AirMech Message Board

If you've always wanted to have more automatons in your DOTA experience, then I may have just the thing for you. AirMech Arena is a fast-paced free-to-play MOBA that puts you control of giant killer mechs that can transform into vehicles like a military jet or helicopter. And it's coming out for the Xbox 360 this summer, publisher Ubisoft announced today.Read more...

AirMech Version 16704.0 April 19th, 2013

Parts! You've seen the Parts section of the Shop and been asking about it, and now we are rolling out the first steps of this system. We've had to redo the AirMech customization system to support this, and moved Pets to be their own 3 slots, so you don't have to choose which 3 Flair you use now. Every Variant remembers it's own settings, so you can set each one up exactly how you want and save some time. Not all images have been made to support the new card display, and this will be worked on in the coming patches.

This first round of Parts has been added automatically if you have the Beta Bundle or Prime, and they also have a chance to drop. You will get Parts in different ways in the future, so not all will come with the bundles, and to be honest we're still figuring out the plans for this. We do plan to have a lot of Parts to let you customize your play style.

Note that you need to have the base AirMech class unlocked to customize the Parts or to gain levels. That's right, AirMechs can now gain levels, though it doesn't make them more powerful. It's something that will affect the parts you can use and will be added later. The level tiers may also change, but the XP will not get reset. Just as when we adjusted player levels, we just store total XP for each AirMech and we will do the final balancing when we've collected more data.

Drops are live for everyone! We have finally finished our initial testing and have turned on drops for all players. The way it works for the most common drop (units) you either get a "trial" stack of units, or if you have the unit unlocked already, and an Alternate exists, you can get that. For example if I don't have Bucky, I might get a stack of 5 Buckys as a random drop sometime. If I already own Bucky, then instead of a trial stack I would get something like Bucky Aggressor.

Artillery is fixed! Not how it was before, but actually working as intended, and from this point we should be able to balance things into a nice place. As a "thank you" for your patience, we've had time to get in a new system of destructible path blockers which we have wanted to do for a long time now. We've placed test versions on Sandrim and Crater, and will be using them more in the future once we get the bugs worked out.

Steampunk Neo is here! It's been a long time coming, but we think it's worth the wait. This actually marks the first time we have a "set" of Variants for each AirMech, and we're wondering if we should have a Quest (not Achievement) for completing the set. We could maybe have a little Steampunk themed pet as a reward. It's important to us that it feels like a reward, and not something we're holding back, which is why we wouldn't want it to count like a normal Achievement. Let us know what you think on the forums.

We have some changes this update that might seem small at first, but they will likely have significant impact to the flow of the game. First is the Halftime Heal, which can now be interrupted. Before, there was nothing you could do and many players felt it was pointless to launch an attack before the end of the second Quarter. Now, if you are actively damaging the enemy Fortress, you will interrupt both their heal and their income. So do you attack the enemy, or defend your own Fortress? A critical decision point for sure.

Updates:
- Updated Hangar and Loadout UI
- New Parts Customization System for AirMechs (settings saved per Variant now)
- Earth Day limited time items available: Sunflower Seed item, Lady Gaia Pilot, Earth Day Cake, GreenSea Bomber, Fluorescent Bulb
- Ken's Birthday Cake available for a short time (Happy Birthday Ken!)
- Osprey Healing ability has been updated, can now overcharge units with full health giving them a shield
- Server pings can now be seen for each server on the "Location" menu's global map
- Updated localizations based on latest suggestions from the Steam Translation Server
- New Variant: Steampunk Neo
- Added new Unit and Item alternates for the drop system
- Sandrim and Crater now have alternate paths that can be opened
- Shark Neo and Star Neo Robot modes have been updated
- added pilot: Ultimate Lexi!
- added new unit: Roller - a cousin of the Grinder
- updated Prime Helix visuals
- display friends and max friends count on the social UI
- many additional AirMech variants updated to use new animations
- updated aiming mechanism for Artillery units
- press U key to toggle UI (good for screenshots)
- F2 in spectate will allow freecam
- click-hold-drag when spectating now pans the camera

Balance:
- Osprey healing is now a hard lock and needs to be released to select a new target
- Changes to the way Osprey healing is calculated (not directly comparable to old system)
- Osprey can now apply a "shield" to units by using Repair on them for 2 seonds after they are at max health. The shield will protect 100% against a single attack.
- Lockbox/Safebox/Vaultbox new HP: 1000/2000/4000
- Lockbox/Safebox/Vaultbox new Armor: Medium/Heavy/Heavy
- Lockbox/Safebox/Vaultbox new Cost: 5000/10000/20000
- Lockbox/Safebox/Vaultbox new Build Time: 2/4/6 seconds
- Some Kudos rewards have been slightly increased for Level Up Quests
- Final two Sockets removed from center of Nesthorn
- updated Half time heal mechanic to award credits and fortress HP over time and be interruptible
- fixes to HAAT and Seeker targeting and line of sight checks

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed a bug where some characters wouldn't appear correctly when language was set to Czech
- Fixed some bugs related to units sometimes not firing at other units or AirMechs
- Fixed a bug where neutral artillery units wouldn't appear deployed
- Bug fix for Artillery behavior
- Update displayed DPS to account for units that have a reload time
- Potential crash bug fix in Link unit order logic
- bug fixes to Artillery targeting logic
- fix links and references to 'Helix' AirMech (which used to be named Chopper)
- fix a bug when exiting a map in free camera mode
- collision bug fix for units passing under bridges
- fixed accidentally disabled Steampunk Helix

AirMech Version 15008.0 January 28th, 2013

We're introducing a new feature with this patch--Salvage! Now you can clean up that mess left after a battle and profit from it at the same time. Any units or AirMechs with a repair ability can also use it to Salvage destroyed units for Credits ingame. It's still a bit buggy, and a work in progress, but we're interested to see how this adds to options during gameplay. Do I spend time cleaning up this area for extra income, or press the battle against the enemy? As time is your most valuable resource in AirMech, it opens up interesting choices for the player. Feedback in the forums is welcome!

Faction Charters! They are working now, but be aware that the Faction Charter is consumed when you create the Faction! We do not want a million Factions, and do not want people renaming them. Think very carefully before you create it, because it costs 1000 Diamonds every time you create one. This price is designed so that people only create Factions when they are serious. Don't have the Diamonds? Chances are someone who you want to start the Faction with does, just ask nicely.

Updates:
- New AirMech Variant: Steampunk Saucer
- New Hat Flair: Football Helmet
- New Quests: Power Play
- Faction Creation interface implemented
- Increased the range in which healing units willing prioritize disabling an active Bear Trap by.
- Increased the amount of quests that award diamonds.
- Re-added the Help button to the pause menu.
- Made some modifications to secure/capture outpost order regarding how units attack outposts they are securing
- Added Salvage System. Destroyed units can be reclaimed by healing units and Osprey.
- Network error messages should now appropriately be translated to their respective languages.
- Added a Waiting timer to the matchmaking lobby.
- New badges added for people with gold/silver VIP status.

Balance changes:
- Fixes to overly high Grinder damage. Grinder base melee DPS is now 210.
- Grinder can now be impacted by the Stasis effect, reducing damage by half. Normally this effect only applies reduced attack speed, but due to how the Grinder functions it made more sense to work towards damage instead of attack speed to achieve a similar result.
- Grinder will no longer damage stasis mines/bear traps.
- Modification of neutral units on Duel and Nesthorn
- make map neutral units not abductable
- add a short radar unjam range on all AirMechs

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed a bug with the Tomcat Striker variant preview displaying detached wings.
- Cleaned up text display at lower resolutions.
- Fixed the explosion effect on the creeper detonate animation.
- Fixed the alignment of the version number display in game that was trailing off the right side of the screen.
- Hats should now fit correctly on all Warthog variants.
- Fixes to CPU lag detection (previously referred to as FPS lag)
- Bug fix for spectators sometimes stuck in game at the end of a match
- Bug fix to Saucers increased abduction rate on ability level up (wasnt working)

AirMech Version 14829.0 January 19th, 2013

Some nice fixes and optimizations for you in this patch! In video settings, you now have a slider to adjust destruction effects, since the physics can cause performance issues on lower end computers. Definitely pull this down if you find Survival games with lots of destroyed units slows you down.

The Crater map continues to be modified for gameplay, and now features two additional Outposts placed between the Fortress and the middle. The result is that it makes the map instantly feel "smaller" since there's less distance to travel between safe spots.

We had an unfortunate bug with the FPS kick code being disabled. That is fixed, so if someone is lagging your game due to FPS, you can tell them to lower their destruction detail settings, and then kick them as needed. Sorry about the laggy games you had to endure!

Updates:
- Modifications to 'Crater' map - new outposts
- New setting to change the detail of destruction pieces (if you have framerate issues in game, try turning this down)
- Added 'Badges' to collection UI - drag from collection to Chat window to activate
- New options to filter games on the Browse Menu
- New feature to confirm video changes made in the Settings Menu
- Localization support for Main Menu UI buttons
- Updated localizations with latest suggestions from the STS

Balance changes:
- Armadillo now costs 2600 instead of 2400 to build

Bug Fixes:
- Fix for bug where the vote kick buttons wouldnt show up

AirMech Version 14740.0 January 14th, 2013

As of this patch, if you do not have Silver VIP status or higher, you will earn diamonds from daily quests as if you had VIP status, but they will be unusable until obtaining Silver VIP or higher. Since we changed how outpost capturing works a few patches back, we inadvertently rendered the probe basically useless. In this patch we have gone ahead and re-armed it so it can once again fill its intended role. We have also added a really cool feature allowing infantry units to be able to dodge larger caliber shots like tank shells and artillery shots which should give them a bit more of an edge weaving through enemy lines en route to outposts. You'll also notice a new abduction sound when the Saucer is attempting to make off with your tanks and/or prized livestock. We've had a lot of good feedback on the new Crater map and consequently have been able to address a few of the lingering bugs, but be sure to keep your eye out and let us know if you see any 'funny business'. Here is the full breakdown of the changes this patch:

Updates:
- New unit: Jammer Truck. (Currently in testing phase, but available to all)
- Artillery now require having radar sight on their target(s).
- New Ultimate Pilot: Ultimate Kira!
- Added Pending VIP diamonds feature. If you arent VIP, you can earn diamonds which will display on the upper left, and unlock when you become Silver VIP or higher.
- Changed VIP quests to be redeemable by anyone, with Locked VIP diamonds as the reward.
- Added a Filter to Unit selection dialogue.
- Added an additional Frankfurt Germany server.
- Probes have been re-armed.
- Added system for Infantry units to be able to have a chance to 'dodge' larger caliber shots, like tank shells. (will be tweaking)
- Added option to disable the mouse wheel from toggling the build menu.
- Continued work on Gamepad compatibility in menus (work in progress).
- Some fixes to spectator camera movement.
- Sound added to Saucer abduction effect.
Bug Fixes:
- Network desync bug fix regarding AI players and using a controller.
- Fixed a crash bug in the game related to using the game location markers.
- Fixed bad creep spawn locations on Crater.
- Fixed a bug with pathing on Sandrim.
- Fixed missing abduction sound on Pumpkin Saucer.
- Updates to improve timing/display of vote kick buttons.
- Fixed a bug with neutral artillery on Sandrim causing desyncs.

Patch Notes for AirMech Beta Version 14553.0

For this update we are introducing a new map: 'Crater', as well as adding the first features of the faction system to the game. Both are in testing phases so be sure to shoot any feedback you have to us on the forums or Steam chat. We also added a couple changes to matchmaking which should minimize the possibility of getting into games that are sure to have higher than ideal pings by binding players to region specific server groups. There are also some optimizations to how the game handles player connections that should reduce the chance of lag in several situations. See the full changelog below:

Updates:

- New Map: Crater (still in the balancing phase)
- The tutorial has been updated, the first of many changes to learning for new players.
- Matchmaking is now done by grouping players in the same server region determined by the country you are playing from to prevent higher pings in game due to distance.
- Made some optimizations that should reduce situations that cause lag.
- Updated Localizations with latest content from the Steam Translation Service
- New Faction Quest: 'United in Combat'
- New 'Buy Diamonds' tile in the store.
- New option to purchase Silver VIP in the store.
- New '+' and '-' buttons added two switch between 1 and 3 days boosts in the store.
- Improved Toy Angel visuals.

Bug Fixes:

- Fixed a bug where enemy AirMechs and units could target a cloaked Neo.
- Fixed a bug allowing the booster trails to show on Neo while cloaked.
- Fixes for potential chat text corruption.

It seems like only yesterday that the last Indie Royale bundle graced us with yet another tantalizingly priced collection of independent videogames. But, it was in fact, 19 yesterdays ago, which apparently meets the requisite downtime quota in indie bundle time. So now the Summer Bundle‘s setting up shop on our virtual sidewalks with an adorably misspelled copy edited sign and promises of delicious lemonade games like The Journey Down and Serious Sam 2. In total, there’s a whopping nine games up for grabs here, so you might consider taking a peek.

(more…)

I’m incredibly proud to announce that Indie Royale has finally graduated. I haven’t the foggiest idea of what it’s actually graduated from, but it has one of those fun dangly tassel hats now, so that means it’s probably smarter than me. Before it goes off and writes the next great American novel while aboard a rocket of its own construction made from inferior American novels, however, it’s putting more indie games on sale. Six more of them, in fact – including the debut of retro-themed zombie-blasting RPG Dead Pixels. “But wait,” you might say, tossing around high-level math like some kind of graduate-school-bound indie bundle, “that’s only one game; where are the other five?” Be educated after the break.

(more…)

Transform from robot to jet alongside Jeff and Ryan as they inspect this Herzog Zwei-inspired browser game.

And who can blame him? That jet turns into a robot!

The team at Carbon Games is basking in its newfound freedom as an indie studio after its first development endeavor, Fat Princess creator Titan Games, dissolved under Epic Games China. Carbon Games' first project is AirMech, a free-to-play RTS-action hybrid debuting as a browser and PC title, most notably via Chrome.

AirMech is currently in alpha, but it's existed metaphysically since 2009 at least, before Fat Princess was even pitched to Sony.

"AirMech is my baby," game director James Green told Joystiq on the PAX East show floor, where Carbon Games is one-sixteenth of the Indie Megabooth. "We pitched it to Sony before Fat Princess, but they didn't get it."

The world may not have been ready for AirMech in 2009, but now, after the success of League of Legends and other accessible, hardcore hybrid titles, publishers are interested in a solid RTS-action blend that translates to multiple platforms and gameplay styles, Green said.

There are more than 60,000 players in the Chrome alpha for AirMech, and at least 5,000 playing the PC version -- but Carbon isn't stopping there. Green pulled out an Android tablet running an early, mobile version (without virtual joysticks as a default, he was sure to note) and Carbon plans to announce a beta version for Steam this summer. Carbon would love to see a version on consoles as well, maybe even with a single-player mode, production coordinator Chris Merritt said.

The team at Carbon Games is basking in its newfound freedom as an indie studio after its first development endeavor, Fat Princess creator Titan Games, dissolved under Epic Games China. Carbon Games' first project is AirMech, a free-to-play RTS-action hybrid debuting as a browser and PC title, most notably via Chrome.

AirMech is currently in alpha, but it's existed metaphysically since 2009 at least, before Fat Princess was even pitched to Sony.

"AirMech is my baby," game director James Green told Joystiq on the PAX East show floor, where Carbon Games is one-sixteenth of the Indie Megabooth. "We pitched it to Sony before Fat Princess, but they didn't get it."

The world may not have been ready for AirMech in 2009, but now, after the success of League of Legends and other accessible, hardcore hybrid titles, publishers are interested in a solid RTS-action blend that translates to multiple platforms and gameplay styles, Green said.

There are more than 60,000 players in the Chrome alpha for AirMech, and at least 5,000 playing the PC version -- but Carbon isn't stopping there. Green pulled out an Android tablet running an early, mobile version (without virtual joysticks as a default, he was sure to note) and Carbon plans to announce a beta version for Steam this summer. Carbon would love to see a version on consoles as well, maybe even with a single-player mode, production coordinator Chris Merritt said.

#airmech So last year, a few of us got our hands on AirMech, and thought it was pretty special. It's like classic action/strategy game Herzog Zwei got into Macross cosplay in a big way. More »

Carbon Games's AirMech is working its way through alpha testing and will be playable at PAX East next week. It'll be the first "proper" showing of the game, which debuted at last year's PAX Prime in a very early build. The developers will be on hand to distribute exclusive in-game items, which also grant access to the game's closed beta.

"It's important to note that we are happy with the core of the game, and it's balanced enough that we are not wiping accounts or progress," Carbon Games founder James Green wrote on the company's site. "We don't mind if people earn a bit more XP or kudos because they can exploit the AI or found a bug-we're glad to let people benefit in that way because it helps us make the game better. So all of our early testers tend to do quite well, and can rest assured that they can keep their progress and unlocks."

Carbon Games was formed by members of Titan Studios, creators of Fat Princess. The team is currently working on a list of improvements before they consider the game in beta.

Missed this somehow when it came it appeared a couple of days ago, but it’s worth a look for anyone using Chrome as their browser: Carbon Games have release AirMech for free, here. It’s sort of RTS/tower defence/shoot ‘em up with a transforming robot, and it can even be played co-operatively or competitively with others. It’s fast paced and looks lovely with its retro pixel art. Pretty impressive for a browser game, I would say.

Sometimes you have to make a risky decision to make your dreams come true. At least, that's the case for the team at Carbon Games. A team of less than 10 people, they broke away from Titan Studios after the completion of Fat Princess, and set out to create a new strategy game they hoped would be pub...