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.

Contents

[edit] Role-Playing Game

The MechWarrior role-playing game has three editions and many expansions and adventures, the first of which was published in 1985 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 MechWarrior: Dark Age games and the MechWarrior roleplaying game, FanPro (the current publisher of the RPG) has renamed the MechWarrior roleplaying game as "Classic Battletech RPG".

[edit] Collectible Miniatures Game

In 2002, WizKids released MechWarrior: Dark Age, 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, Vanguard and Wolf Strike. WizKids has also announced the release of action packs in the future, which will be non-randomized sets of figures, instead of continuing their system of randomized boosters.

[edit] Video Games

Box for ActiVision's MechWarrior 2 for PC
Box for ActiVision's MechWarrior 2 for PC

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.

[edit] PC

[edit] Cockpit Simulators/ 3rd Person Action

In these games, players take control of a single BattleMech and combat other BattleMechs, tanks, infantry, and more, from within the cockpit of their machine. A 3rd person alternate view is available in Mechwarrior versions 2, 3 and 4. 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 2, Ghost Bear's Legacy and Mercenaries deal with the events immediately before, during and immediately after the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere.

Mechwarrior 3 and Mech Commander 1 are concerned with different parts of "Operation Bulldog", the combined Inner Sphere counterattack against the Clans, targeted at the Smoke Jaguars.

Mechwarrior 4, its expansions and Mech Commander 2 deal with the Federated Commonwealth Civil War. As a follow-up to Mechwarrior 3, Mechwarrior 4 is generally considered by enthusiasts to be a disappointment, or even inferior.

[edit] Online Games

[edit] Computer role-playing games

[edit] Real-Time Tactics

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.

[edit] Modifications

These are modifications of existing games from various genre's. They can be downloaded and played by anyone who owns a copy of the game they modify.

  • MythWarrior (Myth 2: Soulblighter) - Not directly set in the Battletech universe, this modification draws heavily upon it, turning Myth 2's mid scale fantasy battles into futuristic skirmish combat.

[edit] Game Consoles

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

[edit] Super Nintendo

[edit] Sega Genesis

[edit] Sega Saturn

[edit] Sony PlayStation

[edit] Xbox

[edit] Nintendo DS

[edit] Arcade

[edit] 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.

[edit] External links


v • d • e
MechWarrior video games

MechWarrior • MechWarrior 2 • MechWarrior 3 • MechWarrior 4 • MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
MechCommander • MechCommander 2
MechAssault • MechAssault 2 • MechAssault: Phantom War
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