MechWarrior Online Message Board

Robots! They walk among us. Admittedly, they’re not particularly inconspicuous about it, given that they are both GIANT and in possession of a decently hefty marketing budget that allows them to plaster websites with megaton banner ads and titanic, lavishly produced trailers. It’s almost like they want us to know that they’re stomping about, tracking rust and guts all over everything – even the new carpet (!). I guess MechWarrior Online has “launched” now or something, so I suppose that makes sense. It’s looking snazzy, but its community has been in a state of open warfare with developer Piranha for the past few months due to a lack of communication and direction changes that don’t align with what many players spent money on. But hey, at least Piranha is restricting the perhaps too-casual-friendly third-person viewpoint a little bit. That’s something, right?

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And it’s not Grand Theft Auto V. Read more...

How many mechs is too many mechs? Sixteen? Twenty four? Six million? I suppose it depends what you’re doing with them. Chances are, if you’re looking for companions as you slide into a hot tub with a freshly blended pineapple daiquiri, even one mech is probably too much to handle. For all of their undoubted charms, giant bipedal war machines are not suitable for holiday romances or erotic liaisons. Trust me on this one – the rusted oversize can opener in my garage has a single notch on the handle and is the keeper of a sorry tale. Mechs are best encountered in the wild, shooting and exploding one another. Twenty four is a good number in those circumstances, so the addition of 12 vs 12 matches to Mechwarrior Online is almost certainly a good thing.

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MechWarrior Online has a new premium mech available for download, and rather than touting its movement speed or the number of lasers mounted to its side, developer Piranha Games wants everyone to know about its greater purpose: cancer research.

"Sarah's Jenner" is a limited edition JR7-D variant, built in honor of five-year-old MechWarrior Sarah Marie Alida Parries, who passed from inoperable brain cancer last May. The mech is available for $10, with 100 percent of proceeds earned donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. Players with a fully-stocked MechBay won't have to worry about buying more garage space, as Sarah's Jenner will come with its own private housing when implemented on August 23.

MechWarriors who wish to donate more than $10 are encouraged to send their monetary overflow to any of the charities listed on the promotion's FAQ.

[Thanks, Chris!]

Even though we live in the Future Year of 2013 and download all games directly to our spinal cords the second they hit pre-pre-pre-post-mid-alpha-gramophonic, we still insist on designating games as “released” or “un-released”. I understand that up to a point – it paints expectations of relative bugginess, when developers should start charging money, etc – but could we maybe start using more, um, applicable terminology? Otherwise we end up with games like MechWarrior Online, which is finally “releasing” in September even though it’s been available for more than a year. (Yes, I know a slight discrepancy in lingo is the least of the gaming industry’s problems, but JUST LET ME HAVE THIS ONE, ‘KAY?)

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With systems nominal and within previously stated parameters, MechWarrior Online is proceeding with a version 1.0 launch on September 17. The game has been in open beta since last October, with a current cadre of 1.1 million registered pilots.

Developer Piranha Games noted last year it had earned $5 million from the Founder's Program, which offered a variety of goodies to mech addicts willing to cough up some early cash. Today the company merely shared some in-game stats, which you can check out in the infographic below. If you're not particularly fond of beta-testing, the free-to-play game will be yours to pilot in two months, or you can hop on right now at mwomercs.com.

MechWarrior Online's latest Hero mech is the FireBrand JM6-FB, a JagerMech variant with dual PPCs, AC/2s, RLAGPRGs, front-facing GRMBLCKS, DENNIS capabilities and 14 different Doctor-class Tennant injectors with Moffat tracking modules. Okay, maybe some of those are made up, but which ones?

Free-to-play mega-machine simulator MechWarrior Online will exit beta and launch by late summer. The game is currently playable in open beta. Asked to narrow down that launch window a little more, Russ Bullock, president of developer Piranha Games, noted it'll be "no later than" September 21 (the official close of summer).

Since the game is wholly player-versus-player, we asked if the company plans on implementing a player versus AI model. We were told at GDC that it's not in the plan and Piranha hasn't explored the option.

There are currently three major features the studio is planning to add before launch as they maintain their updates for the game every two weeks. The first is upping the number of mechs on the battlefield from eight versus eight to 12 versus 12, this will happen in "the next 60 days." They are also doing another complete revamp of the user interface. Finally, the "granddaddy feature," is community warfare that incorporates the lore from the BattleTech universe and allows players to pledge allegiance to houses.

MechWarrior Online BZZZZZTT –MAJOR UPDATE– Juggada-guggada-beeeeeooooooooooo. I speak fluent Giant Robot. The freebie stompy robots game has just added another new batch of content, which includes yet another mech to charge about in, and a tutorial zone called Testing Grounds.

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Free-to-play shooter MechWarrior Online has added a new update to the game, this one containing the biggest map yet. The environment is called Alpine Peaks, and features lots of cold, open areas, separated by some very tall high ground. In addition to the new map, the update also includes five new versions of a mech called the Trebuchet, which specializes in long range combat and carries medium weight.

Finally, the newest update also adds in what Pirahna Games is calling "Phase 3" of the matchmaking system, which will allow players of the same skill to find and compete against each other in a balanced way, despite what mech they're driving. The new system also allows for cosmetic holograms in the cockpit, so you can now show off any House Faction loyalties you happen to have. Us, we're partial to Winterfell, but -- oh wait, wrong setting. At any rate, the update is now live on the servers, so go get that Mech a Warrior-in'!

Mechwarrior Online has updated with a new mech, the 80-tonne Pretty Baby, which is detailed in a video which you can watch below. There’s also a big update from the devs on what’s going on with the game generally, including performance tweaks and a new map.

Is anyone still playing MWO? I know I had a blast with it when I first signed up, but then Planetside 2…(more…)

There’s a downside to the official comeback of iconic stompy robo-suit game Mechwarrior, and that’s the end of ongoing development for fancy-lookin’ Crysis mod Mechwarrior: Living Legends. While initial word that free multiplayer total conversion was facing its last stomp led the community to suspect legal action by the people behind the new official game, Mechwarrior Online, the claim now is that MLL development is winding up through mutual agreement.(more…)

It may not have eight legs or carry hundreds of thousands of its young around on a moist, throbbing abdomen, but MechWarrior Online's new Spider mech is the game's "most maneuverable and agile of all Light Mechs," according to the press release tucked away after the break. The game's new mechanical jam is already available in its store and can also be seen in the gallery below.

Since jumping around is universally the most fun thing you can do in a giant robot, we're expecting to see a lot of the Spider during MechWarrior Online's first ever Double XP weekend event, which starts at 1 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 18 and ends at 1 p.m. Eastern on Monday, January 21. The event's double XP bonuses stack with other XP buffs, so those with Premium accounts will get even more of a boost than they already do.

We let the anarchy reign, but leave a little room for Drew to blast fools in MechWarrior Online.

“What is it with mechs and holidays?” I constantly ask myself and/or say to begin my cliched standup routine. It’s a question that evokes many nuanced and contentious viewpoints, but mainly, MechWarrior Online launched its last big update on “Mechsgiving,” and now a brand new point-capturing Conquest mode is debuting right around Christmechs (which is sadly not what Piranha’s calling it). That’s enough for me to call it a pattern, though, so clearly, mechs are creatures that run on oil, electricity, and festive spirit. There’s more information and a video of the new update in action after the break.

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Mechwarrior Online's final update of 2012 is Conquest Mode, allowing players to capture locations in the Inner Sphere. The update brings three new mechs, including the Twin Dragons in the above video, the River City Night map and some New Year's goodies. See the pics and video right in here.

I don’t think it’s possible to have any misgivings over an update officially titled “Mechsgiving.” As for Portalmas, well, that one’s a bit more up for debate, seeing as it’s just a word I made up. But generosity’s officially in the air, and both Piranha and Valve are doling out fairly significant updates to their breadwinners, MechWarrior Online and Portal 2. Unfortunately, neither involves gigantic mechanized turkeys, but I suppose beggars in the midst of celebrating a decadent holiday of feasting and lethargy can’t be choosers. Still though, that’s far from a reason to mope. So let’s look under the ol’ turkey tree and see what we got.

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MechWarrior Online finally went into Open Beta late last month, and the team isn't wasting any time updating the game with new content. They're asking players to celebrate "Mechsgiving" later this week with a new mech called the Cataphract, which features a solid offense combined with jump jets and plenty of armor.

The update introduces the "Frozen City at Night" environment, along with new modules for targeting and the Beagle Active Probe, which can increase a mech's sensor range.

The folks at Pirahna Games will show the content live on Twitch.tv tomorrow, November 21 at 6pm PST, and invite players to jump in with them during that time. Pictures of the Cataphract (and its four variants) are in the gallery below.

MechWarrior Online, which has been in open beta since October 29, is making sure systems are nominal for its full launch in the first quarter of next year. Here's a pair of devs showing off the game and, more specifically, the assault class mechs available now.

What do MechWarrior Online and PlanetSide 2 have in common? Well, they both have robots, guns, cold levels that affect gameplay, free-to-play options, explosions, planets, sides, walking, death, life, founder’s programs, other kinds of robots, rocks, trees, smoke, and battles that tickle fancies and funny bones. Also, war.

Oh, and they’re both in beta. I knew I was going somewhere with this. Anyway, videos!

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#kotakuliveqa Everyone loves the idea of driving a giant mech, yes? Maybe fighting other mechs while in the process? That's what MechWarrior is known for, and that's what the new MechWarrior Online is bringing back. The upcoming free-to-play game looks cool, but perhaps you have a few questions about it? More »

Yes, as we’d been anticipating, Mechwarrior Online is now in open beta, which means it can be played for free, without restriction. I’ve been enjoying it a fair bit in the past couple of weeks, but then I am a sucker for both robots and multiplayer combat, so it could pretty much have been designed with me in mind. I would say that it hasn’t exactly held my attention for long periods – unlike Planetside 2, for example – so it’s lacking something in the long-term reward sense. It also offers a fascinating contrast with Hawken, the faster-paced, jetpack-heavy robo-deathmatcher that’s in closed beta right now (but should soon hit for free).

I’ve posted one of the community-made trailers below. It’s quite good.(more…)

Very few things on this Earth can stop a fully operational giant robot. One of those things is another giant robot impacting the first with equal and opposite force. This is known as Cyber-Newton’s 23rd law, and he personally destroys all who dare oppose it. All the other things that can stop a giant robot, meanwhile, are crushing realities of game development. Case in point: the recent delay of MechWarrior Online‘s open beta. Stability apparently wasn’t up to snuff, so Piranha decided to tinker away a while longer. Now, though, it’s in acceptable shape, so the robots will begin rocking, socking, and vaporizing each other early next week.

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Kickstarter isn’t the only way to make insane amounts of money without even releasing a game. MechWarrior Online has been having a concerted “pre-order” campaign, and has announced it’s made $5m in the process. The stampy robot fighting game is yet to enter open beta, but despite this it’s accrued those extraordinary sales figures since July. And let’s stress – this is for a free-to-play game.

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I like giant robots. I like them a whole, whole lot, actually. But let’s be honest here: their titanic clashes are nothing without heaping helpings of human intrigue. They need us and our elaborate, hilariously political squabbles as much as we need their impossibly large arsenals and devil-may-care approach to dealing with skyscrapers. Back in the day, single-player was the perfect middle ground between those exceedingly admirable goals. Now, though – as Piranha president Russ Bullock explained during GDC Online – things are a bit more complicated. Not to mention more expensive. A lot more expensive.

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Piranha Games have announced the following: “Make a MECH-sized marking in your calendars for Tuesday, October 16th. In just one week, we will be opening up the InnerSphere to all MechWarriors and their friends.” This signals the end of Mechwarrior Online‘s Founders program, where you could buy in for early for in-game currency and other bonuses, but since it’s F2P I expect to see a lot more activity kicking off in the coming weeks. As I mentioned previously, I’ve rathered enjoyed my time with it, although it seems like there’s a lot of content to come. I’ve posted some recent gameplay footage below.(more…)

Joystiq got to see MechWarrior Online in its closed beta at PAX Prime a few months ago, and the game was coming along nicely: a little light on the fast-paced shooter action and heavy on the MechWarrior-based customization options and battle mechanics. Infinite Game Publishing and Piranha Games have announced that MWO is headed into an open beta next week.

Players interested in playing can sign up on the MechWarrior Online website to reserve a name right now, and anyone looking to spend a little money on the free-to-play shooter (based, of course, on the tabletop strategy game) can join the Founders' Program, which offers various tiers of premium rewards. The Founders' Program will finish up on October 14, with the open beta following soon after.

The Mechwarrior Online closed beta has been stomping around in the back of my mind for a while now. It’s perhaps rude of me to admit it, but there have been even bigger games blasting away at the heavy armour of my limited attention. The past couple of days, though, I gave it my full focus, and found myself pleasantly surprised. The Mechs, it seems, are quite good.(more…)

MechWarrior Online is adding maps and polish to its launch arsenal, with the latest trailer showing off the new River City map. It's the first urban warfare map revealed for the game, replacing the pine and rivers seen before with fifty shades of gray and sepia.

The concept of a giant robot so giant that it makes all the other giant robots seem like adorable little rhinos appeals to me, I think, on a very fundamental, perhaps even instinctual level. As someone who is neither giant nor (to my knowledge) a robot, I somewhat fancy the idea of striking spine-tingling, fight-or-flight-invoking fear into someone with my mere presence. And MechWarrior Online‘s Hunchback, thankfully, looks to offer me a chance to take the reins on that particular fantasy. According to Piranha, this ‘bot tips the scales (by which I of course mean all of them at once) at 50 tons – 20 percent of which is armor, and the rest of which is probably guns. See it perform incredible feats of moving at all after the break.

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