The Energon Pub

by **Mogwai Prime** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:09 pm

The Beast factions and other factions in future expansions will be implemented properly and with approval from Seibertron.

Faction balance is going to be a tricky fix that I am already aware of and thinking of. I was thinking about imposing restrictions on joins, but that would be unfair. Maybe creating NPC's to fill in if needed. I think I will wait and see how bad any imbalances are before I make any decisions on that.

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:13 pm

I think one idea tossed around was to display the number of members of each faction when a player signs up.

It still comes down to the fact that you can't force a person to choose a faction they don't want to join, and most people will still go for the Autobots/Decepticons because that's what they know.

Will there be a way for the factions to work together? (Pred/Cons, Max/Bot)

News Credits: 3 · by **Name_Violation** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:34 pm

vaporretarder wrote:
Burn wrote:Yeah but look at how things are now, this version of the experiment failed miserably.

Not shooting the idea down, they are after all part of the mythology and to some people BW/BM were their introduction to TF's so it holds that special little place in their heart and i'd love to see them work, but how are you going to manage the balancing issue that currently plagues this version?

counterweights?

....and a series of levers and pulleys?

lol. high 5.

by **Mogwai Prime** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:44 pm

Burn wrote:I think one idea tossed around was to display the number of members of each faction when a player signs up.

It still comes down to the fact that you can't force a person to choose a faction they don't want to join, and most people will still go for the Autobots/Decepticons because that's what they know.

Will there be a way for the factions to work together? (Pred/Cons, Max/Bot)

This part is at least 6 months away so I'm not even going to speculate on how that is going to happen.

News Credits: 3 · by **Name_Violation** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:14 pm

yeah, i'll show up and dominate the beast faction again

by **Galvatronus** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:29 pm

In regards to the beast factions simply make the good and evil. I never saw the point of having Maximals fighting Autobots. Sure Preds might fight Cons but for the most part I just thought the four way fighting just didn't fit.

News Credits: 3 · by **Name_Violation** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:40 pm

that brings me to an interesting moral delima.

to become a con and continue to fight the goody 2 shoes..

or become a bot and keep hunting cons like i have been....

decisions, decisions..

News Credits: 3600 · by **Seibertron** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:26 pm

Burn wrote:Yeah but look at how things are now, this version of the experiment failed miserably.

Not shooting the idea down, they are after all part of the mythology and to some people BW/BM were their introduction to TF's so it holds that special little place in their heart and i'd love to see them work, but how are you going to manage the balancing issue that currently plagues this version?

I've got a pretty damn good idea about how they can be worked into HMW properly. Done 100% right. With a feature you guys haven't seen before. One that you guys will absolutely love. A feature that will give you guys a majority of control of the game's destiny. A feature that will make the game even more popular.

But we've got to get there with the Autobots and Decepticons first. And then we can work in the Maximals and Predacons ... but it will be presented in a manner that you guys are not familiar with as far as HMW goes.

by **Mogwai Prime** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:55 pm

Seibertron wrote:
Burn wrote:Yeah but look at how things are now, this version of the experiment failed miserably.

Not shooting the idea down, they are after all part of the mythology and to some people BW/BM were their introduction to TF's so it holds that special little place in their heart and i'd love to see them work, but how are you going to manage the balancing issue that currently plagues this version?

I've got a pretty damn good idea about how they can be worked into HMW properly. Done 100% right. With a feature you guys haven't seen before. One that you guys will absolutely love. A feature that will give you guys a majority of control of the game's destiny. A feature that will make the game even more popular.

But we've got to get there with the Autobots and Decepticons first. And then we can work in the Maximals and Predacons ... but it will be presented in a manner that you guys are not familiar with as far as HMW goes.

Sheesh Seibs I haven't even finished this release and your gettin' em all amped up and curious about the next expansion already

News Credits: 1 · by **Venomous Prime** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:02 pm

Fett 526 wrote:In regards to the beast factions simply make the good and evil. I never saw the point of having Maximals fighting Autobots. Sure Preds might fight Cons but for the most part I just thought the four way fighting just didn't fit.

Maximals/Predacons were a required upgrade. Therefore, any Cybertronians that are still the "energon guzzlers" Decepticons/Autobots are technically outlaws.

That's why Maximals would be fighting Autobots.

by **Galvatronus** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:19 pm

original sin wrote:
Fett 526 wrote:In regards to the beast factions simply make the good and evil. I never saw the point of having Maximals fighting Autobots. Sure Preds might fight Cons but for the most part I just thought the four way fighting just didn't fit.

Maximals/Predacons were a required upgrade. Therefore, any Cybertronians that are still the "energon guzzlers" Decepticons/Autobots are technically outlaws.

That's why Maximals would be fighting Autobots.

When did that happen? I know about the Maximal upgrade but I don't recall Autobots becoming outlaws for not doing it.

News Credits: 1 · by **Venomous Prime** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:24 pm

It was never specifically said, but 9 times out of 10 if someone doesn't due what the government says, they're breaking the law...

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:36 pm

I figured it was pretty much assumed all Autobots just went along with the upgrade.

'cause you know, that's what mindless do-gooders would do. :WHISTLE:

by **Starlock** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:31 am

I'm scared. A hour before coming online today I was thinking of rewatching both Gremlins movies which just came to me out of no where. So I come here after not checking a few days about who the new HMW developer is and look what happens.

I guess I know who to sacrifice/tribute things to now. :mrgreen:

Although seriously good luck man. You'll need it with the crazies around here and probably a drool proof suit now that you and Seibs giving some wacky hints about whats to come.

Now to watch a couple of movies

News Credits: 4 · by **jazzrules** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:12 pm

Wow - its been absolutely ages since I've posted in here, and even played HMW (except for the occasional activation and quick throw 'em in missions). However, I always had the intention of returning when v2.0 was released and news that it could be done in 3 months is really exciting.

Mogwai Prime wrote:Maybe creating NPC's to fill in if needed.

I think this is a great idea, and have always thought would have been useful. It would certainly solve the problem of missions with no opposition. I used to think it would be great to fight alongside the canon characters mentioned in the mission blurbs.

Anyway, good luck with everything MP - I can't wait!!!!!

Like Me, Grimlock! on Facebook · by **Me, Grimlock!** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:09 pm

jazzrules wrote:
Mogwai Prime wrote:Maybe creating NPC's to fill in if needed.

I think this is a great idea, and have always thought would have been useful. It would certainly solve the problem of missions with no opposition. I used to think it would be great to fight alongside the canon characters mentioned in the mission blurbs.

In missions, we used to have this in the form of... security drones? Something anyway. The problem was that some players felt they were being cheated out of experience points when an NPC was nailing the other side. I didn't mind it myself--every game has its challenges and this was just one more reason to make sure your guy is in tiptop shape--but others didn't like it.

Is there a way of programming the missions (or what-have-you) to not allowing more than a one-player advantage? Say there are two Autobots and one Decepticon signed into a mission. Players won't be able to sign another Autobot on until a Decepticon comes in and evens it up. That way, at most, there's only one player more. Still, some players like being overwhelmed. It means more experience to be won.

As far as being outnumbered in the arena (not that we can be literally outnumbered since it's a one-on-one), I guess it wouldn't be a problem to go against an NPC when there are no enemies in the queue, but then again, the arena as it stands now is being scrapped.

News Credits: 2 · by **Zordon** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 2:01 pm

i take a week off and look what happens

good going MP

by **Mogwai Prime** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:35 pm

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

by **ashe5k** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:08 pm

I go on vacation after a grueling series of job hunts and covering the Ohio Bar Exam on the tech side and we get a new programmer!

Congrats on the position MP, and good luck with all the insanity here.

by **Bloodlust** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:52 pm

ashe5k wrote:I go on vacation after a grueling series of job hunts and covering the Ohio Bar Exam on the tech side and we get a new programmer!

Congrats on the position MP, and good luck with all the insanity here.

I must say, he's handling it quite well actually

News Credits: 3 · by **Archanubis** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:40 pm

May I belatedly join the masses in wishing you the best of luck, Mowgai.

With this crowd of malcontents, you're going to need all the luck you can get.

by **mobious_1968** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:58 pm

Wow they promoted someone from Kamiah, ID. I didn't even know they had internet in such a place.

Anyways good job on getting the position, you couldn't expect me to say grats without busting your balls a bit could ya. Have fun with the programming with your wife and kiddies screaming and running around. While your at it can you make me one of your fancy little avatars? Thanks I appreciate it.

Grats again. Well deserved....

by **autobot_princess** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:17 pm

Congrats Mogawi. I hope I spelled it right.

by **Prowl240z** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:20 pm

Mogwai Prime wrote:I am looking forward to this role and have already begun programming on the new version. I know many of you will have numerous questions and look forward to answering them for you. This time it is no illusion. The new version will happen. I know many of you will have your doubts and your "I'll believe it when I see it" views. To those of you, I say that this is going to happen you have my word on it. I have 7 days off every 14 days to work on this and will be dedicating a good chunk of time to getting this going. I will provide more details a little later as to the games design.

Also, I understand that many of you will be asking for changes to the current version of the game. Just to be honest there will be no major changes or programming made to the current version so please don't ask.

All I ask for is some patience in letting me get this going.

HMW needs more cowbell