I'm pretty sure it will work like this:

You select your desired maximum metalevel as you would select the gamemode you want to play. And then the game won't allow you to spawn in a fitting whose aggregated metalevel is above the one you have queued up for.
At least this would make sense in my head.

"Exploiting" this system by using BPO suits in the highest risk metalevel queue might be a possibility, though it is questionable if you can be effective enough in a BPO suit to reach enough WP to get a good share of the ISK rewards at EOM.

Ares

The reason that there aren't many people around is because of how the game modes are now. This game is too overwhelming for new players, and they never stick around.

Game modes with meta lock have the potential of growing the population longer term and benefiting players at all levels.

What may initially result in slightly longer wait times for non meta locked games, may ultimately result in shorter wait times if population increases, not to mention any number of other benefits (bringing in more money, which will result in more development, more competition at higher levels etc.)

Just imagine for a moment we end up with FW style wait times... that would really suck for existing players. Call me jaded, but there's no way they can do meta-lock for all game modes we just don't have enough players currently.

I could be wrong, but I would put my ISK on the fact that the pay will be crap for these meta-locked games. Remember what you destroy has a fairly large impact currently on ISK payout. If they add some other multiplier factor in to that the ISK difference for the unlocked game modes will be way better. I know I personally will run the game mode that pays the most, regardless of what I decide to play in. I suspect, and I could be wrong, that the majority will do the same, leaving the meta locked game mode wait times ridiculously high. Even if it goes the other way, I would anticipate one game mode version wait times getting longer then the other and this becoming a feedback loop making the one game mode unplayable due to wait times.

Remember when they combined Ambush and Ambush OMS? I don't think ANYONE wanted this; however, I think we all know why they did it.

Guesses at Echo, anyone?

Thinking:
* Fine Rifle, Plasma Cannon, HMG tuning
* Mobility changes (myos+jumps, backpedal)
* Squad size changes
* V/AV tuning (AV Nades, AV Remotes, Gunnlogi)
* Performance improvements

One Eyed King,

Regarding new player experience I fully agree something needs to be done there. CCP has sadly messed this up from day one. I personally however don't think this is the way to do it. Good players and unbalanced games (match making) combined with jack all rewards for trying to win causes issues.

Strong players will wreck face against new/lower skilled players regardless of what they are wearing. I have always been a strong believer that meta-level used is not what causes issues with the game. It can amplify the effect for sure; however, it is not the core issue IMO.

Just imagine for a moment we end up with FW style wait times... that would really suck for existing players. Call me jaded, but there's no way they can do meta-lock for all game modes we just don't have enough players currently.

I could be wrong, but I would put my ISK on the fact that the pay will be crap for these meta-locked games.

[...]

I know I personally will run the game mode that pays the most

AV remotes fix == I know where my next SP dump is going. Maybe. Still got my eye on the CR. But I still have only L4 in AR sharpshooter and proficiency. Hmmm....when's the next million clone challenge. Bugger.

You know what I wonder...what if there was nothing left to "level up"? Would we still play?

Ares

You are right that neither of us know how this will play out, and a lot depends on how the payout system works.

I have also felt that ISK payouts in Pubs as it currently is also needs work.

I do see the meta lock at least a way for new players to get stomped less than what there is currently. Certainly skill is taken into account, and at a certain level it becomes less of an issue. I myself almost never run even ADV fits, and pretty much run Quaffe exclusively. I still however get the benefits of all my other core and racial suit skills that new players running similar gear may not have the advantage of.

If done correctly there is nothing that says all game modes can't prosper.

I personally would rather wait a little longer for a good game than get instantly put in a stomp. And FW times are goofy, where if you try it solo you have to wait forever, but I often get right in if I am with a full squad.

I fully expect there to be problems at first, but Rattati is pretty good about making adjustments once something new is in place and we can see what the actual problems are.

I went outside the shop and made this
Contribute and bump as you will Bastards

I realized - I have every suit but scout, all amarr, and I must fix this.

So, I'm getting the Amarr Scout - is that a good idea? and if so, why? If not, why also?

Presently you'll have it just for bling. It's missing a real role.

... It happens so many times that you are getting attack by someone in low level gear and even if they shoot you in the back you still have time to turn around and kill them solely because of the better gear.

Wasn't the case until Uprising. In Chromosome, newbros who outplayed vets killed vets. I believe HP Creep and changes to TTK are to the two major factors at play in this.

I realized - I have every suit but scout, all amarr, and I must fix this.

So, I'm getting the Amarr Scout - is that a good idea? and if so, why? If not, why also?