MegaMek
Encyclopedia
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
, turn-based strategy
Turn-based strategy
A turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players take turns when playing...
computer game that simulates the Classic BattleTech
Classic BattleTech
Classic BattleTech is a table-top wargame set in the fictional BattleTech universe that simulates combat between futuristic mechanized forces. Originally published by FASA Corporation, the game is now produced by Catalyst Game Labs under license from WizKids...
board game. MegaMek is not licensed by or affiliated with Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
or Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs was created in May 2007 by InMediaRes Productions, LLC for the purpose of publishing print Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun sourcebooks...
, the owners and publishers of the 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...
line, but is nonetheless a faithful simulation of the game. Exceptions are a few trademarked items changed by the developers (e.g., changing 'Mech to Mek).
Overview
MegaMek is developed and maintained by a community of volunteer programmers, with a small core of developers supported by numerous contributors. The project is hosted by SourceForge.netSourceForge.net
SourceForge is a web-based source code repository. It acts as a centralized location for software developers to control and manage open source software development. The website runs a version of SourceForge Enterprise Edition, forked from the last open-source version available...
and is distributed with its source under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
. The game is written entirely in Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
with graphics based on Swing
Swing (Java)
Swing is the primary Java GUI widget toolkit. It is part of Oracle's Java Foundation Classes — an API for providing a graphical user interface for Java programs....
(an AWT
Abstract Window Toolkit
The Abstract Window Toolkit is Java's original platform-independent windowing, graphics, and user-interface widget toolkit. The AWT is now part of the Java Foundation Classes — the standard API for providing a graphical user interface for a Java program.AWT is also the GUI toolkit for a...
interface also exists, but it's not updated with the newest features), resulting in reasonable playability even on low-end platforms.
Currently, MegaMek supports all the rules from the BattleTech introductory box set, most of the rules from the Total Warfare core rulebook, and a number of advanced rules from the Tactical Operations rulebook and some house rules. The game offers a simple genetic-algorithm-driven bot that one can play against, though so far its intelligence is limited. Also, most of the AeroTech
AeroTech
AeroTech is a FASA wargame set in the BattleTech universe. It simulates combat between AeroSpace fighters, troop-carrying DropShips, delicate interstellar JumpShip and interstellar WarShips. The name "Aerotech" defines space/air elements of Battletech universe...
rules from Total Warfare are implemented. An optional 3D interface is currently under development. The game currently supports multiplayer via TCP/IP, though play-by-email is possible through the exchange of saved games.
A sister project MekWars, gives MegaMek a campaign structure in JAVA as well, with a chat, hangars, accounts, repairs, and numerous other settings which can be defined by each Server Admin as she or he wishes. There are numerous MekWars servers which offer play in the different eras of BattleTech.
Critical reception
In June 2003, MegaMek was chosen as SourceForge.netSourceForge.net
SourceForge is a web-based source code repository. It acts as a centralized location for software developers to control and manage open source software development. The website runs a version of SourceForge Enterprise Edition, forked from the last open-source version available...
's project of the month and was featured in the print edition of the Linux Magazine
Linux Magazine (USA)
Linux Magazine was a magazine about Linux written in English and published in the United States.In June 2008, Linux New Media AG purchased assets related to Linux Magazine...