BattleTech! MechWarrior!

[thunderfoot]

Hey, Y'all! My name is thunderfoot and I am a BattleTech junkie!. I freely admit it. I have been a BT fanatic since the first time I ever saw one of the paperbacks, which was about 1986. Then I found out the book was based on a game! Yowza! Went on an extended recon for anything I could find made by FASA for the BT universe. Got the game books. Got the miniatures (Miniatures!! How kewel izzat?) In short, I had a very intense love affair with all things BattleTech, however remotely connected. It was my Kyrptonite. Still is. I'm a sucker for a 90 ton Highlander, all decked out in Forest Green, spattered with touches of Red Brown and Dark Yellow, leveling its Heavy Gauss Rifle at a Clan Smoke Jaguar Mad Dog and firing. WoooHooo!

Then I found the PC games. I immediately went into a sort of semi epileptic state of extreme enthusiasm. FASA sold the License to Micro$oft Game $tudio$(no I did not mis spell it, either) after the first few BattleTech based PC games were done by Hasbro. M$G$ had the capital and marketing reach which Hasbro did not. M$G$ went one further. They hired or placed on consultancy nearly every single person at FASA who worked on BattleTech when it was still a PnP game. So now, one of my favorite game genres was going to be supported by one of the biggest software makers in the world which hired the people who originally created the game in the first place to make a new version. This sounds too good to be true dos it not? Well, yes and no. M$G$ released something called MechWarrior IV. Which was actually very good. It had two follow on games and two expansion packs which added additional BattleMechs, weapons and equipment. MW4 had a pretty good story, really good graphics for the time, and online Multi Player support which was generous and very very active. Problem was, it lacked the ingredient which takes a very good game and places it in the forefront of everyone's brain, so it becomes something which is a gamer's must have. It was successful, both critically and commercially, but it never took off like WoW or HALO. The potential was there, it just never got that little spark.

During the same timeframe, M$G$ also released an RTS game which was based in the BattleTech universe. This was called MechCommander 2. Hasbro had released the original MechCommander which was given an excellent storyline, great game play, numerous missions, and an easy to use editor for making more maps and missions. It was also given terrible renders of all of the objects in the game. The graphics were cartoony and cheezy. This is being very generous. MechCommander 2 was a vast improvement in all areas except the story, which was on a par with the original MechCommander. Then M$G$ promptly forgot about the game. Literally from day one, it received almost no support. Fans of the genre and the game loved it and it was available for a while in the M$ online games site(I cannot remember what this was called). There are or were a large number of fansites which supported the game heavily for many years and had new missions, maps, and campaigns. Some even had mods which added things to the game which M$G$ never considered.

The demos for MechWarrior IV and MechCommander 2 are still available over at M$G$'s site. If Y'all are looking for something a little different, you might wanna go check these out. I have been considering D/Ling the demo for MC2 to see just how amenable to modding it is.

[dinosaurJR]

I remember this! I had the demo of MW4 on my old pentium (100MHz, oh yeah )

It was awesome! I mean it - it was like a proper mech sim, nothing back then was better than running full pelt at a mass of Jenner 2Cs, scattering them, then taking then out with your rockets! the demo only had a sort of ice world level, where you had to defend your fire base from Wolf Clan mechs... and a 15 minute time limit.

I never really got into it that much (I couldnt afford to buy the full retail game, and to be honest, my PC wasnt really up to running it at anything but basic detail levels...) but I do remember that it was fun... really good fun.

Im also interested in this MC2... Any more info TF?

Edit: downloading the MW4 demo NOW!!!!! Thanks TF - you just hit me with a big heaping lump of nostalgia!!

[Terra_Inc]

Originally I wanted to make a new thread for this, but now that I've discovered that one, I might as well post it here. MSFC members are always looking for a good game they can play - well, here's one.

There is a group of people with a website named MekTek. They have connections to Microsoft, although they are not working with them. Those guys have been doing new patches and stuff (a bit like the FleetOps guys) for the MW4 game. They have been negotiating with Microsoft for months and a few weeks ago, they reached an agreement.
The result of these negotiations:

A free release of MW4Mercs.

That's right. Everyone can go to the MekTek site and get a copy of the game. But you don't just get the stock game. You also get every official enhancement as well as the non-official mekpaks which not only add a lot of stuff to the game, but also enable Widescreen and HD support. The game is a few years old, yeah. But with all those patches and packs, it really looks new.

So what is this game about? The warfare of the future is not based on tanks or jets, but on gigantic bipedal war machines, the so-called BattleMechs. If you can't imagine how they look like, think AT-ST, only more humanoid. The thing about those 'mechs is that there are many different ones. There are small and fast scouts, impressive Brawlers, long-range missile supporters, gigantic assault machines that can destroy buildings with a single shot... and the chassis is only the beginning. You decide which weapons you want to use. Prefer ballistic weapons? Use lasers? Spam your enemy with missiles? And how much armor do you want to have? And where? Oh, and what sort of electronic equipment do you need? 'Mechs are almost fully customizable.
And when you're done in the lab, go out and hammer your enemies. Controlling a 'mech is not easy, but you'll get used to it quite fast.

Getting the game is a bit complicated. The MekTek guys are constantly patching the game, so a normal installer wouldn't make sense. Because of that, they are offering it through their MTX client which downloads and updates the game. This is a bit time-consuming, but pretty simple. The problem is that MTX is still a beta, and many people have had problems with it. So they are offering an alternative: The game and its updates are packaged in .mtx files. You can download those with your favourite torrent client and use a tool called "MTX Extract and Patch Utility" to extract and install the game. No matter which way you choose, it may take its time, but it's definitely worth it.

So, go to MekTek and get this game. This is their site, and here you can get the game. The latest full install is .0021, the latest patches are .0022 and .0023.

I hope you'll like this game. I've been playing it for a few days now and it's... addictive. Maybe we'll have a little fan group here, hm?

[thunderfoot]

Terra, are you Clanner or Inner Sphere?

[Terra_Inc]

Originally Posted by thunderfoot

Terra, are you Clanner or Inner Sphere?

I'm a trueborn Nova Cat. Although I have a deep love for Lyran 'mechs.
You will now get the release and then we'll exchange 'mech configs, quiaff?

[thunderfoot]

Originally Posted by Terra_Inc

I'm a trueborn Nova Cat. Although I have a deep love for Lyran 'mechs.
You will now get the release and then we'll exchange 'mech configs, quiaff?

Bargained Well and Done, Star Captain. Who am I as an Inner Sphere barbarian to question the wisdom of a follower of Kerensky, quineg? Trueborns. None of them can hear a thing over the sound of how awesome they are, lol. Too bad there are so few of them actually. I like me a target rich environment I do. And as to the Lyran 'Mechs, they're not bad if you like mobile buildings with lots and lots of armour. Especially the rear armour, since that seems to be where most of the shots I make on Lyrans land as they are moving with a stately grace as they retire from the field of combat. I like the heavies. Although I do have a couple of custom loadouts I prefer.

Rich's Ride is a Highlander which is outfitted with a Heavy Gauss rifle, three IS large lasers and an MRM Launcher. From zero to 600 metres nothing stands against it. And it has jump jets, too. Just thing thing for getting to the other side of the building in a hurry, lol. My other fave is a House Kurita 'Mech. The type is designated Warhammer. Mounts a pair of PPCs and a SRM 6 pack. Just the thing for swatting pesky Periphery bandits.

[Terra_Inc]

Originally Posted by thunderfoot

Bargained Well and Done, Star Captain. Who am I as an Inner Sphere barbarian to question the wisdom of a follower of Kerensky, quineg? Trueborns. None of them can hear a thing over the sound of how awesome they are, lol. Too bad there are so few of them actually. I like me a target rich environment I do. And as to the Lyran 'Mechs, they're not bad if you like mobile buildings with lots and lots of armour. Especially the rear armour, since that seems to be where most of the shots I make on Lyrans land as they are moving with a stately grace as they retire from the field of combat. I like the heavies. Although I do have a couple of custom loadouts I prefer.

Rich's Ride is a Highlander which is outfitted with a Heavy Gauss rifle, three IS large lasers and an MRM Launcher. From zero to 600 metres nothing stands against it. And it has jump jets, too. Just thing thing for getting to the other side of the building in a hurry, lol. My other fave is a House Kurita 'Mech. The type is designated Warhammer. Mounts a pair of PPCs and a SRM 6 pack. Just the thing for swatting pesky Periphery bandits.

Grmbl... you will suffer for your insolence.

Do. Not. Talk. To. Me. About. Rear. Armour. I pilot a Fafnir. My pair of Thor's Hammers can blow the Missile Racks off a Mad Cat from 600m away. If someone tries to shoot at my rear armour, he will be a burning wreck in 20 secs. If he does hit it, I'm in big trouble...
I'm also piloting an Uziel, but the weapons loadout is still experimental. I really like my Heavy Rocket Launcher, but it forces me to reduce the number of Pulse Lasers.

I'm gonna try your Highlander. Sounds like an awesome IS 'Mech. Do you have heat problems with that one?

[Lord_Trekie]

I am downloading as we speak lords! (Though thinking on it TF, I may still have those copies you sent me two years ago, no idea where they are since I moved though... )

[Terra_Inc]

Originally Posted by Lord_Trekie

I am downloading as we speak lords! (Though thinking on it TF, I may still have those copies you sent me two years ago, no idea where they are since I moved though... )

Another MechWarrior joining us! Whow! Bring on your 'mech and we'll rock the Inner Sphere.

[Starfox1701]

In order to get them You go through me and my Dire Wolf. We Wolves will no longer allow you Crusaders to drestroy everything Kerensky fought to save

[Terra_Inc]

Originally Posted by Starfox1701

In order to get them You go through me and my Dire Wolf. We Wolves will no longer allow you Crusaders to drestroy everything Kerensky fought to save

The Nova Cats have been a Warden Clan for some time. But if you wish, I will organize a Trial of Possession on this Thread.

[Adm_Z]

Sounds like fun! D/L'ing now

[Amateur]

You stopped using words in my dictionary long ago. Are you making these up?

I remember mech commander, my dad bought it for me when I got my very first computer at the grand old age of nine. Never took care to notice any of the names or what not, and Mechassault 2: Lone Wolf for Xbox was mainly for stop start shooting in a mech' than a lore learning lesson.

But, you can't really go wrong with giant robots - next time I get some time spare I may just download this.

[Terra_Inc]

Originally Posted by Amateur

You stopped using words in my dictionary long ago. Are you making these up?

Neg, pal. The Clanners have their own dictionary. You learn some of these words by playing the Mercs campaign. Or by hanging out with us.

[thunderfoot]

Terra? You're ridin' a Fafnir? Why would you ever want something that big and slow? Can't turn. Can't run. Can't shoot. It ought be called Big Frakkin' Target because all it is good for is ensuring a boresight is dead on. Of course runing around it in circles and ankle biting is the beast is the best way to deal with it. Need to get away from the big, slow Mechs you do. Got something for you to try out. Another of my personal favs.

Hellspawn. Drop the speed to 97KPH and remove all the weapons. New loadout is two Clan Ultra AC5's, three ER Medium Lasers, and two Clan Streak SRM6's. Max out the armour and keep the electronics. Strip off enough heat sinks to keep the armour maxed and keep the jumpjets. This will stare down nearly anything it's own size and quite few Mechs which are bigger.

As to the game, I have every single one of the FASA books and most of the Ral Partha miniatures. I have a copy of the original boxed Starter Set autographed by Jordan Weisman and Michael Stackpole. I have all of the MW4 games and the Expansion Packs. Oh my! Just discovered I am a MechWarrior FanBoy! And a hardcore one at that.