When can we expect to see a MechLab?

[VictorMorson]

I'm just wondering if there is any time table on which we might be able to see a MechLab?  Honestly right now I think that is by far the thing hurting the longevity the most.  It's always been a huge part of MechWarrior and I know it's planned, but honestly without being able to modify and reconfigure designs, I think a lot of players trail off from active playing (which hurts the community in general) because there's only so many times you can run the same maps and missions without the extra flavor of re-design.

I must admit I'm hoping to hear this is a priority feature for the next patch, because - not just because I want it - I think the community will implode by the time it comes around if this is a "Several versions down the road" upgrade.  This feature adds immense re-playability.

[~SJ~Azov]

never...the monstrosities that would insue would be horrifying

[Freakazoid]

I'm guessing after the transition to crysis wars.

I am also not looking forward to it. It's a cool idea, but it's going to make balance a nightmare.

[KingLeerUK]

I'm just wondering if there is any time table on which we might be able to see a MechLab?  Honestly right now I think that is by far the thing hurting the longevity the most.  It's always been a huge part of MechWarrior and I know it's planned, but honestly without being able to modify and reconfigure designs, I think a lot of players trail off from active playing (which hurts the community in general) because there's only so many times you can run the same maps and missions without the extra flavor of re-design.

From my experience (both as KingLeerUK and ghosting under other names in-game/IRC) there seems to be a pretty even split in the community between those that want a MechLab and those that do not.  The team recognises that it is an intrinsic feature to the MechWarrior video game universe and we do have plans for it, but I think it's a stretch to say that the playerbase will walk away if it is not made available with the immediacy you seem to require.

I must admit I'm hoping to hear this is a priority feature for the next patch, because - not just because I want it - I think the community will implode by the time it comes around if this is a "Several versions down the road" upgrade.  This feature adds immense re-playability.

Right now we have prioritised new game types over the 'MechLab due to our current resource set on the team.  The next content patch (currently roadmapped as 0.5.0, post Wars 0.4.0) will contain at least two new game modes: Free For All and Terrain Control.  Our feeling is that new game types beyond simple team deathmatch (Solaris Arena) will greatly expand the ways that MWLL is played.  Couple these with Team Tickets, Individual Tickets, Clan vs IS mode... well, you get the idea.
 
The MechLab implementation needs to be approached carefully and thoughtfully to ensure that it doesn't completely bork the balance of the game.  I don't have anything "official" say in terms of timelines or features, but I personally have a strong preference for making MechLab generated designs a server-configurable option (a la cvar s_mechlab_enabled 1) AND when they are enabled to make any designs that are customised have a premium C-Bill cost for doing so, therefore giving preference to stock variants.  Since my personal preferences will likely have an influence on things, it might give you an idea how things are leaning, but there are other voices on the team that will speak into the design just as much.  All of this is up  in the air right now, so please be patient.

[Profane Arbiter]

Osiris with 5 LBX20 and 1 small pulse laser here I come. 

[SquareSphere }12thVR{]

Thanks for the insightful update Leer.  I love all the doom sayers with the talk of "xyz" needs to happen or the player base will walk away.  Yeah been hearing that since 010.  While the mechlab is very MW in legacy, I'm in the boat of hoping it's one of the "last" things to go in.

[Snowball]

In my opinion, it should be the last thing to go in, as time spent fiddling with it to make it work and balancing it right so we don't see doom boats is better spent fixing bugs and adding more important feature.

Not to mention that despite the devs' best efforts, someone will figure out how to make the most ridiculous thing and go around killing poor Mechwarriors and absolutely nuking the new player playerbase.

If it comes in too early, then the rest of the devs' time will be spent making it work right, and that'll slow the release of other features down to a crawl.  As much as I would like to make a horrifying Heavy Medium Laser Puma and C.R.A.P. all over people, I'd much rather see more maps/gametypes/bug fixes.  I see it more as the little cherry on top than one of the flavors of ice cream.

[Cujo]

Because I've got cars on the brain...the engine is barely running, don't bolt on the aftermarket turbo or new headers until after you've got the engine running smooth, so to speak
in other words, mechlab should be low priority at this point.

[~SJ~ Atlessa]

Because I've got cars on the brain...the engine is barely running, don't bolt on the aftermarket turbo or new headers until after you've got the engine running smooth, so to speak
in other words, mechlab should be low priority at this point.

QFFT

Quoted for f*cking truth

[DFDelta]

As much as I would like to try some of my many selfmade variants ingame, I really hope the devs wait with implenting the mechlab until almost everything else is finished.

[sgnl05]

I agree. I want to see everything else working well and balanced well before the mechlab goes in, because there's no way it's going to be balanced on its first implementation and trying to fix it when there are still other issues with the game would be a nightmare.

[~SJ~KorbinWimmer]

I'm seriously not concerned about the mechlab at all.  It might be a neat feature way down the road, but I like the game as is.   And if you're concerned about limited choices we have at least 45 more variants to be introduced into the game that's about a 40% increase in variants (going from unreleased Wiki mechs not including any 'surprise' mechs like the hellbringer was... although it could work both ways I guess). 

[Zaro27]

Honestly, all I'd do is put a fappton of Small Lasers on an Atlas. Maybe Micro Pulse Lasers if they find their way into the game.

I'd just dick around, basically, so I'm fine with a lack of Mechlab.

[Snowball]

(going from unreleased Wiki mechs not including any 'surprise' mechs like the hellbringer was... although it could work both ways I guess).

I'm pretty sure that the devs had said that all the mechs on the wiki list are almost 100% guaranteed to make it into the final release, so yeah, we have at least that many more mechs and variants to look forward to, though with the past release record, it should come as no surprise when other mechs make it in (like the Osiris and Loki).  That alone is a huge jump in content, disregarding all the possible BA, tank, hover, vtol, and aero assets that could make it in as well, not to mention more maps and gametypes.  MWLL is definitely not lacking in terms of planned and confirmed content.

[SquareSphere }12thVR{]

The main features to balance the mech lab will be BAs and aeros.  Why?  The preferred weapons to defeat those assets do not necessarily overlapped with with anti armor weapons.

LRM, 10-20 ACs, Grifles can be used but they take either a lot of luck or skill to use against those assets

Energy weapons, are good for their precision or splash (laser, ppc respectively) but still take a moderate level of skill to use.

Small caliber weapons, srms, pulse laser are all the preferred weapons to take out air assets and BAs.

As long as people field air and BA assets and remain a threat, most mech builders will have to keep that mind with building their configs.