These notes are from my conversations with GK, who is the visionary for the game. Since it's best for organizational purposes to have a leader, GK is the leader for this game creation project so he will make any final decisions about game play (if necessary). He has the vision and a very strong background in making games, so it only makes sense.
Controls
* WASD will be used to control the lower half of the mech (legs).
** Mechs have variable speed. We will most likely implement this by double tapping W or S to change the speed (though this may change, if it doesn't work well).
* The mouse changes the direction that the torso/upper body is facing independent of the direction of the legs.
* Weapon selection will be numbers and mousewheel as in normal FPSes.
* Jet packs (an advanced element of the game for later) will be controlled by pressing/holding the space bar to activate the jet pack and fly up.
Moblity
* Mechs can climb very steep angles. Say, 75 degrees to start (though it may be adjusted). They slow down though, the steeper the angle.
* Mechs can have jet packs (not sure about how these are "picked up" in game), which allow the to have thrust in the Y direction for a limited time.
* There are some non-mech models, like helicopters, that may fly.
Energy
* Mechs will have a portable power reactor on board, that allows them a certain amount of energy at a given time. All activities from your mech will count against your available power. Some examples of how this affects game play:
** If they're moving as fast as possible, then they shoot more slowly.
** Or if they're using a very powerful weapon, then they cannot move very fast.
* You don't ever run out of energy (at least I don't think so), but rather you have a maximum amount of continuous energy that you use.
Combat System
* Battles are long, they can last several minutes (as opposed to seconds).
* As a mech in battle, you are trying to inflict as much damage as possible while a mech is in field of view. This is one of the way changing speed comes in, as you may want to slow down to take advantage of a good angle or position.
* Tanks and helicopters will be far less powerful than a mech, but if you choose this class (for lack of a better word) in battle, you will be given 5 units (or more).
** You will control the lead unit, and the others will follow your lead (with a minor delay due to pilot reaction time). They will fire at any target that you fire upon.
** If the lead unit goes down, you will take control of another unit, who then becomes the leader.
* Regarding weapons, I believe GK as a weapon list with damange values, but I haven't seen it yet.