KickStarter BattleTech Pre-Release Thread

[meanwhileInPoland]

Any of battletech novels worth reading? I dont know anything about this setting just checked wikipedia

 

[PeachPlumage]

Stage 2 is a disappointment

 

[Hellraiser]

3D portrait system seems like such a waste of resources. Just have an artist draw 2d portraits.

Origin stories please me.

Here's hoping it gets the 700k it still needs to reach the expanded campaign.

 

[Inquisition]

Any of battletech novels worth reading? I dont know anything about this setting just checked wikipedia

The Warrior Trilogy by Michael Stackpole is a good start I think.

 

[Jimmious]

Yeah the intermediate stretch goals are pretty underwhelming... I'm sure it'll blast through 1,85 within a week at most though. Hopefully then there will be more interesting goals to keep the pledges coming

 

[ArchAngel]

Stage 2 is a disappointment

Not for me. If they can afford it I want it to have all the cool stuff
I am sure the story parts are already going to be good, this is HBS

 

[ArchAngel]

Also I am amazed by the speed this KS is progressing at. I didn't expect this.

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Jimmious]

 

[Cyberarmy]

 

[ArchAngel]

Uh, I know, they are gonna reduce damage based on range. LIke long range ER hitting in close combat gonna do shit damage. AHhahahah, its gonna be horrible. But I guess tards played Shadowshit and love cock so...

Lol. You can have my tag.

 

[Infinitron]

Here's an interview we missed: http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2015/0...talks-modding-lore-tabletop-scenarios/169513/

It is a strange time, indeed, when the announcement of an upcoming Kickstarter campaign is cause for advance announcement and coverage, but if one franchise were to earn this, it would beBattleTech. We have seen a couple of middling free-to-play entries recently, but Harebrained Schemes (known for Shawdowrun Returns) is doing it right. Working with series creator Jordan Weisman, they are setting out to create a full fledged tactical turn-based RPG. Recently, we were able to pose a few questions to Mr. Weisman as well as co-producers Mitch Gitelman and Mike McCain. Here is what they had to say:

[Hardcore Gamer] What era in the lore is being explored in this entry? Will the campaign be focused on clan vs clan, clan vs Inner Sphere, or both?

[Jordan Weisman] We selected the 3025-era of the BattleTech timeline for our game because it’s such a fun period of of deadly feudal politics between the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere. With their armies exhausted after 200 years of Succession Wars, they begin using mercenary outfits to continue their plays for the throne of the First Lord in a more clandestine, deniable manner.

Will this new title include any classic tabletop scenarios?

We’re taking a great deal of inspiration from classic tabletop scenarios but don’t plan to translate them verbatim.

How much control over mech load outs will be available to the players? Will it be completely free- barring the heat/weight limit of the frame and sinks, or is the plan to include more story scripted missions?

Our vision is for players to be able to load out their ‘Mechs in fantastic detail – and not just weapons, ammo, armor, and heat sinks. We want them to be able to dive deeper and modify engines, gyros, actuators, and even shock absorbers to change the performance of the ‘Mech, if they wish.

Regarding story missions, we’ll be talking about that a lot more on our Kickstarter page when it launches!

How deep will the modding support be?

Skirmish play will allow players to create their own basic scenarios by selecting a map, objectives, victory conditions, starting locations, and of course the enemy forces including the quality and skills of the AI MechWarriors.

We have no plans to allow players to mod or import their own stuff at this time.

What multiplayer plans are being considered if any? Has there been any consideration of a “play by e-mail” style mode?

One of our higher co-funding goals for the game is indeed PvP multiplayer combat set in BattleTech’s famous arenas of Solaris VII. There are no plans for an asynchronous play pattern right now.

What is your favorite mech and why? (Mine is the Marauder.)

There are several. Our first original ‘Mech was the Hatchetman so it will always have a soft spot in my heart, the Atlas with its stark skull is another favorite as is the MadCat. Now, the MadCat won’t be in our game because in 3025 the Clans haven’t invaded yet, but it’s still one of my favorites because it was the first Clan ‘Mech we designed.

What is the one question that you wish people would ask you but nobody ever does?

What is the secret of leading a successful game studio? Everyone is so focused on the games, they forget that they were developed by teams of incredibly talented individuals who put herculean effort and passion into delivering my crazy ideas. I guess one day, I’ll talk about that.

 

[Cassar]

Also I am amazed by the speed this KS is progressing at. I didn't expect this.

I was in fact expecting something like this. They hyped it up pretty good a fair amount of time in advance, it was on most mainstream outlets, they did that long stream a day before, they already released two, okay, three good games, so people know they are capable of stuff. It's going pretty good, now it just needs to keep a nice momentum for the next 30 days so it can crack 2 mil at least, so we get a proper, full fledged game. In semi related news, someone fairly recently made high res, widescreen exe's for the old 2d Mechcommander. It looks fantastic, so detailed.

http://www.moddb.com/mods/mechcommander-gold-hi-res

 

[Whiran]

3D portrait system seems like such a waste of resources. Just have an artist draw 2d portraits.

I am of two minds about this. Artist drawn 2d portraits tend to be better than 3d portraits however I really like customization.

The ability to customize (in appearance as well) all my guys and their mechs appeals to me. If that has to be done in 3d to make it achievable then I am probably going to be okay with it. Naturally, at the end of the day that will depend on the art style they go with. 3d portraits can look good unfortunately more times than not they don't.

 

[ArchAngel]

So are there any guesses how much money did HBS prepare to accomplish Stage 1? Money they would need to create the engine and all the models and animations?

 

[Infinitron]

So are there any guesses how much money did HBS prepare to accomplish Stage 1? Money they would need to create the engine and all the models and animations?

You don't need to guess, just read the pitch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/webeharebrained/battletech/description

We know that to do 'Mech combat right will be a substantial investment - in fact, Harebrained Schemes has budgeted over a million dollars to self-fund the STAGE 1 SKIRMISH GAME (see below), and we've already started pre-production.

 

[ArchAngel]

Only 1 million? I expected more. The skirmish mode might have been envisioned pretty small than. I hope they dream bigger now with all this KS success.

 

[Branm]

1.2 million with paypal now. Guessing multiplayer is a lock

 

[Kem0sabe]

We have no plans to allow players to mod or import their own stuff at this time.

For shame..

 

[Morkar Left]

Mission 40 and 64 sounds like fun!

Rest is actually cool, too.

 

[PeachPlumage]

Not for me. If they can afford it I want it to have all the cool stuff
I am sure the story parts are already going to be good, this is HBS

Fluff isn't a bad thing I just want that expanded campaign

 

[ArchAngel]

Fluff isn't a bad thing I just want that expanded campaign

By the looks of this campaign if there are more stretch goals after MP I think they will reach those as well.

 

[PeachPlumage]

I believe so.

 

[prodigydancer]

1.2 million with paypal now. Guessing multiplayer is a lock

A lot depend on how fast they will lose this initial momentum. E.g. BT4 campaign had a strong opening (propped up by offering free games) but soon slowed nearly to a halt.

So, worst case: ~$1.5m, best case: ~$4m. Unlocking all stretch goals is likely but not a guarantee.

 

[ArchAngel]

A lot depend on how fast they will lose this initial momentum. E.g. BT4 campaign had a strong opening (propped up by offering free games) but soon slowed nearly to a halt.

So, worst case: ~$1.5m, best case: ~$4m. Unlocking all stretch goals is likely but not a guarantee.

BT4 has too much to offer at start and early bird. Without early bird there is no reason to back now instead of later (like I am doing).