Battletech

[lupi]

Just got this email, hadn't seen any info prior to so dont know the details yet.


https://www.paradoxplaza.com/battle...il&utm_term=0_6b1b68c4d1-f685d56864-146557109

 

[Rifter]

Been happening for a year or so, i joined the kickstarter last year for it. should be great. Beta is starting this month or next i think.

By the emails from the kickstarter it sound like they are doing alot of things right so far.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Yes, this was something from 2015 timeframe.

They are just about ready to release the Beta (it was delayed 6 months or so while they made some gameplay changes that they felt were needed to make the game more fun). The joining up with Paradox as a publisher was just announced which is why this game is making news again.

I have been really excited about this, as it is an actual Battletech/Mechwarrior game using mostly real rules, unlike the Mechwarrior Online game which is so completely unbalanced due to decisions they have made without thinking through the consequences of those decisions (I have way too many rants out there on this, it all stems from the two bad decisions of doubling armor values and not wanting to use a partial probability based aiming/hit location system (i.e. making accuracy of the weapons based on factors like movement speed, jumping, turning, range etc, all of which would have solved so many of the problems they had which made them constantly nerfing/tweaking when this would have solved all the problems).

 

[Rifter]

Yes, this was something from 2015 timeframe.

They are just about ready to release the Beta (it was delayed 6 months or so while they made some gameplay changes that they felt were needed to make the game more fun). The joining up with Paradox as a publisher was just announced which is why this game is making news again.

I have been really excited about this, as it is an actual Battletech/Mechwarrior game using mostly real rules, unlike the Mechwarrior Online game which is so completely unbalanced due to decisions they have made without thinking through the consequences of those decisions (I have way too many rants out there on this, it all stems from the two bad decisions of doubling armor values and not wanting to use a partial probability based aiming/hit location system (i.e. making accuracy of the weapons based on factors like movement speed, jumping, turning, range etc, all of which would have solved so many of the problems they had which made them constantly nerfing/tweaking when this would have solved all the problems).

Fully agree about MWO doing it wrong, I was a founder for it, played it all through alpha and most of beta, havent played it in years, it jumped the shark before it even got out of beta.

Thats why im happy that this one seems to be doing it right, so far anyways.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I have been really excited about this, as it is an actual Battletech/Mechwarrior game using mostly real rules, unlike the Mechwarrior Online game which is so completely unbalanced due to decisions they have made without thinking through the consequences of those decisions (I have way too many rants out there on this, it all stems from the two bad decisions of doubling armor values and not wanting to use a partial probability based aiming/hit location system (i.e. making accuracy of the weapons based on factors like movement speed, jumping, turning, range etc, all of which would have solved so many of the problems they had which made them constantly nerfing/tweaking when this would have solved all the problems).

God forbid we ever get in a room together and discuss this, or we'll just scream at each other in agreement until we both pass out from exhaustion. I'm still so pissed about that game.

Mechwarrior Tactics Battletech is HYPE!

 

[SMOGZINN]

It is being developed by Harebrained Schemes which was co-founded by Jordan Weisman, who was also a founder of The FASA Corporation, the developer of the original Battletech tabletop game. So, I think we have a good chance that he will make something true to the original game. He certainly has the experience to know how to balance such a game to make it both fun and playable.

 

[DigDog]

aah Battletech.

i've been playing Battletech since before the internet, when it was a FASA product, a boardgame to be specific, and it still used the art stolen from Robotech.

I also played every mech game under the sun short of Steel Battallion. My idea of a good Battletech game is close to World of Tanks than to a FPS. Slow, lumbering machines with ridiculously long-range weapons, moving tactically across a huge map.

NOT Final Fantasy Tactics.

 

[lupi]

It is being developed by Harebrained Schemes which was co-founded by Jordan Weisman, who was also a founder of The FASA Corporation, the developer of the original Battletech tabletop game. So, I think we have a good chance that he will make something true to the original game. He certainly has the experience to know how to balance such a game to make it both fun and playable.

Let's slow down there a bit, he's also the one that ruined the boardgame.

 

[Elcs]

This worries me still despite that I backed it.

Paradox = Publisher - Anything Paradox means there's inherent worry that it could be great, it could be a bug ridden mess or it could be both.

Damage/Armour - It does not appear as though they are using the damage system as per Battletech. Their handling of AC's might be good as in I think that they are using manufacturers and AC lore. An AC/20 is an AC that will do 20 points of damage per firing turn so whether it does that in 1 shot or 20 single shots and it appears as though the AC's may be like that, at least the AC/20 is looking to be multi-shot on the Hunchback in their testing.

https://youtu.be/rt6FatHHnzI

 

[Merad]

Anyone else playing the beta? I've done about 4 four battles so far. I have some mixed feelings about some of the gameplay changes they've made, but I'm enjoying it overall. The UI needs a lot of love and usability enhancement, but the graphics are decent and overall the game feels solid.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Anyone else playing the beta? I've done about 4 four battles so far. I have some mixed feelings about some of the gameplay changes they've made, but I'm enjoying it overall. The UI needs a lot of love and usability enhancement, but the graphics are decent and overall the game feels solid.

Enjoying it quite a bit actually. 3 rounds (~3 hours including fiddling with mech choices). I like the UI but it does need some enhancements (particularly with mouse-over tooltips). Looks good with a couple of glitches. Overall though, it really plays tactically, very excited for this now.

Almost as importantly, it just feels like Battletech. Might even make up for the shitshow that was MW:O (alpha/beta & Founder, that game is/was FUBAR and we all let them know back at the start of Beta).

 

[Elcs]

I didn't put in for Beta access after MWO's later closed beta travesties (it started off really quite well for a beta then took the wrong path) and MechWarrior Tactics... did not want to get burned.

The introduction of Paradox, even just in their role as a Publisher, makes me wary too otherwise I probably would have upped my stake at this point in time.

From the Official Videos (none of this generic YouTuber stuff) Heat looks a little wonky (especially JJ's), armour looks like it may be a little too high and the damage figures irk me. Why they aren't using original BT damage figures in a BT game is rather Grrr! for me.

Still.... it's looking pretty damned good and fun too.

 

[Merad]

From the Official Videos (none of this generic YouTuber stuff) Heat looks a little wonky (especially JJ's), armour looks like it may be a little too high and the damage figures irk me. Why they aren't using original BT damage figures in a BT game is rather Grrr! for me.

Damage and armor are both scaled up by a factor of 5 compared to BT. Armor wise I only looked at an AS7-D Atlas, it's armor was right on with the 5x multiplier, but internal structure was slightly buffed. Most weapons are right on the 5x multiplier but there are tweaks. Machine guns and small lasers are slightly buffed, LRMs are slightly nerfed. The biggest difference I see is in smaller autocannons, which got huge buffs.

Name: in-game damage (expected damage using 5x multiplier)
AC2: 25 (10)
AC5: 50 (25)
AC10: 75 (50)
AC20: 100 (100)

I think they probably raised the numbers because they have added damage multiplier and reduction game mechanics that wouldn't do so well with the generally low damage numbers in BT. For example, ending your turn in a forest reduces incoming damage by 25%. Some maps have mineral fields (I think they were called) that increase your energy weapon damage by 25% but also increase incoming energy weapon damage by 25%. Etc. They have added pilot skills that play into this as well, with effects like "reduced incoming damage when you don't move" or "lock sensors on an enemy to remove some of their protections." This is the part of the game that I find a little questionable, but hopefully they can make it work.

As far as I can tell jump jet heat works basically the same as BT. Longer distance traveled = more heat. The main problem right now is that there's no way to see numbers for many things. E.g. there are no clearly stated heat numbers for weapons or movement. No way to see range increments for weapons. While they're calling this a beta, realistically I would say the game is in more of a mid to late alpha state.

 

[Rifter]

I didn't put in for Beta access after MWO's later closed beta travesties (it started off really quite well for a beta then took the wrong path) and MechWarrior Tactics... did not want to get burned.

The introduction of Paradox, even just in their role as a Publisher, makes me wary too otherwise I probably would have upped my stake at this point in time.

From the Official Videos (none of this generic YouTuber stuff) Heat looks a little wonky (especially JJ's), armour looks like it may be a little too high and the damage figures irk me. Why they aren't using original BT damage figures in a BT game is rather Grrr! for me.

Still.... it's looking pretty damned good and fun too.

Fully agree, was going to up my backing to get into the beta, then paradox entered into the picture. Now im just hoping it makes it to completion with no delays.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

They really need to tweak the AC10 or head armor/structure numbers. Right now the AC10 is a head hunting king. Head only has a combined 70 armor & structure vs the 75 AC10 damage (which is where gauss rifle should be damage wise).

Head hits are too frequent as well. Every time I take an Atlas out, it gets its head blown off. It will take a lot of shots, sure... but at least 70 of that damage lands on its head in every damn match. I had one match where i headcapped 3 of 4 enemy mechs. its off...

SRM6s are a beast as well. 60 damage for little tonage and fantastic knockdown capability? and no worries of ammo explosions? The Kintaro is a force to be feared.

i like the fact games are quick... but it just seems overall weapons just hit too often. i feel sorry for any commando pilot. one alpha and youre done.

 

[sdifox]

didn't mechwarrior kind of fizzled out?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

didn't mechwarrior kind of fizzled out?

Seems like it. IMHO in a nutshell:

#1) Gameplay was too fast, not strategic. It encouraged FPS kiddies to come in and kick ass; the old geezers didn't like it much.
#1b) Limited number of maps and stuff at launch. They expended the goodwill and didn't have much to back up the hype.
#2) Without a single-player campaign, tutorial, etc., there was more learning curve and an unforgiving environment (see #1.)
#3) Everybody hates PTW.
#4) There was a lot of "they changed it now it sucks" from the geezers. Especially regarding the damage modifiers, etc. Soured the whole community, IMO.

MechWarrior 2-4 and the MechCommander series managed to be fun and engaging games, despite turning the tabletop rules on their heads. I was hoping for the same, but I got World of Tanks instead.

 

[sdifox]

Seems like it. IMHO in a nutshell:

#1) Gameplay was too fast, not strategic. It encouraged FPS kiddies to come in and kick ass; the old geezers didn't like it much.
#1b) Limited number of maps and stuff at launch. They expended the goodwill and didn't have much to back up the hype.
#2) Without a single-player campaign, tutorial, etc., there was more learning curve and an unforgiving environment (see #1.)
#3) Everybody hates PTW.
#4) There was a lot of "they changed it now it sucks" from the geezers. Especially regarding the damage modifiers, etc. Soured the whole community, IMO.

MechWarrior 2-4 and the MechCommander series managed to be fun and engaging games, despite turning the tabletop rules on their heads. I was hoping for the same, but I got World of Tanks instead.

WoT involves more strategy than MWO.

 

[JTsyo]

Is there a single player campaign too or is it just head-on matches with other players or bots?

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Full SP and dynamic side merc missions as well

 

[Rifter]

Just got a email from the kickstarter campaign im part of for this. Full release now pushed back into 2018. Wonder how much this has to do with Paradox involvement. Hopefully this will be the only delay and not the beginning of the end.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Just got a email from the kickstarter campaign im part of for this. Full release now pushed back into 2018. Wonder how much this has to do with Paradox involvement. Hopefully this will be the only delay and not the beginning of the end.

What out of everything they've shared and put out (including the current skirmish beta) would make you think it's the beginning of the end? Also, nothing but positive experiences with Paradox so not getting that hate.

 

[Rifter]

Also, nothing but positive experiences with Paradox so not getting that hate.

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/price-increase.1022680/#post-22833834

 

[Merad]

Here's the list of changes from the backer email, FYI:

• Evasion, Sensor Lock, and Evasive Move have received major revisions.
• Morale has been replaced with a new system intended to reduce the snowball effect of early game advantages.
• Weapon balance has been tuned on a variety of weapons.
• Crits are more frequent and powerful. Components and ammo now require only one crit to be destroyed, while weapons become damaged on the first crit (+2 Difficulty to-hit) and destroyed on the second.
• A/C damage has been reduced (previous: 25/50/75/100, current: 25/45/60/100) for AC2, 5, 10, and 20 respectively.
• Global heat has been tuned down by about 10%.
• Water doesn't increase heat dissipation as much (previous: 200%, current: 150%)
• Stability damage accumulates slower and also bleeds slower, and in larger discrete chunks.
• MechWarriors now have two abilities, which increases their usefulness and flexibility.
• An eyeball icon appears on enemy units if they will have LOS on you after you make the move you’re plotting.

 

[lupi]

Anyone play any of the beta yet? Went to watch a link of youtube and there was a playthrough vid of this in the sidebar I peeked at afterwards and it looked quite nice.