MechWarrior!

[Raptor1]

Apparently Smith & Tinker, which bought the rights to quite a few older Microsoft franchises, are making a new MechWarrior game

http://pc.ign.com/articles/100/1002275p1.html

This is some of the best news I've heard in a while, I loved the old MechWarrior games and was starting to fear that the whole thing will devolve into the sort of arcade shooter MechAssault was

[Ilpalazzo]

HOLY!

That trailer was badass! Reminds me of Steel Battalion. I sure as hell hope the game will look like that.

they plan to have a full single-player campaign, as well as support for a four-player co-op campaign, and a full multiplayer suite.yay!

The game is being developed for the PC and the Xbox 360hrmmm

didn't read the q&a yet. Too busy, but I'm very worried about this being a consolized game.

[Raptor1]

The MechAssault games were interesting in the role they played inside the universe for the consoles at the time, but we feel the technology is there that we can make a true MechWarrior game, a MechWarrior experience on both the Xbox 360 and the PC and not lose anything from that true MechWarrior feeling. We feel confident obviously in the PC and its control scheme that can be realized because it's been done before. But for the Xbox 360, we've spent a lot of thought and a lot of time in playing around with the controller and finding ways to give the same level of control in the way that you throttle, in the way that you turn and move, use your jump jets, and everything that gives you that MechWarrior experience that doesn't turn it into a power-up pickup sort of arcade style game. So that is something that we're spending a lot of time on – all the answers aren't there yet, but we want to make a MechWarrior experience and we feel like we can do it both on the 360 and the PC.


By the sound of it they're trying to make the console fit the game rather than the game fit the console

They're also talking about a lot of the old things that were in MechWarrior and missing from MechAssault, and some new things that you wouldn't expect from a console shooting gallery

[AVGWarhawk]

Man, I still have my Mechwarrior 3 disc. I loved that game and still do. If this takes off that would be awesome. I had my Sieteck stick setup to run with Mechwarrior. Just awesome with separate throttle and twist stick to move the mech head around. All the buttons for every weapon I could jam into the mech. This could be very cool:rock:

[HunterICX]

Thats indeed good news!

I played that game a lot online in those days of glory..
nothing beats the climax of online team battle with half of Mechs crippled still trying to shoot the F--k out of the enemy mechs.:rock:
I defintely keeping track on this one.

HunterICX

[AVGWarhawk]

It will be cool to be back in the saddle:

http://ui06.gamespot.com/1669/mechwarrior3screen10_2.jpg


I thought the graphics were good. I would guess the new game the graphics should be fantastic.

[Raptor1]

Smith & Tinker are also allowing MekTek to distribute MechWarrior 4 and it's expansions for free in honor of BattleTech's 25 year anniversary

http://www.mektek.net/index.php?ind=news&op=news_show_single&ide=1067

[kiwi_2005]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl4eI3htAuA :rock::rock:

MechWarrior 2009 Debut Gameplay Trailer, released Jul 9, 2009. Release Date: N/A Platform: PC Developer: Piranha Games

[Raptor1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl4eI3htAuA :rock::rock:

MechWarrior 2009 Debut Gameplay Trailer, released Jul 9, 2009. Release Date: N/A Platform: PC Developer: Piranha Games

That was in the link I gave on the first post...

One of them commenters on that video makes a good point though, 3015 is 34 years before the first Clan Invasion. That means no Mad Cat, no Daishi, none of them other crazy omnimechs and none of the overpowered Clan equipment...

[PeriscopeDepth]

I have very fond memories of MechWarrior 2. What a great game. I can still hear the starting sequence to a mission...

PD

[papa_smurf]

Sweet!:D

Still got MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries/Vengance/Black Knight, and have played MechWarrior 2. Will be great to have a new one with updated graphics.

(just seen the full trailer - OMG! This is how MechWarrior is supposed to be!)

[Thomen]

Year 3015.. MMMmmmmmmm.... finaly a BattleTech sim without Clans and their advanced technology or the IS equivalent. :up:

[Captain Vlad]

No freakin' Clans sounds great. Single heat sinks, no funky armor, no silly-ass Elementals, and a bad guy you can respect instead of all that genetic engineering nonsense.

[papa_smurf]

Been reading on IGN that mechs will scarce and so you will have to look after your mech. Also liking the sound of 4 player co-op:D

Read the full interview on ign.com

[Raptor1]

a bad guy you can respect

The Draconis Combine? Pfft...

All hail the Lyran Commonwealth!

Oh, well, I guess it's better than the gentically-engineered Clans with the funny names, crazy technology and stupid 5-Mech stars instead of proper 4-Mech lances...

[Thomen]

The Draconis Combine? Pfft...

All hail the Lyran Commonwealth!


Right on for House Steiner! :yeah:

[Melonfish]

played mech 2 and mercs to death, then played mech 3 to oblivion too.

that trailer though......
using buildings as cover, decent destructable buildings. graphics are amazing!
the human touch of the pilot pressing buttons etc is very very nice.
WHEN is this game due for release? i'll upgrade my pc ready!
heh

[Task Force]

Makes you wonder what will be in the game, and wha was just to make a cool trailer.:hmmm:

[Raptor1]

Makes you wonder what will be in the game, and wha was just to make a cool trailer.:hmmm:

They said everything they did in the trailer was to show something that will be in the final game

Also, it's in-game footage, so...

[Task Force]

well thats good... :yep: (didnt read that.)

[Melonfish]

i wonder if the control system is going to be mw3 or mw4 style?
suck it and see i guess.

[papa_smurf]

I hope it has joystick/keyboard control - thats the only way to play Mechwarrior.

[XLjedi]

As far as the controls go...

Yeah it was arcadey, but MechAssault actually had the best controls.

I spent hours trying to get MechWarrior on the PC to use a Logitech game pad (dual analog sticks) and was fairly successful. I just hope this new one has support for dual analog sticks.

It helps tremendously being able to move upper and lower torso independently.

[Myxale]

I too have high hopes for the "new" Mech title!
Les just hope its not something dumb-ed down! After all MW was a Mech sim!!

Let's hope they make it right! It"s been quite a while since a new Mech Game!

:shifty:

[papa_smurf]

Yeah it was arcadey, but MechAssault actually had the best controls.

I found MechAssault too arcadey, where as Mechwarrior games were more tactical/strategy orientated. Nothing better than been in command of a full lance of mechs:D

[AVGWarhawk]

I hope it has joystick/keyboard control - thats the only way to play Mechwarrior.

Yep, very cool with the X52 by Saitek. :rock:

[Wolfehunter]

I sure do miss playing mechwarrior. Going to be fun playing it... I hope they don't screw it up.

[XLjedi]

I found MechAssault too arcadey...

So did I... and I also liked playing the MW series a lot more on the PC.

...but the dual analog stick controls in MA made a lot more sense. I bought a Logitech gamepad just so I could try to mimic it on the PC. I got close, but not as good as full dual analog support would allow.

[Graf Paper]

:huh: There's going to be a new Mechwarrior game?!?!?! :huh:

I still have my old DOS MW2, MW2 Titanium (ATI Rage Edition), MW2:Ghost Bear's Legacy, Mercs, MW3 + Pirate's Moon, MW4:Vengeance + Black Knights + MW4:Mercs + both Mech Paks.

:sunny: I LOVES MY MECHWARRIOR! :sunny:

My greatest moment of glory was while playing MW2 and taking out a Jade Falcon dropship in my Wolf Nova equipped with SLRMs, MPLs, and AC x2. Group Fire... engaged! :D

And you just know the free (as in beer) re-release of the entire MW4 line will revive interest in multiplayer! Where's my MekTek membership card? :o

I've never heard of these guys that have taken up the franchise but may their coffers overflow with riches beyond the dreams of avarice when this new game goes gold!

Between MW4 returning and this latest Mechwarrior game on the horizon, it'll be a very, very long time before I see the inside of a submarine again! There is no "Das Boot" moment made that can compare to stomping around in 40 tons of heavy metal with Armageddon clutched in each fist! :|\\

[Raptor1]

I've never heard of these guys that have taken up the franchise but may their coffers overflow with riches beyond the dreams of avarice when this new game goes gold!


One of the founders of the company (and the CEO) is Jordan Weisman, AKA co-founder of FASA and one of the original designers of BattleTech

[Graf Paper]

So that means a "back to basics" approach, regarding game design meshing with the mythos and rules of the BattleTech universe, I assume.

Knowing he's in charge gives me hope that we'll see less "arcade" and more sim-style play. :DL

Has anyone here played with NetMech, lately? There's still servers out there, if you look, like at Mech2.org. Sadly, NetMech Revival's site is no more. :cry:

I'm curious to know if you've ever taken a peek at this site, Raptor1?

BattleTech Simulator (http://www.virtualcommander.com/index.php)

Until this recent news, it seemed that guy's effort was the last hope of a future Mechwarrior-style game. I wonder how his work will be affected, as in DMCA takedown notice? I hope not. FASA always had a rep for being friendly to the fans.

Come to think of it, I don't have the books anymore but I did hang on to my miniatures starter set that came with my first BT Sourcebook. They're plastic and not as finely made as the lead/pewter minis but I keep them for sentimental value. I keep promising myself that, someday, I'll break out the brushes and give them all spiffy paintjobs.

[Raptor1]

I doubt they'll be shutting down any fan-games

MekTek has their own game too (A remake/improvement of MW2 called Assault Tech 1), it has a playable release but I didn't have a chance to test it yet

[Graf Paper]

AssaultTech looks promising, but I'm not sure if there's going to be a great deal of motivation to complete the game with MW4 going free and the new game from S&T coming down the line.

I still like MW2 best of the series. The controls for the mechs had a better "feel" than later sequels.

The thing that really amazes me is that, after 24 years, the open source community has not latched on to the idea of creating a free and updated clone of Mechwarrior 2. It's such a classic you'd think it would have been at the top of the list. :-?

Then again, professional-quality games, built on original code base, are very rare with the OS guys. It seems the majority of such games are instead based on the released source codes of commercial games by the likes of Id, Razorworks, and Bungee.

I've been camping out at MekTek's home page, waiting for the announcement of the freeware release for the Mechwarrior 4 franchise. Maybe there'll be more people to "discover" the game this way and have a resurgence in multiplay action.

[Highbury]

Trailer posted on the 9th, looks sweet!

http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/18954/mech-warrior-project/videos/mechwarrior_trl_phoenix_70709.html

And the "Rewind" trailer. (Same as above, but with developer voiceovers, great for people who know the series)

http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/18954/mech-warrior-project/videos/mechwarrior_spc_rewindtheaterr_070809.html

[mako88sb]

Looks great! I haven't played since Mechwarrior 2. Just one of those things I don't have time for anymore but I'll have to see about getting this one. I still remember all the fun I had with the original that came out in 89.

http://www.mobygames.com/game/mechwarrior/screenshots


Rob

[XabbaRus]

Aww goody I loved MechWarrior 4 so will be downloading the free version.

I think MechWarrior 4 was the first time I played online.

Definitely upgrading my PC. I actually figured out how to make a walking Mech...


walla walla walla....yee haa...:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock: :woot::woot::woot::woot::woot::woot::woot::woot: :D:D:D:D:D:D

[XabbaRus]

OK what is going on?

According to the battletech site MEchwarror 4 and all its expansions will be free for download. Wikipedia says only the expansions will be for free and will not include Mechwarrior Vengence or Black Knight...

Which is correct?

[Raptor1]

Wikipedia is correct

Mercs and all it's stuff is free, Vengeance and it's stuff is not. Simple

[XabbaRus]

So you don't need Vengeance to play this though?

[Raptor1]

So you don't need Vengeance to play this though?

No, Mercs was always standalone

[XabbaRus]

Maybe we can be the MercWaffles or the MechWaffles....

[papa_smurf]

Maybe we can be the MercWaffles or the MechWaffles....

Mmmmmm............ Waffles!

[Wolfehunter]

So that means a "back to basics" approach, regarding game design meshing with the mythos and rules of the BattleTech universe, I assume.

Knowing he's in charge gives me hope that we'll see less "arcade" and more sim-style play. :DL

Has anyone here played with NetMech, lately? There's still servers out there, if you look, like at Mech2.org. Sadly, NetMech Revival's site is no more. :cry:

I'm curious to know if you've ever taken a peek at this site, Raptor1?

BattleTech Simulator (http://www.virtualcommander.com/index.php)

Until this recent news, it seemed that guy's effort was the last hope of a future Mechwarrior-style game. I wonder how his work will be affected, as in DMCA takedown notice? I hope not. FASA always had a rep for being friendly to the fans.

Come to think of it, I don't have the books anymore but I did hang on to my miniatures starter set that came with my first BT Sourcebook. They're plastic and not as finely made as the lead/pewter minis but I keep them for sentimental value. I keep promising myself that, someday, I'll break out the brushes and give them all spiffy paintjobs.Man I haven't played table top mech game in a very long time... I always loved the clans.. Wolf clan for sure.. All my pewter and lead peices are nicely painted and boxed...

I'm getting that mechwarrior ich again... metal, energy, alot of heat, sweat and blood. muahahahaha..

[Arclight]

The future of Mechwarrior (http://kotaku.com/5310586/new-mechwarrior-game-confirmed-will-reboot-series) 5 is a little up in the air today, with Harmony Gold - the media company that holds the rights to the Robotech universe in the US - commencing legal action against the upcoming mech title.
Mechwarrior 5 Runs Into Legal Trouble (http://kotaku.com/5352295/mechwarrior-5-runs-into-legal-trouble)

[Thomen]

Mechwarrior 5 Runs Into Legal Trouble (http://kotaku.com/5352295/mechwarrior-5-runs-into-legal-trouble)

I remember FASA/WizKids getting into trouble about that some time ago.
I thougth that was resolved after WizKids changed the designs for all 'old school' Mechs a couple of years ago. Why they went back to the old design, well knowing that those are copyrighted/trademarked is beyond me.

[seaniam81]

I really love the battletech world and have been playing since '88 on tabletop while everybody else was playing D&D. I really hope this game gets made. I loved number 3 but found 4 lacking.

[Arclight]

I remember FASA/WizKids getting into trouble about that some time ago.
I thougth that was resolved after WizKids changed the designs for all 'old school' Mechs a couple of years ago. Why they went back to the old design, well knowing that those are copyrighted/trademarked is beyond me.
Maybe one of their artists drew inspiration of a copyrighted model, while still trying to make it different, but the other party now thinks it isn't different enough. Imho it's a pretty fine line.

[Raptor1]

Maybe one of their artists drew inspiration of a copyrighted model, while still trying to make it different, but the other party now thinks it isn't different enough. Imho it's a pretty fine line.

No, these are the originals and they have every right to claim them (Unfortunately they have to be so bloody annoying about it). I thought they took out all the disputed designs a while ago, but I guess not all of them.

[Captain Vlad]

Harmony Gold has been continually ticking me off for the last six years or so. If they're complaining about the Warhammer in the trailer, that IS the modified, post-lawsuit design...from the article, it sounds like they're saying that it's 'still too similar'.

[Raptor1]

Harmony Gold has been continually ticking me off for the last six years or so. If they're complaining about the Warhammer in the trailer, that IS the modified, post-lawsuit design...from the article, it sounds like they're saying that it's 'still too similar'.

Are you sure it's a modified Warhammer? It looks an aweful lot like the original.

[Wolfehunter]

I remember FASA/WizKids getting into trouble about that some time ago.
I thougth that was resolved after WizKids changed the designs for all 'old school' Mechs a couple of years ago. Why they went back to the old design, well knowing that those are copyrighted/trademarked is beyond me.Ya I remember this too. Its a known fact that mechwarrior is a copy of Robotech designes.. I knew that back then.. But hey I like both games..

Whats next every mech design has to be new and different? Jezz always about money never about quality. :-?

[Zinmar]

Have been over to the Mek tec site and not able to get mercenaries. I still have veng and knight, but lost merc someplace. It has been so long since I played that, was that the one with the clan and IS packs? If I get veng installed and knight what would be int necessary installs and the preoper order? I know mektec has put out a lot of stuff and I imagine if you do it wrong nothing will work.

[Thomen]

Ya I remember this too. Its a known fact that mechwarrior is a copy of Robotech designes.. I knew that back then.. But hey I like both games..

Whats next every mech design has to be new and different? Jezz always about money never about quality. :-?

Agreed.. I played the BattleTech tabletop with the old figures, custom painted and a friend even put a searchlight onto the shoulder of my WH.. hehe Still got my old Tech Readout 3025 somewhere in a box. Loose pages of course.. :haha: Flipped through it all the time back then.

[Zinmar]

So nobody has an idea of what the install order would be for vengence, black knight, the patches, and mektec?