Battletech/Mechwarrior MMO Please?

GrayShadow

I don't know how many of you have played battletech/mechwarrior/mech assault or Mechwarrior: Dark Ages, but I've always been a big fan of the universe; the books, the games, everything.

For a while my thirst for more BT was quenched by Battletech: 3020 an online mechwarrior-esque game with sub-par graphics, but a lot of fun, and then after that, the "twitch-ified" Mech Assault and MA 2 for X-Box. But really now, this setting has the potential to be an interesting MMO. I'd love to see what others think about this, and hear their input about special features etc.

I think the difficult part would be merging the RPG and Mechwarrior systems so that you get a fine balance of player skill and pilot advancement.

There would be several modes of play:

Simulator Training (PvE AND PvP): Used as a tutorial to new players, hone the skills of your pilot/guild (though not as much as real combat), and test out new mech designs/variations. Use simulator scores to impress potential recruiters.

Mission (PvE): Take your mech, a lance, or a company of friends (or guildmates) and embark on PvE missions that scale to your groups numbers/quality and offer similar rewards. Don't be fooled, however, this is still very real and your mech can be damaged/destroyed and your Pilot can be killed. Such missions are usually against second-line troops and solahma, and as such will not provide much in the way of improvement over your current mech.

Repel the Invasion (Raiding Quality PvE): Save the Inner Sphere from the Clan Invasion. Battle warriors with superior training and technology in a highly competitive setting which offers great risk and great reward (Clan Tech).

Conquest (PvP): The real thing, your mech could be damaged or destroyed, planets are won and lost, and resources change hands. Winners collect salvage from defeated enemy mechs to repair and upgrade their own equipment. Commanders attack in real-time, with perhaps 15-30 minute wait times on planet sieges to allow both sides to queue up. Any queue that is not full will be replaced with an NPC mech/aero-space fighter, and the attack will continue as normal. Reinforcements can enter the battle as it goes, and after the specified amount of time is up, the engagement is over, and the winner takes that part of the planet and the resources that belong to it.

Solaris (PvP): Arena combat, battle for prestige or honor in the controlled arena environment. Prove that you are the greatest Mechwarrior in the galaxy and use your hard-earned victory credits to upgrade your mech or start your own mercenary company.

Features:
-Choose a faction:
Inner Sphere: Solid resource backing and able to bring large amounts of well-equipped mechs to battle.
Mercenary: Sell your skills to the highest bidder, intervene in planetary stuggles and take some of the spoils for yourself!
Pirate: Stage quick Hit and Run attacks on Inner Sphere and Merc camps, stealing their resources then beating a hasty retreat.
-Battle the Clan Threat and battle for the protection of the Inner Sphere.
-Fight over wartorn planets for valuable resources, credits, mechs, and salvage. The longer you hold a planet, the more resources your faction (and you) will recieve to upgrade their mechs.
-Fight your enemy not in only on the ground with Mechs but also with squads of Conventional Armor, and Power Infantry! Dominate the skies, and in space with Dropships, Warships, and Aero-Space Fighters.
-A rank based system (system that rewards actual player skill and character advancement, not number of battles fought, or time online) that dictates what kind of mech/equipment a player can have and use effectively.

Give me your thoughts, and if you haven't experienced Battletech/Mechwarrior before, I highly encourage you to read some of the novels!

Cheers,
Gray Shadow