I'm always a sucker for more information when it comes to an upcoming game in the BT universe
. I'll be looking forward to more AMAs and some other teasers and goodies
.
By way of "more information," here are my notes on AMA 1.
Any corrections or comments would be appreciated.
Russ and Alex refered to HBS and BATTLETECH on a number of occasions. To better track cross-pollination between HBS and PGI, I have highlighted these instances:
AMA 1
Russ Bullock - PGI Owner
Alex Garten - Game Producer
Tina Benoit - Community Manager
NOTES:
- Answers will be given, but changes can occur.
- There will be a Modding AMA down the line. But Steam Workshop will be used for MW5 Modding.
- There may be a future Art AMA.
- Initial game begins 3015 and ends 3049.
TOPICS COVERED:
Weapons Recoil will be in the game, and will be tune-able as MW5 moves forward. Camera and "Aim" will not be so impacted as to make the game unFUN.
"Is the game FUN?" - a driving question for Russ, PGI and MW5.
Microtransactions? None planned. Buy the game get everything in it. There will be DLC's, but no in-game store or currency.
Negotiation Points will be a part of MW5 Mercenary Contract negotiations. There will be Pieces-of-X (
like BATTLETECH.) You won't be able to headshot 10 Mechs and see them all on the loot table.
Will MW5 have new Mech Data. No, MW5 will leverage MWO existing
Language support - "Love to Sim-chip with Efigs."
MWO Mech scale will be used. Buildings may be re-scaled somewhat.
MW5 AI - game gets harder as Reputation improves.
There will be friendly and Enemy AI MechWarriors. AI MechWarriors "level up." No Difficulty "slider/" Accuracy is a tune-able. (Can be modded.)
Enemy "Paper Dolls" Armor-levels will be color-based not necessarily point-based. "H-TAL" Color-Blind option for Damage States is a consideration.
Meches "carving" through buildings like butter." Slow-field not present in demos yet. So Light Mechs will e slowed as they move through large buildings.
Ghost Heat / Penalties? No. This is a Single-player game, balanced for FUN, thus no ghost heat.
VR Support will not hold back game shipping. Shipping on time is the focus and priority. VR may be a post-Launch item.
No Super-Heavy Mechs in MW5.
MW5 Role-playing Elements? Multi-mission Campaign and MercLIFE, yes.
BATTLETECH-like.
Clans? Will be a factor of Product Success.
MW5 Map? Inner Sphere "edge to edge" with some Periphery Systems.
Mechlab? Mech Modification will be ossible, but not to MWO-levels. Adjust Armor Values and Heat Sinks. Variant Integrity will be observed. You will need to find other Variants. Economy balancing is a focus. "Rare" AC6's and other weapons
(like BATTLETECHs Manufacturer differentiation) will be in MW5.
Engines are Locked.
You can "burn off" MW5 vegetation.
Infantry? Yes, if there is enough time and game performance capability to support the inclusion of Infantry. Cost and System effectiveness per Infantry entity is a major factor.
Fifty Mech Types with 100+ Variants for Launch. Unknown for Closed Beta. DLC will be paid and some may be free.
MW5 will not interface with MWO. CryEngine.PvP verses Unreal/SP. MW5 will be an incredible base to build onto for many years to come.
MW5 Character Backstory will not be very extensive.
There will be a "Instant Action Manager" to set up a Coop Lobby's (may include AI MechWarriors.)
Maps can be either procedurally-generated or handbuilt.
MW5 will have Manufacturer "Quirks" for some weapons. This adds a level of flavor to the marketplace and salvage. Lostech can be neither confirmed or denied. (Thanks @Insainiac99)
3015-3049 Map will evolve based on Lore. Some friction points will used in the MW5 "Story" but the player is not a "Major" player, he is a Mech, then Lance Commander. (Not "Forrest Gump" shaking hands with Presidents, etc.)
Coop Campaigns will see a friend joining in and assuming the identity of an NPC Lance MechWarrior.
Player can choose start location (any of the five Great Houses.) Start choice will drive Starting Mech and local Market, local enemies, etc.
MWO-like Hero Mechs might be in game. "It would be really cool."
Difficulty scaling is somewhat possible in that 3 players in Coop will aid the Main Player immensely. Though AI is being built to be as challenge even then.
MW5 will include a robust 3rd-person camera.
Time is a factor in MW5 as the timeline progresses from 3015 through 3049. The player must use time wisely.
Mech may have "Spotlights."
A lot of work is going into the MercLIFE Metagame. In the Spring, the focus will shift to "running your Merc Outfit."
The player will not be "flipping planets." The player pilots a Mech / leads a Lance. Planet-flipping will be left to Lore.
Will PGI be taking MW5 to Conventions? GamesCon and PaxWest are likely.
Random Events? - no answer at the moment.
MechCon AI has already been improved considerably. For example the K2 will look to use its PPCs at range. And even to destroy destructible barriers between themselves and the Player.
Destroying Civilian Targets may carry an in-game consequence.
MW5 Mechs will be shown / announced over time. Fifteen or so are known now, some surprises will be included in the 50 or so Mech Types expected to be in MW5.
Headshots are "Tuned for Fun." So likely on a high basis than in MWO. Head hit-boxes are 50-100% larger in MW5 than in MWO. This is liable to change.
Mods in Coop, as long as all players have the Mod.
System Specs are a due out.
Again, all corrections or comments would be appreciated.
And as ever, good luck and good gaming! :bow:
