HABeas2

[Mechwarriorfreak]

Well, you could submit a story to BattleCorps, yes, but be aware that probably still won't get you anywhere near having one of your designs published. As I mentioned, Herb (the HABeas2 of this thread's title) is now doing the design work himself so the writers and artists don't have to.

So if you do submit stuff to BC, it should be because you have stories you want to tell, not because you have a killer awesome 'Mech design you want to see in print. Doing so with that goal will, I'm afraid, more likely end in heartbreak than not.

Let me guess. Herb won't take any designs from anyone else will he? Even if they'd like to help him in doing so?

[ANS Kamas P81]

Bingo, son.

[Fireangel]

Good news!  The devs don't read the design forums

I'm not just talking about the actual design; sometimes the concept is something new and pretty much unknown prior to discussion and it gets mentioned and discussed in other threads. For example, in canon, all WiGEs are basically transport types with light armour and armament: I designed what basically amounts to an MBT WiGE, with heavy armour, turret and even integral infantry support, designed to be dropped from high altitude directly into combat without additional equipment or the need to ready and "unpack"... using the rules as published. This got discussed in several other threads, not just the design forum.

Another one would be the "Let's build a colony" article in the fan articles forum; I'm just getting my mind wrapped around the idea that NOTHING in that article may make it in canon beyond the absolute basics.

That's kinda depressing.

[Mechwarriorfreak]

Bingo, son.

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( #P

[Mechwarriorfreak]

Bingo, son.

I sure hope that Mr. Herb will realize someday that there's someone out there who'd love to help him with designing mechs. And he'll be kind and gracious enough to grant me that privilege. SOMEDAY..........

[ANS Kamas P81]

I'm gonna step in for Herb and say "Yeah I know.  Not interested."

[Mechwarriorfreak]

I'm gonna step in for Herb and say "Yeah I know.  Not interested."

WHY?????? My designs a freakin awesome! I'm not saying that to say that Herbs designs are bad, I'm just saying that I've got something to prove. But if he's not interested, he's not interested.

[Banzai]

Stranger things have happened.  Like....um....hmmmmm.   Marisa Tomei beat Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, Vanessa Redgrave and Judy Davis for Best Supporting Actress in 1993 for My Cousin Vinnie.  So there you go.

[ANS Kamas P81]

WHY?????? My designs a freakin awesome!

Well, that would be why.  Look through everything in the game, and understand this.

It's not about awesome designs.

Having the ultimate 'Mech is pointless and stupid.

[Mechwarriorfreak]

Well, that would be why.  Look through everything in the game, and understand this.

It's not about awesome designs.

Having the ultimate 'Mech is pointless and stupid.

Thats true though. There's always gotta be competition and fighting. No room for peace right?

[Fireangel]

Would be cool to have a design contest with the prize being the unit immortalized in canon in the next TRO. hint-hint   ::)

[ANS Kamas P81]

Thats true though. There's always gotta be competition and fighting. No room for peace right?

That doesn't have anything to do with the 'Mech designs. 

[roosterboy]

WHY?????? My designs a freakin awesome!

There are a number of reasons, including but not limited to:
1. Unsolicited work can quickly become a legal minefield.
2. Lots of fans want to pitch in, why should you get the nod over anyone else?
3. "Freakin awesome" designs are not necessarily the best ones for the universe, where game balance and storyline are important considerations.

[ANS Kamas P81]

1. Unsolicited work can quickly become a legal minefield.

See also: Rule 8 and Battletechnology...

[Youngblood]

There is one thing I think you should do, Mechwarriorfreak.  Keep being a fan, don't get bored, look for some real-life tabletop gatherings in the Challenges and Gatherings forum, and who knows what'll happen?

[JadeHellbringer]

Thats true though. There's always gotta be competition and fighting. No room for peace right?

As my local group likes to laugh, "This ain't Tickletech. Start shooting."

[roosterboy]

Would be cool to have a design contest with the prize being the unit immortalized in canon in the next TRO. hint-hint   ::)

You mean like the Unique 'Mechs contest BattleCorps held several years ago? Or its follow-up, the ill-fated Unique Fighters contest? Those didn't work out so well and I can't really see TPTB wanting to open another can of worms like that again. But, then again, you never know.

[Mechwarriorfreak]

You mean like the Unique 'Mechs contest BattleCorps held several years ago? Or its follow-up, the ill-fated Unique Fighters contest? Those didn't work out so well and I can't really see TPTB wanting to open another can of worms like that again. But, then again, you never know.

If it didn't work out because no one was interested in it, thats no longer an issue now. hint-hint  ::)

[Youngblood]

You mean like the Unique 'Mechs contest BattleCorps held several years ago? Or its follow-up, the ill-fated Unique Fighters contest? Those didn't work out so well and I can't really see TPTB wanting to open another can of worms like that again. But, then again, you never know.

BattleCorps members had a chance to do something along those lines for TRO 3085.  Given how much trash the staff had to sort through, as well as Herb shutting the doors on writer designs, that'll probably never happen again.

[ANS Kamas P81]

Two people isn't a contest.  And there's still the point that this game is not simply a game but a business, and bound by laws that apply to intellectual properties.  Sure you created it and it's cool, but previous-ownership, licensing, and contracts all come into play and can cost a lot more money than it's worth.  How many people actually bought Unique Mechs anyway?

[Mechwarriorfreak]

BattleCorps members had a chance to do something along those lines for TRO 3085.  Given how much trash the staff had to sort through, as well as Herb shutting the doors on writer designs, that'll probably never happen again.

Can't some of us approach his superiors with the idea of developing a TEAM of people who can approve of the designs? Herb could lead it, but the load of work could be shared.

[Talz]

So where does that leave me as far as options are concerned. Write a fictitious story and post it on BattleCorps?

Battlecorps members have been occasionally given the chance to submit some custom variants of existing designs but nothing from scratch IIRC.  There have been past projects like Unique Mechs & Unique Fighters but the first I was able to submit some for was the Old is the New New section of 3085, none of my entries were chosen, although 2 were close enough that I'm claiming partial credit and I like to pretend my Prowler entry helped it push it's way into the Supplemental.  For the record I still maintain that a tank named the Prowler should have a stealth armor variant, I think the same about most vees but that's beside the point!   ;)  :D

It was a fun opportunity but it's impossible to say when or even if they'll do something along even those limited lines again.

If it didn't work out because no one was interested in it, thats no longer an issue now. hint-hint  ::)

The end results for all the projects mentioned were fun to see even if progress was slow on the Uniques, it's just hard to set aside manpower for projects that aren't money makers though.  The Battletech universe is a big place though and it's well established that the TRO's don't cover every small volume manufacturer so if you want something in your game, put it in your game and have fun!

[ANS Kamas P81]

You're assuming Herb has a boss.  (Technically correct, but not insofar as BattleTech) 

Second, approval is Herb's job no matter what - whether 10 people sort and submit to him or not, it still comes down to him.  Besides, the point is that there won't be writer-submitted designs without specific "design this to fit this art or this need" as determined by the line developer.

You might as well call it HerbTech.  And remember that whatever works for you, knock yourself out and play - but what happens in your world stays in your world; it won't become canon even if it's so awesome it invented sliced bread.  A shame...but BT is fun that way.

[JadeHellbringer]

Can't some of us approach his superiors with the idea of developing a TEAM of people who can approve of the designs? Herb could lead it, but the load of work could be shared.

The short version: No.

The long version: Nope.

[Fireangel]

You mean like the Unique 'Mechs contest BattleCorps held several years ago? Or its follow-up, the ill-fated Unique Fighters contest? Those didn't work out so well and I can't really see TPTB wanting to open another can of worms like that again. But, then again, you never know.

If it is Battlecorps-only it is not really open; only those who pay for their membership have the opportunity of participating and the rest of us won't even hear about it because "what happens in battlecorps stays in battlecorps".

[Slade, The Grey Fox]

There's also the fan fiction area of this very website, of course.

You didn't follow the chain of command. You have to be a pain in the ass to lower-level folks like Paul first. You can't just go straight to el capitan and start poking at him!  :D

Don't do it.  I poked Ben enough and ended up wearing a Pens jersey...

I won't even go into what happened with Hellbie.  *shudder*

[Mechwarriorfreak]

You're assuming Herb has a boss.  (Technically correct, but not insofar as BattleTech) 

Second, approval is Herb's job no matter what - whether 10 people sort and submit to him or not, it still comes down to him.  Besides, the point is that there won't be writer-submitted designs without specific "design this to fit this art or this need" as determined by the line developer.

You might as well call it HerbTech.  And remember that whatever works for you, knock yourself out and play - but what happens in your world stays in your world; it won't become canon even if it's so awesome it invented sliced bread.  A shame...but BT is fun that way.

True. And on a second thought, it wouldn't be cool if that privilege would have been granted to everyone, because then what you made wouldn't be significant anymore. Probably a better idea just to stick to my world, as thats what makes it special. MY WORLD baby!!!!! OOH-RAH

[Paul]

Don't do it.  I poked Ben enough and ended up wearing a Pens jersey...

Don't knock what Brian said, it is after all how Ben got started. Now he's my boss. =)

Paul

[Mechwarriorfreak]

Don't do it.  I poked Ben enough and ended up wearing a Pens jersey...

I won't even go into what happened with Hellbie.  *shudder*

Hellbie is da man, man!  ;D

[Banzai]

True. And on a second thought, it wouldn't be cool if that privilege would have been granted to everyone, because then what you made wouldn't be significant anymore. Probably a better idea just to stick to my world, as thats what makes it special. MY WORLD baby!!!!! OOH-RAH

And there is a whole board here on Fan Designs.  http://www.classicbattletech.com/forums/index.php/board,16.0.html

Go to town!