Battletech Burnout

[Drewbacca]

Has anyone ever faced this situation before? have the urge for Battletech, but nothing really catches your eye? I am having the hardest time making a choice of unit, which I guess is pretty obvious from all of the threads I have started lately. I have been on a infantry kick of late, but that is pretty much faction specific. Looking at general units there are none that jump out and scream "Take me!"

It is odd as I have had a long time away from Battletech, and now I sit here struggling to find something that truly interests me.

Has anyone else had a situation like this?

[mbear]

Yes, I've been there. One thing I do is try to find new uses for old equipment I'm already familiar with. I just started a thread talking about using military equipment to support civilian efforts.

Or I'll look at the units and say "hey, there's no 'Mech devoted to actual high-level command officers" and build one.

If you're talking about building a new combat unit, how about branching out into an area where you don't typically play? Maybe building an aerospace fighter will get your creative juices flowing.

[Rtifs]

Battletech is a drama.  So what faction has the drama you are into right now?  What kind of dramatic stories are you interested in?

[Drewbacca]

Battletech is a drama.  So what faction has the drama you are into right now?  What kind of dramatic stories are you interested in?

That is kind of the problem. I am about to start an AtB campaign with my Battletech Group, they want to use home builds and conversions with I am good with, but I want to go with a poor combined arms regiment from the periphery and I am sure they will want to go with new tech.

[massey]

I've been playing the game for almost 30 years, off and on again.  I've had burnout so many times I can't even count.  Sometimes you just have to take a break for a while.  If you're just coming back from a break, maybe it wasn't long enough.

[Drewbacca]

I've been playing the game for almost 30 years, off and on again.  I've had burnout so many times I can't even count.  Sometimes you just have to take a break for a while.  If you're just coming back from a break, maybe it wasn't long enough.

Good point.

[Garrand]

Like the above, burnout is something that can happen for a fan of a long running franchise. I know I certainly felt it a few times. But I come back. One thing about it though: if you DO feel burned out, but know that you still have an interest in the game & setting, it may pay to stay on top of releases. My burnout happened around the time War of Reaving so I missed that release in DTF. Now its going for ridiculous prices on the secondary market (approaching $200 last I checked!).

Damon.

[Minemech]

 I do recommend the break, including with the forums, but I would recommend a specific type of challenge to be run before and after it. Play a tech 1 Battalion game, using only mechs. It can be very tedious, and time consuming, but will challenge you differently than lance, or even company level games. Play it oldstyle. Think of it as a party. During your break, read fine literature, it will affect your playing style more than you think.

[Weirdo]

That is kind of the problem. I am about to start an AtB campaign with my Battletech Group, they want to use home builds and conversions with I am good with, but I want to go with a poor combined arms regiment from the periphery and I am sure they will want to go with new tech.

That means you're going to be using cheaper units, thus you'll have numerical or tonnage advantage. Your new challenge is to figure out how to get the most use possible out of that advantage. :)

[Kovax]

I've run a couple of combined arms units (including mixed 'Mech and vehicle lances) for low-end militia or periphery campaigns.  Try pairing a Locust, Wasp, or Stinger with 3 tanks, and using the 'Mech to protect the vehicles against other 'Mechs while the tanks deliver the bulk of your raw firepower.  If that's not different enough, toss in a company of infantry and lower the tonnage/BV of the vehicles to compensate.

There's also nothing like a random assignment table to force you to use stuff you normally don't use or even see, and the 2D6 one in the old Mercenaries Handbook gives a much more diverse force than Xotl's D100 tables, which seem to concentrate at least half of the rolls down to the same 2-3 units in each weight class.

Playing the same old stuff in campaign after campaign, and/or modifying anything else to roughly the same stats, makes the game stale and boring.  "Gee, I love Hunchbacks, so I modified my Shadow Hawk into a 55 ton Hunchback wannabe, modified my 50 ton Trebuchet into a pseudo-Hunchback, and went with a "Killer Rabbit" Locust variant with an AC/20 that turns it into as close to a Hunchback as I can make it......why am I getting bored with the game?"

[ANS Kamas P81]

a "Killer Rabbit" Locust variant with an AC/20

You just had to say it, didn't you.

[Retry]

Playing the same old stuff in campaign after campaign, and/or modifying anything else to roughly the same stats, makes the game stale and boring.  "Gee, I love Hunchbacks, so I modified my Shadow Hawk into a 55 ton Hunchback wannabe, modified my 50 ton Trebuchet into a pseudo-Hunchback, and went with a "Killer Rabbit" Locust variant with an AC/20 that turns it into as close to a Hunchback as I can make it......why am I getting bored with the game?"

I must admit, a Pseudo-Hunchback Locust sounds like the opposite of boring.

[omega2010]

a "Killer Rabbit" Locust variant with an AC/20

I'm going to make this in the HBS game.

[JadeHellbringer]

Burnout happens. It isn't just a Battletech thing, of course, but any fandom. I have my interests outside of Battletech ebb and flow depending on what's going on. For me, the only fictional universe I enjoy more than this one is Fallout- and while there's been some great developments from that the past few years (the board game is surprisingly good!), a few years ago things were rough on that front. I'd played the older games to a point that they were almost muscle-memory, there was no sign of movement beyond wild rumors on 'Fallout 4'... it was tough to maintain an interest. Battletech has been pretty quiet the past couple of years, certainly compared to the days of the Jihad and War of Reaving books giving us a ton to discuss and absorb (which is NOT to say that the products are lesser in quality per se, just lesser in terms of quantity!). I admit my own interest has waned as a result- still here, still painting miniatures, still coming up with game ideas... but not as gung-ho as I was in, say, 2012. Hoping that changes again soon.

But hey, other factors weigh in too. It's hard to maintain that interest level when real life beats on you. Long work hours can do it, or a new kid in the house, etc. can all factor in- less time for hobbies means less time with it on the mind, and that means it's further and further from your thoughts in-general. Maybe another game takes your attention- I know I'm an avid Star Trek Attack Wing player, for example, and my paint bench regularly shoves Battletech aside in favor of working on a Vulcan ship or something like that (and vice versa, to be fair).

Best thing to do? Don't fight that burnout feeling. Let it happen- don't read Test of Vengeance or paint an Orion because you're a Battletech fan and want to fight that feeling of burnout. Walk away for a bit- those books and such aren't going anywhere. Enjoy other things, deal with what life throws at you, and if the urge comes back, then follow it back to the Inner Sphere. And you know what? It might never do so. You may just call it a career, hang up the neurohelmet, and be done with the game. That happens too, no shame in it.

The important thing, do what's right for you as a fan rather than force something you don't really want to do- THAT will lead to you going past 'burnout' and heading into 'chore' territory.

[Minemech]

Burnout happens. It isn't just a Battletech thing, of course, but any fandom. I have my interests outside of Battletech ebb and flow depending on what's going on. For me, the only fictional universe I enjoy more than this one is Fallout- and while there's been some great developments from that the past few years (the board game is surprisingly good!), a few years ago things were rough on that front. I'd played the older games to a point that they were almost muscle-memory, there was no sign of movement beyond wild rumors on 'Fallout 4'... it was tough to maintain an interest. Battletech has been pretty quiet the past couple of years, certainly compared to the days of the Jihad and War of Reaving books giving us a ton to discuss and absorb (which is NOT to say that the products are lesser in quality per se, just lesser in terms of quantity!). I admit my own interest has waned as a result- still here, still painting miniatures, still coming up with game ideas... but not as gung-ho as I was in, say, 2012. Hoping that changes again soon.

But hey, other factors weigh in too. It's hard to maintain that interest level when real life beats on you. Long work hours can do it, or a new kid in the house, etc. can all factor in- less time for hobbies means less time with it on the mind, and that means it's further and further from your thoughts in-general. Maybe another game takes your attention- I know I'm an avid Star Trek Attack Wing player, for example, and my paint bench regularly shoves Battletech aside in favor of working on a Vulcan ship or something like that (and vice versa, to be fair).

Best thing to do? Don't fight that burnout feeling. Let it happen- don't read Test of Vengeance or paint an Orion because you're a Battletech fan and want to fight that feeling of burnout. Walk away for a bit- those books and such aren't going anywhere. Enjoy other things, deal with what life throws at you, and if the urge comes back, then follow it back to the Inner Sphere. And you know what? It might never do so. You may just call it a career, hang up the neurohelmet, and be done with the game. That happens too, no shame in it.

The important thing, do what's right for you as a fan rather than force something you don't really want to do- THAT will lead to you going past 'burnout' and heading into 'chore' territory.

Solid advice.

[ColBosch]

Thirded. This is supposed to be fun, and when it stops being fun, go do something else. Personally, I have other games, even entire other hobbies, to turn to when I burn out on BattleTech or anything else.

[Kovax]

The important thing, do what's right for you as a fan rather than force something you don't really want to do- THAT will lead to you going past 'burnout' and heading into 'chore' territory.

Agreed.  I recall playing one video game past the point where I had stopped enjoying it, and just wanted to finish the [self-censored] thing to be able to say I beat it.  By the time I got to the ending, just putting the game disc in the drive was almost physically painful.  When they released an expansion that was highly rated and supposedly fixed several of the major issues I had with the original, I had some interest in trying it, and even purchased the expansion, but couldn't get past my previous revulsion to actually load the disc.  A decade later, I still can't bring myself to play it.

If you're not enjoying it, STOP.  There's no point in making yourself hate the game, and you're more likely to regain an interest if you DON'T push it.

[chaosticket]

I have a comparable problem. Im stuck with 3025-3060s of Battletech. Havent seen any new technology useful enough or any stories after that Ive liked, but I have my reasons. Im waiting for the next "Clan/Alien Invasion" to advance technology and get things out of the "Three Kingdoms/Game of Thrones/Great Houses" period. If I think about any of that for too long I have to pick up a videogame or book.

Some people do things until things become dull. Others are passionate until frustration hurts. People need breaks.

[JPArbiter]

My man Hellbie pointed out EXACTLY what, why and how to cope with burnout. For me it becomes doubly hard to back off because of the podcast and a need to maintain that minimum level of engagement with the IP.

Still i jyst ket it was over even if it means my painting studio gathers dust for a while, and i pick up non ip books (which is healthy anyway)

Forcing yourself to stay engaged in a hobby is like forcing yourself to stay engaged in dating, in the long run it just doesn’t work

[CrossfirePilot]

Chalk some of it up to just getting older too and having changing tastes.  I never got to play enough as a kid, but now I think that I wouldn't be able to due it just because of so many other demands on my time.  However I still cannot wait until my 2 and 4 year old get old enough.  My 4 year old is already pointing to the Warhammer and Longbow on my shelf saying that the Warhammer is his and the Longbow is his brothers.

[Demon55]

Yes, I have been burned out from Battletech and Mechwarrior for a while.  Still love them though.

[Drewbacca]

I think I figured out what it is. I am looking for a particular loadout in an Inner Sphere mech and it does not seem to exist, and since I do not want to use a home-made unit, it is getting frutrating.

[Weirdo]

Step one: Be awesome enough on these forums and elsewhere that you get invited into one of the volunteer groups, such as forum moderation, MUL, rules, etc. Or just become a demo agent. That's the only one that's not strictly invitation-only.

Step two: Wait until they need designs, likely a TRO or RS Upgrades thing and put out a call for stuff.

Step three: Solve your problem. 8)

[Maingunnery]

Step one: Be awesome enough on these forums and elsewhere that you get invited into one of the volunteer groups, such as forum moderation, MUL, rules, etc. Or just become a demo agent. That's the only one that's not strictly invitation-only.

Step two: Wait until they need designs, likely a TRO or RS Upgrades thing and put out a call for stuff.

Step three: Solve your problem. 8)

Step four: Run faster! As other members of your gaming group run after you.  ;)

[chaosticket]

I think I figured out what it is. I am looking for a particular loadout in an Inner Sphere mech and it does not seem to exist, and since I do not want to use a home-made unit, it is getting frutrating.

You mean you dont alter designs? Are you looking for just the loadout, or do you have other criteria such as specific weight classes? Do you not want to or are you unable to use better Clan technology?

[Minemech]

My man Hellbie pointed out EXACTLY what, why and how to cope with burnout. For me it becomes doubly hard to back off because of the podcast and a need to maintain that minimum level of engagement with the IP.

Still i jyst ket it was over even if it means my painting studio gathers dust for a while, and i pick up non ip books (which is healthy anyway)

Forcing yourself to stay engaged in a hobby is like forcing yourself to stay engaged in dating, in the long run it just doesn’t work

Keep in mind that skillful book reviews are bread and butter work in academia. If you can skillfully dissect books outside BTU, there are plenty of players who will still watch. I remember discussions on older iterations of these forums moving anywhere from the history of the Byzantine Roman Empire, to various topics in physics to elsewhere, while remaining on topic. In this respect, you can maintain your program, and possibly have an interesting discussion follow your video.

[Drewbacca]

You mean you dont alter designs? Are you looking for just the loadout, or do you have other criteria such as specific weight classes? Do you not want to or are you unable to use better Clan technology?

No I do, sometimes alter designs, but I am trying to put a cap on that. I do have some things I am trying out recently, but it is a matter of frustration causing me to lose interest.

[mbear]

But hey, other factors weigh in too. It's hard to maintain that interest level when real life beats on you. Long work hours can do it,

Man, ain't that the truth. If I have one more conversation with our company designer about a benefit name breaking across two lines of text instead of one line, I may go crazy. At least I have Origins to look forward to. Conveniently it arrives every year right as I'm about to start shouting at people. Going there for a week is a great way to not get fired. ;)

But by all means take a break. I had to when I was working on Sarna. The Updates Needed list just got bigger and bigger, and no matter how many hours I threw at making it smaller, it just got bigger. Sarna work started to feel like my job. So I'm taking some time off.

[Androsynth]

Burnout's a big danger in any hobby. I stopped playing BT twenty years ago due to a friend wanting to do this huge custom mech game that took ages to build and design. God so fed up I said screw it and stopped playing ...until now.

I also collect retro video games, and run conventions. At one point I was one of the original organizers of this huge retro con on the west coast called PRGE. It damn near killed my love of the hobby before I stepped down. Great con, too much work for me.

Since then, I draw a line in the sand between hobby and job, work and fun. I make sure my hobbies never turn into (hard) work... because they tend to not be hobbies anymore when that line gets crossed. Plus, if you are not having any fun, people you introduce to the hobby wont either.

Games are fun. If they are not... you're probably doing something wrong.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

If I get to a point where I want to play but nothing interests me, I typically try to find the most insane designs I can and try running them.