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So basically if someone approached you with a billion dollars and said "Hey, we're making a Transformers MMO, we're going to do all the programming and stuff but we want you to design it, build the world, decide how it works etc" how would you go about this task?

Here's my thoughts.

1: There would be 3 factions: Autobots, Decepticons and Neutrals. Neutrals would be a fairly broad-sweeping category, mostly applying to mercenaries and the like. Neutrals cannot "own" territory but are welcome in all territories. Speaking of which...

2: There would be a "territory" system, much like Planetside 2 (which incidentally the game would rather resemble). Any territory (except for the "homeland" of each faction, which can never be annexed) can be taken over by either side, be it by capturing a point or simply wiping out all opposition. When a territory is considered "owned" by one side, anyone on the other side who enters that territory and is sighted by a player or detected by the surveillance systems (which can be upgraded, along with other fortifications) will set off an alarm. Neutrals will not register to the surveillance systems unless they start attacking them or causing damage in some way.

3: There would be about 5 planets, each comprising a massive overworld- Cybertron itself, Velocitron, Animatros/"Jungle Planet", Gigantion and the ruined Earth. Each planet would have multiple zones (including moons in the case of Cybertron, Earth and Gigantion) and multiple territories within each zone.

4: There would also be a "Neutral zone"- Axiom Nexus. This area is considered completely neutral and as such no combat is allowed here (rather than making it a banning offense, weapons simply won't work here).

5: Character creation would be like the FoC character creator except even more versatile. Both genders would be accomodated (some parts would be unisex/slightly altered between genders whilst others would be geneder exclusive, mainly heads in that department). Different size classes affect stats such as health, speed, weapons capacity etc, and would consist of Light, Medium, Heavy and Ultra Heavy. Vehicle mode would be determined via torso as with FoC, but there would be plenty of changeable parts in vehicle mode (spoilers, exhausts etc). A wide variety of vehicle and beast modes would be available, depending on what planet the character originates from (Animatros would only allow beast modes and a small smattering of vehicles modes). There would be a wide variety of available voices and voice effects, as well as a completely open colour editor with a variety of decals and designs.

6: There would start out with the following basic classes, with the possibility for more to be added afterwards. You cannot have a flying alt mode if Ultra Heavy unless you are either a Brute or
Artillery. They would be:

Scout: Fast and nimble, with fair damage output but very fragile. Would have stealth-based abilities. Cannot go over "medium" size.

Soldier: Basic combat type, good all-rounder. Can be any size and alt mode.

Medic: Self-explanatory. Can be any size and alt mode.

Brute: Heavy close-combat type, fearsomely powerful and very tough but rather slow. Can only be Heavy or Ultra Heavy. Can have flying alt mode if Ultra Heavy.

Artillery: The big guns, deals death from afar. Similar stats to Brutes. Can only be Heavy or Ultra Heavy. Can have flying alt modes if Ultra Heavy. Flying Artillery function as bombers in alt mode.

Leader: Uses support abilities to inspire and buff fellow 'bots whilst being a combat beast itself. Can be any size class except Light.

Blademaster: High-speed melee combatants with low health but massive damage output. Can be any alt mode or size class except Ultra Heavy.

Engineer: Builds support structures and fortifications, has minimal combat ability itself. Cannot have flying alt mode or beast alt modes with the exception of Animatros natives who have a wider range of beast alt modes, including some Engineer compatible ones). Can be any size class.

7: As you level up, you will gain access to new wargear and abilties, including new paint effects, weapons, and even the ability to triple-change at higher levels.

Thoughts?

You skipped the part where you describe the actual gameplay.

Whoops!

For gameplay I was thinking of building upon the basic FOC/WFC TPS style, except A: having melee weapons as separate, selectable weapons rather than just being a dedicated button attack, and B: adding an "ability bar" ala every MMO ever.