KickStarter BattleTech Pre-Release Thread

[InD_ImaginE]

I'm still expecting BattleTech Lite™, and at least it is TURN BASED and not another fucking generic fucking Fantasy game/setting....

Yeah, I am an avid supporter of HBS, but their SR games are somewhat simple, combat and mechanic wise.

What I worried about is the fact that they are making "TBS with RPG elements" instead of "RPG with TBS combat." As far the SR series goes, the main redeeming feature of their games is the writing. DFDC and to some extent, HK, have the companion being the better part of the games. The fact that the pilots will be XCOM styled expendables simply removes one of the stronger part of their games. Although the decision makes sense in the setting I wished they would reconsider this part.

 

[Darth Roxor]

I'm still expecting BattleTech Lite™, and at least it is TURN BASED and not another fucking generic fucking Fantasy game/setting....

but i thought you liked poe

 

[Morkar Left]

Why are bank employees doing the interviews now? Is PCGamer bankrupt?

Besides that nice interview.

 

[Infinitron]

What I worried about is the fact that they are making "TBS with RPG elements" instead of "RPG with TBS combat." As far the SR series goes, the main redeeming feature of their games is the writing.

Have you considered that you're confusing cause and effect? Perhaps the SR series' main feature is the writing because they set out to make an "RPG with TBS combat". Now they're making something else, so it'll have different qualities.

In general, people have a tendency to ascribe particular qualities to game developers and assume that every game they make will or should have those qualities. While there's some truth to that, one thing I've noticed is that Kickstarter game developers - the competent ones, at least - usually end up developing more or less the type of game that they intended to. They do not go "We're going to make a TBS with RPG elements" but then end up somehow accidentally making a game that's all about story instead. That does sometimes collide with people's wishful thinking.

That said, HBS have promised a strong story focus in BattleTech, but in a more high-level kind of way. I imagine it might be something like the type of story you might see in a strategy game with a good storyline.

 

[Excidium II]

Banner saga with mechs.

 

[InD_ImaginE]

Have you considered that you're confusing cause and effect? Perhaps the SR series' main feature is the writing because they set out to make an "RPG with TBS combat". Now they're making something else, so it'll have different qualities.

In general, people have a tendency to ascribe particular qualities to game developers and assume that every game they make will or should have those qualities. While there's some truth to that, one thing I've noticed is that Kickstarter game developers - the competent ones, at least - usually end up developing more or less the type of game that they intended to. They do not go "We're going to make a TBS with RPG elements" but then end up somehow accidentally making a game that's all about story instead. That does sometimes collide with people's wishful thinking.

That said, HBS have promised a strong story focus in BattleTech, but in a more high-level kind of way. I imagine it might be something like the type of story you might see in a strategy game with a good storyline.

That....., well that's actually true.

Yeah, to be honest I fell to that "ascribing certain developers with certain qualities" thing you said. Perhaps it is the effect that larger AAA developer nowdays usually have specializations of their own (Bioware=(worsening)writing, Piranha Bytes=mediocre open world,etc). Even some of the Kickstarter developers have those niches they respectively filled. That was an oversight of mine, so thanks Infinibro!

Strategy game with good storyline eh? A bit out of topic but do you actually have some examples? The only thing that comes to my mind is Blizard.

 

[Infinitron]

Strategy game with good storyline eh? A bit out of topic but do you actually have some examples? The only thing that comes to my mind is Blizard.

Homeworld and Myth come to mind as the classic examples.

Here's a thread we had about that: http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/recommendation-of-storyfag-strategy-games.83465/

 

[InD_ImaginE]

Thanks a lot!

 

[khavi]

For an example of what the "story" is going to be like, people should be looking directly at Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries. This is what they've stated will be the biggest influence, and in my opinion will be perfect for this type of game. Banner Saga with mechs? GTFO.

Here's a good overview of M2: Mercs.

The RPG aspect will be in the pilots and skill advancement, likely similar to Mechcommander but with more depth.

Also, calling it, because of the Battletech/Mechwarrior fanbase this will likely be a 3 mill+ kickstarter, maybe even topping 4. I'm not expecting it to pull in the numbers the MWO founders program did (5 million+) because it's turn-based, but the hype for this in battletech corners of the web is really strong right now. I will be really, really surprised if this does 2 million or less.

 

[Infinitron]

For an example of what the "story" is going to be like, people should be looking directly at Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries. This is what they've stated will be the biggest influence, and in my opinion will be perfect for this type of game. Banner Saga with mechs? GTFO.

HBS's people seem to be of the opinion that no previous BattleTech videogame has ever truly done the setting justice. The overall structure might be influenced by Mercenaries, but the setting and story will probably get more emphasis.

 

[Athelas]

Maybe they'll go the animu route of making pilots have a magical bond with their mechs.

 

[Branm]

Will for sure toss some money in for this one!!

 

[khavi]

HBS's people seem to be of the opinion that no previous BattleTech videogame has ever truly done the setting justice. The overall structure might be influenced by Mercenaries, but the setting and story will probably get more emphasis.

I believe they were referring to the political machinations of the setting's factions with that statement, and I'd tend to agree. Definitely looking forward to it.

Maybe they'll go the animu route of making pilots have a magical bond with their mechs.

Anything not already established in the Battletech universe is probably right out. So no.

 

[GarfunkeL]

Maybe they'll go the animu route of making pilots have a magical bond with their mechs.

I'm more curious whether they use the old lore that stated that temperatures inside the Mechs are quite high and pilots thus wear almost nothing.

 

[Athelas]

I'm more curious whether they use the old lore that stated that temperatures inside the Mechs are quite high and pilots thus wear almost nothing.

Well yes, scantily clad teenage pilots would be implicit in the animu aspect.

 

[Axe Father]

I won't be backing if it isn't a one hundred percent faithful adaptation of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-_-8D8R4CU

 

[veevoir]

Is there be a codex fundraiser planned?

 

[Darkzone]

I'm more curious whether they use the old lore that stated that temperatures inside the Mechs are quite high and pilots thus wear almost nothing.

That depends on the pilots. Many wear nearly nothing (Lori Kalmar) other have cooling suits (Comstar Pilots that smell like the cooling fluid).

 

[Jaesun]

Is there be a codex fundraiser planned?

More than likely, if it has most of the things we like in a game.

 

[smileyninja]

You're confusing them with another company.

Wow, I don't know how I did that- maybe it was the beards?

 

[Vaarna_Aarne]

Anything not already established in the Battletech universe is probably right out. So no.

I wouldn't be surprised though if there's a character class system that ties into mech weight class. I would welcome something like that tho so there's more mechanical reason to have a classic Lance structure (personally I'd vote against having deployment costs or weight limits in favor of having a dedicated Lance structure that can make better use of whatever story they include). It's also a bit of a pet concern of mine since I find it's a perpetual problem with BTech video game adaptations that everything ultimately revolves around 60-100 ton range (a particularly hilarious instance of Ultra AC20 cheesing with a Puma aside). If I'd have to choose between the two as a MechWarrior character advancement system, I'd pick "customize the mech to become better" over "switch to a bigger and badder mech" every day (particularly because all the total customization stuff the series does in vidya gaems is canon-breaking as hell due to how BattleMechs are structured, and it ignores the whole OmniMech/BattleMech distinction).

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Zetor]

Whoa, George Ledoux? That takes me back to the Freedom Force days, ~15 years ago (he played Minuteman, Bullet, and a bunch of other characters). I remember him creating a bunch of professional-quality "generic" voicepacks for the community free of charge... that was a pretty nice gesture.

 

[Infinitron]

Here's a new podcast with Mitch Gitelman: http://www.ourbattletech.com/2015/september-2015-kickstarting-and-previews/

This month on Arbitration we sample the various appetizers that Catalyst Game Labs and others have dropped in our laps for future releases. After, we’ll take a short break in order to talk to Mitch Gitelman of Harebrained Schemes about the upcoming BattleTech MechCommander Kickstarter Campaign. Then it’s on to the Arbitration News Desk were we talk more about Kickstarters, Florida, and Listener Emails

All of this, plus the Arbitration News Desk! Arbitration, your last word in BattleTech talk!

Be sure to check out our You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTePiXU-pQiZMZPLEUJhy7g”

PodCast from Arbitration Studios – the last word in BattleTech

EDIT: Sheesh, this guy is annoying. The Mitch Gitelman part starts at around 18:15

 

[Infinitron]

OK, so this is Harebrained's plan for building up the game, depending on how much budget they get.

Single player skirmish game --> Single player story-based game --> Single player open-ended game with procedurally generated scenarios --> Multiplayer support

They haven't decided if they're going have hex-based or free movement yet.

They're going to use MWO's art style for the Mechs "to present a consistent universe".

Mitch says Harebrained can't afford to make games without Kickstarter.

Everybody there is playing Crescent's Hawk Inception now.

Like Shadowrun, they will not be "slaves to the tabletop rules". The feel is what's important.

You'll control 4 mechs in battle, but there might be some missions with an extra unit to escort (like sometimes happened in Shadowrun)

Mitch says "BattleTech is not an RPG, it's a tactical turn-based game with story". That's a change. In the past they've said "with RPG elements", not "with story".

But wait, he says the Mechwarriors will have some RPG elements - skills and affinities and stuff. Sounds like they're still brainstorming what exactly those will be.