Why more Weapons is the Wrong Idea.

Baneblade · 2013-02-24, 03:43 PM

I like guns, everybody likes guns... except Figment, but that is another topic. But I think PS2 took the wrong method of approaching how we choose and customize weapons.

The first and most obvious problem is the classification of customizations to overlap when they shouldn't. I dare anyone to explain why an extended magazine should not be usable with a laser sight should not be usable with a foregrip should not be usable with a taclight. Anyway, that is not quite the angle I was aiming for with this thread.

SOE shouldn't be selling us new guns, but rather we should be taking the AR platform approach: Have one base design that is interchangeable to literally fill any role desired. Basically bring the Gauss Rifle, Cycler, and Pulsar to the forefront. I'll use the Gauss for the rest of this thread since I'm NC and I'm not politically correct.

Break down the Gauss Rifle into the base components and you have:

Barrel
Forend
Upper Receiver
Lower Receiver
Buttstock
Trigger Assembly

All of these should be what we customize for different purposes. For example if we want to turn the Gauss into a Battle Rifle, drop in a higher calibre barrel, Upper and Lower. We'd also need to use a different magazine for the larger ammunition. This is all before we get into sights, scopes, lasers, compensators, suppressors, and the like.

To keep class balance mostly intact, simply allow only certain classes to use certain components, such as only HA can elect to use Drum Mags, or Infils are the only ones that can use the Long Rifle Barrels.

Now, what do we do about these weapons we already have? Consolidate them. Identify what makes them unique and let them be a kit to modify the base Gauss.

Other base platforms could be the Jackhammer, MCG, and Lasher.

I'm not sure how easy this was to follow considering I'm sort of paraphrasing what I discussed with outfit mates last night. But the general gist is to focus on modification rather than just adding more guns.

Chewy · 2013-02-24, 03:53 PM

So, like Blacklight?

EvilNinjadude · 2013-02-24, 04:01 PM

For another thread invoking the name Blacklight:Retribution and a subsequent post by me, also visit: http://www.planetside-universe.com/s...d.php?p=893968
EDIT: OP of other thread beat me to it. What a strange world this is.

Graywolves · 2013-02-24, 04:03 PM

Well my main thing with constantly pulling new guns is that it really skews things. When they said they were going to follow something like League of Legends I was really only expecting the cosmetics.

Constantly pulling new champions in that game doesn't work because they're balanced (debatable). IMO the balance comes from the veto/ban on champions in the pick. And then the entire game revolves around farming so w.e I'm done talking about this game.

But you bringing out new weapons all the time just makes me foresee a power creep. Or situations where I really have no clue what weapon anyone is using and it's a huge "well let's see if he kills me or I kill him and we'll know..."

EvilNinjadude · 2013-02-24, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Graywolves

But you bringing out new weapons all the time just makes me foresee a power creep. Or situations where I really have no clue what weapon anyone is using and it's a huge "well let's see if he kills me or I kill him and we'll know..."

Quite, quite. And in the end there will be too many similar weapons to remember them all, so they might just ALL be the same, and they look similar in the shop anyway and you can only tell them apart by type unless you're looking REALLY hard at the stats etc etc etc.

Shoving some BL:R into the Blender really wouldn't hurt. As long as they don't make us rent weapon parts, I'd start buying attachments and stuff like a maniac because I could use them on all weapons, they'd start feeling meaningful, and ALL THAT AWESOME STUFF.

Rolfski · 2013-02-24, 04:00 PM

Did you make this thread as a response to mine?

Anyway, going all Blacklight Retribution style and building your own gun from parts would certainly be nice but probably a too drastic change in the game. I guess I could settle for a system as I suggested.

Baneblade · 2013-02-24, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rolfski

Did you make this thread as a response to mine?

Generally I make posts in response to threads.

Rolfski · 2013-02-25, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by Baneblade

Generally I make posts in response to threads.

Why make new posts about something that is already discussed? If someone else already started a discussion about the need for more weapon customization and Blacklight Retribution being the reference, there's really no need to hijack it and start a similar one 10 minutes after it. That's just bad forum etiquette and I'm kinda disappointed Hamma allows this actually.

Anyway, if we can agree that a BL:R system is nice but not likely going to happen, let's go back to my original suggestion that the devs should put more priority in keeping the current arsenal fresh with more customization options vs almost solely focusing on new toys.

Baneblade · 2013-02-25, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by Rolfski

Why make new posts about something that is already discussed? If someone else already started a discussion about the need for more weapon customization and Blacklight Retribution being the reference, there's really no need to hijack it and start a similar one 10 minutes after it. That's just bad forum etiquette and I'm kinda disappointed Hamma allows this actually.

Anyway, if we can agree that a BL:R system is nice but not likely going to happen, let's go back to my original suggestion that the devs should put more priority in keeping the current arsenal fresh with more customization options vs almost solely focusing on new toys.

Why are you so convinced you had anything to do with this thread?

Rolfski · 2013-02-25, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Baneblade

Why are you so convinced you had anything to do with this thread?

You said it yourself, didn't you? It really doesn't matter if people independently have similar ideas. If there's a topic already about it, no need to start one of your own, that's just forum overload.

Figment · 2013-02-25, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Baneblade

Why are you so convinced you had anything to do with this thread?

Indeed, clearly this thread is about my love of pies, not guns.

Varsam · 2013-02-24, 05:20 PM

This would be great for everyone but SOE - your plan is difficult to monetize. No money, no planetside.

Baneblade · 2013-02-24, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Varsam

This would be great for everyone but SOE - your plan is difficult to monetize. No money, no planetside.

Not really, just let weapon parts be bought with SC or certs. They get more money out of it then they do with the current model in all likelihood.

krnasaur · 2013-02-25, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Varsam

This would be great for everyone but SOE - your plan is difficult to monetize. No money, no planetside.

blacklight does well ontop of being an amazing game

Rahabib · 2013-02-26, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by krnasaur

blacklight does well ontop of being an amazing game

Its also not about just making money at it, its about pissing off people who have already invested into the current system. its like buying super mario and then all of the sudden the developers wipe it out and give you Sonic the Hedgehog - both fun games, but its so dramatic a change that many will be left to say "I thought I paid for Super Mario." OK thats a horrible analogy, but you get what I am saying. Yes, the idea is good, yes it would even make money, but its so far removed from the path that SOE has gone down, it will never ever ever ever never ever happen. ever.