Lore-wise, the ship/station systems are handling all things commander-dropped (and I guess these days protolab- and armory-made equipment), and those were all civilian before the marines got there. Presumably then, research is them uploading the code needed for mass production of shotguns and thicker armor and etc.
<!--quoteo(post=2010509:date=Nov 5 2012, 01:57 AM:name=Kopikat)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kopikat @ Nov 5 2012, 01:57 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2010509"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm more concerned about why they stopped producing HMGs when they were very clearly the best guns that the ESF had.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Apparently the HMGs, being large-ish objects with round bits, violated certain Apple patents.
Laser weapons are covered by a Lucasarts patent on 'things that go pew-pew', they're still in negotations to get a licence :(.
Here's an interesting side effect of laser weaponry. Ignoring the battery problem that makes lasers unlikely... Lasers are high heat weapons. This means that wounds created by lasers would also be cauterized by said lasers. Its sort of like saying, I'm gonna shoot you, then patch you up, ok?
Bullets however, tend to leave big bloody holes, and a nice does of lead in case you survive.
<!--quoteo(post=2010100:date=Nov 4 2012, 04:16 PM:name=sharnrock)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sharnrock @ Nov 4 2012, 04:16 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2010100"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I would say an atomic bomb would be pretty different than a spear. But a gun is still much more similar to a gun than a spear. 1000 years ago we didn't have ANY guns.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What he's saying is that the concept of a gun and a spear are not very much different. A spear can be thrown using human arm power, sometimes using an atlatl (a spear thrower) for greater accuracy and velocity. A gun simply replaces the spear head with a bullet, and the power needed to 'throw' that bullet with gunpowder, and the atlatl with a rifled gun barrel.
<!--quoteo(post=2009863:date=Nov 4 2012, 02:07 PM:name=sharnrock)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sharnrock @ Nov 4 2012, 02:07 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2009863"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I mean; they have teleportation, intergalactic travel capabilities, and the ability to heal a critically wounded human to perfect health in seconds... Yet, they are using weapons first developed in the 1930's for WW2. The flamethrower, shotgun, assualt rifle..
I really love the game, but the thought of a space traveler having to chop down a hive with a hatchet just makes me giggle.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Despite what Star Wars and Star Trek may suggest to you, throwing a rock really, really fast is extremely effective--and most importantly: <b>cheap.</b> Lasers are not nearly as cheap. This is where Mass Effect really shines in that it's one of the few sci-fi settings that actually goes into fairly realistic detail (from a physics standpoint) about the advantages/disadvantages of "nonphysical" weaponry.
After all of that... A hatchet is one of the most valuable survival tools you could have if, say, you were stranded in a remote location.
<!--quoteo(post=2014650:date=Nov 7 2012, 11:47 PM:name=Strayan (NS2HD))--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Strayan (NS2HD) @ Nov 7 2012, 11:47 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2014650"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Boolets are just more fun than lazors! :D<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> It all makes sense now! There's a space nazi general that mandated that all laser guns be banned, and we go back to conventional weaponry!
There is a quote that goes "Always keep in mind that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder." I think that sort of sums it up. I also like "When in doubt, empty the magazine.".
mankind has used ballistic and fire as weapons for over 2000 years now, like someone already explained, why should that chance ? They work, they get the job done right so there is not really a reason to chance, not to mention if they would develop some hightec weaponry it would probably cost 100 times more than regular LMG.
Comments
Apparently the HMGs, being large-ish objects with round bits, violated certain Apple patents.
Laser weapons are covered by a Lucasarts patent on 'things that go pew-pew', they're still in negotations to get a licence :(.
Bullets however, tend to leave big bloody holes, and a nice does of lead in case you survive.
What he's saying is that the concept of a gun and a spear are not very much different. A spear can be thrown using human arm power, sometimes using an atlatl (a spear thrower) for greater accuracy and velocity. A gun simply replaces the spear head with a bullet, and the power needed to 'throw' that bullet with gunpowder, and the atlatl with a rifled gun barrel.
I really love the game, but the thought of a space traveler having to chop down a hive with a hatchet just makes me giggle.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Despite what Star Wars and Star Trek may suggest to you, throwing a rock really, really fast is extremely effective--and most importantly: <b>cheap.</b> Lasers are not nearly as cheap. This is where Mass Effect really shines in that it's one of the few sci-fi settings that actually goes into fairly realistic detail (from a physics standpoint) about the advantages/disadvantages of "nonphysical" weaponry.
After all of that... A hatchet is one of the most valuable survival tools you could have if, say, you were stranded in a remote location.
It all makes sense now! There's a space nazi general that mandated that all laser guns be banned, and we go back to conventional weaponry!
*but arc guns are ok