T-Ray Tweets New NC Asset (Wants our Feedback!)

[kaffis]

I love it. Two things to note:

I disagree with CutterJohn -- I like the stuff around the barrels. Some of the bits look like they might be magnetic field inducers for a gauss weapon or something, the semi-circular "rings" around the mid-barrel section, namely.

My criticism, though, is that the handle on top looks like it's too far to the rear for the weapon to balance well, which would mean you'd be putting a lot of vertical force on the handle with the trigger. I don't think that would make for a very stable aiming platform. Shift the top handle forward 4-6", and it would look a lot more stable.

[kaffis]

Originally Posted by T-Ray

The frame holds the magnets in place. I guess I could find another way to mount them, thanks

Keep the magnets, however you mount them!

[FastAndFree]

magnets was a strong hint. And no railgun would ever need more than 2 rails. Plus the 6 "barrels" are solid...

This must really be a coilgun! But then that barrel is massive

[SniperSteve]

this model reminds me of something i would expect to see on a vehicle or a base, not something hand-held.

[Raymac]

Originally Posted by SniperSteve

this model reminds me of something i would expect to see on a vehicle or a base, not something hand-held.

Except for, you know, the handles.

[EASyEightyEight]

Another thing we (may) have to keep in mind: they may limit the number of "holding" animations like they did in Planetside 1. If you'll remember, player characters only ever held weapons in 2 ways: pressed against the shoulder, or at the hip. It's why the MCG was designed the way it was, and I felt it looked goofy and off balance then (yet no one complains? Hrmmm....)

We could very well see those same 2 again + maybe 2 more (foregrip, Minigun balance bar.) If we look at it that way, it's forgivable for the weapon to seem a bit off balance.

And my thought processes on all factions getting similar weapons are as follows:

SOE wants everyone to play on a single server ala EVE (Possible? Stay tuned to find out!)

A player will only have access to one empire per server.

Far as we know, there is no weapon looting in game. By extension, vehicle hijacking.

If we assume one massive server, with only one empire per account, and no weapon looting/scavenging, it makes sense for SOE to give everyone an MCG that performs how one would expect an MCG to perform for that given Empire: TR's wall of lead vs NC's miniature cannon shells vs VS' rainbow laser beam of death. A TR jackhammer would be fast (think PS1's,) the NC sporting a weapon once used for mining that instead emits a sound wave that shatters bone and metal alike, and damage is simply determined by distance from the weapon, not pellets hit, while VS get the switch modes of the Scat Max! Going from a dozen needles at short range to a lasher plasma ball for long range!

In short, I believe, unless most players are willing to shell out $150-$180 big ones (under the impression PS2 will be B2P, F2P used only in terms of monthly subs) to enjoy all 3 empires, this is SOE's way of making sure everyone gets to enjoy a large variety of weaponry, and choosing a faction comes down to preferences, not "they have the noobhammer." Also note as a result: it totally ****s with the fourth empire, and that's always a plus.

[Straws]

I need to see it attached to the MAX unit before I can make any judgement. Without seeing scaled comparisons, I can't determine how it appears, aesthetically, with the theme of the NC.

However, it does appear a bit "busy" at the moment, but that's probably because I'm only focused on it. It's like saying a spoiler is too big for a car before putting it anywhere near the car (sorry, it's the only analogy I could think of).

[CrystalViolet]

Here's a quicky sketch of how I'd design the front section of the gun. the frame is based off a hex "birdcage" type of design.

[Wizkid45]

Make it purple/teal and shoot lasers

[Traak]

The gun is a good, a, heavy-duty somehow industrial-looking slug thrower that obviously needs the power augmentation of either a Heavy Assault armor trooper or a MAX to use and control.

Here's what I would change: nothing.

[xSquirtle]

Seem oddly familiar to the PS1 MCG. Thought the NC where all about shot burst high impact guns?

[SKYeXile]

Originally Posted by xSquirtle

Seem oddly familiar to the PS1 MCG. Thought the NC where all about shot burst high impact guns?

Nah just the high impact, see gauss.

Cant you comprehend a minigun that fires powerful rounds extreamly fast?

NC: Balanced.

[Xyntech]

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

NC: Balanced.

TR: Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced

VS: Fabulous

I see no losers here.

[BorisBlade]

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

NC: Balanced.

Originally Posted by Xyntech

TR: Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced Balanced

VS: Fabulous

I see no losers here.

ROFL! WIN!!!!

[BlazingSun]

Too bad I've only just found this thread. Sadly I don't really like the original design ... hard to tell how it looks now and probably too late to add anything.

For a NC 'minigun' I was hoping for a 3 barreled version. The gun beeing fully encased and the barrels only visible from the the front. The cross-section of the encasement beeing an upside down triangle with cut off corners.

I really don't like the shabby look the NCs are getting

PS: I'd also love belt-fed miniguns with the ammo pack beeing on the soldiers back!