The Multiplayer Experience?

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:31 pm

Hi,

I am wondering what the MP experience for Mercenaries is like. I'm a little hesitant to simply jump in to MP both because I am new to seriously playing the game (Demo'd from time to time) and also since I don't know what to expect.

I know there are a few servers online, run by other players, but I am wondering what is considered one of the most active servers? How many players are on (Peak / Non-peak) and what the general atmosphere is like?

When people explore the game, do they usually do it online? Right now I am playing with the Trading aspect of the game. I have taken a few Missions, some of them combat. But mostly I just buy/sell between a couple systems right now.

How is that different in Multiplayer? How is Station Building affected? If I build station is someone going to come along and just blow it up?? Or am I going to get in trouble for building on some clans "turf" ?? HOw would I know if a system/sector has been claimed by someone ?

I admit at this point, I would probably play online more for the "social" aspect. Like Truckers who talk to each other over the radio during long trips, etc. It's nice to have a sense of community after all - is there a global chat ?

Also I've seen comments that you can use your single player profile in multiplayer - how does saving in multiplayer work? Is it mostly transparent?? (Someone gives me an item, and I have it offline too?)

Sorry for all the questions. These are the most basic, I guess. I'm just wondering what I can expect to give/get out of the experience.

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:42 pm

To check who is on line, select the Multiplayer option then click on List Servers ... after which, all the current servers will be listed. Right-click on any server in the list to see who is currently playing on that server. Left click to log on. Once on a server, press the tilde (~) key to see where each player is located (upper-right portion of your screen). Press the Enter key to open chat, type in your "hail" and press Enter again to transmit.

Almost everything you do is carried over between MP and SP. The biggest exception being player-built stations (else you could end up with two or more players trying to crowd their SP stations into the same MP sector). As for friendliness, the forum is a good place to gauge which servers are friendly and which will "allow" you to build stations in certain locations.

Besides having a place to build, the biggest advantage of being in a clan is that you get paid every cycle for each territory the clan holds.

kb5ixd · Post by **kb5ixd** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:25 pm

Zach, Just jump in - I have found the MP servers to be about the same as SP - As a trader I think there is more money to be made in MP tho.

I normally play on Starport 6 server and have seen as many as 10 or 12 on at the same time.

No folks are not just running around each other with their finger on the 'fire missle' buttom.

As a rule it seems that IF folks wanta PvP they 'ask'

I also wanta get in and 'play' with the building side of the game. I am in no clan/guild and maybe never will be.

As far as folks blowing up non-clan marked stations - I don't think that happens much if at all.

Just jump in, if your on SP6 and I'm on I'll work with you.

Nubarus · Post by **Nubarus** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:30 pm

Are the clans still stuffing all the systems full of their stations so that indy traders are unable to build anything in the known and linked systems?

Just wondering because that was a major game killer for me in the online aspect of the game, having to go off the grid to be able to build up a trade network so your movement is limited due to not being able to use the jump gates, wasting time making smaller jumps instead.

That is the reason I only play offline now.

kb5ixd · Post by **kb5ixd** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:54 pm

From post: 157782, Topic: tid=10541, author=Nubarus wrote:Are the clans still stuffing all the systems full of their stations so that indy traders are unable to build anything in the known and linked systems?

Just wondering because that was a major game killer for me in the online aspect of the game, having to go off the grid to be able to build up a trade network so your movement is limited due to not being able to use the jump gates, wasting time making smaller jumps instead.

That is the reason I only play offline now.

We'll have to see what the clans say about this - I 'thought' 'non-clan tagged' stations really had no bearing on the clans other than max count of stations per system/sector - wait for one of their wars - build your trade network then - I don't 'think' they go around blowing up non-clan stations - I should hope not.

Someone add to this from the 'clans' standpoint - I would like to know also... tx's

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:14 pm

It depends on the server. Galactica 1, for example, still has a few unclaimed gated systems and those that are claimed by IM have lots of room for non-clan stations.

Starbuck · Post by **Starbuck** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 7:50 am

Wondered what happend to you nubarus... Come on to Galactica1. Lots of room on there Be good to see you.!

Nubarus · Post by **Nubarus** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:02 am

I will have a peek shortly Starbuck.

Hagan · Post by **Hagan** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:02 am

From post: 157782, Topic: tid=10541, author=Nubarus wrote:Are the clans still stuffing all the systems full of their stations so that indy traders are unable to build anything in the known and linked systems?

Just wondering because that was a major game killer for me in the online aspect of the game, having to go off the grid to be able to build up a trade network so your movement is limited due to not being able to use the jump gates, wasting time making smaller jumps instead.

That is the reason I only play offline now.

Anyone can build and trade in systems claimed by [DR].
We left enough room for 30 stations that can be built. (Chiron Beta Prime)
I can not guarantee there is room for that many stations in our systems on Starport6 as that server has been station spammed in the past.

Clan tagged station are allowed too and we wont go around destructing stations simply because they are not ours.
If stations of ours have been destroyed then stations maybe be destroyed if it is we need to make room.
Clan tagged station will have highest priority for removal if that is needed.
.

[Edited on 2-4-2013 by Hagan]

Dengar · Post by **Dengar** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:34 pm

Well now that BA are back in the action a little more, then maybe we will pop on to different servers to make a nuisance of ourselves. Newbies tend to get hit, but only once. It called the "BA Welcome".

We tend not to blow up stations and are certainly not big enough to claim territory.

I guess we are the itch you can't quite reach. But the Hector Protectors out there will come to the Newbies aid.

No having said all that we are more than happy to help the newbies in honing their combat skills. Normally its on me, but I have had good days. Bossk is the "leader". I use the term in the loosest form though!!!

Once again, BA are coming back!!!

berighteous · Post by **berighteous** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:43 am

When and where y'all fly MP? Every time I look at the servers nobody's there. I wanna fly when other folks are flying.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:31 pm

Depends on your time zone!
Also most people have real lives which many confuse with EM!....LOL....

:D

Many times when I go on MP I do not see any body for hours!
But in the evenings U.S North Eastern time Zone many times I find some players or many players between 6 and 11 pm on the weekends more some times!

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:47 pm

You are very welcome to join us on Ceti Alpha 5 between 7:30 pm - 11 pm CST almost everynight. We PvP and play last man standing. We meet at the PvP Station in Saphire at 0.0.7.
We average between 4 to 10 people and PvP while talking on Team Speak.

[Edited on 12-25-2008 by Star King]

Post by **DaveK** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:01 pm

From post: 159551, Topic: tid=10541, author=Star King wrote:You are then welcome to join us on Ceti Alpha 5 between 7:30 pm - 11 pm almost everynight. We PvP and play last man standing. We meet at the PvP Station in Saphire at 0.0.7.
We average between 4 to 10 people and PvP while talking on Team Speak.

I think one of the problems is . . . .

7:30pm - 11 pm

but in whose time zone?? GMT / UCT / are fairly universal but even USA Eastern and Western coasts are 3(?) hours apart!

I'm playing in the UK at nearly midnight, waiting for Yank players to finish their tea after getting home after a hard day. Alternately, I'm bright eyes and bushy tailed just as they are off to bed!

It's even worse - as a retired old gimma, most of the European players are at work when I'm at play!!

berighteous · Post by **berighteous** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:59 am

I'm on mountain time (-7), but I'm self employed, and a night owl, so I can fly any time.

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:11 pm

We are pretty equally divided some of us are in Central time and some in the Eastern Time zone. At Ceti Alpha 5 you will see:

Captain Cronic
Flash
King Arthur
Space Panda
Calypso
Poly
Hawk Eye
Cargo
HourHero

And too many to make mention. But the gang varies from night to night. Just ask to PvP and have a blast. Get on TS to avoid text messaging.