MechWarrior Online Interview Series
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ZAM: One problem with progression-based games is striking that balance between progression and skill, where players feel they're advancing and getting stronger, while still putting skill at the forefront of each competition. Do you have any systems in place to help with achieving that balance?
Paul: We do this on two levels; the Mech XP tree and the Pilot Tree. As players play the game, they gain XP for the BattleMech they use. This allows them to unlock technology for that BattleMech's chassis. For every tier that they level, they earn a pilot point. These pilot points are then spent in the pilot tree where players unlock modules that enhance the piloting aspects of a BattleMech. The modules are unlocked and placed in the store where players can purchase them with C-Bills, the in-game currency.
Modules can be considered as an interface between the BattleMech control and targeting systems that the pilot has modified based on his/her experience with the BattleMech chassis. This is the progression part of the equation you're talking about.
Skill will always be skill in MWO. The underlying meta game does not affect the efficiency of the player. Players will always need to bring their own skill to the battlefield in order to be successful.
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ZAM: For our final question, what about players who just want to see the world burn? By that, I mean that, given MechWarrior Online's big focus on team play and communication, are there any systems in place to prevent some players from simply disrupting games or taking bribes from the other team to "throw" a match?
Paul: Well there are two systems in place to make sure this kind of stuff doesn't happen. The first system addresses the second part of your question (yeah, I like to switch it up like that). We have taken all steps necessary to prevent "gold farming" in MechWarrior Online. This includes the fact that players will not be able to share currency with each other, so being paid off isn't going to happen.
A kick and report a player system will be active in the match which will help alleviate the grief players. We will eventually allow the player to use a direct to Help Desk live interface to help/support.
