[Confirmed] New Mechwarrior game in the works![edit 2] Mechwarrior 4 for free?

[GodisanAtheist]

Thought I'd share this with any mech-heads out there who're looking for their next fix.

Not a lot of info on it at the moment, really the only thing that's clear is that Piranha, a little podunk dev from nowhere is working on a game with WESTERN [i.e not shitty, with the risk of sounding biased] mechs in a definite Mechwarrior style.

Read up and eat your hearts out. I'll post more as it becomes available.

[EDIT: Alright, so its confirmed here. Looks like the game is making its way to the 360 and the PC, so hopefully it won't have its wings clipped and hideously arcadified to hell and back thanks to the ever growing limitations the console places on PC ports. Anyow, cross your fingers!]

[Edit 2: http://www.mektek.net/index.php?ind=...ingle&ide=1067

In honor of BattleTech's 25th anniversary, Smith and Tinker has authorized MekTek.net and MekTek Studios to distribute MechWarrior 4 (along with its expansion packs) completely free. For years, MekTek.net has been the central point for online distribution of MechWarrior 4 expansion packs. Now they can provide the core game free to the fans as well. Keep an eye on BattleTech.com – the free download will be available soon!

Battletech.com isn't actually distributing the game yet, but if this turns out to be true its quite awesome sauce (and may also hint at the direction they are taking the new game).]

[Moe]

Despite the sillyness of the Mechwarrior verse I really enjoyed MW2 and 3. I do hope that they remain true to the spirit of those games, and that we'll see gigantic mechs with customizable loadouts pound the shit out of each other with an arsenal of futuristic weapons.

[Stingra]

MechWarrior's lore is almost too convulted for me to even read, if I get even the slightest hint that someone is borrowing from it in an RP or story I just stop reading. MechAssualt 1 & 2 were the only games set in that universe that I could play, really. The first game was fun with just a smidgin of story to keep me interested outside of blowing shit up, but the second game just wasn't fun for me because it required previous knowledge of the universe to really 'get'.

To me, it's the GRIM DARK of 40k only without the obvious WFB ripoffs and a more realistic setting.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that my only real reaction to this is that it could somehow revive Microsoft's interest in the MechAssualt franchise, and it's return to the blowing shit up in a giant walking tank without being weighed down by the lore.

[3DMARINE]

I'm gonna cry. Tears of joy if this is what should be....or tears of pain when it turns into a prettier Mechassault.

[Norsehound]

I've only played a handful of the Mechwarrior games... 2 and 4, and their derivatives (Ghost Bear Legacy, Mercinaries 1, Mercinaries for MW4), and MechCommander 1. I found all the games to be satisfactory... though I hope they use the Clan names over the lame Inner Sphere ones for the clan mechs (maybe because I was weaned to the series on MW2...)

In any case it's a shame that the Battletech series has kinda petered out in the face of eastern mecha dominance. Battletech was really the only big giant robot saga that the west could claim as their own (despite it's start with pirated artwork). Hopefully this'll mark it's return.

[overmind2000]

Ohh This looks promising!
I just really hope that they take a lesson from mech games like Armoured Core and let the visual appearance of the mechs alter depending on the loadout you select for each one. Balance in the mechwarrior games I played was very good, but I hated the fact that a mech never changed appearance based on loadout.

[General Blaze]

Norsehound probably already said this, but I'd like to point out that Battletech ARE based on eastern mecha. Of the 80s variety. After all, Macross's Destroid monster gave birth to them, and that's a anime mecha.

The only difference between Eastern Mecha and Western mecha is that at the moment, the eastern variety allows every type, from supers to real, and even in between. It's not all Gundam, you know. Where do you think Gasaraki and Ghost in the Shell came from?

Western mecha seems stuck in a rut at the moment, with super robot being few and far in between, and real robots only getting minor roles in Sci fi related games. The only notable ones are Mechwarrior and Supreme Commander. Gendy Tartakovsky's new robot series may fill in the void of super robots that Western mecha lack, as the only way for mecha to grow in the West is to allow every type, like what the east is doing. Shoehorning only "real robots" will stagnate the interest.

That said, we defintely need a new Mechwarrior game. Let's hope this one won't end up like Duke Nukem Forever. Because that would make me cry.

[Fixer]

*dusts off his old Sidewinder force feeback joystick*

Mechwarrior will live again!

Hmm, I need to find someway to plug this old joystick plug into a USB port.

[Busby]

Some were, deep in the Piranha developer's offices, a female computer voice chimed:

"Reactor, Online."

Dam, this is sexy.

[Noir]

Jihad booooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii...

Well, I hope.

[Mnementh]

Man, Mechwarrior 2 holds some awesome memories for me. Was bundled with plenty of Voodoo cards, and was a good game to boot.

MW4 was a lot of fun too, though they messed up a lot of the little things that made the universe great.

[pinkyclown]

god dammit must look harder next time

anyways

This Thursday at 12:01 AM PDT, we'll have an interview with Jordan Weisman of Smith and Tinker and Russ Bullock, president of Piranha Games, to address the rumors and explain just what the future holds. We'll even have a few extras to keep you talking for months to come.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/100/1001659p1.html

I cant wait for this

[Ulric Bekker]

Anyone who knows BattleTech should know where this name comes from. I'm a huge fan, and have read almost the entirety of the "convoluted" story. Things get complex when there's 25+ years of history to a universe, and the time period actually moves forward, instead of being stuck in the same grimdark dark grim century of the grimly dark future filled with grim darkness. /COUGH

You don't need a doctorate in the history to understand what's going on and enjoy the 'splosions, it just fleshes out the motivations of what is going on massively.\

Ghost Bears FTW.

[Verrin]

I was introduced to the series in MechWarrior 4. I had a lot of fun with it online, but the single player wasn't all that impressive to me. The live-action briefings don't seem to have aged well at all. But then again, I can't think of too many games that have ever put live actors into a game and done it extremely well.

If there's one thing I always liked about the BattleTech mecha is that they have a believable feel to them. When overloaded with weapons, they're slow and cumbersome, and battles don't go at at ridiculously fast pace. If you wanted mobility, you had to sacrifice fire power and armor. It made for an interesting dynamic online, especially in games like capture the flag.

And the thing is seems with eastern mecha, is that they look a little too humanoid. BattleTech mechs have more of a "tank with legs" vibe to them. I never understood why they'd ever need to have hands. And that it doesn't seem like that legs that bend forward like ours is the most efficient design for a walker. I always think of something like dogs or kangaroos which are more effectively built for mobility. BattleTech have a few mechs that have adopted such a joint design.

[Integrity]

"Reactor, Online."

Sensors, Online. Weapons, Online. All systems nominal.
Mech powerup detected!
Targeting.

I didn't make a post about this yesterday because I thought a seven-second clip wasn't worth its own thread, but I see we have two more.

Mechwarrior 5 has been a pipedream of mine since forever - I've been playing the Mechwarriors since before I can remember. Piranha also did Medal of Honor Heroes 2, which was actually quite a good game, so maybe this is in good hands...?

EDIT: Norminal. Really, Integrity.

[General Blaze]

Part of the reason? Because the creators KNOW giant robots won't be feasible in real life anyway.

So basically, mecha can be created in two ways. Either "fake it" to make it seem believable to fool our primitive minds, or "fuck it, let's go all the way".


Eastern mecha has both types. Which means they allow humanoid robots, chicken walkers, all kinds. Western mecha seems heavily geared towards the former, that's not to say the latter doesn't exist. However, most mecha in the west are shoehorned into general sci fi as opposed to having their own genre. The only Western mecha franchises that are mech related are Battletech and Heavy Gear. (Before you say Exo Squad, that show didn't last very long. And it SHOULD have. )

The one robot franchise that has roots in both east and west though is Transformers.

Edit: I like the world of Battletech, but there are arguments against the mindset of Battletech, as the robot designs can be pretty stale, with repetitive chicken walker designs (and yes, I'm aware that Gundam designs can be pretty stale too, though the grunts are nicely varied) and "if you're going to make these things glorifiend tanks, what's the point of having robots in the first place? Why not just beef up the tanks since they work the same way?"

And for the record, there was never a "war" between Eastern and Western mecha.

In before someone insults my preferences for liking eastern mecha, despite the fact that I like both styles.

[Noble]

MechWarrior 2 was the first PC game I ever bought for myself. I can still remember my dad taking me to Circuit City so I could get the game with "a giant robot that has missiles all over it on the box". I didn't know anything about battletech at the time, but I was totally enraptured by that game.

My hope is that they don't go the rout that recent mech games have taken, and make an action game. Mechwarrior games should be closer to flight sims in my opinion. They need to have customizable load outs, heating and cooling elements, targeting systems, and detailed damage models. The game needs to have complexity to it.

If this game comes out and is anything like MW2 and it's successors I will be buying a joystick for the first time in like 15 years.

[Mithie]

Sensors, Online. Weapons, Online. All systems nominal.
Mech powerup detected!
Targeting.

Goodness gracious great balls of nostalgia.

"if you're going to make these things glorifiend tanks, what's the point of having robots in the first place? Why not just beef up the tanks since they work the same way?"

The Battletech universe does have tanks and infantry. The difference between mechs and vehicles on tabletop is mostly mobility. Mechs don't get slowed down by terrain and can do nifty things like jump.

A Behemoth tank WILL blow the living shit out of your average 40 ton mech, though.

[General Blaze]

It really depends on the game and what mecha you're going to use. You cannot force ALL mech games to be exactly like Battletech.

Example, you're right that Battletech works better as a mech sim and an action game style gameplay would feel out of place, but I cannot in my right mind see a Virtual On game with a "mech sim" mindset. It's a 3rd person versus game, and a "mech sim" styled gameplay would ruin it.

[Paladin]

Ghost Bears FTW.

Filthy clanner.

[General Blaze]

No love for the Wolf Clan?

[Mithie]

Filthy clanner.

Freeborn scum!

[Purple]

Battletech is much more realistic (if you can call giant walking supertanks that) than its japanese counterparts. Well, they at least feel much more realistic.

And there is just something uber about being a giant tank on legs nuking all that stands before you.
Personaly I can not wait for this to come out.

[Mithie]

I really wish the new game would integrate tanks and other elements better into the gaming experience.

An 100 ton tank in the Battletech universe WILL make any mechwarrior quake in his boots, and a pair of them supported by a wing of LRM carriers plus around the clock air support is just downright scary. Anyone who's played the tabletop game can back me up here.

But for some reason, tanks always seem to be push-overs in the mechwarrior games.

[Starblade]

Battletech is much more realistic (if you can call giant walking supertanks that) than its japanese counterparts. Well, they at least feel much more realistic.

Neither are particularly realistic, but Battletech stuff looks better to me in general. The only series that compares in looks to me is Armored Core.

[Busby]

I dunno 'bout tanks. When I first played Mech Warrior 4 and did that mission in the desert were you intercept the convoy I was pretty upset when the tanks opened up with PPCs. Shocking for some one who was used to Mech Warrior 3's pee shooter APCs and Bulldogs. (Machine gun and medium laser, respectively.)

Well, I don't think Battletech is realistic as much as it is heavy, ie lacking silly back flip maneuvers and not all the mechs are piloted by self discovering teenagers/grizzled war veterans who teach the self discovering teenagers life lessons.

[TheDeadlyShoe]

But for some reason, tanks always seem to be push-overs in the mechwarrior games.

Well, the center of the game IS mechs after all.

[Noble]

There was quite a lot of diversity in vehicles in the original Mech Commander game. Some of the tanks were quite threatening as well. Not as threatening as a Mad Cat, but still...

[General Blaze]

That's more to do with the issue of the pilots, and less with the robots. And yes, it's an annoying stereotype. My preference is towards hotblooded adult pilots, and war veterans.

Funny thing I'd like to add is that ZOE Dolores,i is the EXACT opposite of the stereotype, which ZOE 1 embraces. Instead of a whiny teenager, you get a good natured father who was an ex soldier, and instead of an emotionless kickass giant robot (Jehuty), you get a mecha similar to Jehuty, but with the emotions of a girl.

Edit: It's a reply to Bubsy's post. I should have made that clearer. Sorry!

[Mithie]

That's more to do with the issue of the pilots, and less with the robots. And yes, it's an annoying stereotype. My preference is towards hotblooded adult pilots, and war veterans.

Funny thing I'd like to add is that ZOE Dolores,i is the EXACT opposite of the stereotype, which ZOE 1 embraces. Instead of a whiny teenager, you get a good natured father who was an ex soldier, and instead of an emotionless kickass giant robot (Jehuty), you get a mecha similar to Jehuty, but with the emotions of a girl.

Wait, what?

[Starblade]

Instead of a whiny teenager, you get a good natured father who was an ex soldier, and instead of an emotionless kickass giant robot (Jehuty), you get a mecha similar to Jehuty, but with the emotions of a girl.

Why would you give your giant death machine feelings?

[Mithie]

Why would you give your giant death machine feelings?

It gets awfully lonely in that cockpit all by your lonesome.

[Busby]

"I LOOOOVE YOU!"

*Steps on a person*

[Ifitmovesnukeit]

It's going to be more MW3 than MW4, quiaff?

If so, this is going to be awesome.

[Mithie]

It's going to be more MW3 than MW4, quiaff?

Aff, star colonel.

... I hope.

[3DMARINE]

We need the Quad mechs back.....actually, we need all the mechs from the Wizkids game to be in it. And we need melee weapons like they used to use.....and Agromechs.

[KON Air]

All I need are Madcats and Catapults. The rest can be omitted from the game as far as I care :P

Edit; Oh and Urban mechs and super heavies as target practice.

Edit; Did I mention I got so excited and want Madcats? MADCAT! MAAADDDCCAAATTTT!

Edit; They must name the game as ""MADCATS ON A 21st CENTURY ENGINE" and some other mechs."

Edit; I mean bought Crysis only for this mod; http://www.moddb.com/mods/mechwarrior-living-legends Did I mention that I AM SO EXCITED. I WOULD ONLY BE THIS EXCITED IF JESUS RETURNED RIDING A MADCAT.

[Da_Fish]

It's going to be more MW3 than MW4, quiaff?

I really hope so, especially with regard to the control scheme. I much preferred the control schemes of MW2/MW3 and I found MW4 almost unplayable. However, if there a joystick that is made for this game I'll probably get it. It'll be my first joystick ever to be honest. Can't wait to see some of the Clan Mechs, if it's confirmed. <3 my all ER Mlaser Nova or Timber Wolf!

[Busby]

Its a Timber Wolf, freeborn.

And quad mechs would be awesome.

[3DMARINE]

NO....Timber Wolfs.......and Nova Cats......and Mad Dogs.......And Mad Cat MkIIs.

[MentalAss]

Holy F-ing Jesus Christ, you people just made my day! Week even!

Sensors, Online. Weapons, Online. All systems nominal.
Mech powerup detected!
Targeting.

Goodness gracious great balls of nostalgia.

You have no idea. I'm in the same boat as Integrity, waiting in the abyss for our fifth serving of mechanized walking death.

I concur with the hopes than this will be more like MW3. The customization in the third installment was eons better that the fourth/Mercs. After being pampered with MW2, Ghost Bear, MW3 and Pirate's Moon way of things, Mechwarrior 4/Mercs' way of customization was just to...arcadey if you will. The drag and drop in pre sized boxes took out the fun of strategizing builds. Then they actually went full on arcade with the MechAsault series. When my Gauss slugs and PPC charges homed in on my enemy, a part of me died.

Here's to you Clan Nova Cat, I'm coming home...in my Nova Cat.

[Meatkin]

I've been waiting for this moment since I reached nav Kappa.

Die clanners.

[3DMARINE]

What about Phelan Kell.....Should he die?

[roflmao]

As long as its not like MechAssault. They completely bastardized the MW series with that game.

[Busby]

MechAssault doesn't exist. Its fictional like those scary stories your parents told you when you were younger.

[MentalAss]

A boogeymech?

[Meatkin]

Hmm..

Mauler

Stalker? - Doesn't look the same at all, the legs are the wrong way round.

[Alex Drake]

Dear Lord in Heaven,

If there is any love in your heart for your wayward children, 3025, this is all I ask.

Sincerely,
Alex Drake

[Verrin]

Neither are particularly realistic, but Battletech stuff looks better to me in general. The only series that compares in looks to me is Armored Core.

I prefer the term "believable". Of course it's horribly unrealistic, but if the wargear more accurately reflects modern warfare, I think it's a step forward for believability. Especially when the mechs seem to have the kind of limitations you'd expect for something large and heavily armored.

We need the Quad mechs back.....actually, we need all the mechs from the Wizkids game to be in it. And we need melee weapons like they used to use.....and Agromechs.

Melee weapons on walking tanks seems like a ridiculous concept to me. Having a combat knife or something similar for foot soldiers as a last resort defensive weapon makes sense, but there's no vehicles in use today that use melee weaponry as a primary form of offense. And I certainly can't see that ever becoming the case-- Projectiles are getting more elaborate, accurate, and powerful. Even "futuristic" melee weapons that some how use lasers, electricity or "energy" seem to pale in comparison to their ranged equivalents.

What I'm getting at is, mechs with swords are silly.

[MentalAss]

As much of a fun year as 3025 was, almost every other person is looking forward to some sort of Clan involvement. Besides, let's face it, the story should go forward not backward.


Edit: So the AxeMan is silly? Not a sword, but still melee.