mechwarrior
Latest
MechWarrior Online announced
In the future, battles will be fought via BattleMechs -- enormous walking tanks covered in weapons, waging war for control of the region of known space called the Inner Sphere. Sound familiar? It's the premise behind the BattleTech series of games, including the popular MechWarrior franchise. And apparently, in late 2012, players will have the chance to get inside a 'Mech of their own in a new online installment to the series, MechWarrior Online, announced by Piranha Games. The announcement comes with a slew of questions and answers for expectant players, including information about customizing one's 'Mech, which of the classic designs will be seen in the game, and of course details about the world and timeline that the game takes place. There are no details regarding a beta at the moment, but the team seems quite insistent that the game will launch in 2012. It's certainly going to make next year interesting for all life-long MechWarrior fans.
Mechwarrior reboot will be PC exclusive
After being teased over two years ago, the return of Mechwarrior is apparently around the corner. PC Gamer reports that it has the details on the reboot, which will be a PC exclusive title. It will allegedly update with more information in a few hours, with "one very big surprise," so we'll be sure to let you know then. The franchise has been making its return to the game space, stomping along slowly like an Atlas mech, for several years, with Jordan Weisman's Smith & Tinker obtaining the rights back in 2007. This was followed by a tease of the reboot in 2009, with a trademark dispute shortly thereafter. Since then, things have been very quiet... until now. Update: PC Gamer notes the game will be freemium and launch in the second half of 2012.%Gallery-138077%
MechWarrior 4 is now free ... if you can get it [update]
Update: It seems the servers are back up to download the game right here. Enjoy! Original post: So here's the thing -- we were all set to tell you about how MechWarrior 4 had been released for free, but apparently some people found out before we could tell you and now, well, the servers are down. Bigtime. As in, it might be a few minutes before they're back up. According to several tipsters, the 1.7GB file became available for download last night, but as of right now, MekTek (the game's host) is still suffering an outage. That said ... hey! MechWarrior 4 has been released to the general public for precisely zero of your hard-earned C-Bills! If you managed to snag the file last night, we're hearing reports that MekTek has recovered the game's multiplayer servers. We'll let you know when the servers are back up.
Mechwarrior 4 free release cleared by Microsoft
After it was first announced in July of 2009, the free release of MechWarrior 4 has finally been cleared by Microsoft. The announcement comes weeks after MekTek, the studio behind the free release, revealed that the project was being held up by Microsoft's legal department. The delay resulted in financial trouble for the studio, which was actually paying out-of-pocket to maintain its servers. MekTek believes that the revelation of the legal hold up -- and the subsequent news coverage and forum traffic -- played a role in expediting the release. The company has also thanked its partners Smith & Tinker, Virtual World Entertainment and Catalyst Game Labs for "pressing Microsoft to allow for the release." MekTek advises fans to "stay tuned" for the impending free launch of MechWarrior 4.
MechWarrior 4 free release 'held up' by Microsoft
Way back in July 2009, Smith & Tinker announced that it was going to authorize MekTek to release MechWarrior 4 and all its expansions for free "soon" -- likely to drum up interest for the upcoming MechWarrior reboot. After nearly a year, the game remains unreleased. The reason for the delay, according to MekTek, lies with Microsoft. The group claims that the project is "held up at Microsoft" and it's currently "unknown" when the release will receive its "final go ahead." The studio adds the unfortunate revelation that it's now in dire financial straights thanks to the delay. "Due to the demands placed upon us by industry lawyers to release the Mechwarrior 4 Free release we were forced to insure our Studio at a premium rate to meet the Microsoft standard," reads the announcement, adding that group's server fund has "run dry" and is currently being paid directly by staff. MekTek is asking for donations from players that download its MekPak 3.1 expansion. According to the announcement, MekTek would be able to keep the servers running for an entire year if all those who downloaded the expansion were to donate $5. [Via Big Download]
Source: MechWarrior movie 'in development' at Eisner's Tornante
Back in the pre-Joystiq days of 2003, cavemen spoke of preliminary plans for a MechWarrior movie, to be produced by Dean "Oops, I made Godzilla" Devlin who referred to the opportunity as "a real passion project" ... about giant robots. Of course, we know nothing ever came of that passion; however, with a reboot on the horizon, another MechWarrior film is "in development" at former Disney chief (and apparent Robot Jox fanboy) Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company, a trusted source told Joystiq. Eisner owned the rights to the franchise through a series of acquisitions, series creator Jordan Weisman told Gamasutra last month: "WizKids bought FASA, and then Topps bought WizKids, and then [Michael] Eisner bought Topps." Perhaps seeing an opportunity to capitalize on the upcoming video game, our source tells us that a movie is "in development" and that the writer is one Mr. Michael Gordon, credited with screenplays for 300, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and an "in development" EverQuest movie. As great as that sounds, a potential cloud may be looming over the production, with Robotech co-owners Harmony Gold sending cease-and-desist letters to outlets hosting the teaser trailer for the latest MechWarrior game, claiming some of the 'bots are a little too similar to Robotech's own. It remains to be seen if Harmony Gold will extend its claim to any film adaptation.
MechWarrior reboot could be caught in trademark dispute
If you were excited about the MechWarrior reboot being teased by Piranha Games, we've got some possibly unfortunate news. Apparently, IGN received a cease-and-desist order from Harmony Gold, the unfortunately named co-owner of the Robotech universe, regarding some imagery in a recent trailer teasing Piranha's project.There's no relation between the two 'verses, but Harmony Gold claims that some of the bots in the trailer are a little too close to a few from Robotech. At this point, we don't know: 1) if those characters really are infringing on Harmony Gold's trademark; or 2) how difficult it would be to remove said characters from the game. So, there's still a chance this dispute may go away. We'll keep an eye on things for you.
Smith & Tinker looking into homes for Crimson Skies, Shadowrun IPs
Smith & Tinker founder Jordan Weisman recently spoke about his plans for the other FASA IPs he licensed from Microsoft. In a recent interview with Gamespot, Weisman teased, "I think Crimson Skies is something we'd love to get some energy around, and we have some devious plans--we'll see if those materialize." Intriguing!Shadowrun fans, however, shouldn't expect to be nearly as intrigued -- at least not anytime soon. "Shadowrun was recently...not treated well...shall we say, so the thought was let a little time pass before approaching that one again," Weisman admitted. As for the beloved MechWarrior franchise, the series reboot is currently in development by Piranha Games for PC and Xbox 360. Smith & Tinker plans to farm out development of these old IPs to other studios over time, so if you're a fancy studio head with a clever idea for a Crimson Skies or Shadowrun revival, feel free to give Weisman a call. Like, now.[Via VideoGamer]
Mechwarrior 4 free on BattleTech.com 'soon'
Big robots blowing each other up! The only way to make the prior sentence more masculine would be to repeat the word "bacon" about eight times. With that said, Smith & Tinker has authorized MekTek to distribute bacon MechWarrior 4, along with its expansions, for free. This likely has just a tiny bit to do with the recently announced MechWarrior reboot.There is currently no release date, but Smith & Tinker states "the free download will be available soon!" Yes, YES! Now to stomp to the kitchen while making Mech walking noises and fry up some bacon![Thanks, Old Professor Zertoss; Via MekTek]
New MechWarrior a reboot, called ... MechWarrior
Teased earlier this week, a new MechWarrior is currently being forged by Smith and Tinker (founded by FASA co-founder Jordan Weisman) and Piranha Games. IGN was informed that this is not being considered MechWarrior 5, but a reboot of the series. The title will release on PC and Xbox 360, and should include a full single-player campaign, "as well as support for four-player co-op campaign" and multiplayer.There is currently no release window scheduled for the game, nor is there a publisher -- those two things are typically co-dependent. Check out the MechWarrior reveal trailer after the break.
New MechWarrior teased by IGN site [update]
With the subtlety of a grand piano falling down the stairs, IGN's Voodoo Extreme is teasing that a new MechWarrior title will be announced shortly. Allegedly in development by Piranha Games, it would be the first "official" MechWarrior game in nearly a decade. The site teases that Piranha may have a full trailer up later this week.The last time MechWarrior popped up on radar was when the property was licensed to Jordan Weisman after the dissolution of FASA. If Piranha is actually developing a true Mechwarrior sequel, it would appear to be the studio's first mega solo project. We're currently attempting to get in touch with Piranha Games for more details.Update: A representative for Piranha replied to our inquiry, "We can't share any details right now, but will get in touch with you as soon as we are able." "Can't" ... or won't? Weird. Still following up.[Via ShackNews]
Gazillion Entertainment Names Stuart Moulder as VP
Gazillion Entertainment have announced that their expansion into the MMO market continues with hiring Stuart Moulder as their new Vice President of Studios, with responsibility for game development across all of their studios. Gazillion recently announced that they had purchased Netdevil, who are developing Jumpgate Evolution and LEGO Universe. They also announced that they are developing two games based on the Marvel superhero licence.Moulder has most recently worked as Senior Vice President at Screenlife where he was responsible for bringing the Scene It? license to games as helping with the sale of the company to Paramount Digital. He also spent eight years at Microsoft where he was responsible for acquiring and managing companies such as Halo developer Bungie, Age of Empires and Halo Wars developer Ensemble Studios and veteran developers FASA of Mechwarrior and Shadowrun fame, although since he has left Microsoft we have seen Ensemble Studios and FASA shut down and Bungie has become independent.
Weisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices)
On October 15th, Smith & Tinker, Jordan Weisman's new venture-backed startup, announced the licensing of the "electronic entertainment" rights to a number of Weisman's creations back from Microsoft. The deal, apparently done quietly (and ages ago in web-time), puts franchises like MechWarrior, Shadowrun and Crimson Skies back in Weisman's hands. Previously, these properties were managed and developed by FASA, another Weisman credit, which was sold to Microsoft in 1999 and dissolved several months ago.With Microsoft suddenly short on internal development teams, the most action the FASA catalog has been seeing is a polite dusting off ever few months before being re-shelved. While Weisman and co. have yet to detail the projects, a job listing calling for online game expertise suggests MMOs could be in the works. A posting on the Smith & Tinker website assures fans that "our goal is to surprise and delight old fans, while welcoming new fans to these fantastic worlds."[Via Gamasutra]
Chromehounds review: it ain't pretty [update 1]
Gamebrink has posted an import review of the much anticipated Chromehounds. Bad news: it looks to be sub-par at best. Neither a slow and methodical mech sim, nor a fast and arcadey shoot 'em up, Chromehounds can't seem to make up its mind. From the review:"The first thing you'll probably think to yourself when you start a game of Chrome Hounds is, "Wow, this is really slow." No matter which type of Mech you choose to pilot you'll always feel like movement around levels is way too slow. That along with the fact that it's usually the case that the more weaponry you have on your Mech the slower it moves, and you've got all the ingredients for boredom. Now I guess this would be fine if the actual process of aiming, moving, and firing required a lot of micro-management thus making it a simulation type game but Chrome Hounds unfortunately has very limited controls."Ouch. The review does note that the much hyped mech customization is very deep. Unfortunately, the online portion -- ostensibly where you'd be using your custom mech -- is not easy to navigate. The online persistent war is great in theory, but finding people to play with can be a chore apparently. What's that you say, you just want to play a quick deathmatch game? Too bad, because it's not an option. If you want to have a good time online you'll need five buddies who can be online whenever you are, because that's the only way to play. Also, the music selection is pretty slim. That is to say, there is exactly one piece of background music. On the plus side, um, the graphics are pretty good. Gamebrink's advice: if you've got Live Gold, give it a rental. If not, skip it.For my part, I wish it weren't so. Anyone still going to give it a try? Update 1: it looks like Gamebrink completely failed to mention other online modes, which do in fact exist. Good thing, too, because I actually enjoyed the demo. And, for what it's worth, Famitsu scored the game 33/40. Not bad. My apologies for linking what I assumed was a well informed review. Ken and Chris G. sicced the ravenous weasels on me last night and I have learned my lesson.
Mech Assaults DS, charges filed
Though we spotted this about a month ago, Majesco Entertainment has officially revealed some concrete information regarding a DS version of MechAssault, now subtitled Phantom War instead of Shadow War. Personally, we would have gone with Spook Hostility, but we understand that mech fans would prefer if Majesco took this seriously.Judging by their standard PR list of features, they are. Developed by Backbone Entertainment (they worked on the PSP's Death Jnr), the game allows you to commandeer over 20 types of vehicles, upgrade weapons, engage in four-player wireless combat and just generally obliterate anything you can aim your guns at. The only point of worry may come in with the use of the touch screen: "The touch screen lets players intuitively ‘touch’ the cockpit controls to hack into giant ‘Mechs, eject pilots, switch weapons and check battle techniques."That sounds a lot like "There's an in-game menu at the bottom screen," a design that may prove to be irksome in the heat of battle. We thought that aiming via the touch screen (just like in Metroid Prime: Hunters) would be far more intuitive and closer to the dual-analog control of the Xbox titles. Still, we'll wait and see what the exact control scheme is before we stomp on a game that, at the very least, promises giant robots for our puny portable.[Thanks mandarin!]
