Mechwarrior Online

[Ironwood]

No, they've made it clear that they're going to have it, but all the shots of the mechlab and even the video don't really show how it's classified.  In the Microsoft version, it was all different colours and sizes and was quite clear.  I'm just not seeing the differences here.

Never mind, I'll find out soon.

[Falconeer]

I've read a lot about it and I am pretty sure it does have it. How does it look like in the UI I have no idea and I can't figure it out from the video either. But it does have it. Different variants should have different hardpoints so you can't just buy "a" Marauder and fit whatever you want on it based on weight, money and criticals, you have to actually get the variant that has the hardpoints you need/want to apply your changes.

[Ironwood]

You can't buy a marauder.

 

[Merusk]

No, they've made it clear that they're going to have it, but all the shots of the mechlab and even the video don't really show how it's classified.  In the Microsoft version, it was all different colours and sizes and was quite clear.  I'm just not seeing the differences here.

Never mind, I'll find out soon.

IIRC in the mechlab video he says if you can't equip something in a slot it never even shows up on the list of parts on the right.  So no need for the color-coding of "this is a missile/ this is energy".

[Simond]

You can't buy a marauder.

 

Blame Harmony Gold.

[Ironwood]

OH, I DO.  I BLAME THEM WITH THE HATRED OF A THOUSAND SUNS.

Not really.  Who are they ?

[Trippy]

They have the US rights to Robotech/Macross from which various of the original Battletech mech designs were taken from.

[angry.bob]

Eh, people have been blaming them for 30 years now. It's time for people to move on and realiize that FASA did in fact just use pictures directly lifted out of anime art books and that the original official Battletech "miniatures" were literally 1/144 scale models from Macross, Dougram, and Crusher Joe repackaged together. Fuck, I sitll have them unbuilt in the box somewhere. Also, it's not as if there haven't been a million fan designs that were just as good and didn't violate copyright. You can go to deviant art and find a dozen Maurader designs that look great. Same wih all the mechs for that matter. That should be a hint to the people publishing the books that they need to update the art and hire actual artists this time.

[Ironwood]

In fairness, Bob, the art guy doing Mechwarrior Online is putting out some really good shit.

Not that it impacts on your point any.  You're quite right.

[Amaron]

No, they've made it clear that they're going to have it, but all the shots of the mechlab and even the video don't really show how it's classified.  In the Microsoft version, it was all different colours and sizes and was quite clear.  I'm just not seeing the differences here.

If you watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPoqjslGcO0&feature=channel&list=UL

You see that the mechs are divided into hardpoints.  When he goes to equip something (1:26 for instance) you can see the slots where stuff goes.  Below the slots it says "hardpoint restrictions" with 0/0 ballistic 2/3 energy etc.  So probably the variants have different hardpoint restrictions.  The video also shows stuff like gyros and engine or whatever so possibly some variants have gyros/dodads in different spots.  I assume you can't just throw the engine on an arm or whatever either.

[Ironwood]

Instant Founder Access enabled.

HMmm.

[Ironwood]

No, they've made it clear that they're going to have it, but all the shots of the mechlab and even the video don't really show how it's classified.  In the Microsoft version, it was all different colours and sizes and was quite clear.  I'm just not seeing the differences here.

If you watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPoqjslGcO0&feature=channel&list=UL

You see that the mechs are divided into hardpoints.  When he goes to equip something (1:26 for instance) you can see the slots where stuff goes.  Below the slots it says "hardpoint restrictions" with 0/0 ballistic 2/3 energy etc.  So probably the variants have different hardpoint restrictions.  The video also shows stuff like gyros and engine or whatever so possibly some variants have gyros/dodads in different spots.  I assume you can't just throw the engine on an arm or whatever either.

Oh Yeah.  Good Spot.

Thanks.

[Lightstalker]

It looks to be a mix of MW4 with the color coded hardpoint restrictions and basic boardgame mech sheets and design rules (XL engines will wipe out 3 slots in each side torso, etc.).  The MW4 UI provided instant awareness of what kind would fit where, I think that is lost in this mechlab incarnation, though I'm much more a fan of this mode of freedom where you've got the freedom to put a few of these types into this area and no restriction on parts of that area (like no 2-slot ballistic only restriction within the Right Torso, which I remember from prior games). 

I guess the open question would be, do different variants actually change the mix of available weapons in the chassis' hardpoints, or are they just different weapon loadouts adhering to the same rules per chassis. 

[Evildrider]

I guess the open question would be, do different variants actually change the mix of available weapons in the chassis' hardpoints, or are they just different weapon loadouts adhering to the same rules per chassis. 

Yes.   

[Evildrider]

Btw, anyone who has bought a founders pack should be getting an invite today.

[Megrim]

Btw, anyone who has bought a founders pack should be getting an invite today.

This is true and correct.

[Ironwood]

Purchased.  I am worthless and weak.

 

[Arthur_Parker]

 

What founder level did you go for?

[Falconeer]

This is going to be such a regret-free purchase.

[satael]

I gave in and bought the founders pack (with a catapult)

(just couldn't help myself )

[Merusk]

I bought the $120 a while back.  I have no regrets.

Btw, anyone who has bought a founders pack should be getting an invite today.

But you can't say so even if you got in earlier. 

[Falconeer]

I think I read somewhere that due to every founder now being officially in the beta, if you are a founder you _can_ say you are in the beta. This is to reflect the fact that founders have a tag in the official forums, so it would be ridiculous for them to pretend not to be in the beta.

But you still can't say anything else.

[Bungee]

But you still can't say anything else.

In your opinion, which may or may not be swayed by actually being able to play the current version of the game- is the founders package worth getting? 

[Ironwood]

The bare ass version, mechless.

I have downloaded the stuff and will see you all online.

Given that they've said this will happen, I'm quite sure it's not NDA breaking.

[Falconeer]

In my opinion, it's absolutely mandatory to play this game.
I can't, in any way, suggest how much money should you spend on it considering you will still be able to play it for free.

I chose to pay 120$, in two installments. Do with that information anything you want.

[Lantyssa]

Purchased.  I am worthless and weak.

Woo!

[Ironwood]

SILENCE WOMAN.

[Lantyssa]

I can't hear you over the sound of my alpha strike.

[Ironwood]

[Bungee]

Meh, almost caved but reading the hardware requirements my old PC just slowly shook its head...

[Arthur_Parker]

I just upgraded my graphics card a few weeks ago, my pc is from 2008, dual core E8400.

[Simond]

Eh, people have been blaming them for 30 years now. It's time for people to move on and realiize that FASA did in fact just use pictures directly lifted out of anime art books and that the original official Battletech "miniatures" were literally 1/144 scale models from Macross, Dougram, and Crusher Joe repackaged together. Fuck, I sitll have them unbuilt in the box somewhere. Also, it's not as if there haven't been a million fan designs that were just as good and didn't violate copyright. You can go to deviant art and find a dozen Maurader designs that look great. Same wih all the mechs for that matter. That should be a hint to the people publishing the books that they need to update the art and hire actual artists this time.

The issue was they thought they had the rights (someone sold them...something) and various iterations of FASA, MS, Smith & Tinker et. al. have tried to untangle that legal mess but Harmony Gold doesn't want them to because being copyright trolls over everything that is even vaguely related to Robotech is the only thing keeping them in business as a company.

[Falconeer]

Yeah, I am not from North America, but what the hell is Harmony Gold anyway? I mean, I know what they were and what they did in the early 80s, but are they seriously still in business? Companies come and go, economy died and resurrected a few times in the last thirty years, and they are still out there pissing on our Battletech? If Capitalism could ever do something good for me, would be to crush Harmony Gold to pieces (and of course I don't mean it. There's people working there and I don't want them to lose their jobs).

[Evildrider]

They still own the rights on some of their anime titles and movies, but I think they are more into real estate or something now.

[Goreschach]

Are we going to get a private subforum to talk about this game while the NDA is still in effect?