[Interview] Bionic Marine Command Online: The Best Scifi in a Sandbox

SBFord

Bionic Marine Command Online is a new game that is settling into early alpha testing. By all reports, it combines the best scifi has to offer into a unique sandbox experience. We had the chance to interview Terrance from Space Dwarves Entertainment about BMCO to find out more.

Read more of Rob Lashley's Bionic Marine Command Online: The Best of Scifi in a Sandbox.

SomeOldBloke

"a creative sandbox RPG and MOBA entry in the storied space opera genre"... err what?

and... this looks like the Repopulation.

Sevala

Originally posted by mbd1968

"a creative sandbox RPG and MOBA entry in the storied space opera genre"... err what?

and... this looks like the Repopulation.

^^This^^ +2

How does MOBA and RPG even remotely relate? MOBA's are like the opposite of RPGs, nearly so much they might as well be considered FPS games or RTS, at least they share way more in common with those than RPG. Not to mention the word sandbox casually tossed in there gives this entire thing a "wtf?" vibe.

 

Unless....Its more like a RPG with mini-game type activities that include something like a MOBA with mechs, which takes place in space, and has a few "sandbox like" aspects.

Pretndr01

Even if it's f2p, I have a hard time with games that look like anarchy online in 2015. Personal preference I guess.

BTrayaL

The video was supposed to impress?

Leethe

Some of the better steam green light sandboxes out there tend to be big on vision but small on staff and budget. Have a look at Starmade as it's the perfect example. While the video is a bit blah it sound cool enough to investigate further. 

MrMoonKnight

Originally posted by Sevala

Originally posted by mbd1968

"a creative sandbox RPG and MOBA entry in the storied space opera genre"... err what?

and... this looks like the Repopulation.

^^This^^ +2

How does MOBA and RPG even remotely relate? MOBA's are like the opposite of RPGs, nearly so much they might as well be considered FPS games or RTS, at least they share way more in common with those than RPG. Not to mention the word sandbox casually tossed in there gives this entire thing a "wtf?" vibe.

 

Unless....Its more like a RPG with mini-game type activities that include something like a MOBA with mechs, which takes place in space, and has a few "sandbox like" aspects.

Hey, I'm Chris. I'm one of the devs on BMCO. The MOBA aspect of our game is more of a standalone Mech battler that isn't intricately tied to the more traditional RPG and space piloting missions. 

We left internal alpha just 2 weeks ago and part of our goal is being transparent and treating players respectfully. We're not going to be deceptive in presentations and carefully construct fake, scripted scenarios that will only serve to disappoint players later.  

 

With that being said, we're always looking to improve and welcome constructive criticism. We're a relatively small indie studio that's been working hard in game for several months now. 

Here's our Greenlight and bundle that our game is in.  We're working with another small indie partner studio that is making Utherous, a more traditional steampunk and fantasy RPG.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=375226006

MrMoonKnight

Originally posted by Leethe
Some of the better steam green light sandboxes out there tend to be big on vision but small on staff and budget. Have a look at Starmade as it's the perfect example. While the video is a bit blah it sound cool enough to investigate further. 

 

Thanks. We're being VERY careful to prevent scope creep. We're fully aware of how terrible things can go when people try to go out of their depth with grandiose plans. 

Nilden

It's hard to even keep a straight face after reading the name alone for this game. Is this game trying to be a huge joke?

kinkyJalepeno

Wow a total clone of Repop and they could of at least polished up those shooting animations..  They were totally diss-jointed...  Alpha yes but if you are going to showcase some shooting, at least have a coherent and correct animation for it... 

 

Wasn't impressed at all with anything in the video..  Oh and the games name is laughable..  If thats the limit of the studios imagination, they are in for a very rough ride...

 

 

daltanious

Originally posted by Wolfhammer

Wow a total clone of Repop and they could of at least polished up those shooting animations..  They were totally diss-jointed...  Alpha yes but if you are going to showcase some shooting, at least have a coherent and correct animation for it...  

Actually shooting animations are best part compared to that horror of knife vs. gun animation. :-)

Wasn't impressed at all with anything in the video..  Oh and the games name is laughable..  If thats the limit of the studios imagination, they are in for a very rough ride...

 

At the end game may even looks decent but companies should never release videos with game in this state.

Still I'm used to try anything that have at least few conditions fulfilled like mouse used to move around and keys 0-9 for spells, 3rd person view, >1 toolbar for spells&abilities, ... this for me are absolute must to even consider trying.

Mitara

NOT an impressive video, the character animations are horrendous...

Nicco77

Sorry but this is garbage,every day greenlight gets filled with all sort of ugly games,really steam should close that section and also stop the early access program.

knightots

All those things that people are ripping about this game seem a bit overblown for a an alpha video. Sure should they have released a promo in this state? the answer to that is doubtful, but I appreciate that they're not bullshitting people about where their game is at. So many games promo themselves with sleek cinematics that ultimately resemble nothing of what the game is actually like. I watched their stream for a bit last week and it was actually pretty entertaining, and fixed some of those problems already. They swore up and down that the content will be significantly updated by their stream next thursday, and fix many of the major issues like wonky animations. I'll pop on over there and check it out when it's up again to see if they've progressed and get back to yall.

Uriel1339

My name is Andreas and also a Developer of this game, like MrMoonKnight / Chris. I understand your frustration regards graphics and animation, but you must also see that our business practice of 100% transparency is so you can follow the progress from start to finish and see how hard we work on it. Furthermore we do this so that YOU can give us YOUR input of how the game should be.

Open Development is relatively new in the Game Industry and is especially important in Online games as YOU need to have fun and the ability to express yourself. Come to the streams every two weeks and you will see if we progress to your liking or not. You can ask questions during them, too. Not to forget we have our own forums where you also can discuss and share ideas!

Wizardry

I don't get the MOBA part but that is a good thing,i can't stand Moba's.

I was to label this game it looks 100% like Anarchy Online meets Tabula Rasa.

The 6 shooter hand gun looks way out of place here and seems to have an amazing kickback lol.

This game imo would need a lot of work and some VERY special unique ideas to make it,i just don't see it happening here.

The models although look different somehow also look identical with a different skin and re-sized.