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The year is 3040, and you are Daniel Holdt, Lead Battlemech Designer for the tiny startup Skvorec

Armorworks. And so far, things are going pretty well for you.

Your boss, Goddard Grey, recently arranged for you to meet up with an arms dealer, and Janine Steiner, the

resident Matron of Money, secured the venture. Turns out Goddard and Vincent, the arms dealer, knew each

other in a previous life, and a deal far beyond what anyone could have predicted was worked out. You came

away with a laundry list of new components, as well as extra Cbills for your company's coffers.

As the day unfolds, you've been informed that you require a shower. Ivan and the fabricators are busy with

the UrbanMech you found in the cache, and everyone else seems to be MIA. You also realize you haven't eaten

all day.

It's early afternoon, and you have the rest of the day ahead to do what you will.

So what will you do?
>>
>>21863382

(and then my name got eaten)

Previous threads:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21368164/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21423338/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21481062/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21559682/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21632792/

(the archive seems to be down? maybe it will fix itself soon)
>>
>>21863382
First take a shower, we've been neglecting our personal hygiene for too long. Then we get some lunch/breakfast. Once the niggling details that are part of being a human being are dealt with we can return to ENGINEERING!
>>
IT LIVES
>>
>>21863471
Seconding this.

Also, were there some outstanding emails? I can't remember or check the archive.
>>
>>21863471
This, and coffee.
>>
>>21863412

List of components you now own:

1x Medium Beam Laser
1x Large Beam Laser
1x Ten-tube Long Range Missile Rack
3x LRM ammo
2x SRM ammo
2x 76mm Autocannon ammo
5x Heat Sinks
1x Medium Mech Actuator Set (Full)
1x Light Mech Acctuator Set (Full)
GM Fusion Engine 175
Strand Fusion Engine 245
2x Autocannon 45mm Small Bore
2x 4-tube Short-Range Semi-guided Missile System
2x Small-Beam Laser
1x Fusion-powered Flamer Unit
3x 5-tube Long-Range Semi-guided Missile System
>>
>>21863412
Here's an alt to sup/tg/

http://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/subject/MechEngineer%20Quest/

For those that are lazy or don't know about foolz.
>>
File: 1354512159709.gif-(500 B, 84x72, Aeneas_2.gif)
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Oh, good. I've been waiting to post these altered sprites for the 'Mech, which I presume is still called the Aeneas.
>>
File: 1354512195454.gif-(541 B, 84x72, Aeneas_3.gif)
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>>21863565
>>
>>21863531
Coffee is an integral part of breakfast.

>>21863522
I can't think of any, though I could be mistaken. I think we sent the emails out asking people to get proper measurements of the reactor and those ought to be waiting for us when we get back.
>>
>>21863471
>>21863531

You scratch your head, grimace at the flakes, and head towards the barracks to get a shower in. Coffee awaits in your office afterwards.

>>21863522

(Not that I know of. Correct me if I am wrong, the archive is being a douche for me so I can't check the last thread,)
>>
I'm new, just gonna lurk until I understand what's going on, just wanted to say ya had another viewer/player.
>>
>>21863595
Showering, shaving, brushing our teeth! We're going to be clean now.

>>21863602
We're an engineer, a machine that turns coffee and cigarettes into mech designs.
>>
>>21863565
>>21863578

Current operational name is still the Hazard Pay, I do believe.
>>
>>21863631
That's our in-house name for the prototype design. People thought we wouldn't find many buyers for a Battlemech with that name.
>>
>>21863658
How did the Draconis Combine slip folks in here?!
>>
You emerge from your shower, refreshed and smelling less like a foot and more like a human tobacco-conversion factory. You light a smoke and get dressed, the craving for coffee foremost on your mind.

Right behind it is the myriad of opportunities the recent haul has opened up for the Hazard Pay. And of course, it is all up to you to decide what to do with your new windfall.

As you are leaving, you run into Ivan heading in to shower himself. He's covered in soot and grease, and wearing a huge grin.

"Engineer! The Crazy Ivan is coming together! I am fixing the linkages on the right arm so mounting weapon will be easy. Was wrecked to much hell, but that is nothing for Ivan!"
>>
>>21863680

They didn't, that was me being derp and having this thread and L5R general next to each other.

Ignore it and carry on.

Let's get some burning hygiene going on.
>>
>>21863694

Great news, Ivan! What's he planning to link up to the right arm?
>>
>>21863694
If we haven't already, tell him to thank whoever made our ashtray.

Get more details on the urbie and ask if he would be up to making a scary-face for the HZP when we finish the designs.
>>
>>21863741
>>21863747

"Well, for what I am hearing we are having all of the weapons now, eh?"

He clasps your shoulder.

"Janine is wizard with Cbills. it is too bad Ivan is wed to his work, or he might want to be wed to her instead! She can drink, find money from thin airs, and looks much better than a fat Tikanovian could hope for! I am so happy to see so many pretty toys for mounting on the Crazy Ivan and the Hazard Pay!"

When he mentions the HZP, you bring up the question of 'intimidating' armor design.

He guffaws. "Yes! Yes! We are making a tiny Atlas! A mini Banshee! I will do proud for you, Engineer! You can count on Ivan. You can tell me what you want, or leave it to me. I promise either way I will make you very very happy."
>>
>>21863840

"I don't feel like I need to quote Kerensky on the Atlas at you. Make the most terrifying armor you could mount on a light."
>>
>>21863840
"Can you give it teeth? A big, nasty, skeletal grin?"
>>
>>21863840
"Can you make it smile? Because I want it to look like a grinning specter of the battlefield."
>>
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>>21863885
>>21863923
Shame we don't have any stealth armor for HIDDEN MOVEMENT
>>
>>21863858
>>21863885
>>21863923

He grins.

"A grinning devil eh? Tiny fast little imp that is stabbing the back of the enemy! I am no artist with a pencil but I am having steel and ceramite! I will do this for you, but the only scary thing right now is my smell, so I will wait to be hearing from you for cockpit dimensions so I can be fabricating your death-face!"

He excuses himself to shower, leaving you to your devices.

What's the plan Daniel?
>>
>>21863971
Food! We haven't eaten for a while, can't code on an empty stomach.
>>
>>21863938
Jesus Christ

Excuse me. My PTSD is flaring up.
>>
>>21863971

Breakfast. Coffee, toast, nicotine. Bacon if possible.

Then, engineering.
>>
By the way, where is the manufactory? City? Countrysides?

What defenses do we have from raiders/other bandits?

A couple of weapons mounts are never a bad idea, if we have spare small lasers.
>>
>>21864025
We're kinda in the sticks, we're on a backwater planet and a decent distance away from the nearest city.

As for defenses, we've got the Crazy Ivan.
>>
>>21864025

(You're currently outside one of the larger cities on Skvorec, which houses one of two spaceports the planet offers. You're on a floodplain, with little cover, no walls, and only the main building is hardened in any way.)

>>21863988
>>21863995

You duck into the commissary and get some grub; pancakes, sausage, a sandwich, and some juice. You grab a tray and jaunt back up to your office to get some coffee to round out your meal.

Your throne awaits, and your computer sits ready. You have a new email, which was expected.

Hatamoto has supplied you with the measurements, and to your elation, they fall well within parameters. The HZP is go!

What now?
>>
>>21864084
Pray to the dice gods for mercy, then make our engineering rolls.
>>
>>21864084
Have our own little victory cheer.

Double check that it fights properly and that all the connections ought to work right. And then get back to work.

How far were we in the design?
>>
>>21864084
Send Hatamoto a reply to thank him for his work, then get to work designing mechs.
>>
>>21864084
We're sitting on a lot of hardware that is worth a c-bill bonanza. Do we at least have some guards with guns?

Meanwhile, let's get the specs up andrig a quick mock-up to scale.
>>
>>21864105
>>21864115
>>21864125

You crank out a quick email to Hatamoto thanking him, and bring up your layouts.

Progress so far:

You have a basic vectored chassis, with the engine mounted and an area designated for that. You have twin stacks of heat sinks on the back, between the shoulders and the 'spine'. You have torso-mounted weapon rails that will make any gear mounted in those locations much easier to work on and remove/install (not quite Omni-level though, more like the Mercury).

You still have yet to apply actuators, myomer, design the armor layout, and all the remaining tidbits.
>>
>>21864140
We totally need to make a little action figure of it once we get far enough along for that, we can stick it above our desk. We should do that with all of our Mechs and have them to scale.
>>
>>21864178
Let's work out cockpit dimensions so Ivan can start designing the rape face for us.

Then work on actuators and make a small prayer to the dice gods.
>>
>>21864125
>>21864084
Yes, send Hatamoto a thank-you email, then get to work.
>>
>>21864140

(Some of your techs and crew carry sidearms, but the complex has no defense net (stripped long ago) and the Crazy Ivan has nothing but a Small Beam Laser for offensive capability. Ivan is waiting on your to clear what he can use on it, if anything, from the weapons you've god on hand.

There's also the cache bonanza that they've had to set aside due to Vincent's visit, so that will get sorted tomorrow.)
>>
>>21864178

Alright then, I say cockpit, then actuators. Myomer after, then armor.
>>
>>21864193
This, the face needs creativity which can't be rushed and the actuators should be done before we work on the armor.
>>
>>21864178
Ivan needed those cockpit dimensions, so let's do that first.
Then we can do the myomer and the actuators.
>>
>>21864214

I say we frankengun the two AC/5s together for the Urbie.
>>
>>21864182
>>21864193
>>21864140

(forgot to mention, you also had plans to have a wooden mockup for the chassis built, but you need finalized dimensions for that, and that's a few days worth of work off, at least.)}
>>
>>21864178
Send the specs over to a lower tech to get it mocked up.
Set up actuator location, myomer, armour in that order.

Sip coffee.
>>
>>21864245
Ignore it for now, complete cockpit and actuators.
>>
>>21864215
This. We also need to finalize the weapon package so Ivan will know what he has to work with in his side project.
>>
>>21864245
Then we can finish the cockpit and then work on the dimensions. We want to make sure that the rails actually work.
>>
We don't need to make the model ourselves; just get a lower tech to rig one up. Easy job, lets them get their hands on it, allows them to feel part of the design process.
>>
>>21864215
>>21864223
>>21864230
>>21864193

You crack your knuckles and get to work on the head assembly.

You have some choices to make here. There are several programs you can purchase to upload into a hand-built mainframe for use on the HZP, or... you can try to have the program already on the Urbie modified. It would cost drastically less, but there is a chance it'd be... tempermental. The computer arrays are also purchasable, buit with Dieter on premises it seems silly to you to spend the cash.
>>
>>21864335

We're not building an urban fighter, really.

I saw we browse what's availiable for purchase before we make a decision. We don't want temperamental software.
>>
Also, get someone to make sure the weapons all work. Rig up a turret and test mount? It'd be bad to mount em on the mech and then they flake out.
>>
>>21864335
We have a few C-Bills to work with, so it isn't worth cutting costs and having an unusable mech as a result.
>>
>>21864335
We don't want to cut too many corners here. Let's see what's available to purchase.
>>
>>21864335
I really don't like the idea of temperamental programs, we just made some dosh we can use it for the job. Make sure to clear it past Janine first, shoot her an email quickly regarding this.
>>
>>21864390
Better to seek forgiveness than ask permission.
>>
>>21864335
If we have the cash, we had ought to spring for the purpose built mainframe. We don't need fiddly bits fucking up our prototype.

Perhaps if the difference is so dramatic, we had ought to present a brief cost/benefit analysis to our boss and see what they say.
>>
>>21864361
>>21864367
>>21864374
>>21864390

You break to send a message to Janine regarding the software for the targeting and tracking and communication systems, and the costs to be had thereby.

As an afterthought, you drop Ivan a line about getting some test rigs on the new gear. You also forward that to Hatamoto and Dieter, since they are your specialists.

Your return to your head assembly, and begin mapping out the locations of the basics: chair, neuro-interface locks and ports, cooling, panels, and all the little bits and pieces.

Any special direction you want to take this? Innovations to be made are to be made here and now, so if you have an idea to try, it's time to discuss it.
>>
>>21864398
That saying does not hold true when she would be willing to rip our eyeballs out.

It's a reasonable purchase and she likes us, she's probably in a good mood today due to things going well so she probably isn't going to say no, but going over her head in finances is likely to piss her the fuck off, something we want to avoid.

>>21864404
The mainframe we'll probably be making in house since we have Dieter, it's the programs and so on for it that we'll be buying.
>>
How hard is it to switch out programming? We could go.with the urbie stuff now while everything else is being rigged up and switch out later.
>>
>>21864435
I would like to try something different with the cockpit, but I don't know enough about battletech.
>>
>>21864435
Some good shock absorbers to keep the pilot from getting rattled around from a hit, an interface that allows for a wider field of view, stronger armor to help keep the pilot alive.
>>
>>21864481

(that's ok, basically there are four types of cockpit: standard, dual, small, and torso-mounted. the latter two are more advanced tech, and not generally available, and the basics behind them aren't fleshed out yet. The former two are still found in this era, though the dual cockpit is rare.)
>>
>>21864435
Let's try to emphasise pilot visibility and SKVOREC TOUGH as much as possible. This is a brawler, not a command mech, it doesn't need displays and fancy HUDs all over the place.
>>
>>21864435

shock absorbers would be a good idea...

I forget, doe sthe full head ejection system exist yet? Could we use that?
>>
>>21864435
Gyro-assisted cup holders, so it doesn't spill everywhere. We could route hot/cold coolant past it too to keep the drink hot/cold.

Other than that, a passive red-dot scope on the cockpit window so even if you get hit with a PPC you can see where the laser will go when you fire torso weapons. Something simple and easy.
>>
>>21864507
A dual could be interesting. On one hand it allows someone to manage the LRM system while the other concentrates on not running into walls at max speed, but the ejection system would be more of a pain, and risks 2 pilots in a light mech.
>>
>>21864525
>>21864520
Make it tough, have shock absorbers, and the red-dot scope is an interesting idea.
>>
>>21864525
I like you.
>>
>>21864523

(yes it does. It's on the Hatchetman, Jenner, and a few other designs in that era. The Hatchetman is a new design for this time period we are in, so they are capable of building them still)
>>
>>21864507
Let's not go for the dual cockpit, it's a bit niche of an item. We want broad appeal and most people aren't going to want to stick two pilots in a Light mech.
>>
>>21864543
two people is pretty excessive for a light mech.
>>
>>21864525
Does the mech have arms? We could put in hard sights for those if they're locked forwards. Could be useful when powering up and you need to alpha strike FUCKING NOW.
>>
>>21864568

(so far it does, but they are fully articulated, so they can't be 'iron sighted' so to speak)
>>
>>21864435
Neck actuators.

Think about it, it already fits with our idea of a "micro-Atlas" to have it be as humanoid as can be. Plus we can give it smaller windows without compromising our pilots field of view.

Were we planning on a head mounted weapon? If so, all the better.
>>
>>21864561
This, let's remember that we're still building a light mech with a market aimed at PDF garrisons. So hold back on fancy shit, this goes for full head ejection system as well.
>>
>>21864559

Cool, let's go for a full head ejection system. It helps pilot safety.

Let's extend SKVOREC TOUGH to not just our 'mechs, but the pilots inside them.
>>
Two questions:
What kind of a schedule is this quest on?
Can someone fill me in on the mech we're designing?
>>
>>21864586
>Neck actuators.

>>21864595
>full head ejection system.

Is this a possible item conflict?
>>
>>21864579
There's something right there, then. In case of HUD issues or you want to focus blowing off a limb, allow a function to lock arms to converge on where the torso is pointing.

(this is purely from MWO where arms amd torso can aim completely different places and spread damage all over the fucking place)
>>
>>21864601

(schedule is whenever I can run it sadly, but I try for once or twice a week, usually wednesday and the weekend. and they are making a 35 ton, 7/11 move garrison 'Mech that is meant to be tough and reliable)
>>
>>21864595
What do we lose in a head ejection system, besides increased cost?
And how much more does that cost, anyway?
>>
>>21864595
Go for tough as we can given that we're designing a light mech. SKVOREC TOUGH and all that.

I don't actually know anything about battletech, but neck actuators seem a bit much given what we're working on.
>>
>>21864595
But incorporating an eject system implies that it will be needed. That's kind of a negative for SKVOREC TOUGH.
>>
>>21864634
no.
>>
>>21864634

No, it implies we aren't DUMB. Every 'mech except for I think teh... spider? has an ejection system.

Not putting one in is the height of idiocy. Not doing our best to protect both the'mech and hte pilot will hurt our SKVOREC TOUGH image.
>>
Alright!

As you wrack your brain for new design elements, you come up with some promising ideas:

Full-Head Ejection System
Neck Articulation
Center-lock design for limbs, torso, and waist, so you can bring everything to bear on-center with the flick of a wrist.

Any other ideas? (these seem to be the ones that everyone is discussing most)
>>
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>>21864610
I cant see neck actuators being anything other than a hazard and a structural weakness. I imagine if your mech's head gets struck by a high inertia weapon (eg. AC 10). I'd snap the head back, and whilst that might bleed off some of the direct impact damage, it'd give both the pilot and the mech whiplash. A bad idea.
>>
Neck actuators sound like a silly idea.

What are the downsides of head ejection, besides cost and needing anontech to roll below 80.
>>
>>21864623
Well it doesn't need to be just a garrison mech. It's fast enough to keep up with the rest of the light mechs, it'll be tough enough to take some hits, and its weaponry layout means it can engage effectively at most ranges.

>>21864656
Well there's the shock absorbing and reinforcing the fuck out of it.
>>
>>21864659

No downsides.

Literally.
>>
>>21864651
Wait what? I'm not saying NO eject system, just not the full-head one. Or is that what's commonly used?
>>
>>21864656
I really like center-locking.
I could see the ejection system working.
I do not like the neck idea at all.
>>
>>21864627

(they cost more, but they give the pilot a safer environment to eject in/into, and they save all the command and targeting computer arrays, which aren't the most expensive thing on the 'Mech, but are still pricey)
>>
>>21864656

I am for the center-lock, the FHES, and general reinforcement/shock absorbtion/making it toughstrong.
>>
>>21864651
Of course we're going to have an ejection system, but a Full-head one is probably a bit excessive for the mech that we're designing. We're trying to stay on a fucking budget here.
>>
>>21864656
Since visual ports aren't a structural weakness due to the material they're made of, how about a full wrap-around viewing slit?
>>
>>21864656
No neck actuators. Other than that max reinforce and we're all good.
>>
According to SSW a full head ejection system for this mech increases the cost by two-thirds.
>>
>>21864681
I agree with this
>>
>>21864696

What's that put our final pricing at?
>>
>>21864696
Lets not do that, then.
>>
>>21864696
there's an SSW file for this thing?

also, ouch.
>>
>>21864696
Lets not then. We're going cheap.
>>
Neck actuators wouldn't work with locking arms and torso to fire, anyway.

Though "Locking arms to attack position" is a fun phrase, it's also useful for storage.
>>
>>21864709
Too fucking high. Seriously people, we're trying to make a budget light mech aimed for PDF garrisons. Hold your fucking horses on the flair.
>>
>>21864723
>Neck actuators wouldn't work with locking arms and torso to fire

Why would they not work?
>>
>>21864696
So, with that development, we are going for shock absorbers and center lock.
>>
>>21864736
They would, but it would require locking the neck forward. Which kinda defeats the purpose of neck actuators.
>>
Okay, seeing a lot of negative on the neck articulation.

Lots of positive on the 'center lock'.

Not so much on the FHES because cost, but it's still on the table it seems.

So 'center-lock' is go. This is a good stage to design that in as well, since you'll want to build the system as physically as possible, to prevent hiccups with the myomer that could come from a purely software-driven system.

Any other ideas? Or do you want to focus on this at the moment?
>>
>>21864736
Think about it. The aim of locking everything forwards is pinpoint fire.
If your head is off-axis, you're not looking directly forwards. I.e. Not paying attention to the target you're shooting.

Its as simple as putting a cross on the window: you hit the trigger and everything shoots at what's in front of the crosshairs.
>>
>>21864764

I think we can take FHES off the table, honestly.

So, let's focus on getting the cetner lock, cockpit design, and all the shock buffering we can afford to fit.
>>
>>21864657
>>21864659
>>21864695
>>21864723

IRCC the human-shaped mechs in the battletech cartoon were able to turn their heads as a semi-standard feature.
>>
>>21864764
Take a note of the pros/cons of each of the options so we can refer to them later.

We are going ahead with the center-lock, and it is better to concentrate on one thing at a time. Later developments may influence how we feel about the other 2 options.
>>
>>21864764
>FHES
Just to clear this up, if we DON'T get the FHES, do we still get some sort of eject system?
>>
>>21864784

(it depends on author fiat really. some can, some can't but it's not necessary because 360 degree sensor input. it can offer benefits though)
>>
>>21864809
Yes
>>
>>21864809
Yes, otherwise nobody would buy it.
>>
>>21864809
Pilot ejection seat is standard AFAIK.
>>
>>21864809

(yes, unless you remove the system completely to save space, weight, and cost. which is generally not a good idea unless you're the DCMS apparently)
>>
I think we're good with lock and shock, anontech.

(yes, these ideas were made purely for that rhyme)
>>
>>21864809

Unless we choose not to put one in.

We could u;se the crabs! have it rotate the mechwarrior 90 degrees and shoot 'em out the back!

that's a terrible idea
>>
>>21864810
What sort of benefits would you say a rotating head would give us?
>>
>>21864839
Or we could put portholes to the sides of the head! That way the pilot could stick a gun out and fire at the enemy!

Some of these ideas are going full pentagon wars.
>>
Is there a SSW file for this mech?
Because I'd love to run the numbers on some of this.
>>
>>21864850

sensors can't detect shut-down units, but eyeballs can, for one. also it lets you aim better if your targeting and tracking system suffers a critical hit. downsides have already pretty much been covered)
>>
>>21864850
Can fire reverse firing weapons with accuracy, though I'm not sure who would buy a mech like that.
>>
>>21864861

(there will probably be one soon, and there was a readout for the initial design idea floating around. as it stands though, the armor and armament aren't sorted yet)
>>
>>21864863
Maybe a cavalier mech? Designed to rush through enemy formations and plant shots in their vulnerable rear armor.
>>
>>21864890

with maximum possible rear-mounted weapons?

sounds like a niche design.

Let's not build that yet.
>>
>>21864863
One who puts LRMs and more armour facing rearwards.
>>
>>21864874
sounds like a good excuse to whip out SSW
>>
It seems everyone wants to get to work on the center-lock idea then?

You light a smoke, get some coffee, and decide to get cracking on the center-lock feature you just thought up. You can't recall anything that has a system like this, so it'd be a major feather in your 'Mechs cap if it works.

First you have to decide: mechanical/software or pure software? the former is safer but more time-consuming to fabricate/design, but the latter has no failsafe.
>>
>>21864923
Mechanical/Software. We don't want things without failsafes.
>>
>>21864923
A couple of days extra work does not even compare to the lack of a failsafe. Mechanical/software.
>>
>>21864874
>>21864890
Looking at the earlier threads, seems there was a lot of support for arming this thing into a Jenner/Commando esque striker with lasers and SRMs. Which would make sense if we're making a Garrison mech, good and fast close-range punch for operating in Urban environments.
>>
>>21864923
Mechanical/Software. We don't want this screwing up.
>>
>>21864923

(for reference: the 'center all components' thing you can do in mechwarrior games is software-based. your idea would make it so that you can literally lock the torso, arms, and waist in a particular config or configs. that is, if you go mechanical/software)
>>
>>21864923
mechanical/software, there's little point in trying to emulate what can be done more reliably with hardware.
>>
Doesn't the Rifleman have center-lock?
>>
So wait, if our mech is supposed to be intimidating as FUCK, why not put a cheap speaker on the thing and have it broadcast eerie laughter on demand?
>>
>>21864923
Mechanical/software. Skvorec tough and all that.
>>
>>21864973

(it very well may, if someone wants to look it up. couldn't think of anything off the top of my head that had a mechanical system)
>>
>>21864923
Definitely Mech/Software. I thought original anon said it would be for OMFG Alphastrike so not making like that would be retarded.

Industry analysis

No captcha, we're an engineer Janine does analysis
>>
>>21864923
Sense everyone seem set on making this little mech SKVOREC TOUGH lets go with the mechanical/software hybrid.

Would it be possible to make the forward-lock system full mechanical? What would the advantages and drawbacks be?
>>
>>21864981
YES
>>
We've got the time while the techs rig stuff up.

Mechanical/software.
>>
>>21864937
>>21864940
>>21864958
>>21864966
>>21864983

You disregard the notion of a software-driven system in favor of one that relies more on the actual chassis of the 'Mech, and the systems you will put in place to make it work.

You have some options here. You can have it simply center everything, or you can have it have different configurations for each section it controls (i.e. you could have the arms, torso, and waist lock in different rotational settings, and have presets that can be changed) Of course, complex = higher difficulty, and higher risk/reward.
>>
>>21864981
>why not put a cheap speaker on the thing and have it broadcast eerie laughter on demand?

I can't think of a singe reason why we wouldn't!
>>
>>21865039
center everything, not too complex
>>
>>21865039

Let's go for the multiple configs option, but stress-test it in a sim before we finalize the design.
>>
>>21865039
Just have it center everything.
>>
>>21865004
Can't do full mechanical. Pilot neurohelmet needs software interface.
>>
>>21865039
Just full center.
>>
>>21865039
Center everything, we're making a fast moving alpha striker. No need to complicate things.
>>
>>21865039
Multiple configs, letting them synch up the arms and the torso while continuing walking in their current direction is a hell of a boon to Mechwarriors.
>>
>>21865054
>>21865058
>>21865067
>>21865080
Forth-ed, center everything.
>>
>>21864981

Because silent death is much better death.

Also CHRYSALID!
>>
>>21865054
>>21865058
>>21865067
>>21865080

(for centering)

>>21865082
>>21865055

(multiple)

(i'll give it a few more mins then tally it up)
>>
>>21865039
>arms, torso, waist

The torso swivels about the waist, though, so isn't it just arms and torso?

I would say allow arms to lock to torso (torso can move) for preset 1, and arms and torso to lock forwards (nothing but legs can move) for preset 2.

That wouldn't be quite as complex as lots of presets.
>>
>>21865115
Anontech, can you give us some numbers about how difficult/lengthy this option, full center option and multiple preset options are?
>>
>>21865115

(you're only thinking x-axis there friend. you have y and z too)
>>
>>21865115
sounds like a good idea
>>
Rolled 93

>>21865106

Center. No need to complicate this design much.
>>
>>21865039
>>21865106
One more for complex. We need to give this mech a reason to be bought over tried and true designs.
>>
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>>21864981
>mfw

>>21865106
Multiple, assuming it won't increase cost, merely the time spent engineering.
>>
>>21865080
You can alpha with arms locked to torso, but with free rotating torso. Multiple configs, go.
>>
>>21865134

Ops. ID rescinded.
>>
>>21865128

(center-only is a straight roll.

maximum presets is +10 difficulty, same as the weapon rails were

somewhere in the middle would be determined by how many presets. I'd say +2 per)
>>
>>21865115
Why on earth would you lock the torso?

>towards aptedfto

Wouldn't you rather be able to shoot at people on your way to aptedfto then?
>>
>>21865160

I say we just go with the two presets set >>21865115 with this post.
>>
>>21865106

Center. Rugged Mech, simple and tough.
>>
>>21865131
Changed my mind, multi.
>>
>>21865160
Max configurations, if you botch a dice roll we can drop down to center only.
>>
Have one setting to center the arm and leave the waist/torso free to rotate.
>>
(center-only still seems to be winning out, but it's much closer now. I'll give you all another few minutes to sort it out)
>>
>>21865129
>X, Y, Z axis
Only X and Y, actually. Left/right and up/down.
But If you lock torso forwards you lock both left/right/up down anyway. So the two settings would be lock arms to torso (setting 1) and lock torso to legs (setting 2).

(not a vote, already voted)
>>
>>21865249

(mechs can acually 'lean', which i believe counts as z-axis rotation. if not, then disregard. i'm not a pilot after all)
>>
Our first mech has to stand out, NO CUTTING CORNERS. +1 Maximum configurations.
>>
>>21865276
Our first mech has to be simple and rugged by design, plus cheap. Center torso for simplicity and ease of design.
>>
>>21865271
Z axis is generally perceived as depth as opposed to X (horizontal) and Y (vertical)
>>
>>21865319

(yeah just looked it up myself. -1 pilot points for me)
>>
>>21865104
But who doesn't want to burst out of cover in a tiny chryssalid playing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-UDWPXrW5c as loud as possible over your speakers?
>>
(Okay, so it looks like center-only wins by a bit, BUT, there were a lot of changes to 'a few presets' at the end, so I ask if you all want to compromise or just go with the winning vote)
>>
>>21865334
Not I!
>>
>>21865319
>Z axis is depth
And we're not going to lock our legs. That is silly.

Mechs lean automatically, or they fall over. No locking that.

(incidentally, full center is one preset. Two presets should just be +1 for one extra, I thought.)
>>
>>21865337

Presets yo.
>>
>>21865337
I'd like a compromise, nothing too complex but we could use more than just one preset.
>>
>>21865337
Maybe have 2 presets as compromise?
>>
>>21865337
Compromise with locking arms to torso and all center is fine with me.
>>
>>21865337
Let's just slap on the center-only and run with it, no need to complicate things and drag this on.
>>
>>21865347

(the +2 mod per is beyond the first, so if you did two presets, that's +4)
>>
>>21865347
Actually, that's what the gyro is for. by selectively flipping spinning weights, you can use the angular momentum to stay on your feet.
>>
>>21865337
another vote to comprise.
>>
>>21865380
Yeah, the gyro automatically leans the mech.
>>
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Just dropping in here to say three things.

1) OP is a pretty cool guy.
2) We really need to cut back on the nicotine and caffeine.
3) Dervish is da prettiest, soz he's da boss.
>>
Rolled 96

>>21865354
>>21865358
>>21865371
>>21865374
>>21865382

(seeing a few presets as the trend here. two was suggested a few times here and before, so that's what i'll go with)

You call down to get some food sent up in a few hours; this is going to take all night at least, if not days, to set up and execute. This is a new system so there is no precedent, and nothing to work off of to shave time. So it's up to your brain and your mouse, and a lot of cigarettes and coffee this time.

You roll up your sleeves. Time to put Skvorec Armorworks on the map.

(rolling for +4 difficulty on 'few' presets. lower is better!)
>>
>>21865446
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO US
>>
>>21865444
>We really need to cut back on the nicotine and caffeine.

If that's true then you need to cut back on air and water.
>>
>>21865446

"96". "Lower is better".

Now that's the MechEngineer Quest we know and love.
>>
>>21865446
What...but...how...
>>
>>21865446
>96
>+4
HURP DURP
>>
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>>21865446
>mfw
>>
>>21865446
OKAY LET ME SAY A 4TH THING

YOU SUCK AT ROLLING LOW
>>
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>>21865446
I'm not a superstitious man, but the /tg/ dice roller's RNG really tests me.
>>
>>21865446
And this is why i wanted center only. But noooo, we just had to try and add complex shit our simple design.
>>
>>21865484
Dude, it doesn't matter if we did center only or not, with a roll like that nothing is getting done.

On the bright side we'll notice how much it sucks real fucking quick and try again.
>>
>>21865446

NUH UH.

NO.

FUCK YOU.

ROLL IT AGAIN.
>>
Fucking /tg/ dice.
And we all know that if he switched to roll high, we'd get a 1 for our hubris.
>>
>>21865446
huehuehuehue
>>
>>21865446
Amusingly, we're four off 100.
>>
You know, this is what MechEngineer Quest is going down in /tg/ oral history for. Consistent incredibly high die rolls when low ones are desired.
>>
>>21865446
So, with the +4 we manage a 100. Does that mean our computer catches fire and we lose everything?
>>
>>21865506

You aren't taking the +4 into account.

We rolled 100.
>>
>>21865506
Our work desk explodes.
>>
>>21865455
>>21865467
>>21865468
>>21865470
>>21865472
>>21865473
>>21865477
>>21865484

(friendly reminder that this isn't a failure, it just adds to the time it takes to get it right. this isn't under duress or anything, not like you're in combat here. just things arent going very smoothy right now...)


Minutes to hours. Hours to packs. Packs to cartons.

Nobody said this was an easy line of work. Except maybe Richard, but his ass got fired.

This might just be why, you decide, there hasn't been real innovation in 'Mech design in over 200 years. It really is this fucking tough.

(stick with your guns or simplify?)
>>
>>21865527
STICK WITH OUR GUNS! SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK!
>>
>>21865527
Roll again, brace for 90.
>>
>>21865527
SIMPLIFY THE STICKY GUNS
>>
>>21865527
Stick with our guns! We're an ENGINEER! We have a DEGREE!
>>
>>21865527
GUNSTICKERY
>>
>>21865527
simplify it to having the arms lock and leaving the torso/waist free to rotate.
>>
>>21865527
Stick with it!

We'll either do it the next time or die of caffeine poisoning.
>>
>>21865527
Fuck lady luck, we won't back down.
>>
>>21865527
If you roll above 90 next time can we retroactively make this a roll high thing? Because /tg/ dice are fucking with us.
>>
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>>21865527
MAKE IT FUCKING WORK
>>
>>21865541
>We have a DEGREE!

.....Do we?
>>
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SKVOREC TOUGH doesn't come easy.
>>
>>21865562
Yeah, it's part of why we're working so hard; gotta pay off those student loans.
>>
Rolled 31

>>21865562

(yes, you do. i know, right?)

>>21865561
>>21865556
>>21865552
>>21865550
>>21865543
>>21865535
>>21865541
>>21865532
>>21865530

You call for an old priest and a young priest. Barring that, more cigarettes, fresh coffee grounds, filters, and alcohol.

Headaches born of stress are one thing, but headaches born of stress you caused yourself through sheer genius are another. They are very very unfair, but after you managed to fudge the engine and torso rails, you are convinced you can do anything.

So you buckle down, and almost don't even aknowledge Janine when she slips in to give you a printout of the software purchasing options.

(working through the night. lower is better, same mod)
>>
>>21865527
Sinplify,
change the fusion engine to a rubber band.
>>
>>21865623
Anontech, did you have to sell your soul for that roll?
>>
>>21865566
voting this for company motto
>>
>>21865639
I thought it was "we drink caffiene and shit mechs"
>>
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>>21865623
That's the shit
>>
>>21865629
A hand-cranked rubber band.
>>
>>21865661

(well that's Daniel's motto; Skvorec doesn't have one yet.)
>>
>>21865623
YESSSSS, now (assuming this is a success) check the options for programming.
>>
>>21865661
>>21865639
...Do we have a company motto? If not then I vote for making it SKVOREC TOUGH.

Short, simple, to the point.
>>
>>21865687
We can suggest a motto, but we're not actually in charge.
>>
>>21865635

(there may or may not be the corpse of the goat in the middle of some candles in my apartment now...)
>>
>>21865691
if we succeed at the whole mech design thing the company motto is pretty much going to have to follow our ideals on mech design anyways.
>>
>>21865635
>>21865663
>>21865672

The sun sets, the moon rises, and your eyes go red for the billionth time since you decided this line of work was a good idea. School didn't prepare you so much for the design and implementation aspects of this job so much as the 'stay up all fucking night for the fifth time this week' ones.

And this is another of those times. Though with the help of Mr. Coffee and Lady Nicotine, you manage not to pass out before your blurry eyes note that you're green on your latest stress tests, and go for some frigging sleep.

The purchase options will have to wait.
>>
>>21865703
"Fuck, fuck, why won't you work, I need more cigarettes and coffee, I hate everything, hey it all works now, time to sleep."
>>
>>21865727
Acquire blissful rest and pray Janine doesn't disturb it.
>>
>>21865727
Dream of cackling nightmare garrison-mechs, swamping the battlefield in a tide of lasers, missiles and twisted grins.
>>
>>21865727
Prepare to eat alive (literally) anyone who dares disturb our rest.
>>
>>21864981
Imagine what Aeneas-regiments must be like. At 0600 hours sharp, the drill sergeant wakes the barracks with the mech's sound function. During rehearsals, Aeneas-mechs jog around the base in formation, while "singing" by rhythmically triggering the laugh. Whenever the unit goes to battle, or celebrates something, the trololol-chorus is a mandatory ritual.
>>
>>21865777
Just include various tracks for things like "menacing laugh" "boisterous guffaws" "terrifying cackle" "piercing screech" and so on until we literally have an evil laugh for every possible situation.
>>
>>21865777
I like your style!
>>
>>21865730
>>21865741
>>21865751
>>21865774

Sleep comes easy, and with it dreams.

You dream that a huge dropship lands on the tarmac, and some military brass stride down the loading ramp, with Goddard and yourself there to greet them. Behind you is a full company of HZPs, There are handshakes, and the 'Mechs march onto the Union one by one, evil grins all lined up like a psycho parade.

When you finally awake, it's to a knock at your door. You glance at your watch and see you've slept for around 12 hours. At least this time you don't stink... as much.
>>
>>21865817
Answer the door, mumble intelligently at whoever, get more coffee.
>>
>>21865817
No need to shower, in that case. Answer the door and deal with the problems it will inevitably bring.
>>
>>21865817
"Who is it?

Come on in the door isn't locked. If you've come to yell at me give me 5 minutes to smoke and drink some coffee first."
>>
>>21865817
"You better be food and a cup of coffee, because even if you aren't I'm eating what's on the other side of that door."
>>
Up and at-em.
>>
Being able to turn the mechs head is such a basic thing I never thought of it as a downside before. Huh. When you guys say "neck actuators" do you mean like a full neck that sits on a "spine"? Or just a head that rotates back and forth on a single axis? Because tons of mechs can do that much and I've never heard of problems arising from that. Especially if we are going with a hunched design with the head being inset in the shoulders.

>siren
Being noisy is kind of counterproductive for the whole HIDDEN MOVEMENT thing. But then I had this mental image of the mech WOOP WOOP WOOPing around a corner zoidberg style after alpha striking someone in the back.
>>
>>21865828
>>21865829
>>21865835

You call over that it's open, and as you pour your first cup of ambrosia for the day, and light up your air supply you glance over and see Janine sitting on the edge of your desk. She has the manifest for the program pricing in her hand, arms folded, looking perhaps smug and a bit coy.

"Well good afternoon sunshine. I wondered why I didn't get an email from you about this," she says as she waves the printout. "Should have known you were pulling an all-nighter. Again."

You grumble and scratch the back of your head.

"I can summarize this printout for you, if you want. Basically, it says we're too damn poor to get anything from anyone unless it's from the FWL or the Capellans. Take your pick."
>>
>>21865817
"Door's open."
And get another pot of coffee going.
>>
>>21865861
The siren isn't always on of course. Just when you spring the ambush/alpha strike an unsuspecting butt.
>>
>>21865882
Not too well-versed in BTech; what's the difference between the two?
Aren't we on the fringe of the FWL? Wouldn't that make it easier for us to get their software?
>>
>>21865888
or if you want to address large groups of people, or want a mobile air-raid siren.
Actually, that is what you could sell this feature as.
>>
>>21865882
(What are the implications of that?)
>>
>>21865902
and only idly mention that the audio for the siren is replaceable with anything they wanted for a distinctive unit feature?
>>
>>21865917
and then they buy it and notice that there is a suspiciously large amount of memory hooked up to the PA.
>>
>>21865882
No FedCom stuff? Shit, stravag. Guess we should try and get some Capellan mech software, they've got some specialization in it, the sneaky shits.
>>
>>21865900
FWL has a lot of "3rd world" space, and the capellans aren't exactly known for high quality merchandise.
So it's likely the software is mediocre at best.
>>
>>21865932
>>21865917
>>21865902
>>21865888
/r/ing picture of a mech descending on the Nerevarine with a hearty SKREEEEEE
>>
>>21865882
"I like all-nighters, they get stuff done."

What are the differences between the Capellan software and the FWL software?
>>
>>21865900
>>21865909

(the FWL, or Free Worlds League, is the Successor State your planet and company are located in, though you are not affiliated with them at all. They are a loose corporation of planets and sub-governments that barely works but is probably the 'freest' of the major houses. the Capellans, or Capellan Confederation, are space commies basically. they value loyalty to the state, but being a citizen offers crazy access to top-tier services. you have to serve in the military to get full citizenship. they are also the smallest state and poor as hell

What this means is the FWL is more likely to have dodgy and all-star products available, but the capellan stuff is lower-grade but reliable.)
>>
>>21865944
Oh, oh god.

We need to make a jumpjet-heavy mech called the CLIFFRACER

IT SHALL BE CHEAP IN ALL MEANINGS OF THE WORD
>>
>>21865951
eh, we're going for reliability, right?
>>
>>21865951
Reliable, unless we KNOW we call fall back on the urbie software, which we don't right now.
>>
>>21865951
SKVOREC TOUGH demands reliability. Let's go with the Capellan stuff.
>>
>>21865963
>>21865967
>>21865972
what if we made two types? a fancy one and a stripped but simpler mech.
>>
>>21865972
Smart.
>>
>>21865951
Can we at least take a look at what the FWL is offering before we buy, to know if it's good stuff or not?

Otherwise, yeah, Capellan for reliable software.
>>
>>21865979
Too expensive. We can get fancier on later mechs when we aren't in a make-or-break situation, I feel.
>>
>>21865979
We'd have to buy two sets of software, and that shit ain't cheap.
>>
>>21865979

Start up company. No time or resources to diversify.
>>
>>21865989
oh shit, this is for the SOFTWARE? nevermind, fuck that.
>>
>>21865963
>>21865967
>>21865972
>>21865981
>>21865987

You ask about both offers, and Janine tells you the Capellan state has authorized sale of some newer software they have completed full testing on, but the caveats are a) you need to share testing data with them and b) make the HZP available for sale to the Capellan government if they want to buy it.

The FWL has three offers. None of them are from government agencies, and none are from major suppliers. However, Janine researched the companies and found that two are at least worth doing business with. The upside is it might mean high-tier software from an up-and-coming (like yourselves), but the downside is this means the FWL isn't interested in what you are doing at the moment, so that's not future money.

Janine herself shrugs. She says she'd probably go with the Capellans herself, even if she doesn't like being overwatched a bit. She says since everything they make has to have state overwatch, that means that the quality might not be top-tier, but it's reliable and is likely not to fail. Also the stuff they are offering is new, so that's good, at least to her. She leaves it up to you though.
>>
>>21866051
Testing data is no big deal and selling mechs is a good thing.
>>
>>21866051

Capellans sound like the best bet. And having them interested in our Mech certainly is a bonus in terms of being a start up company.
>>
>>21866051
"I'd agree with the Capellan plan. If it works out, we could get a juicy government contract right out of the gate, which would be nice. Is there anything that would stop us from selling it elsewhere if they pick it up?"
>>
>>21866051
Capellan.
>>
>>21865861
It's just the amount of abuse mech heads always take. Probably one out of three or four mechs die out of pilot- or head-related or pilot-head-related trauma. I can't personally think of a canonical head-turning mech myself, as much as torso articulating simply due to the flexible structures it implies. But that's probably more because I can't imagine the system being workable without creating new structural weaknesses.
>>
>>21866051
Go Capellan, potential business is good.
>>
>>21866067
I don't like the idea of selling testing data
>>21866051
What are the system specs of these offers?
>>
>>21866051
Don't the Capellans have a reputation for building backdoors in their software?
Would using Capellan software potentially be a downside to potential buyers who might end up in fights against Capellans?
>>
>>21866051
does the FWL software have any really advanteds, or is it just slight better?
>>
I am so pleased that this thread understands the reliable glory of the Capellan Confederation. I unjustly feared for Fedrat sentiments.

HAIL HOUSE LIAO
>>
>>21865959
It already exists, mate. Clan Cliffracer totem mech, even. We made it... years ago. Two-three years ago at least, already. Should be in the archives.
>>
>>21866087

If we start selling it first to them, then no realy issue. And if needed we can buy other software with our increased budget to make it more 'accessible' to everyone else.
>>
Spread that data. If they likebit they can buy from us, too.

We're not doing anything revolutionary, just making good mechs. Interest is a good thing.

Let's go with the cappie bastards.
>>
>>21866097
Oh god is that the "outruns fighter jets on foot and can also turn into a jet for more FAST" mech?
>>
>>21866105
Plus, I really, really doubt the Capellans have an EVIL PLAN for some people that would be selling them battlemechs.

>>21866097
That's... that's perfect. /tg/ awes me. Perfectly annoying.
>>
>>21866086
>>21866090

(basically you're either going for software you KNOW is 6.5/10, or something that could be as bad as 3/10 or as good as 8/10. you could ask for demos but that'd involve setup and flying people out and they'd expect you to pay for all that, and it's not in the budget, so you have to choose sight unseen. bit of a leap of faith here)
>>
>>21866124
Caps it is.
>>
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>>21865972
>SKVOREC TOUGH

Like Comrade Kalashnikov, yes?
>>
>>21866124
Ugh, is changing software at a alter date an option?

If so, we should start with the Capellan software, then once we get some cash we can investigate the possibility of upgrading to something better.
>>
>>21866124
'Bah, electrical was never really our thing in the first place. Give us mech guts any day of the week.
let's go with the basic cappie.
>>
So, we're using Capellan software for the driving tech.

In other words, CAPSLOCK FOR CRUISE CONTROL WOO WOO
>>
>>21866150

Software's ALWAYS swappable. If we build a robust enough platform, the software sorts it's self out in revisions.
>>
>>21866137
>>21866148
>>21866150
>>21866156

You scratch your head, finish your smoke, and suggest the Cappie software, since it seems they are interested in your work, and that, along with reliability, makes you feel good.

She nods, and makes a note.

"You eaten yet? I haven't. Too busy getting ready for the catalog of crap that I'm about to get from Ivan and the crew. They've been tearing open crates all morning. Also Ivan is chomping at the bit for clearance to arm that UrbanMech. I'd suggest figuring out what weapons we can spare if you don't want him to throw an Ivan-sized tantrum."
>>
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>>21866148
I hope our mech can still be driven after spending 500 years buried in a farmer's field.
>>
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>>21866124
I think 6.5 is on par with our current aim in terms of the mech in general. Generally speaking, perfectly employable, innovative, but not about to change warfare forever.

Me, I'm worrying mostly about ironing out any possible bugs in the system. Getting everything work as well in real life as they work on the paper, and all that.
>>
>>21866212
Give him the ACs, we don't want them.
>>
>>21866212

Food = Good.

Also, +1 on that guy's idea about franken-gunning the AC5's. Hell, why don't we use the Urbie as our "WTFseriously?" testbed? We may come up with something good.
>>
>>21866212
Suggest reading the inventory while having *time relevant meal*, that way we can both get some food and read the inventory at the same time.
>>
>>21866214

Dig it up, sprinkle some of the glorious people's vodka on it, and turn the key. That's SKVORIK TOUGH.
>>
>>21866212
"I just got up, I could use some food. I'd like to join you on that.

And the thought of an Ivan-sized tantrum is terrifying."
>>
>>21866212
given we aren't about to be slapping auto-cannons on our light mech, let Ivan do whatever with them.

Also, +1 to WTFtestbed >>21866230
>>
Reinvent the UAC5! Just take two AC5s and add them together!
>>
>>21866267
>ACs on a light
oh jeez, terrible idea incoming:
What if we had an ac/20 and stealth armor on one of the variants?
Like, a gankmech
>>
What was the AC variant we found in the underground hangar? Give that to him.
>>
>>21866217
>>21866230
>>21866241
>>21866253

You and Janine retire to her office to eat, after you suggest waiting there so you can go over the manifests together. You could use a break from working on the HZP at the moment, and if they found anything interesting you want to know about it to boot. Especially if it means altering the HZP.

Wanda drops off a few burgers for you both as well as the inventories and you get to it.

After a few minutes, Janine points something out to you.

"It seems they found some ammunition for that Ultra-76mm we got from the cache. Five tons to be exact. That's a lucky find."
>>
>>21866291
Nonono, WAY too valuable. Surely we can do something better with an Ultra-AC than putting it on an Urbie.
>>
>>21866291
NO NO NO NO NO!

That shit be LosTech, we don't put that anywhere near public view. We stow it away, try to reverse engineer it and work from there.
>>
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Cappie option it is then.

There is no real reason we can't revisit the mech later and upgrade the mech and software. Once we have the funds and inventory to do exactly what we want as opposed to making due with what we have. This a workhorse, the masterpiece can come later. Pic related.
>>
>>21866291
That was either a prototype Rotary Autocannon, or a triple-barrelled Ultra.
We are being veeeeery careful with that.
>>
>>21866298
That'll make reverse engineering it easier, since we'll have examples of the ammunition to work from.

Maybe give Ivan the project of the frankengun; that way he gets a pet project and we have a use for the damn things.
>>
>>21866309
isn't that mech in you pic 40 years after this?
>>
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>>21866298
>"It seems they found some ammunition for that Ultra-76mm we got from the cache. Five tons to be exact. That's a lucky find."

Nuoh my god!
>>
>>21866298
"Lucky indeed. We can test it out now, that ought to make reverse engineering it much easier. Anything else interesting in the manifests?"
>>
>>21866313
Blake's blood, we're going to get so shafted when the Capellans find out we're sitting on a Star League cache.

Assuming they don't already. Assuming half of our staff aren't MASK. Blake have mercy.
>>
>>21866332
>Filename
I do not want to know the context.
>>
>>21866309

Just be aware that the CapCon has a history of cutting off exports to nations it finds itself at war with.

But, in general, it should be an acceptable choice...all the more so if the CapCon picks up the design. Their new Raven, in particular, has a mix of beam and missile weapons that is similar to the Aeneas in spirit, and would be a good starting point for control software.
>>
>>21866352
Yeah, really, MASK is going to be all over our shit. They're at the least going to try to get an operative or two into our engineering or tech crews, and as soon as they realize we're sitting on top of a Lostech repository, the raid by black ops units won't be far behind.
>>
>>21866351
>>21866332
>>21866319

She shakes her head.

"No, not yet. This isn't everything; we pulled almost a hundred tons of stuff out off that cache. It'll take a while to catalog it all. Maybe the rest of the day. If it means staying in the air conditioning, and eating burgers all day, I'm alright with that."

She smirks and goes back to perusing her sheet.

You look back to yours, munching happily on your burger. It's pretty damn good actually. You make a note to tell Ivan he can play with the remaining 45mms on the Urbie if he wants to.

After a few hours, you get another set of manifests, and get to work on those.

Lots of computer parts. That's good; plenty to repair the cache's central hub and maybe Dieter can use some to make a mainframe for the HZP.

More parts, more parts... and then you spy something.

You point it out to Janine.

"105mm Autocannon shells... okay. That's what the UrbanMech would have used before. But the main gun is missing... and look. They say these are some kind off fragmentation rounds. They aren't even armor-piercing... what? I don't even know what some of this means..."
>>
>>21866398
oh yiss
>>
>>21866398
My spider sense is tingling.
>>
>>21866398
I smell yummy stuff to play with...
>>
>>21866361
Not like we won't have a copy of the OS on site we can tweak. We're buying the software, not rights of use.
>>
>>21866398
That thing had a LB 10-X? But it's not exactly lost-tech, is it?
>>
>>21866398

>105 mike-mike
>fragmentation
>The defoliator...IT LIVES!
>>
>>21866425
No, wait, we're at 3005 and in the IS, so it is.
>>
>>21866247
That's our first ad campaign right there guys.
>>
>>21866398
"I probably do. Janine, I studied an awful lot of Mech History, I can recognize most Mechs and Weapons at a glance."
>>
>>21866421

(this is true, it's not Windows you're 'buying' here. when you purchase this software, you are getting what amounts to Linux for Mechs. It lets you customize it for what you need, and certain brands work with certain configs better than others.)

>>21866405
>>21866411
>>21866419
>>21866425
>>21866439

(the LB-10X was discovered recently, but you don't see any frontline units using it yet. It's much less rare than that AMS you have, but you also only found ammo, no gun.)
>>
>>21866386
What if we played ball with them? What if we showed willingness to deal into their hands for the priviledge of getting more resources to work with through them, preferential contracts, the works? Heck, maybe one lucky day we might find ourselves riding the coattails of the Bic Mac and the Citizen's Honored. We're not in those years yet, but Capellans in the era of Xin Sheng are very capable at acquiring talent when such is displayed.
>>
Shit, stravags. Once we get the dosh with HZP, we'll build a medium.. no, we'll go straight for a Heavy and slap double RAC5's and LB 10-Xs in it.
>>
>>21866446
3040, recently pulled from the Helm Core. If we can find the gun itself we'll have one about 8 years before it becomes common. Not that great a find but might be cool for a one-off build if we can find someone who won't blab about where they got the thing.
>>
>>21866487
Fuck no, we're not getting in bed with House Liao. We'll co-operate because we have to, but that's as far as we'll go.
>>
>>21866487
Playing ball with them means either becoming a nearly exclusive Capellan company immediately AND handing over most of it/letting their techs look over everything. Or just giving it all up and probably dying anyway. Capellans play hardball with utter brutality. They need to, given how fucked they've been in the past.

>>21866512
We are totally getting in bed with House Liao. No fedrats be we.
>>
>>21866506

Especially if we keep with the Kalashnikov-tough PDF supplier vibe. The LBX shines at the ranges they'll be engaging at.
>>
>>21866516
aww, dude, steiner totally kicks ass though.
>>
>>21866449

You lean over and take a look.

It's like she says... fragmentation/cluster rounds for a 105mm. Two tons. Also some parts for what might be that caliber gun, but no gun. They opened all the large crates first at Ivan's insistence but no gun.

The rest of the time is spent entering the info into your books, and then getting the other books you show people and cataloging it all as 'replacement parts' and 'chassis material'.

Evening closes in, and Janine mentions having some other work to you, and that you do too. She tells you she'll get ahold of the Cappies soon with an HPG com and let them know what's up.

You take your leave, and walk across the tarmac, back to your office. You can see Ivan and the crew cleaning up from the day's activities.

Once you get back to the office you shoot Ivan an email about the 45mms and then... well that's up to you.
>>
>>21866539
Actuators.
>>
>>21866516
So what I suggest is keeping the shit secret as we can until we can copy it, and then using that knowledge for massive leverage with House Liao.

>>21866530
Meh. Steiner isn't half as interesting. Far moreso than the Fedrats, but still. Plus, Capellans are so underdog they can taste the dirt, whereas Steiner will get our babies blown up, damn social generals.
>>
We're not handing over ALL our test data, just technical specs on our light mech.

Not quite buried yet.
>>
>>21866545
Yeah, let us get this shit done.
>>
>>21866539
Actuators sound like a good place.
>>
>>21866539
go go actuators
>>
>>21866516
In that case, we're already stepping into a pretty binding relationship with acquiring software from them.

I'm just wondering if there isn't a way to make getting in bed with them profitable for us as well as them. Considering how we're even tinkering with an Urbanmech in our garage and all.
>>
>>21866545
>Actuators.

Make'em rrreeeaaally robust. I'm thinking Toyota 4runner tough. This will be the most rugged, light PDF fencewalker ever fucking designed.
>>
>>21866545
>>21866556
>>21866562
>>21866577

You fire up your CAD and get to it. No pussyfooting this time, except to get coffee.

You decide to work with the actuator systems tonight. You have a little over a week left to get the draft ready for unveiling to potential investors, and so far you're not doing too bad.

As with the head assembly (which got kinda sidtracked with center-lock, so never got done), you have the option to add bells and whistles right now if you want.
>>
>>21866615
Make them easy to swap out, so long as durability is not affected.
>>
>>21866587
House Liao is pretty much the most desperate house. So while if we overextend ourselves we'll be in trouble (they are also the most ruthless save Dracs with peasants), but if we work with/for them they'll appreciate it. Seriously, this is that state that made entire Merc companies regular units and made the commanders nobles, they love people who contribute.

Just be prepared for intrigue and dealing with Hanse's dick.
>>
>>21866615
We don't need anything fancy, just make them sturdy and make sure they need as little maintenance as possible.
>>
>>21866615
Can't really think of anything special to do with the actuators. Maybe ease of replacement and repair?
>>
Suggestion for the cockpit, assuming this isn't already some sort of standard feature: Popout armory storage for a pistol, SMG, and rifle. You never know when you have to spray some fool climbing all over your ride while you're trying to stomp some asses.
>>
>>21866628
>dealing with Hanse's dick.
oh shit, he's getting ready to start swinging that around in a few years. We either gotta get outta the way by that time or make a big enough hole for it.
>>
>>21866615

I jumped the gun a bit.
>>21866613
In the leg region. Hard-to-kill actuators. All-terrain
>>
>>21866615
I still wish we could put a flamer in the head. DO we have the tonnage?
>>
>>21866643
Oh, that'd make techs love us. Reliability and hardiness is a beautiful thing.

And just because we're dealing with Liao, I should mention that they absolutely love fairly-cheap but extremely reliable mechs. Absolutely love them. Just look at the Raven, Cataphract, and (bless it) the Vindicator. They're our market.

>>21866662
The obvious answer is to help the Capellans make a hole, but stick one of those awful anti-rape dick-maulers. But instead of just hurting and pissing him off, it poisons him. Metaphorically of course.
>>
Actuators... Can we make them either really durable, well armored, or have a sort of "backup"? So that, even if damaged, it retains SOME functionality?
>>
>>21866674
have we actually settled on a design?
>>
Rolled 13

>>21866627
>>21866636
>>21866643

You decide to go simple this time and just make sure your actuators are easy to maintain, and aren't Quickdraw-level vulnerable. Can't get too fancy all the time or else you'll end up with a golden goose.

(+5 difficulty for two minor beneficial changes. rolling for design, lower is better)
>>
>>21866615
Maybe if we tried really hard, we could get in an Orion-esque internal structure setup that gives the techs a lot of elbow room while working in it.

Right now, though, making the basics of the mech really reliable, easy to construct and durable would be the priority. Flex those engineering muscles, make it harder better faster stronger every shaved ounce, every redundant energy cabling, every close-fitted weight-bearing structure at a time.
>>
>>21866690
Yes, 2x SRM4, 2x LRM5, 1x MLas, 2x SLas.
>>
>>21866694
THANK YOU BASED DICE
>>
>>21866694
Oh RNG, blessed ye be...
>>
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>>21866694
>>
>>21866694
Fuck yeah, we just designed some fucking durable actuators, with spinning rims.
>>
>>21866694
>Rolls a 13

We good.
>>
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>>21866694
Finally! Our degree works.
>>
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>>21866694
FUCK YES
LOW ROLL
>>
>>21866655
But in order to use a gun you would have to open the hatch to engage boarders. That doesn't sound good. I have a better idea. If we can't have a flamer then add a FUCK YOU anti-boarder system that sets the head of the mech on fire.

Oh and add space for massive loudspeakers! And enough audio equipment inside the pilots can record and play whatever they need to.

rideofthevalkyries.mp3
>>
>>21866694

Well shit, Out intimidating little Chrysalid is bullshit easy to repair what with the compartmentalization, simple design, and now easily swappable / fixable actuators that are also armored to shit and back.
>>
>>21866712
Fuck the 4runner, we UNIMOG now!
>>
>>21866700
is that the "Arena" or whatever people were talking about?
>>
>>21866724
The Capellans will love us to death. If we don't get more offers from them, I will be shocked.
>>
>Bitching heatsinks-backpack
>Scary face
>SKREEEEEEEE Vox set
>Weapon rails to enhance ease of maintenance
>Easy to repair/maintain actuators
>Sturdy actuators

We mechengineer now
>>
>>21866734
No, Hazard Pay, a little wonderful mech with a little wonderful terrifying appearance.
>>
>>21866628
>>21866662
>>21866737
Niggas we have awesome autocannon technology for future projects, we're going to hump some Davion leg as soon as we can because FUCK YEARGH AUTOCANNONS.

Liao is faggots.
>>
I really liked the idea of the evil grin of the mech showing up on thermals... Just saying.
>>
>>21866762
OH MY GOD YES
>>
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>>21866762
>>
>>21866700

(actually, this can't be it, because a thread or two ago you settled on the 7/11 move profile, which left the weapons wide open. plus you have new options to explore.)

>>21866707
>>21866709
>>21866710
>>21866712
>>21866713
>>21866715
>>21866717
>>21866724
>>21866726

Positive Quirk!

You focus on your actuators, making sure they are placed and balanced, and that loads are well within green. You then check to make sure you offset enough for jackets and protective armor placement, which seems to work all too well.

You lean back, and admire your own work. And the best part is, it's not even midnight yet!

(The HZP has gained a positive quirk: Durable. This means that it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The joints are all hyper-efficiently placed, resulting in a smooth ride, and ease of handling, as well as a good maintenance profile. Also, the armor and cowls fit over them perfectly, or will if you do it right, and thusly they are less prone to fragments and other shrapnel jamming or damaging them in any way. The HZP is shaping up to be a very reliable machine.)
>>
>>21866722
>>21866655

I personally don't see any reason to NOT have it.

We could always just have an overhead gun compartment for emergencies.
>>
OK, now we finished the actuators, we going to work on a head with:

>Passive red-dot for ppc strikes
>Scary face
>Thermally visible 7.0 smile on the international creepiness scale
>Shock absorbers

Is there any way we add flames? Please let us flames.
>>
>>21866755
>filthy Fedrat bullshit spewing from every pore
What's that? I can't hear you over how awful you are. My rebuttal to whatever little putrid mess you spewed is three nouns. Victor Steiner-Davion.
>>
>>21866782
We should finish up the head to give Ivan something to work with, then.
>>
>>21866797
You forgot the VOX set.
>>
>>21866700
>>21866782
The original idea was with LRM5s, but since we didn't get two MLas the consensus seemed to switch on the 2xSRM4, 2xSLas, MLas configuration.

Which would only seem even more logical now that we've derped around with center-lock, for dat alpha strike in the back power.
>>
>>21866797
Well make sure that the smile isn't going to run hot enough to give away its position any more than the rest of its passive heat signature.
>>
>>21866785
>>21866722

(the standard cockpit design calls for small arms storage, survival kit, privy, bed, and stowage for up to 200 lbs of assorted gear. that's expected of all Inner Sphere 'Mechs)
>>
>>21866782
SKVOREC TOUGH
>>21866827
Superflous heatsink that can be turned on and off?
>>
>>21866829
I wouldn't have suggested it if I knew this. Thanks.
>>
>>21866829
maybe work on durability now. See how the head in general looks.
>>
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>>21866762
Mwahaha, glad to see someone else agrees with me. It shouldn't be too hard, the teeth of the grin just need to be slightly warmer than the rest of the mech. Also you need to clearly define the lines between the teeth otherwise the effect is lost.

Also just in case stealth is a concern maybe we could figure out a way to turn it off?

>ceiling chryssalid is watching you
>>
Selling as a "garrison" mech, external audio should be somewhat impressive - either to give orders to infantry / civillians / whoeverthefuckisaround, and because even if radio is damaged, who cares if you're loud? You're the fucking guard, you're not trying to be sneaky.

Also, Bodies.mp3

I'd also like to recommend we build up some better fabrication facilities, as we REALLY need to reverse-engineer our shit.
>>
>>21866810
>>21866861

You're not terribly tired, but you also just worked 8 hours + straight on the actuators, and your eyes could use a break.

You figure it might be best to leave the head design till tomorrow; Ivan is unlikely to be cross with you since he now has 45mms to play with on the Crazy Ivan.

Of course, that begs the question of how to spend your night till you get tired enough to sleep... you wonder who's up this time of night besides you.

(I'm going to call it there for the night folks! I'm glad I was able to get this going again after the chaos of the holiday. I'll archive it in a minute and get you a link. Also, do I have to archive at foolz or is it automatic?)
>>
>>21866888
>dem teef look like a cockpit
MAKE IT SO NUMBER ONE
MAKE IT SO SO BAD
>>
>>21866913
foolz archive is automatic.
>>
>>21866888
I'm against it. One more series of things that can break(read: WILL break) and probably get a pilot killed. The Atlas' punkin'head works because it's fucking huge, and it's all armor. This is bordering on 'trying too hard' territory. Let's make it distinct, but spare the clowny SFX
>>
>>21866913
Foolz is auto.

When's the next session planned? Are you likely to make it Wednesday?
>>
>>21866913
when will you be on next? My schedule is pretty goofy.
>>
>>21866926
>>21866935
>>21866937

I'd like to do it Wednesday, yes, but I got a new job so things are still pretty crazy. I should be free though, since the majority of my time so far has been am-early afternoon. I'll try to let you all know ASAP as usual, 24 hour notice at least.

Sound good?

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21863382/
Thread link. vote at
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive
if you had fun and enjoyed the quest tonight. I'm so frigging happy to have this going again,, you have no idea.

I'll stick around for a bit for Q&A.
>>
So, we're making a cheap, durable, easily serviced mech that looks goddamn scary and packs a good, if short-ranged, punch?

whatcouldpossiblygowrong.jpg

I vote we do schematics for a longer-ranged variant, and see which our backers like best. They can always vote for both, we have a modular, easy to change style, they may need no more than a few extra parts shipped with our standard HZD to make it a HZD/Long, or whatever you wanna call it.
>>
>>21866979
Balls, I usually get off work around 8. I'll be watching the archives though, I lurked the entire time but enjoyed myself, only thing I posted was this >>21865639.

Nice thread op.
>>
>>21866992

Well, the config isn't set in stone yet, but it is a pretty debated topic. Also the previous threads considered this, since it's just a blueprint that's getting presented, to see what variant the prospective buyers would want to fund as the prototype for performance testing.

>>21866999

Thanks, I have a blast running this every time, even if I can feel the seething hate regarding my rolls through the internet.
>>
>>21866992
Our 'modular' style isn't an Omnimech. It still probably takes weeks of calibration to get a module working.
>>
>>21866979
Just to let you know Anontech, I hate your guts.
I was supposed to sleep three hours ago but I stayed up to read this!
>>
>>21867027
I like this way of making it, it seems kinda more real. More like an actual process.
TBH, this is what I wish more quest threads were like. Makin fitin' robots.
>>
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>The Atlas' punkin'head works because it's fucking huge, and it's all armor.
Well yeah, but it's an Atlas! Our mech is only 35 tons.

It should be fine, see pic. This is more or less what we designed, only it has hands and the knees bend the other other way. The head is basically an egg which is one of the strongest shapes and it's inset in the torso a bit. If we make it oversized relative to the torso as in >>21866888 that allows you to bulk up the armour a lot.
>>
>>21866992
It'll be AEN when we show it off to investors, because the name Hazard Pay doesn't really show confidence.

But it wouldn't be that hard to change them on paper, we have a really modular torso where we're sticking the weapons. You can easily sub out the SRMs for LRMs, or make it Large Laser, Medium Laser without Missiles.

It might take a while in the field to change them out, but it's doable.
>>
>>21867031

The main thing that 'modular' helps with is field repairs/retrofitting. The fully-stocked Mechbay at a factory or garrison or base benefits too, but not nearly as much as the techs on the front lines. Which will get rave reviews, and bolster sales; at least you hope. Win the grunts, win the contract, I suppose.

Also, Omnis can switch in hours. Modular days, depending on the weapon system. Lasers are easier to swap in and require less nitpicking (no ammo linkages) but play hell with targeting comps meant for ballistic solutions.
>>
>>21867063
this guy will always be Hazard Pay to me.
>>
>>21867027
Then perhaps we design it to be easily adaptable to do both, and make weapon swapping as easy as possible? Like the psychotic and terrifying appearance of our mech, it could have dual personalities, one for up close, one for smacking from afar.

For that matter, we could run software that is basically coded as two seperate OS - one dedicated to each, that way when configured in one system, the rules / targeting parameters / whatever don't get in the way. Just a thought.
>>
Why not use the head mounted sink for pilot comfort? Keeps you extra cool in combat by riding underneath the command couch and the vented heat comes out the radiator grin in the front. And as an external sink, you can flip it on and off at will.
>>
>>21867041

I usually should have slept hours ago but am still running. It's like we're really engineers!

>>21867048

I appreciate that. This is the feel I was going for. Thank you. It's so fun to run, you have no idea. I love seeing the debate and the compromise. It's all very civil and I appreciate that too.
>>
Oh and I have a question. Jump jets and flamers are basically a hose that leads back to the reactor right? If we can't fit a flamer in the head, what would it take to make something cosmetic as opposed to a discrete weapon?
>>
>>21867119

To answer: yes, basically. Flamers vent plasma from the fusion reactor out to about 90m, and cause anything they hit to burn, do damage, and cause unburnable stuff to heat up. This plays hell with infantry, vees, and battle armor.

Jump Jets use the plasma to superheat air, and expel it in controlled bursts, like a hot air baloon crossed with maneuver thrusters on a modern spacecraft.

Cosmetically... you could do something, like the Night Gyr with its laser heat sinks. It'd be a hell of a roll though.
>>
>>21867170
>elementals can't catch you if you're on fire!

alternately

>disco chryssalids

my brain is full of fuck
>>
>>21867170
I think we can do it, for one. I don't want anything needlessly complex, but the more we can show off WITHOUT being overly-complex, the more awesome our design will look to troops, engineers, maintenance, and most importantly, buyers.

The more intimidating and memorable the appearance is, the more renown our little startup will garner.
>>
>>21867185
I imagine that this would have some pretty heavy drawbacks even if you implemented it successfully.
And it would go against our SKVOREC TUFF idea
>>
>>21867267

While this is true, you have to look to designs like the Berserker to understand where you have to be and in what financial condition to make more 'fun' designs. Is it also good? Yes, it's the best melee design in the game when it has TSM. It's not something a fledgling firm can usually pull off though. A good example is the Bandersnatch. It's sort of a kitchy design that is also functional and pretty solid. So it toes the line pretty well.

>>21867280

Well you already have the stacks, so using them to vent excess steam from the sinks or something wouldn't be too hard and might add appeal without getting crazy with detail.
>>
>>21867328
Venting steam has HUUUGE stealth drawbacks though.
..But as a last chance failsafe, maybe.
>>
>>21867328
...hey, that gives me an idea. Steam isn't that intimidating. But what if we could use the venting to release smoke instead of steam? Smoke obscures visual targeting and it also messes up IR imaging.

Though I still think we should give this thing a flamer. It's 1 ton of weight we need to shave off something else. But if this is a garrison mech the chances of it fighting infantry and vehicles are much higher than something frontline like an Atlas.
>>
>>21867401
Smoke requires combustion, combustion requires having burnable materials on board just for that purpose.
>>
>Garrison unit.
>Stealth.
Pick one of these.
If we wanted a stealthy, we wouldn't have two giant heatsinks sticking up off our back.
>Just sayin'.
>>
>>21867387

Well the sinks work fine without doing so, it'd more be for psych factor than anything. Also being stealthy is really tough in an era before Stealth Armor, Chameleon, and Null Sig. You can shut down, and hide, and use terrain but that's about it. Sensors make low-sig tough to pull off when fusion reactors emit easily IDed wavelengths of radiation that transmit over kilometers. Also seismic detection, etc.

Not that being a ninja is impossible, just very tough. And not playing to the strengths you've already got in your design, which are intimidation and tough-as-nails durability.

that said, I'm also not here to tell you how to play the game, or design the 'Mech. there are plenty of examples of 'Mechs with shticks or tricks that are effective and popular, and the only sort of designs I would actively dissuade you from making are like, 8 tons of MG ammo, 1 ton of armor, and nothing else..
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>>21867387
We wouldn't be venting in stealth situations, it might help vent extra heat after an alpha strike or something like that, and it's more for intimidation than anything else.
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>>21867435
Maybe not stealthy on a strategic level, but we're still a light. Which can't go around yelling I AM HERE SHOOT AT ME like an Atlas can.

>>21867460
Hum, it's still saying I AM IN TROUBLE SHOOT AT ME, but it does give you advantages too. Garand PING + burst of adrenalin.
>>
Well, I'm going to head off. Gotta get to bed soon.

Thanks for participating, and I'll try to let everyone know ASAP when I can run again.
>>
>>21867434
That wouldn't be too hard to do. Burning shit is easy and we have tons of waste heat from the sinks. But I can see it being hard to implement in an on demand system. Okay so steam would still work pretty good. It still blocks your view and messes up IR just the same. On a cold-assed planet it would instantly freeze into ice crystals too.

Okay so make it a feature then. It's basically a tradeoff where you dump coolant to create a huge cloud of "smoke". This could be rather useful in urban settings depending on how big the cloud is. A lance of Chryssies running around a city and blocking all of the intersections with steam would play merry hell with everyone's sight lines. Should be easy enough, all you really need to do is add valves to the coolant stacks.

As an anti-boarding feature could we also route some lines that would flood the head and shoulders of the mech with steam jets? That would cook unprotected infantry and mess with battle armour pretty well.
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As much as, thematically, I like the idea of a flamer in the head...
I don't know if I'm cool having a plasma vent that close to the cockpit.

Would you like that idea if you were a soldier?
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>>21867562
I really, really think we should try and keep to more basic designs for our first mech. If we get too ambitious we'll just cut our own hands off, so to speak.
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>>21867435
It's less about avoiding notice and more about obscuring vision. You can't truly hide, but you can blind THEM.
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>>21867623
but it's limiting our mech to a gimmick.
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>>21867593
Our first priority is getting a solid, basic mech, and we're doing pretty well in that regard. We're durable as fuck and modular which makes repair easier.

The rest of the stuff, the cool steam, the intimidating rapeface, it's all just icing that we're putting on. And we're not behind schedule so that's good.
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>>21867632
Yeah I gotta agree, this is silly. And will take more effort than is worth it and probably take away from efficiency in more important areas.
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>>21867641
More durability and reliability less flash. You did not see any AKs that shot steam into nearby enemys' eyes.
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We need to make something so modular that, given the chassis, you can outfit the mech to do damned-near anything.

>All-out blitzkrieg style? Check.
>Garrison? Check.
>Sniper / artillery support? Check.
>Melee specialist? Check.
>Siegebreaker crazy armor machine? Check.
>Scout / light assault / guerilla unit? Check.

You know this would sell. If we had a design this modular, poorer outfits would want it because they wouldn't have to buy so many different mechs. Rich outfits buy it to store more chassis on board and bring the loadouts along for all of the adaptability. Who would NOT buy this unit?

Spare time engineering should be spent designing easily swappable parts and connections. If the interchangeable mech idea gets enough backers, our new design will get entire factories churning out our design, creating a new industry standard.
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>>21867641
We do have a good base. Let's not go overboard and end up with totem-mech-tier aesthetics.
Maybe even focus on character interaction more.
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>>21867659
That is called an 'Omnimech'.

I don't really think we can achieve that right now.
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>>21867664
Maybe. But we don't need another waifu, we need glorious, glorious engineering. As a compromise, I suggest do the basics, leaving room for flashy stuff later, if there's time.
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>>21867708
I meant more glorious russian drinking buddies and comstar intrigue.
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>>21867690
Maybe not all at once, make it a side-project.
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>>21867708
Personally I suggest making mechs not flashy, but as awesome as possible. I want our mechs to be known not for their strange gimmicks, but for kicking the crap out of other mechs. I want us to build mechs of such caliber that people say "Atlas? Ppfff, let's tear that factory down and build a DatAtlas factory, those are way cooler and sexier". I want to crush the industry underneath a wave of extremely efficient, affordable mechs. I want us to be the bastard child of Quickscell and Defiance Industries with a side dash of fuck you.

What I do hope we avoid is mechs that fart smoke.
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>>21867730
That many variants is kinda beyond this design, better to just make new mechs. Specialization is pretty cool, and it gives us more to do than just rebuild this mech a billion times. Now, a few good variants for differing situations, that I can get behind.

And Omnimechs are so far beyond us it isn't even funny.
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>>21867659
This guy can cover pretty much anything you need from a light mech if you have the time. 7/11 speed isn't slow in the least, durability is always a plus, and it's not that hard to refit the lasers. It'll take a bit, more than an Omnimech to be sure, but you can replace the SRMs with LRMs, stick a Large Laser in and take out the missiles, put in a bloody fuckton of Small Lasers and watch the heat sinks explode at the same time as the enemy. It might be possible to stick a PPC in, and nothing else, or otherwise retrofit it for really long range.

It isn't easy, but it's possible to do with this baby, just don't expect to do it quickly in the field.

>>21867708
HZD-PAY is our waifu, at least until we move onto a new project.

Though Janine is fun, we're both obsessive workaholics which means instead of dates we sit in the same room as we made fiddled with mech specs and tore our hair out over myomer muscle and Janine looked over spreadsheets and inventories tearing out her hair over our financial situation.

And we should spend more time with the rest of the staff as well, we've barely talked with Ilsa and Wanda.
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Should we get a subordinate to help review our designs and perhaps share the workload in the future?

From an engineering standpoint, it's more efficient.
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>>21867579
Well it works for the Berserker, and it's not like you NEED to use it.

If the head doesn't work you could always put it on one of the arms. Better range of motion for sweeping the fire across stuff since we didn't add neck actuators.
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>>21867843

As a pilot, my concern would be, " So say I take some shrapnel damage weakening the armor between my flamer and my cockpit. When I press the button for 'flame-on', am I going to be incinerated as soon as it melts the last inch or so of armor there, rocketing my cockpit instantly to 1,200 degrees or better?"

>mfw this happens
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>>21867977
Well the engineer in me would say that you could add armoured shutters in the shape of jaws that close over the flamer barrel. That way anything that damages the flamer would have to bust through the head armour first.
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>>21868125
Could help, and would certainly look cool as hell to have working "jaws" and a toothy heat smile to boot. Doesn't really "fix" the problem, but would look cool enough for me to give the go-ahead.



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