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That was after spending a few hours trying to [Mod edit: language] #@ my PC after a automatic software update. Thank you sooooo much to those who don’t test their updates properly before letting them loose on the unsuspecting world
 
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Help me out here because I'm having trouble understanding this. In the video and our press release, we note that there's over 30 hours of new content in the expansion. What can we do to make that clearer for everyone? I'll do what it takes to get that message out there! ;)

Thanks!!

Ok let me try and make my comment more clear. This is where I am partly confused:

1. Are the Flashpoints scripted, procedural, or some combination of both? I first thought they were largely procedurally generated, but the comment regarding 30hours of content makes me think there are only a set amount within the dlc.

2. Are most Flashpoint mini campaigns just one time events? If some are just one time events, how many of those are in the dlc and how many pop up endlessly?

3. How many of the Flashpoint campaigns have unique goals/objectives similar to campaign missions? (as opposed to those normally seen in typical contracts). How many of these are relegated to just the scripted campaigns or does it apply to procedural one's as well?

I have a couple more questions, but these are the one's I'd really like answers to.

Thanks for your time.
 
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20% off the season pass seems like a good deal to me. Sold!

Ok let me try and make my comment more clear. This is where I am partly confused:

1. Are the Flashpoints scripted, procedural, or some combination of both? I first thought they were largely procedurally generated, but the comment regarding 30hours of content makes me think there are only a set amount within the dlc.

2. Are most Flashpoint mini campaigns just one time events? If some are just one time events, how many of those are in the dlc and how many pop up endlessly?

3. How many of the Flashpoint campaigns have unique goals/objectives similar to campaign missions? (as opposed to those normally seen in typical contracts). How many of these are relegated to just the scripted campaigns or does it apply to procedural one's as well?

Thanks for your time.

In case you're waiting a while for a dev to reply, here's my answer to those questions from having watched the Dev Twitch streams promoting the expansion.

1 - The Flashpoints appear to be scripted. In the example we've seen there were was a Target Acquisition mission followed by a story choice that impacted the type of mission you went on next. There were scripted events and dialogue in both missions that suggest they were not procedurally generated, though it is possible that some elements of missions (like OpFor lance composition) is procedural in nature.

2 - Flashpoints only show up once if you complete them. Apparently there are some that can be failed and these are then put back in the pool of events that can trigger later on.

3 - Based on what we've seen the missions are all slightly modified regular missions (there was nothing on show as different as Axylus or Defence: Panzyr for example).
 
2 - Flashpoints only show up once if you complete them. Apparently there are some that can be failed and these are then put back in the pool of events that can trigger later on.
As I understood it there will be both recurring and non-recurring flashpoints:
  • Non-recurring: If you don't do it when it pops, you never get to do it.
  • Recurring 1: If you don't do it when it pops, it will return to the pool and might pop again later
  • Recurring 2: If you do it when it pops, it might pop again later anyway.
 
I still have a question about this statement of "more than 30 hours of gameplay". How this time was calculated? Is these 30 hours a sum of all available and different Flashpoints?
 
Help me out here because I'm having trouble understanding this. In the video and our press release, we note that there's over 30 hours of new content in the expansion. What can we do to make that clearer for everyone? I'll do what it takes to get that message out there! ;)

Thanks!!
Well, to be honest, I' having trouble figuring out what exactly Flashpoints are too. I knew what to expect from the campaign ("Restore a fallen Kingdom and bring it's reightful ruler back to the throne") without any explanation long before I actually played it and likewise what to expect from the procedurally generated content. Because I've seen this stuff often enough.
But as I understand it, Flashpoints are something in between, with handcrafted storys but procedurally generated maps/enemies/etc. and are placed semi-randomly over the map and time in the career.
Problem is, this "something in between" leaves a huge gap I need to fill with imagination. And I still don't know what I need to expect content wise. Let me give you an example, as Kiva has drawn a comparison with Sid Meyer's Pirates (one of my favourite games of all time). If I should describe the content there I would say:
  • Plunder ships and cities
  • Defeat the most famous pirates in history and discover their buried treasure
  • Save the members of your family and bring justice to the nobles who imprisoned them
  • find long lost cities of ancient civilizations
  • Win the heart of the most beautiful woman in the Carribean
Compare and Contrast with Flaspoints: The only thing I've seen so far is destroying a Steiner fortress in the rimward FWL (a.k.a. the last place in the Inner Sphere I'd expect to see one). That's not exactly screaming at me to buy it (although I did of course, I don't need to be convinced)


So give us some examples of the stories we can explore. What is it that's expecting us. Can we reclaim our planet from the origin story? Can we get revenge at the people responsible for our loss? Can we overthrow local governments (The major realms borders are pretty fixed but I don't see why we shouldn't be able to replace the rulers of Detroit with entirely different local rulers). Can we take part and make a profit when Detroit and Herotitus go to war with each other? Are upgrades to the Argo hidden behind special missions? Can we <insert wild speculation here>???
 
Greetings Mechwarriors,

A reminder to stay on topic,
Some posts may have been moved to appropriate subforums.

Thank you.
 
Well, to be honest, I' having trouble figuring out what exactly Flashpoints are too...
...The only thing I've seen so far is destroying a Steiner fortress in the rimward FWL (a.k.a. the last place in the Inner Sphere I'd expect to see one). That's not exactly screaming at me to buy it (although I did of course, I don't need to be convinced)


So give us some examples of the stories we can explore. What is it that's expecting us.

From Steam. Click the attachments or check out the Steam storepage. 3 example flashpoints listed.
Greetings Mechwarriors,

For those who haven't checked Steam or watched the OP video above yet;

Flashpoint;

View attachment 411741
Bullet points highlighted. (Same ones that the original points out in Blue after all.)


Season Pass;

View attachment 411744


Thank you.
 
So give us some examples of the stories we can explore.
Examples listed on the Steam store page:

"Extracurricular Activities
The petty squabbling of political rivals takes a deadly turn when civilians are caught in the crossfire. Will you escort them to safety at the risk of your MechWarriors and their 'Mechs… even if they can't pay?

Criminal Minds
The routine capture of a criminal syndicate’s warehouse uncovers the resting place of an ancient BattleMech. Will you share this information with your employer or keep the ‘Mech for yourself?

Headhunting
The Zhao twins are a thorn in the side of your employer and it’s time to terminate their command. But when their forces are routed and the siblings flee in two directions you’ll need to choose which commander - and which unique salvage - you’ll pursue."​
 
Whoops! I bought Flashpoint before I saw there was a season pass. :D

Oh well. There are certainly worse things I could do with an extra $20 than toss it at HBS. ;)
You could always at least inquire about a refund to Steam and then buy the Season Pass.
 
I'm considering it... but now I'd feel bad taking the cash back, unless they're still doing a bagel fund I could contribute toward.

And y'know, 30+ hours of new content might be a very conservative estimate for this expansion, considering that Flashpoints will be as easily modded as anything else in the game. If the system allows for chaining more than three or so missions together, along with multiple decision branches, I wouldn't be surprised to see whole campaigns being put together by the player community.
 
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I bought the Season Pass as well yesterday. I am ready for more BattleTech goodness. :D
 
I notice we have little icons under our name for Season Pass and/or FlashPoint. Nice! Maybe we'll see more avatar options sometime in the near future? :D