MechWarrior
Encyclopedia
MechWarrior is the title of a series of computer and video games set in the fictional universe
of BattleTech
other BattleMechs, tanks, infantry, and more, from within the cockpit
of their machine
. A third-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: Living Legends was the recipient of the ModDB 2009 Mod of the Year and - due to rules preventing one mod
from winning the same award twice - an Honorable Mention in 2010.
, 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
.
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
of BattleTech
BattleTech
BattleTech is a wargaming and science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2000, and owned since 2003 by Topps. The series began with FASA's debut of the board game BattleTech by Jordan Weisman and L...
Games
In these games, players take control of a single BattleMech and combatCombat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
other BattleMechs, tanks, infantry, and more, from within the cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
of their machine
Machine
A machine manages power to accomplish a task, examples include, a mechanical system, a computing system, an electronic system, and a molecular machine. In common usage, the meaning is that of a device having parts that perform or assist in performing any type of work...
. A third-person alternate view is available in MechWarrior versions 2, 3 and 4. Both MechWarrior 2 and MechWarrior 3 were Origins Award
Origins Award
The Origins Awards are American awards for outstanding work in the game industry. They are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design at the Origins Game Fair on an annual basis for the previous year, so the 1979 awards were given at the 1980 Origins.The Origins Award is commonly...
winners, taking Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Computer Game 1995 and Best Action Computer Game 1999 respectively. Mechwarrior: Living Legends was the recipient of the ModDB 2009 Mod of the Year and - due to rules preventing one mod
Mod
- General :* Honour Moderations, a first set of examinations at Oxford University* Maximum operating depth, in scuba diving, the depth at which a gas mix exceeds safe limits* Ministry of Defence, the part of a government responsible for matters of military defence...
from winning the same award twice - an Honorable Mention in 2010.
Gameplay
The game play of MechWarrior is slightly different from titles such as Armored Core in that you do not have the option to change out pieces of a mech. Instead, you choose a classification of mech to equip, and are then given the option to change out weapons and armor as you would in a first person shooter. You then have the option to equip your weapon choices to one of six "groups". It is these weapons groups that are used during game play. Individual weapons can be fired independent of a group, however, this requires the use of a menu.Graphics
In the past, MechWarrior games have had high resolution graphics for its time, particularly MechWarrior 2. All MechWarrior Games have been at the cutting edge at the time of release. There have been several modifications to the game (NBT-HardCore, NetMech IV, HDP pack and the Mektek Mekpaks) which, in addition to adding many new mechs and weapons, greatly increased the graphic detail of the game.In-universe timeline
- MechWarrior and MechWarrior (reboot)MechWarrior (reboot)MechWarrior Online is an upcoming free to play, action simulation game under development by Piranha Games for the Microsoft Windows platform...
take place at the end of the Third Succession War. - MechWarrior 2MechWarrior 2MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat is a 1995 video game produced by Activision. It is part of the MechWarrior series of video games. It separates itself from the original board game BattleTech by placing the player inside the cockpit of the BattleMech....
, Ghost Bear's Legacy, and Mercenaries deal with the events soon before, during, and soon after the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere. - MechWarrior 3MechWarrior 3MechWarrior 3 is an entry in the MechWarrior series. It featured a new 3D accelerated graphics engine at the time of its release. The game contains over 20 missions, with access to 18 different mechs.-Plot:...
and Mech Commander 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 MechCommander 2MechCommander 2MechCommander 2 is a real-time tactics video game based on the BattleTech/MechWarrior franchise, developed by FASA Interactive and distributed by Microsoft. It is a sequel to MechCommander....
deal with the Federated Commonwealth Civil War.
Live-action film
Electric EntertainmentElectric Entertainment
Electric Entertainment is a full-service film, television and new media production company, established in 2001 by veteran writer/producer Dean Devlin , and led by Devlin along with partners Kearie Peak, Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan.-Company Biography:On December 7, 2008, TNT debuted “Leverage,”...
, a Hollywood production company founded by Dean Devlin
Dean Devlin
Dean Devlin is an American screenwriter, producer, television director and former actor. He is the founder of the production company Electric Entertainment.-Personal life:...
, currently holds the option
Option (films)
In the film industry, an option is a contractual agreement between a potential film producer, such as a movie studio, a production company or an individual, and a writer or third party who holds ownership of a screenplay...
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
Development hell
In the jargon of the media-industry, "development hell" is a period during which a film or other project is trapped in development...
.