Do you want more common pool or more empire specific stuff?

[Galapogos]

My apologies if this has already been talked about in detail, I searched and did not find a thread or poll specifically dedicated to this topic. Anyways, I wondering if you guys would rather see more common pool vehicles and weapons, and thus more stuff everyone can use, or would you rather more empire specific vehicles and weapons, which a think are a lot cooler, even though most are never perfectly balanced compared to other E.S. stuff of the same type, such as medium assault.

[Death2All]

I don't have any real preference as to empire specific or common pool. Simply more weapons/vehicles would appease me.

But since we're apparently unable as it stands right now, to loot enemy weapons I would like to see more empire specific weapons to hold me over for my addiction of looting. (Not sure how adding MORE weapons would help that but whatever).


Common pool suggest it's just a regular weapon. Empire specific means it will have that empires traits thrown into it and I'd like to see more of that.

[MgFalcon]

Vanu need more Pew Pew guns.

Only us though. Everyone else can have the lesser forms of technology, of course.

[Galapogos]

The only thing I like about common pool stuff is that for the same dev resources, everyone could use more stuff than if it were empire specific. For example, lets say 3 new weapons are going to be added to the game, if they are e.s. each empire gets one new weapon, whereas if they are common pool, each empire can use 3 new weapons.

[Bags]

If we can loot enemy weapons than definitely more ES.

[Sirisian]

I'd prefer more common pool weapons with empire specific skins. (VS version fires energy bullets while TR and NC use regular rounds etc with identical ammo types essentially). Less whining when it comes to balancing. This is mostly in regards to the idea that we can't loot enemy weapons. I used to be able to just grab the better gun once in a while, but they're getting rid of that ability.

[Firefly]

All empire-specific.

And this not-looting/not-hacking shit is stupid. "Waaa we can't afford it!" ... not my fucking fault, maybe SOE's masterminds shouldn't have made dumb business decisions that fucked up the budget. Less gay elves, more hacking/looting in Planetside 2.

[DreaM]

Originally Posted by Firefly

All empire-specific.

And this not-looting/not-hacking shit is stupid. "Waaa we can't afford it!" ... not my fucking fault, maybe SOE's masterminds shouldn't have made dumb business decisions that fucked up the budget. Less gay elves, more hacking/looting in Planetside 2.

I'd rather they just make a solid game and possibly add the fluff aspects later on.

[Chaff]

Originally Posted by Firefly

All empire-specific.

And this not-looting/not-hacking shit is stupid. "Waaa we can't afford it!" ... not my fucking fault, maybe SOE's masterminds shouldn't have made dumb business decisions that fucked up the budget. Less gay elves, more hacking/looting in Planetside 2.

Poaching weapons off the enemy, and hacking their vehicles is not only fun - it's REALISTIC. It's LAME if SOE chooses NOT to put this in right from the start.

IF the new Gameplay & environment are INCREDIBLE....then I will allow SOE permission to add weapon poaching and vehicle hacking back in 3 to 6 months after PS2 is rocking.

[FIREk]

Empire-specific all the way, budget and manpower permitting.

Even if it's the same common-pool stuff (stats-wise) with different models, particle effects and sounds.

To be honest, though, I think only the VS really need their own variants. It looks weird when the VS use blam-blam guns when the majority of their weaponry is pew-pew based.

NC and TR would probably be fine using poven technology.

I'm thinking Tribes 2-style grav-bikes in place of ATVs.

Assorted grav-vehicles for the utility stuff (transport, Harasser equivalent etc).

A Vanu laser/beam sniper rifle (Bolt-Driver equivalent) that needs to be manually reloaded to replace an overheated cartridge-like heat sink, in order to allow for a second shot. Much like it's done in Mass Effect 2.

Or a Vanu Punisher that is simply another beam assault rifle, only with a grenade launcher. I kind of imagine the Punisher being absent in PS2 and replaced with weapon customization for already existing empire-specific assault rifles.

I can't really see how to make the Thumper and Rocklet more Vanu-like, though. Just make them look more sleek, without the big revolver mag, only with a big capacitor that allows them to fire orbs or bolts of energy, respectively?

Not sure about aircraft, though...

[BorisBlade]

ES variants of weapons that are really more just a visual difference, aka different projectile look and weapon model but act the same otherwise, those are fine and simple to do.

But when they start tryin to get them to work differently it quickly can become a balance issue. Look at the MA weaps. Which in basic function are exactly the same, only the fire rates/damage per hit are really different which seems easy to balance. The cycler seems fine with its lower damage because of its higher fire rate which in theory should be the same overall. But due to the nature of ranged burst fire, how that interacts with bloom, the way armor absorbs damage, etc. It ends up being quite inferior. And dont get me started on the HA weaps.....those are a nightmare. It could all be fixed but its not as simple as you would think sometimes.

I like the empires to play a bit different but its a delicate line in a game like this. Giving advantages in some situations to certain empires just frustrates the others. Luckily the customization aspects could allow for features that allow every weapon to all have the same functional aspects with different tweaks or mods. Atleast to some extent.

[Rbstr]

Originally Posted by BorisBlade

ES variants of weapons that are really more just a visual difference, aka different projectile look and weapon model but act the same otherwise, those are fine and simple to do.

Now that's just a waste of everyones' time. If they're going to be identical besides skin, save the effort.

[EASyEightyEight]

With weapon customization, I imagine a few of the common pool weaponry has been rendered rather obsolete. For instance, I don't doubt for a second in PS2 I can attach an underslung grenade launcher to my Cycler, or underslung shotgun, or bayonet... or even a darklight (that'd be cool.) Handgun modifications may make the AMP largely pointless to have in game.

I believe with customization, sticking to empire specific weaponry and ditching the CP weaponry won't be too detrimental to PS2. I will miss the look and feel of my Punisher though. Such an awesome weapon.

[NapalmEnima]

Originally Posted by EASyEightyEight

With weapon customization, I imagine a few of the common pool weaponry has been rendered rather obsolete. For instance, I don't doubt for a second in PS2 I can attach an underslung grenade launcher to my Cycler, or underslung shotgun, or bayonet... or even a darklight (that'd be cool.)

That just gave me a Flash of Inspiriation:

Empire Specific Customizations.

Not at all sure what those might be, but I do like the concept.

Ah. The brain cells are firing again:

Empire Specific Decimator customizations:
NC: bigger warhead, slower projectile
TR: Sub-munitions! Not quite "high rate of fire", but reasonably similar.
VS: (much?) faster projectile.

Empire specific grenade launcher customizations for standard rifle[s]:
NC: Rail accelerator gives the GL faster projectiles and longer range.
TR: Rate Of Fire. 3 grenades instead of 2 (fer instance), full auto option.
VS: Groovy Energy Grenades. Uses standard VS energy ammo instead of specific grenade ammo, but can still do some semblance of the usual grenade effects.

[basti]

I said it years ago and i say it once more: I want empire specific Assault Aircrafts, Empire Specific Gal Gunships, Empire Specific EVERYTHING. Common pool is nice, but empire specific stuff really rocks everything. But that needs to come with jacking vehicles.