I was just reminded that I made this post years ago, and honestly I completely forgot I even suggested this.

THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU MADLADS <3

Hello!

Sorry I don't have a solution... but I wanted to add that I'm having this same issue.

The client log spits out the following upon clicking the continue button (after first launching the game):

27.349 Joining game IP ADDR:({**.***.***.**:*****})
27.349 Info UDPSocket.cpp:38: Opening ...

I know that a mech suit has been suggested in the past, but only in passing and not in its own section. So just hear me out.

Basically, the mech would have its own research category, requiring things like electric engines, robotics, advanced electronics, etc. Point is it'd be expensive.

It would ...