Looks like a sweet concept! I hope it turns out well!

Greetings All,

It has been a long road getting here, but we're finally listed.  Its great to be here.
For clarification, Force of Arms is a Sci-Fi system and not Fantasy (going to get that corrected soon I hope).

Force of Arms is currently in a Pre-Alpha Stage.

We (Wardogs) are part of the next wave of independent developers of providing MMO’s to niche markets.  Force of Arms is designed as a sophisticated game system and reviewing the construction system or the Mech Specifications should confirm it.  We are part of the Multiverse Network and have presented at the Austin Game Conference ’06 and the Game Developer Conference ’07. 

We welcome comments and feedback.

Wow now if we could build a variety of mechs including some that can also terraform and do other things other than fight then sign me up, sounds like a wonderful concept.

Most MMO's limit your ability to build, that would be radical if that was allowed.

Originally posted by Ciredric

Wow now if we could build a variety of mechs including some that can also terraform and do other things other than fight then sign me up, sounds like a wonderful concept.

Most MMO's limit your ability to build, that would be radical if that was allowed.

I have watched too many independent mech games be announced and then fade away since the 'Mech series was shelved by Microsoft to even get my hopes up any more.  That said, good luck getting it out the door and avoiding a lawsuit. :)

Thank you all for your comments.

Well one way to avoid IP Lawsuits with Microsoft or Wizkids, is to simply not use MechWarrior/BattleTech (TM) all together.  We have our own original IP and the Mech (abbreviated for Mechanized Armor and not as 'Mech (TM)) Construction System is not of Microsoft or WizKids.  I do agree, that I too have seen too many copies of MechWarrior/BattleTech (TM) come along and unable to generate revenue due to copyright and trademark protection.  I would wished that these groups had spent the time to make their own IP.  However, apparently this was never going to happen and so it is up to us to make it happen.

Please review the Mech Construction System and the two Mech Specifications to get an idea of the level of detail to be used.  

I have watched some of the development of this game and Im slightly curious.  I noticed some of the models in the game are the same ones used in "DropTeam" why is that? 

By the way..add cool dmage effects! nothing would rock more than to slowly blast your enemy to pieces

Great to read of another small indie team making a stab into the market.

And it is with mechs!  I wonder if we are going to see the same with mechs as we have seen with Pirate games.

"Oh my, look at this game, it has a crowd.  We better jump on the bandwagon too."

Well good luck to you, its good to see the indie devs are actually exploring new possibilities for MMO's, lord knows the mainstream is so stuck on generic fantasy levelers its pathetic.

Are you sure you aren't going to add elves, dwarves, generic endgame raids or something lol....just kidding. My fingers are crossed for you

Originally posted by guy232

I have watched some of the development of this game and Im slightly curious.  I noticed some of the models in the game are the same ones used in "DropTeam" why is that? 

I know I do dislike when tough questions go unanswered and thus figure that there must be something to hide.  Since we do like to state that we are to be open with the user community, well then tough questions should not go unanswered.

For the current stage of development we are using licensed OTC (Over The Counter) models (or so that is the coined term) for secondary purposes (buildings, turrets and vehicles).  Primary models, in this case at the current time are Mechs; which are being made as original models.  We did use one purchased robot model for testing, which has now been phased out.  So why use OTC models?

Here are a few reasons and there are more, but I think these will suffice:
- They (OTC models) keep development costs down and allows for a visualization of the game world.  Which in my opinion is better than looking at cubes, spheres, and cylinders.
- Such models allow programmers and content designers to perform work and do not need to wait up on for the modelers to create assets.
- From informal surveys, seems that the majority of the player base has not seen such models before; with an increase awareness in the developer base.
- Using existing models is similar to using licensed designs from other IP.  For example (though done illegally), BattleTech ™ used Macross ™ and Fang of the Sun ™ mech designs for the initial set of mechs.  The same principle is at work as well.  And yes we do plan on attempting to acquire licenses/permission for existing mech designs.
- The OTC models are expected to be phased out before the title goes live.
- Though most of the screenshots show of OTC models, they do provide what capabilities there will be; for example flight and 1:1 scale.

So was it premature to seek a listing on MMORPG.Com, while using OTC models?
I do not think so.  The primary reason for this is that we are bringing in a new IP title.  The general consensus is that when bringing in a new IP, a community needs to be grown.  The community starts small and it takes time to socialize the IP.  As we move forward we will be releasing new screenshots and information, allowing people to see the progress and gain interest.

I hope that answers the question and shows our intent of being open with the community. 

Hope you dont mind but im very tempted to copy and paste this response on on a game development forum I visit. Because its a very smart way to show the capability of an engine without having to spend countless hours developing your own models/animation.  I know that I and many other mech fans and amature game devs wish you guys the best, hopefuly being the new kid on the block of mmos wont make you intimidated by it all. 

Best of luck and hope too see more cool screens+ingame vids soon

Thanks, and by all means, please do refer to that post or copy and paste it.

I would like to have some credt if you do not mind, but hey, if you don't, no worries.  I would just like to eventually become a subject matter expert.    (plus if you get any flammers, you can blame me)

We're hoping to pave the way for future amature game developers, showing that is it indeed possible to make their dreams come true.