I'm still hoping they add a pledge tier between $50-$125, none of the add ons are of interest to me other than the second copy which I already have. I'd be happy with some more variant skins or something. Need to hit that PVP tier and start adding to that co-op live team pot, i neeeeeeds it.
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Battletech |KS| Turn-based tactical mech combat, Harebrained Schemes, Summer 2017
- Thread starter Lime
- Start date
Yeah exactly. If you know where and when things are coming from, then you will be fine. Otherwise, it's a really difficult mission with very low-health buildings that you have to defend.
Boogalogist
Member
heat level critical
shutdown sequence initiated
shutdown sequence overridden
*KA-BOOM*
usually that's what happen when i decide to squeeze out just one last alpha strike
Then, I found out that standing in water helps. Mounted tons of heat hungry weapons for maps with water!
Robottiimu2000
Member
Press P for poem <3
Xcom + Battletech = HYPE!
Too much hype have to try to settle down a bit, and not get carried away to avoid dissappointment, but.... OMG!!!!
itshappening.gif!!!!!
I wonder if they are going to use a form of BETTY (the female computer voice in the Mechwarrior 2 games) in this particular game. I imagine that the pilot voice acting will probably provide information to the player, but it would be cool to have something similar.
Planet: Colmar. Ambient Temperature: Three-Four Point Six-Five Degrees. Local time is: Twelve-Fourteen GST. All Systems: Nominal.
Planet: Colmar. Ambient Temperature: Three-Four Point Six-Five Degrees. Local time is: Twelve-Fourteen GST. All Systems: Nominal.
The fact that they didn't have a prototype on their pitch video that opened with something like that probably cost them a million bucks in pledges.
FrontalMonk
Banned
I could live without it, but I really think it's the sort of thing that would _really_ take me on the nostalgia train.
Now that we've gotten to the tier everyone wanted in the first place, hopefully a lot more people will pile on and we'll get the PVP tier. >
New update 10 - Black Widows in the Skirmish game
Bonus Backer Mission Goal Hit! Backer Mission Reward This Friday! And a Peek Behind the Curtain at Our Friend From Catalyst!
Backer Mission Update
The community continues to knock down those Backer Missions! You’ve earned 32 points so far, which means you’ll be able to fight the Black Widows in the Skirmish game!
Last week’s Weekly Backer Mission was #myBTart and we’ve seen some great stuff being shared around the interwebs this week. Here’s some of our favs:
When the Global BattleTech Community reached 20 points in Backer Missions, you unlocked a SECOND Live Stream Twitch Q&A with Jordan, Mike, and Mitch. The guys love answering your questions about the game, talking shop, and sharing their thoughts on game development. Join us!
And remember, our previous Live Streams are on YouTube, so just in case you missed the fun, you can catch up on all the Qs and all the As.
Operation Alpha Strike: https://youtu.be/spA06QaoQZA
Live Stream #1: https://youtu.be/Ug1xHUWlCx0
The studio is really hoping the GBC will come through with 40 points in Backer Missions so they can witness the guys do an epic, Alcohol-Fueled Live Stream Twitch Q&A before the Kickstarter ends!
A bit of a clarification on that bit in the reddit AMA where they said they plan on putting in co-op missions post release if things went well/ that whole live team for co-op if they get past 2.5 mill would be nice.
In addition to what Steel is asking re: co-op missions, could you also ask about whether they'd consider a co-op campaign? I'm not even necessarily asking about expansive co-op where each player has his/her own faction, but more simply having the option of splitting the lance between 2 players.
For example, Divinity Original Sin combat is basically just taking the 4 characters you'd control in singleplayer and separating them between the players (so, 2 characters per player). Or, in Total War, if you enter a battle in which only 1 player has units in, s/he is free to share half his/her troops with the other player. Basically, all I am asking for is the option to split control of the singleplayer's units in 2 via a very basic co-op feature (and if the PvP feature is met, the devs would already work on the netcode anyway).
--------
2nd question: how big is your merc team supposed to be? 1 or 2 lances or more?
For example, Divinity Original Sin combat is basically just taking the 4 characters you'd control in singleplayer and separating them between the players (so, 2 characters per player). Or, in Total War, if you enter a battle in which only 1 player has units in, s/he is free to share half his/her troops with the other player. Basically, all I am asking for is the option to split control of the singleplayer's units in 2 via a very basic co-op feature (and if the PvP feature is met, the devs would already work on the netcode anyway).
--------
2nd question: how big is your merc team supposed to be? 1 or 2 lances or more?
If Jordan and/or Mitch are present at the interview:
- With the huge interest in the old Mechcommander and Mechwarrior games, have HBS considered doing a stretch goal to hire an employee to get the old games on GOG/Steam? Mechcommander is already free to download from Microsoft and the publicity and mindshare by getting it on popular storefronts like GOG and Steam would be incredible for both old fans, new fans, and HBS. So with Jordan's contact to Microsoft in regards to licensing, Mitch's past with Mechcommander, and the fans' support through this Kickstarter, why not make an effort to get the old games available for digital distribution?
- How much are the legal aspects of Battletech interfering with the Kickstarter? What could be made easier?
- If Mitch is there: Which of the Mechcommander games were your favorite to work on? Any stories to tell? And what about the legacy and sales of the two games?
- Will there be other objectives than simply kill all enemies? What about capturing? Defending? Recon? Escort? Special missions that you are forced to use lights/restricted drop tonnage? Perhaps even other types of missions?
- Will they integrate a BETTY-like voice in the game à la the MW games?
It will only be 4 mechs deployed in every mission, so 1 lance only.
All right - the question on GOG/Steam of the old games and the legal aspect is still relevant for Jordan, though. I'd love to hear an honest and clear answer about it.
Listening is fine as well - I'm sure some people will transcribe the important bits
That would be handy as this probably going to be a long interview.
This is a very good question, I wonder if they have considered this type of split control co-op.
Listening to this podcast with Mitch (with a super intrusive host who cuts off Mitch a bunch of times) and he talks about the licensing of Battletech and basically says:
The interviewer cuts Mitch off, so it's hard for him to elaborate on it unfortunately.
The interviewer cuts Mitch off, so it's hard for him to elaborate on it unfortunately.
Poodlestrike
Banned
"Granted absolute jack and shit" is an odd turn of phrase.
The bit about MS approaching them is interesting, though. Means they might have some leverage regarding getting the old games on GOG/Steam/Win 10 store.
FrontalMonk
Banned
Dunno about your first question, but it's been confirmed that you control one lance of mechs.
By the way, for anyone interested, Catalyst Game Labs made a Primer for newcomers to Battletech, free of charge.
Yeah, I think it's meant as the fact that Microsoft has faith in HBS and trust them sufficiently to grant the FASA rights to Jordan and Mitch (and PGI).
Yeah, I think it's meant as the fact that Microsoft has faith in HBS and trust them sufficiently to grant the FASA rights to Jordan and Mitch (and PGI).
Some more shots of Mechcommander with Magic's widescreen mod
I've played the campaigns way too much. In my opinion, the game is one of the Battletech games that hold up remarkarbly well from a visual point of view. Mechwarrior 2 and 3 and 4 and Mechcommander 2 all suffer from the 3D graphics they were using at the time.
I've played the campaigns way too much. In my opinion, the game is one of the Battletech games that hold up remarkarbly well from a visual point of view. Mechwarrior 2 and 3 and 4 and Mechcommander 2 all suffer from the 3D graphics they were using at the time.
Oh man is Mech Commander the one with the assault mission where jump jet light mechs swarm out like a disturbed hornet's nest? Or was that Mech Commander 2?
I NEED TO REPLAY MECHCOMMANDER REGARDLESS
edit: Derp.
One of HBS designers tweeted this:
I entirely agree
clan tech confirmed
Lol, when the sequel hits with the clans people will lose their shit. HBS know what they are doing, I see this game as SH Returns (awesome), The clan follow up will be Dragonfall (More awesome).
PoweredByHentai
Member
God, I miss those guys so very much (Lynx, Hunter, Falcon, Isis, Siren, etc.)
I can get MechCommander 1 to run, but I can't seem to get MechCommander 2 to run on my laptop though. =/
If anyone is interested, Jordan and Mike will be on the Fragments of Silicon podcast in 6 hours.
Yoooooo I have to play this with the mod!!!
And yeah, I love Mechcommander 2, still play it to this day, but it just wasn't as charming as MC1, from an art standpoint.
I would fund the ever living fuck out of a Mechcommander 3, that's done with high-definition 2D assets. Like I'd be in for hundreds on day one, with the right team behind it.
p.s. - the Mechcommander Intro FMV is the best thing ever.
Poodlestrike
Banned
I think I'd prefer high-detail 3D for any potential MC3. Steal that crazy damage model from Star Citizen while you're at it.
Plus terrain deformation.
Plus terrain deformation.
There is one part where Mechcommander 2 absolutely rules over the first one; LRMs. I mean, slapping an Atlas W full of c/LRMs in the first one was fun in a way, seeing that huge ball of glowing death home to a 'mech and see its health bar disappear, but the long, arching volley of missiles bursting from two Mad Dogs / Catapults / other missile boat of choice was a sight to behold.
"TRACK THAT POD!"
You can find the mods here: http://www.moddb.com/mods/mechcommander-gold-hi-res/downloads
Download "MCX Original" - it contains all the necessary files and the .exe files with proper resolutions. 1920x1080 might crash on some later missions, but then just play the mission in question in a lower resolution.
Yeah, but the way they animated were just weird and way too angular.
With PGI getting the Marauder and the Warhammer in the coming year, it wouldn't make sense not to include them in Battletech.
BudokaiMR2
Member
So payday finally rolls around tomorrow, and at least part of it is going into this project.
Probably going to just go in for $50 because Stackpole is awesome, but damn that $275 one is tempting...
Don't think I can sneak that past my wife though. Heh
Probably going to just go in for $50 because Stackpole is awesome, but damn that $275 one is tempting...
Don't think I can sneak that past my wife though. Heh
Fragments of Silicon did an Interview with Jordan Weisman and Mike McCain I wrote some notes, but the whole thing is really interesting to listen to with some good dynamics and the hosts are great at giving Jordan and Mike room to breathe and answer, so check it out (don't mind the low-quality song in the beginning, just skip ahead of it).
What happened in the mid-90's and what happened with Infocom->Activision->Hasbro->Microsoft acquisitions of the license
About the old games
About Mechassault. Same story we have heard about how watered down the game was - Jordan didn't have much to do with the titles at all. It was targeting a different audience and with different constraints.
Why did Microsoft dissolve FASA? Studios come and go from different factors, so it wasn't about a fight against the brand or the properties, but a whole set of different realities involved. People at 343 and Bungie were from FASA, so it wasn't a personal thing or a lack of talent.
Talks about how he started Battle 'Droids which then turned into Battletech, the amount of lore and work put into creating and fleshing out the universe over the last 3 decades, the tabletop not an accessible title any longer, as the times have changed. But lore isn't required to play it.
Talks about the Crescent Hawk series and how he was involved in it. Then the whole Virtual Worlds thing which ran alongside the Mechwarrior side of things. Jordan became more involved with Mechwarrior 2 and even more with 3 and 4.
Talks about how Mike McCain got into game development.
Legal status of Battletech:
What happened in the mid-90's and what happened with Infocom->Activision->Hasbro->Microsoft acquisitions of the license
- Activision bought Infocom and got the Battletech license. Take it int omore action oriented gameplay
- Titled it different from Battletech, so Mechwarrior was suggested. First-person driving
- MW1 didn't do particularly well
- MW2 had a long and troubled development. Complete reset at some point.
- Activision's license was coming to an end and FASA had a robust team from Virtual Worlds
- So instead of Activision licensing the title again, FASA took over the development of digital titles of Battletech
- Activision wasn't interested in it, MW2 comes out and doubles the size of Activision within months
- All of a sudden Activision was scared that they would lose the title because of MW2 was a break-out hit
- It sold a huge number of units, including the game in everything (OEM, cereal boxes, etc.). 9 or 11 million copies maybe were 'sold'.
- Activision declined the offer by FASA
- FASA interactive took over as a offshot from Virtual Worlds
- Why did FASA sell out to Microsoft? FASA had a lot of investors and Microsoft had a lot of money.
- Why was Microsoft interested in FASA? Had been approached by a couple of companies, 3 companies interested at the time, Hasbro, THQ, and Microsoft
- Microsoft was interested in building their games division when their games division was only just the Flight Simulator team
- Microsoft looking for a seasoned team and also the IP library FASA could bring
- Jordan became Creative Director for Microsoft Entertainment -> no longer directly involved with Mechwarrior 4 and Mechcommander 2. MW4 took a hit as part of the transition from Chicago onto Seattle. The game was the one that took the biggest hit, the culture shock related to that were factors in its development time.
- Took a little beating but ended up being released
About the old games
- Jordan doesn't know about the old releases anymore.
- If they have to be published titles, it has to be a discussion with "the Mothership" (i.e. talk with Microsoft).
- MW2 would be really complex, since it would require the ones responsible to negotiate with multiple giant corporations (Activision and Microsoft)
About Mechassault. Same story we have heard about how watered down the game was - Jordan didn't have much to do with the titles at all. It was targeting a different audience and with different constraints.
Why did Microsoft dissolve FASA? Studios come and go from different factors, so it wasn't about a fight against the brand or the properties, but a whole set of different realities involved. People at 343 and Bungie were from FASA, so it wasn't a personal thing or a lack of talent.
Talks about how he started Battle 'Droids which then turned into Battletech, the amount of lore and work put into creating and fleshing out the universe over the last 3 decades, the tabletop not an accessible title any longer, as the times have changed. But lore isn't required to play it.
Talks about the Crescent Hawk series and how he was involved in it. Then the whole Virtual Worlds thing which ran alongside the Mechwarrior side of things. Jordan became more involved with Mechwarrior 2 and even more with 3 and 4.
Talks about how Mike McCain got into game development.
Legal status of Battletech:
- Wizkids bought FASA,
- then Topps bought Wizkids,
- then Topps sold Wizkids to "Mecha" (?),
- The FASA properties are now half-owned by Michael Eisner as he owns Topps and by Microsoft.
- The gameplay and the lore much more accessible. A story-centric tactical combat game.
- Picking up notes from the Crescent Hawk games especially thanks to the open-ended nature of the recently unlocked tier.
- Telling a real story with good tactical combat.
- Square or hex-based? Peanut-butter or chocolate kind of discussion. Still in pre-production, still looking at it. Prototyping right now where movement is not confined to grids but free movement. Square is not fair to diagonals, whereas hex is better.
- Why revive Battletech at this point? Because Jordan could finally get the rights and they had the right team to do it. It's been a long time since he made a Mech game, so he's no longer burned out. Good to work with Mike as he is new fresh blood with neurons still firing.
- How much are they looking at modern games? Look at the Shadowrun games and Xcom as modern tactical combat games which have a very fluid and fast interface with great strategy.
- They are very grateful for all the support from the fans
- The Kickstarter wasn't a determining factor whether or not the game would be made. The Kickstarter determines how big and the production scope of the game
- Post-launch scenarios if they get funded $2.5 million. No co-op campaign unfortunately as that is out of scope with this game. Maybe in the future if this game does well and gives them the opportunity to make a second game.
- Exciting announcement today (the Unseen as Shard mentioned).
Lord Panda
The Sea is Always Right
Great summary, thanks.
BrokenFiction
Member
Project Update #12: BATTLETECH by Harebrained Schemes LLC
http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3482/warhammer-whm-11t
http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2053/marauder-ii-bounty-hunter
Also, this weeks Backer Mission - your favorite 'Mech.
http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3482/warhammer-whm-11t
http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2053/marauder-ii-bounty-hunter
Also, this weeks Backer Mission - your favorite 'Mech.
BrokenFiction
Member
Yup, called it.
Here's Iglesias' concept art version:
Damn, those are hot.
Nikodemos
Member
Indeed, long range weapon trajectories are probably the weakest part of that game.
I don't mind low-poly 3D graphics. Loved Earth 2150 back in the day, still love it.
What I really liked in 2 was the visual representation of weaponry on the loadout screen and the different precon variants. I occasionally brought along the MLRS version of the Catapult/Mad Dog (the one armed with 'dumbfire' LRMs) because I liked the effect.
Oh, yeah, and the weapon variety was pretty nice, too (though you didn't get to experience it until near the end).
I still prefer the old Glaug and Tomahawk designs, but these are pretty damned good. I'm glad that we're not stuck with the Project Phoenix ones.Yup, called it.
Here's Iglesias' concept art versions: