I don't know if many people took time to read your big post but damn I can't deny that you got me hooked up for those great ideas ! I would like to enjoy such things with the THMPR...
I like those ideas too.
About the different arms and drills, i think this has quite some potential for customising. Allowing differen speeds, or access to different soils and or ressorces. Also, as the player digs deep, he may have to switch and or repair drills to give some pause time (as that was mentionned, armagedon style).
Also, i don't undertand why the thmpr would not hold the ressources... I think it makes much more sense! At least untill it reaches the evac.
I also like the vacuum thinggy, to that, the mechanism should have THE filetering system (centrifuge?) for purifying the ressource (that would take time and require upgrades to get purer and faster process).
Last think, knowing that it should be working in difficult condition, even though it is for harvesting, i disagree with kern, it should be able to have some basic defensive system. It's a gigantic robot, it could smach or wrestle big monsters in some rare difficult cases. But of course not being like a warmachine with rockets or cannons. It should be designed for it purpose, but the engineers are not stupid and they should build it so it can deffend itself a little bit! It is ment to go into warzones, and it looks like a bad ass giant robot! I don't want it to be a giant p****!
Once again, how huge would it be? According to the first poster, it really look gigantic!
About the different arms and drills, i think this has quite some potential for customising. Allowing differen speeds, or access to different soils and or ressorces. Also, as the player digs deep, he may have to switch and or repair drills to give some pause time (as that was mentionned, armagedon style).
Also, i don't undertand why the thmpr would not hold the ressources... I think it makes much more sense! At least untill it reaches the evac.
I also like the vacuum thinggy, to that, the mechanism should have THE filetering system (centrifuge?) for purifying the ressource (that would take time and require upgrades to get purer and faster process).
Last think, knowing that it should be working in difficult condition, even though it is for harvesting, i disagree with kern, it should be able to have some basic defensive system. It's a gigantic robot, it could smach or wrestle big monsters in some rare difficult cases. But of course not being like a warmachine with rockets or cannons. It should be designed for it purpose, but the engineers are not stupid and they should build it so it can deffend itself a little bit! It is ment to go into warzones, and it looks like a bad ass giant robot! I don't want it to be a giant p****!
Once again, how huge would it be? According to the first poster, it really look gigantic!
However, Weapon module system could be a side upgrade to the original system i presented. Which means you can upgrade the system (How well it preforms tasks) or the chassis (How well it can defend itself) This system would act the same. The size of the weapons would impact its mobility. Slow heavier firepower, quicker lighter weapons. You could then upgrade your weapon systems to allow:
Heavier Weapons. Max 2 slots with heavy weapons. or 1 slot with AOE weapon. (Cannon)
More Weapons. Max 3 slots with light weapons
Special: Replace weapon with more defensive item such as a shield, emp pulse or other special equipment that would prove more useful to one type of enemy than another.
Heavy weapons could have longer fire times between shots, or a delay in switching between targets that would represent moving from one target to the next. While lighter weapons can rapidly switch between targets but does noticeably less damage.
This is the import part:
This system would allow creation of specialized items.
Much like in firefall you would be able to create special items that you wouldn't have access to normally.
THESE SHOULD BE BASED ON SKILL. NOT "DO x NPC MISSION"
Achievements for skill should unlock higher tier items for the operator. You managed to fend off a huge special onslaught in XYZ district? Damn, that's impressive. You should have access to XYZ module.
This would be more community drive.
"Hey, can someone help me do XYZ achievement?"
Increasing the interaction between players is always good. AS LONG AS these items are not Overpowered but still very useful. They shouldn't feel like a necessity to use. More like an extra player helping out.