Quarter 1 2023 Check-In
Added 2023-03-22 18:14:35 +0000 UTCHey folks, BD here!
It's been a hot minute since I updated here, but I think y'all are aware of why. December saw the release of the Sanctuary Worlds project. January saw the release of another quad mech as well as getting the wiki up and running again (still in progress but we're getting there!). February and March saw the release of our newest subsystem, SPAM, which lets us expand the factions you fight against to include canon mercenary units and Great House subcommands.
Now, what does the future hold for BTA? Quite a bit, as it turns out! As I've been demoing on stream (over on Twitch, come check it out, same name and icon there as here, bloodydoves) I have been working on a large new MechBay system overhaul and upgrade. The core mod behind our MechBay systems is called MechEngineer and has been getting updated over the past year. BTA has held off due to tech debt and due to time limitations, but now is the time to finally update! However, it's proving pretty complicated and is eating much of my time.
The upside here though is what updated MechEngineer permits. There is an entire roster of things that updated ME can let me do: I can make new hardpoint types (such as artillery or LAM bombs or battle armor hardpoints); using other updated mods I can make proper PPC Capacitors and Artemis IV systems that truly "attach" to other gear dynamically in the mechbay; there are major speed improvements for the mod over all; and more besides. It's pretty exciting stuff, but time consuming.
But, that's not all! After this update, BTA will be on the cutting-edge of our framework mods and it'll be time to make new content. I have a big list of things I want to do, including but not limited to:
-Expand LAMs, add more bombs, make new LAM variants, get them out into the world a little more.
-Make a brand-new Periphery techbase and expand the Periphery tech that currently exists. More rocket types, more rifle/cannon types, some new weapon attachments for such weapons, new armor/structure/engine types maybe. More variants that use all this tech. The goal is to make the Periphery more *interesting* to play around in. Not necessarily more powerful but more interesting and worth spending some time out there to experience.
-There's a secret project I can't yet talk about, but I can say this: fans of a specific niche of BT history will find it very enjoyable. Keep your eyes open for that.
There's a little bit of a look into what BTA has coming. 2023 is looking bright for BTA content, I'm excited to show it to you all!
Have a good one, folks, and I'll see you on the battlefield.
BD
Comments
So, MRMs are actually pretty ok currently in my experience. They're not super interesting weapons but they do good damage and have respectable range. They will be getting a change in that how Apollo works will be changing (which also includes a buff to Apollo).
Hextoler
2023-03-23 15:30:02 +0000 UTCThanks for being here! Appreciate it. :)
Hextoler
2023-03-23 15:27:34 +0000 UTCAny ideas on how MRMs might be spiced up to be a little more interesting? At the moment they seem like they're in a tough spot. You can get them early on, but the accuracy penalty and requirement for direct fire isn't a good fit for low skill pilots. Later on in a career when the accuracy penalty doesn't hurt so much, there's no real reason to bring MRMs instead of Clan LRMs, or ATMs. Maybe they can lean into the "shotgun" effect and fire in simultaneous 10 round clusters like LBX cannons with an inbuilt Crit bonus beyond what Apollo offers, or do more Stab damage since mechs are getting hit with 10 missiles at once instead of a steady trickle of LRMs?
Steve
2023-03-23 15:03:42 +0000 UTCJust wanted to say thanks! Bta 3062 breathes life back into a great game. I'm still running around post career just seeing whats out-there.
Thatoneguy85
2023-03-22 22:06:41 +0000 UTC
