taking lumps left and right with little to no thanks. (IMHO you need to start a thank you CR team thread. Hint Hint)

Sadly it is part of the job of whoever is front-lining for the product. The face-palm level of irrationality that publishers and developers have to deal with is pretty high on most forums, but it's usually a good sign that people are still interested as long as it doesn't reach uberly toxic levels of fail that drive off other players.

[Delas Ting Usee]

Adridos, on 22 January 2013 - 09:14 PM, said:

I thought Asians were mostly into Jpanese mecha.

twibs, on 22 January 2013 - 09:18 PM, said:

I thought Asians were mostly into Video games in general.

You both thought wrong.
Imagine a million Chinese players on MWO and seriously, it's not all that hard to imagine (All with House Liao - as it's the only House that has Mandarin as an official Language) Now imagine them all paying for a single Mech bay...We need a server in Asia is all I'm saying.

[Elder Thorn]

Homeless Bill, on 22 January 2013 - 01:16 PM, said:

This. It's what we've been waiting for. I love you.

I'm not even happy about a lot of the answers, but I do appreciate that you went beyond the call of duty and answered everything you could.

I know we're a whiny bunch, but it's mostly because we want this game to succeed as much as you guys. Thank you, and good (bug) hunting.

i completly agree with this guy.
I think this is the way to go and same as him, even if i am not happy with all the answers, i like the fact, that they are here. It feels honest and thats what i wanted from you guys.
Looking forward to more of that!

[Bubba Kerensky]

Bryan Ekman, on 22 January 2013 - 01:09 PM, said:

.....And before you all go off about not listening to the core fans, we still listen to you as well.

You should change that to "core forum posters". Many of us core fans have become fed up with the drama on the forums so we stay off of it.

[Atlas3060]

A Team Deathmatch, training ground, asymmetrical warfare, Community Warfare is the higher of priorities... Overall a good Ask the Devs in my opinion.
I'm still sticking through this game because I've seen betas really explode well after certain big patches. We are eventually due for that patch.
I guess I don't post as many people because I'm either playing or on other Battletech forums talking about this game.

[Fiona Marshe]

THAT'S how you answer a Q&A.
Not happy with some answers (TT conversion re: min range Qs etc), but at least there is a response.

[tvih]

Tekpriest, on 22 January 2013 - 10:17 PM, said:

You should change that to "core forum posters". Many of us core fans have become fed up with the drama on the forums so we stay off of it.

Pretty much. I can't be bothered with the forums anymore, even though I myself am most definitely not happy with the state of the game. Which is why I haven't played it basically at all ever since the Founder's Premium time reset. And the last 4-5 matches that I did try I got a limbo disconnect (where you don't get thrown into the out-of-game UI but are stuck in a limbo in the match), thanks to the game's inability to handle lag spikes or a single packet drop (or so it seems). And then they come and say they won't even introduce reconnects. Sigh. And no collisions in the near future is another great blow. Frankly a game without collisions in 2013 is quite unbelievable. Same goes for out-of-match chat(s). And of course the lack of an European server is a big problem.

So, as it is I'll just sit back and hope that one day the game will be worth the Founder's package I spent on, but this is not that day - and quite possibly this is not that year.

Still, thank your for the answers, even if they weren't necessarily pleasant news.

[Demaul]

3 questions-
1)Why is there no plans for an Asian/Australia sever?
2) What is the proportion of above category of players in MWO currently?
3) Has any of the developers ever played with 200+ ping before?

[The Legendary Samurai]

Thank you for finally posting something that addresses the main issues most hardcore players have with the game. More of THIS kind of Q&A is what we need. I don't care what kind of toaster Garth owns.

[hargneux]

Bryan Ekman, on 22 January 2013 - 01:09 PM, said:

Q: Should there be a data wipe, or at least a stats wipe when (if ever) Open Beta is deemed over?
A: We plan to wipe stats when achievements come online.

I feel a great disturbance in the force, like the sound of a million KDR weenies all crying out at once.

Edited by hargneux, 22 January 2013 - 11:45 PM.

[Fanatic]

Thanks

[Rejarial Galatan]

I am snipping out things that I have no real issues with or am not concerned with in the slightest. Only the issues I have are represented here.

NOTE: Bryan Eckman's post is BOLD and ITALIC as for some goofy reason even with open/end quote markers matching up, it was giving me an error, so I had to strip out the quote's, so, I ctrl-B and ctrl-I'd his stuff.
KEY:
Bryan's Q
Bryan's A

Rejarial's response

etc etc



Q: [insert question about Clans]
A: We are not ready to discuss any details surrounding the clans at this time, including all edge case questions about technology, power, designs, concepts, etc. We are actively designing these features at the moment.


seems acceptable-sort of-also feels an indirect answer, as, lets face facts: unless you guys changed the clock speed on us and did not tell us, the Clan's are in our back yards right now, and will be beating down our doors in under 90 days as the full invasion is 20 March 3050...



Q. During close beta you said the base cap mechanic was a place holder. You guys still planning on changing how base caps work or are you happy with the current system?
A: No plans currently. All mechanics are reviewed regularly and may be tuned.


wholly disappointing. Sorry PGI, you just lost a TON of face on this one. Even I think there has GOT to be something more to capture <base OR resource location> than standing in some silly box. This just promotes MORE of the same mindless drone TDM that is already so pervasive in this game.



Q: Are the screens inside each cockpit going to be customizable in the future? (Options > Screen Setup > Screen 1 = Ammo, Screen 2 = Heatsinks, Screen 3 = Damage Indicators, Screen 4 = ..., ...)
A: No.


I recall a DEV stating that we would have FULL hud customization available at some point. Why else have all those blasted screens if they are going to remain utterly useless to us? very very disappointing PGI to have you say one thing way back when, then, well, say this.



Q: GXP gain seems very slow relative to module unlocks currently. Is unlocking modues meant to be this grindy, or is it just that way currently because we have relatively few modules to work towards?
A: Modules are meant to be the end game, so yes there is a grind to acquire them. We have some work to do here still to improve the value of these unlocks.

okay, this is heart breaking. period. I first came into online gaming <as far as grinding XP is concerned> with Final Fantasy 11, and ANY former player can CONFIRM this one: the grind was wickedly nasty and long. As far as MWO goes, the XP grind is about a million times WORSE. The GXP grind is insanely slow when you consider just how FAR you gotta go to get some things that are, by all rights, COMMON SENSE things that SHOULD be on the mech for FREE.



Q: Now that gauss rifle crits are working as intended, are there plans to implement a method for powering down the gauss to prevent explosions? (Same with dumping ammo.)
A: No plans currently. All mechanics are reviewed regularly and may be tuned.

disheartening, as with current stats, the gauss rifle is no more than a cork shooting liability to the pilot than anything else


Q: Is there a chance that we might be able to have an option to buy mech paint colors and camo patterns permanently and for multiple mech use, versus the current single time, single mech purchase?
A: Yes.


THIS may actually be decent, depending on the costs and availability of patterns/colors for C-Bill only purchases.


Q: Will you implement a real trial ground map in game, where players could learn how to maneuver and shoot without having to take into consideration enemies or his teammates?
A: This will come in two parts: Testing Grounds – an empty sandbox level with dummy targets, and Private Matches.


why was this NOT placed in, back when Closed Beta BEGAN? About time to see this coming. Perhaps THIS will go a LONG way to remove the whining for 3rd person views.



Q: In the offical trailer you show an Atlas making a "hot drop". Are there any plans for a game mode where one side defends and the other side makes a hot drop? Maybe for when a unit makes it's frist drop on a contested planet when community warfare is implmented?
A: Yes, we are exploring asymmetrical gameplay modes.


THIS could be fun XD



Q: Is PGI looking into alternative or creative ways to spend the excess Mech XP earned from piloting Mastered Mechs? (other than using MC to convert it to GXP)
A: No plans.


guys, really? paying real money to speed up the GXP grind is a bit rough for some players <myself included> with the current economy <real world> being what it is, why cannot you guys consider a C-bill payment, say 1,000,000 <example> C-Bills for ALL MXP into GXP <price could go up each conversion as far as C-Bills would be concerned> per mech?


Q: Will Clans be considered a different faction when they are implemented?
A: Yes.


even if we get to play as them in say april, it <far as I am concerned> will NOT be soon enough. 18 years a heck of a time to wait for this.



Q: Are you planning on including chassi specific status indicators insted of the "every mech has the same silhouette" one currently in game?
A: No plans.


really SHOULD make it a plan, as it feels silly to know that a mech like the raven or jenner that has NO arms, has the display showing ARMS....




Q: Is your team discouraged at all by the community outrage?
A: It hurts, and you are always amazed at how nasty people can be. Some days you don’t want to deal with it. But you suck it up and try and understand why someone would call you an ***** or *******, or threaten you. I can’t tell you how many people complain, yet play dozens if not hundreds of matches a day, and spend significant amounts of money. I generally don’t take it to heart any more, especially when comments come from someone who has 100s or 1000s of posts. It’s the guy who has 1 post that I’m worried about. It took something significantly good or bad for them to come and make a post, and we tend to listen to them more carefully. And before you all go off about not listening to the core fans, we still listen to you as well.

In the end, we always try our best to have compassion and see through the screen in hopes of understanding why people say the things they do. The CR team in Montreal are truly amazing people that deal with a very vocal and passionate user base, taking lumps left and right with little to no thanks. (IMHO you need to start a thank you CR team thread. Hint Hint)


I am going to be absolutely blunt here: some of the choices PGI/IGP are making are very very questionable. Some things you guys do are just pure slaps to our faces and it is upsetting to say the least to see some of these things said and or done. My prime example is this fire storm over 3rd person perspective. Paul Inouye your own lead designer made a post stating that this game was to be 100% first person as 3rd person view breaks a KEY DESIGN PILLAR on many levels, then, well, Russ said what he said, and all hell has broken lose. I think, honestly some if not ALL of the whining for such a view stemmed/stems from the fact you guys have no playable tutorial to teach new players how this game works, and if the above statement about just such a thing being added in soon IS true, that may end this whining for a game breaking view altogether. I am not being mean or trying to be nasty, but, being honest with you guys. Again, some of what you guys are doing and saying, shakes us to our cores and we are just as passionate about this stuff as you guys and want it to live a long time, and being passionate and loud and blunt is sometimes the best way to get our points across. We all want this to work, all of us.

[Withspoons]

[Bad Andy]

"minor tweaks" to ECM sounds not good to me. Hopefully the command chair post won't be as big a disappointment to many of us as I fear it will.

[Mordin Ashe]

All that you ever wanted to know but were affraid to ask. +1 from me, by far the best QaA so far!

[grayson marik]

SIN Darkness, on 22 January 2013 - 01:30 PM, said:

WTH????? Lobby system is NOT a priority??!!!!??!! I am dumbfounded...I really do not know what to say to that.....A lobby system should be on the TOP of the list as that is the way Mechwarrior has always been meant to and always HAS been played...How in the HECK can anyone form a decent load out if we do not know what map or what drop zone or what team we are going in against?????? Also, there is no way for a team to practice or scout maps without a lobby system,,which is very frustrating.

so the ONE thing most of us want to see implemented is NOT a priority BUT coming out with new crap like hero mechs and bobble heads for us to spend MC on IS a priority????? GET THIS THRU YOUR HEADS....WE DONT WANT MORE BOBBLE HEAD DOLLS WE WANT THE NET CODE FIXED ON LIGHT MECH HIT BOXES, AND A LOBBY SYSTEM SO WE CAN GET SOME REAL LEAGUES GOING...THIS GAME WILL NOT GET ANY MORE POPULAR THAN IT IS NOW WITHOUT A LOBBY SYSTEM.

While i actually agree with you.. dont you thing THAT was the wrong tone to voice your opinion?

Bryan Ekman, on 22 January 2013 - 01:09 PM, said:

Q: As we approach 12v12 games, how do you plan on addressing full premade groups? It can already be a struggle getting 7 of your friends to play with you, 11 will be even tougher. Are you going to do anything else that will either encourage people to group up more, or make it easier to form large 12 man premades?
A: Premade groups will have their ranks filled up by public players, similar to the current system when the match starts. There are some lances features incoming to help people organize before and during the game.

Q: Is a lobby system being looked at so that players can join selected matches, organize matches based on previously established teams (i.e support for ladder/league format fights), drop matches that are other than 8v8 or 12v12 (like 1v1 if decided, 6v6, 5v5 etc), see which map they are going to drop on so they can plan appropriately etc?
A: Lobby is on the board, but not a high priority yet.

Q: Are 8man (4 and 12 also, once we get those map sizes) groups EVER going to be allowed to choose other 8man groups to fight against so that matches can be set up in advance, therefore the community can get involved in orchestrating tournaments/matches?
A: Yes. Community Warfare will provide some of this functionality, along with Private Matches.

Dear Bryan,

as all these answers touch the same ground: the social aspect of the game, I'd like to give some feedback to consider here:

-The fillup of premades is constantly raising anger and frustration, when mixed with syncdropping.
- The 8v8 queue is not as crowded as it could / should be, because teams can never predict against what kind of opponent team they will drop.
So they are constantly forced to use the latest cheese to be competitive. --> This also causes a constant level of anger and frustration and "boringness".
- The current lack of any good socialize /grouping / organized warfare features makes this games experience nothing more than runinng against waves of bots.
Even if I drop with my clan, it feels more like playing in some kind of coop mode against AI-bots than an actual multiplayer game

The last point in the list imho, makes the game highly repetitive, long term boring and lacking long time motivation, even though I constantly try to play at least 1 or 2 drops every day to stay in touch with my clan ( I am the XO I dont have a choice so my data is not represetative ;-) )


The very very least feature to be implemented with high priority ( again imho) would be a way for premades to invite each other for the next drop ---> similar to a group invite something.

We can compensate for the missing lobby and chat by using third party tools and forums and stuff.
But we cannot get any long term motivation out of this, if we even cannot set up matches any reasonable way.

And syncdropping is NOT an reasonable way ;-)

Magik0012, on 22 January 2013 - 01:40 PM, said:

Thanks! Best 'Ask the DEVs' so far!

Exactly!

Hoaggie, on 22 January 2013 - 01:42 PM, said:

I do not understand why this is not top priority. Nothing implemented while collisions are out will be balanced or work properly, because the light mechs just noclip through larger mechs to avoid fire.

It's like fighting a damn wraith who does not even need to materialize to strike.

At least the balancing gets ore difficult by guessing how it would work if collisions would be back in. So far you are right.

Don Krieg, on 22 January 2013 - 01:44 PM, said:

I do not understand how developing physics can take resources from the pen&paper group working on how CW will be implemented. I am quite sure you don't have a single line of code written concerning community warfare, so people writing (the very very important physics fix in my oppinion) should be left alone.

On this I can only make guesses and I guess you are right here. Not a line of code done for CW yet.

But maybe we can have an other extra answer on this? *pokes garth with a stick*

Sprouticus, on 22 January 2013 - 01:57 PM, said:

For people complaining about collision and lobby being lower priority....

what would you take off the table:

new maps
new front end UI (2.0)
new mechs
netcode
weapons/equipment balancing? (ECM, modules, ER weapons, etc)
private matches
CW

In my mind all of those things (which appear to be higher priority than collisions and a lobby system from what I read) SHOULD be a higher priority. I thin most if not all of us would agree.

Well I would take the following things all below the lobby system:
new mechs
cw
---------------------------------------------
for private matches, those are the purpose of a lobby system but if implemented differently here, they could be even on top of the lobby system.

netcode of course cannot be pushed down.

balancing of weapons is mostly number changing and testing so well.... you know....

To sum it up why I think private matches and/or lobby should be higher up the priority list:

If the game is (repetitive ) boring as hell, all the fancy eye candy, even the unseen mechs and also the best balanced weapons and equipment dont have any point.
And for the most organized clans around, playing MW has always been a game with leagues, tounaments and such giving some purpose to the game.
But this would only be possible with group vs group matches to be set up in advance which means ...lobby... or at least fight invite from group to group ^^

Edited by grayson marik, 23 January 2013 - 12:34 AM.

[MrDoggss]

For the CR team and all involved with creating MWO. You ARE doing a great job. Never let the put downs, or doubts, cloud the fact that you are creating an excellent and loved game.

I enjoy seeing where the development is going, and thank you for answering all the question truthfully and plainly. No spin, just answers.

To all of you keep up the awesome work, and THANK YOU!