32 replies to this topic

[Conradiqlous]

In previous games, all that we had to differentiate between IS and Clan 'mechs was the type of 'mech. But with the graphical fidelity of the Cryengine 3, think of all the possibilities to visually show the Clan's 'mechs superiority. Please note that I am not suggesting that they change the designs at all, I am simply asking for all of your opinions on how you think the 'mechs should look.

In the following link from the game Lost Planet 2, the 'mech on the right is a low-tech mech, while the one on the right is a more high-tech, much cleaner looking 'mech.

http://www.google.co...29,r:2,s:0,i:77

Again, I'm not suggesting that we change all of the Clan 'mechs to Lost Planet 2 Vital Suits, this is Mechwarrior, let's keep it that way.

Feel free to discuss!

Edited by Shyndown, 25 May 2012 - 09:30 PM.

[Spheroid]

Are you asking about fine surface detail or overall shape? As the original 16 were all fleshed out in rather specfic drafting views I want minimum change.

[Conradiqlous]

I was just thinking the general vibe. Not the overall design.

[DarkKnight ST]

I personaly think the clan mechs should look a little more high-tech and maybe a little battle worn compared to inner sphere mechs

[DerangedShadow]

I do not really like the clans, but if they are to be the "gods" why not make them pretty looking

[Zakatak]

So long as there is a distinct visual flavor to them that sets them apart from the IS, I'm fine with that.

I think instead of using armor plating and panels, they should use molded armor pieces. They would have a more muscular, lean, and animal look to them. I think they should also be alot cleaner and simpler looking.

[Wintersprite]

Voted to be the same as the inner sphere. I like the simple military-ish look the current mechs have. It gives batlemechs personality over the other japanese mech games on the market with their pointy sensor bundles, antennas and decorations.

That said some level of high-tech look could work too as long as you don't go overboard with the chrome and fancy parts but even then it should be kept relatively simple imo.

[Conradiqlous]

Completely agree with you there, Wintersprite. Making them look cheesy is a definite no-no.

[Davis Carlyle]

They should look more advanced, but still gritty/edgy, as the clans do have better tech than the IS. I can't wait to climb into the cockpit of a Summoner, hopefully the design doesn't get updated too much, the classic Summoner is a beauty.

[Conradiqlous]

If he updates the Summoner the same way he updated the Atlas, we should be in good hands.

[Quentin Yatoki]

I think they should look high tech and near pristine. Given the level of Tech and the very formal way of war, I imagine that any damage to there Mech are repaired after. They should have a strong contrast to the old and battle-worn IS mechs.

[DireWolf307]

Shyndown, on 25 May 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

If he updates the Summoner the same way he updated the Atlas, we should be in good hands.

I don't necessarily think the Clan designs need updating. Then again, if he can make the Cataphract look as good as it does, he could probably even make the Gargoyle look good.

[Zoberraz]

I'd like to see them stylistically different from the Inner-Sphere. I could say "more futuristic", but I'm unsure of where that would really go. More aerodynamic? Streamlined modularity? *shrugs helplessly* The fact that they swap modules and have many interchangeable parts makes me feel that they would look far newer in looks to Innersphere battlemechs as well.

There is one thing I do know: the Clans built themselves a mythology, with each clan symbol a 'totem animal'. This makes me feel I want to see something more primal in them - clanners are supposedly amazing mechwarriors and this makes me feel that when a Clan Omnimech could move, it could feel more like strides, stalks... rather than being as mechanically ponderous as the Innersphere mechs.The angles, the way they are built needs to feel more foreign and predatory.

When the clans showed up, the Innersphere warriors took them for aliens. The mechs, to thier eyes, felt 'out there'. it was more than just a matter of performance (though it helped). I do remember my first contact with the Clans to have been in Battletech 2: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge. When I saw the first icons for the Puma, Blackhawk and Mad Cat... they were like nothing I had ever seen. When I saw the actual art for them... i didn't feel it lived up to the impression I had - they looked too ordinary. The Timber Wolf/Mad Cat is a great mech design, but if you just look at the visuals of it... if you show it to someone ignorant of the BTech universe it might be considered a cool mech but there's nothing that screams 'different' if it sits along with other IS mechs.

edit: actually, the IIC mechs in the tech manual look believably more 'clan' than many clan mechs. If the clan mech design could get stylistic tweaks in that direction, it might be nice.

Edited by Zoberraz, 25 May 2012 - 09:48 PM.

[Omega59er]

What are these Clans you speak of?

[LordDeathStrike]

DerangedShadow, on 25 May 2012 - 09:09 PM, said:

I do not really like the clans, but if they are to be the "gods" why not make them pretty looking

i like killing pretty things

[Zakatak]

I would like a predatory and muscular look to them. Most Clan Mechs are named after alien predators, so I think an animalistic styling to them would be neat. The Mad Dog's TRO looks fine to me.

[Zoberraz]

I remember the Mad Dog's design aesthetics changing in MW4. At first I was pretty put off by it. It made a great papercraft model, though! http://img510.images...0/vult01kj1.jpg

Later, I came to feel that it actually made more sense as an Omnimech with the way it was redesigned... but it still lacked a charm the original had.

Edited by Zoberraz, 25 May 2012 - 09:58 PM.

[Tezz LaCoil]

To be honest, I think it should be a mix of the two.

Inner Sphere Battlemechs have seen more combat, sure. And they haven't been updated (in some cases), for over 200 years or more, but I also want to know that the Clan Battlemechs have seen some combat too. I don't think they should look PRISTINE, is what I mean to say. I think they should look like they have some dirt, some drime, and a few scratches.

However, these Battlemechs have had a support line for years. They should look better kept, true. And yes, maybe they SHOULD look a bit more streamlined. I mean, if you look at an Inner Sphere Jenner, and then look at the Jenner IIC, while it is important to note the tonnage change, it is also of noteworthiness that the design is also very much streamlined comparatively.

[RhinoGrizzly]

I'm of two minds regarding the appearance of Clan Omni's.
On the one hand, they might actually see more combat than a lot of Sphere units because of their constant domination fights for prestige. On the other, they have a reliable and steady source for spare parts and the Omni chassis makes it easier to swap out components.

I think that as the in-game plotline develops, we should see the Clanners begin as pretty high-speed /low-drag and then get grittier as the invasion progresses. By Tukayyid they should be as banged up as any Sphere House unit.

Edited by RhinoGrizzly, 25 May 2012 - 11:23 PM.

[Darcsyde]

Zoberraz, on 25 May 2012 - 09:56 PM, said:

I remember the Mad Dog's design aesthetics changing in MW4. At first I was pretty put off by it. It made a great papercraft model, though! http://img510.images...0/vult01kj1.jpg

Later, I came to feel that it actually made more sense as an Omnimech with the way it was redesigned... but it still lacked a charm the original had.

Main reason for the redesign was to keep from making several models of the same hardpoint. Just a "box" that universaly fit anything. I didn't care much for the new look eigher "the rotating omni turret in the center torso on the newer model was kinda cool though" and hope they stay true to the original visual specs.