MechWarrior

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MechWarrior is the title of a number of games set in the fictional universe created for the tabletop wargame BattleTech. The term "MechWarrior" is also used to describe the pilot or operator of a BattleMech.

Role-Playing Game

The MechWarrior role-playing game has three editions and many expansions and adventures, the first of which was published in 1986 by FASA, bringing Japanese style mecha to an American audience. In addition, numerous fictional novels have been written that both create and flesh out the BattleTech world by such authors as Michael Stackpole. There is also an animated series.

In order to reduce confusion between WizKid's games and the MechWarrior roleplaying game, FanPro (the current publisher of the RPG) has renamed the MechWarrior roleplaying game as "Classic Battletech RPG".

Collectible Miniatures Game

In 2002, WizKids released , a collectible miniature-based wargame similar to Heroclix and Mage Knight, distinct from the BattleTech wargame. In 2003, MechWarrior: Dark Age won the Origins Awards for Best Illustration 2002, Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures Series 2002 and Game of the Year 2002. In 2005, WizKids updated MechWarrior: Dark Age. In conjunction with a rules overhaul, the game was renamed MechWarrior: Age of Destruction.

The Mechwarrior sets released so far are: Dark Age, Fire for Effect, Death from Above, Liao Incursion, Counterassault, Falcon's Prey, Age of Destruction, Firepower, Annihlilation, Domination, and Vanguard. WizKids has also announced two more releases: Wolf Strike and Outlaws.

Collectible Card Game

A BattleTech collectible card game (now out-of-print) was released in 1996 and ran through 2001(?).

Video Games

A number of computer and console games have been made based on the BattleTech universe, including several open source computer games attempt to create a computer version of the original BattleTech board game.

PC

Cockpit Simulators

In these games, players take control of a single BattleMechs and combat other BattleMechs, tanks, infantry, and more, from within the cockpit of their machine. Both MechWarrior 2 and MechWarrior 3 were Origins Award winners, taking Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Computer Game 1995 and Best Action Computer Game 1999 respectively.

• MechWarrior (1989)
• MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (1995) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 2: Ghost Bear's Legacy (Expansion Pack) (1995) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries (1996) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 2: Titanium Trilogy (1998) (3D hardware accelerated versions of the MechWarrior 2 trilogy.) ([review])
• MechWarrior 3 (1999) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 3: Pirate's Moon (Expansion Pack) (1999) ([review])
• (2000) ([official home page]) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 4: Black Knight (Expansion Pack) (2001) ([official home page]) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 4: Inner Sphere Mech Pack (Expansion Pack) (2002) ([official home page]) ([review])
• *MechWarrior 4: Clan Mech Pack (Expansion Pack) (2002) ([official home page]) ([review])
• * (2002) ([official home page]) ([review])

Unofficial Mods for MechWarrior 4

• Mektek Mekpak MP-3.02a (2005) - An unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries ([home page])
• MechStorm High Definition Patch 1 - HDP1 (2005) - An unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries, it upgrades the graphics, sounds, music, skins, and textures significantly. HDP1 is only compatible with MekTek Mekpak 2.1a ([home page])
• MechStorm High Definition Patch for PR1 - PR1 HDP (2005) - An unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries, it upgrades the graphics, sounds, music, skins, and textures significantly. PR1 HDP is only compatible with MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries Point Release 1. ([home page])
• NetBattleTech (NBT-HC) (2005) - An unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries, upgrading the weapon systems and 'Mechs to a new balance system, more closely derived from the original CBT gamestyle. NBT is a Battletech Community site with various MW4 based leagues, ([home page]), ([client page])
• Inner Sphere Wars (2006) - An unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance, currently in open alpha testing ([home page])

• (1992) - One of the first online-dedicated Battletech/Mechwarrior games.
• (1996) - Second of the online-dedicated games.
• Multiplayer BattleTech 3025 (2001) - Third online-dedicated game, potential successor to Mechwarrior 4. (Cancelled)

• (1989) ([review])
• (1991) ([review])

In these games, players control a company of BattleMechs using their computer mouse to give each of the units orders to move, attack, or capture an enemy base structure.

• MechCommander (1998) ([review])
• *MechCommander Gold (1999) (contains the original game and expansion pack) ([review])
• MechCommander 2 (2001) ([official home page]) ([review)]

Unofficial Mods for MechCommander 2

• Community Expansion Pack - An unofficial expansion to MechCommander 2 with an outdated download page that includes a half dozen excellent fan created campaigns (and almost a dozen mediocre ones). This group is no longer active. Recommended for Players because of the massive number of campaigns and scenarios on the download pages. ([home page])
• Wolfman-X - An unofficial expansion to MechCommander 2 with a download page that includes three very creative campaigns that need strategic thinking and over 65 missions. This group is currently active. It is a vastly superior expansion pack with more inventory and features than any other expansion. Recommended for modders. ([home page])
• Magic's Unofficial Expansion - An unofficial expansion to MechCommander 2. This group is not currently active. Only one campaign (although perhaps one of the best if you are trying to capture the original PnP Classic BattleTech feel) has ever been made using this expansion, but it also allows modification of the original Carver V campaign to include the expansion Mechs. Worth a download. Magic does not have his own home page, but his files can be found on an active group site called DropshipCommand. ([download page])

Unofficial Games

• Battletech 3065 Online (also known as BattleTech-Online.org BattleTech MUX) - An open source MUX telnet server which hosts free computer-moderated Battletech wargaming. ([home page])
• MegaMek - An open source project whose goal is to create a PC version of the Classic BattleTech boardgame, currently implementing all level 1 and most of level 2 and 3 rules. ([home page])
• - A text-based, real-time version of original BattleTech board game. ([home page])
• BattleTech Generals - A mod for the game. ([home page])

Game Consoles

There are several BattleTech games made for the game console market:

• MechWarrior (1993)
• MechWarrior 3050 (1995)

• Battletech (1994)

• MechWarrior 2 (1996)

• MechWarrior 2 (1996)

• MechAssault (2002)
• (2004)

• (2006)

Arcade

• - Part of a three game Microsoft arcade machine.
• - A BattleMech cockpit simulator. ([Link])

Feature Film

Electric Entertainment, a Hollywood production company founded by Dean Devlin, currently holds the option to produce a feature film based on the Mechwarrior universe. In 2003, Devlin approached Paramount to pitch the project but failed to receive funding. The project is currently in development hell.

An independent producer, Carl Obremski, has taken personal initiative to lead a grassroots movement to help convince independent investors that a Mechwarrior film is financially viable. There is a petition on the producer's website for fans to get the movie into theaters. ([website]) The site is also producing a ten minute short film project.

WizKids has announced a [five minute MechWarrior student video] with the [DAVE (Digital Arts and Video Effects) School].

External Links

• [WizKids]
• [MechWarrior MyTopix]
• [NetBattleTech (NBT), MW4 Community site with various MW4 based leagues]
• [MWRealms]
• [Virtual World]
• [MobyGames' entry for the MechWarrior Series]

 

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