Weisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices)
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Dec 6th 2007 at 5:59PM }
On October 15th, Smith & Tinker, Jordan Weisman's new venture-backed startup, announced the licensing of the "electronic entertainment" rights to a number of Weisman's creations back from Microsoft. The deal, apparently done quietly (and ages ago in web-time), puts franchises like MechWarrior, Shadowrun and Crimson Skies back in Weisman's hands. Previously, these properties were managed and developed by FASA, another Weisman credit, which was sold to Microsoft in 1999 and dissolved several months ago.With Microsoft suddenly short on internal development teams, the most action the FASA catalog has been seeing is a polite dusting off ever few months before being re-shelved. While Weisman and co. have yet to detail the projects, a job listing calling for online game expertise suggests MMOs could be in the works. A posting on the Smith & Tinker website assures fans that "our goal is to surprise and delight old fans, while welcoming new fans to these fantastic worlds."
[Via Gamasutra]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dogmeat @ Dec 6th 2007 6:06PM
Mech Assault 1 & 2 was too arcade like. Bring back then fun that was Netmech!
JF>Dogmeat
Http://uberotaku.com
Klepto @ Dec 6th 2007 6:08PM
Who do I have to blow to get a Mechwarrior MMO going?
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Dec 6th 2007 6:09PM
.....
hot.
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Dec 6th 2007 6:27PM
A MechWarrior MMO?
Look up Battletech 3025, and learn the sad tale of the MarchWarrior MMO that EA killed.
On to brighter news, though...
YAY!!!!!
I can't wait for a non-gimped Crimson Skies and MechWarrior!
RudyHuxtable @ Dec 6th 2007 6:55PM
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! ... Not the sweet sweet beeje, but the MMO.
jynxycat @ Dec 6th 2007 9:35PM
I played Gamestorm's Battletech religiously.
When they announced BT3025 I almost pee'd my pants. I had a chance to see it in action at a Con in Michigan, and it looked very promising.
Then EA bought out the service, and canned all the games for no reason.
Legends of Kesmai was also one of my favorite MMO (If you can call it massive) games as well.
Mech Assault is a slap in the face for Battletech fans. Bring something back along the lines of the Battletech Solaris game, or Mechwarrior 1 or 2, and I'll be sold instantly.
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Dec 6th 2007 9:41PM
jnxy: They actually had an open beta for the game. I played it for about 2 months, and then it just abruptly got shut down.
StrangeBum @ Dec 7th 2007 8:26AM
Mech MMO, blowjob....sounds like a fine saturday night to me.
Randomness, does anybody else remember Zoids? that could be a potentially fun game if done right.
Craig @ Jan 17th 2008 9:44PM
www.iswars.com
Mechwarrior MMO
Klepto @ Dec 6th 2007 6:11PM
fyi, av not me.
DemonGSides @ Dec 6th 2007 8:10PM
You just shattered people's hopes and dreams.
How fun.
Tiptup300 @ Dec 6th 2007 8:46PM
Its a photo from deviant art...
StrangeBum @ Dec 7th 2007 8:24AM
Ahhahaha.
That's funny. I like your above comment though, a Mech MMO would be some ridiculous fun. ChromeHounds was a huge letdown and disappointment and I miss the old-school MechWarrior.
ballistic3188 @ Dec 6th 2007 6:14PM
Battletech MMO?
I would like to join jade falcon and am looking forward to decking out my Madcat
Word Up, North Korea! @ Dec 6th 2007 6:15PM
Shadowrun MMO FTW!
old school tabletop SR, not the stupid FPS xbox360 crap
DarkTetsuya @ Dec 6th 2007 7:35PM
F***ING SIGNED and 2nded.
zuburi @ Dec 6th 2007 7:43PM
Seriously. If it's the RPG version of Shadowrun in an MMO format, I'll mail him a blank check right now.
Ramirez @ Dec 6th 2007 10:58PM
It might actually be a Shadowrun MMO, and I hope it is. There was an independent group developing a Shadowrun MMO but Microsoft shut them down because they didn't want to let them have the rights to the IP. This could be good news for an official version of a SR MMO
Jon @ Dec 7th 2007 5:53PM
Hell Yeah!!! Something based of the 2nd edition table top would be the fire. Some kind of MMO open world PvP (but with purpose, and teams that actually mattered - what you don't have a Decker? Well I guess we'll just hang out die since we can't shut down the security.
While I'm dreaming - A floating point narritive that kept the story going based on the majority of player's actions would be amazing (probably impossible)if not totally chaotic.
GoldenS1104 @ Dec 6th 2007 6:16PM
Maybe in addition to the MMO they can take another stab at a Shadowrun FPS. The first was really good, but it was a pretty bad value and it didn't nearly live up to its potential. You'd think it'd be hard to mess up a game with magic and guns.
Game Artist @ Dec 6th 2007 6:20PM
Oooooo I played the old battletech 3025 MMO in beta before the project was canceled. It was awesome. I would pick up an updated version of that for sure. The key in making mechwarrior fun online is to not allow custom mechs. That eliminates most of the cheese.
jynxycat @ Dec 6th 2007 9:37PM
I second that the BT3025 project was remarkably fun :D
Custom mechs can be fun if the Battletech table top rules are followed, as then no one really has any advantage, but that must then allow heat sink placement, equipment addons, and all sorts of geeky stuff they won't add.
Kyrra @ Dec 6th 2007 6:24PM
Omg, MechWarrior or Shadowrun MMO would be HOT! Shadowrun is so built for an MMO game type, man, I'd be in love.
Triese @ Dec 6th 2007 6:24PM
I would love to see a new Crimson Skies game.
NukeAssault @ Dec 6th 2007 6:35PM
Yeah.... i want a flight game for my 360 real bad... Not Ace Combat... though if i ever did get it id need that awesome controller.
Yubastard @ Dec 6th 2007 8:37PM
yes indeed! I'm all for it!
Shockgamer @ Dec 7th 2007 1:32AM
High Road to Revenge deserved better.
T2 @ Dec 6th 2007 6:39PM
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Crimson Skies was developed by Zipper Interactive, and released by Microsoft/FASA Interactive, based on a FASA game. Zipper was acquired by Sony and now makes the SOCOM series.
If I recall correctly, Microsoft acquired FASA Interactive, and then subsequently shut it down after the release of Shadowrun (a mistake in my opinion).
Sounds like Weisman is acquiring the rights to FASA Interactive titles, which he formerly ran.
Honestly, I'm shocked a sequel to Crimson Skies hasn't appeared on the 360 as it seemed like a no-brainer. Another MechWarrior wouldn't be a bad idea either. Shadowrun is somewhat of a mixed bag in my opinion, but perhaps wasn't executed properly.
RudyHuxtable @ Dec 6th 2007 6:57PM
As much as I want to think this is a good thing (a Mechwarrior MMO would rule Castle Grayskull), I don't know that I trust Weisman with his own IPs, much like I think George Lucas assassinated Star Wars with those three turds of prequels. I mean, Shadowrun was very shallow, and each of the Mechwarrior games beyond Mechwarrior 2 were dumbed down. They're both very complex, rich IPs and they deserve to be treated as such.
Todd @ Dec 6th 2007 7:00PM
Yea hopefully we can get a true Mechwarrior game now and not that assault crap. Too bad I won't be able to use my Steel Battalion controller with it though.
iofthestorm @ Dec 6th 2007 7:06PM
Yeah! More mechwarrior games plz. Mechwarrior 2 was the shit back in the day.
Matt B @ Dec 6th 2007 7:24PM
If they brought back Mechwarrior 3 with online on the PS3, I"m sold.
hoohoo @ Dec 6th 2007 7:25PM
this is more d&d 4.0 stuff, not video games.
Arlen @ Dec 6th 2007 7:32PM
I've always thought that there's a lot that could be done with the MechWarrior universe. I'd really like to see a great game based on the franchise. I might even consider a MechWarrior MMO (and that's saying a lot because I have not ever and don't currently plan on ever paying by the month for a game).
ScreamingSkull @ Dec 6th 2007 7:55PM
God, a Mechwarrior MMO.. I'd so buy a 150 joystick to play this. At least if it's not crap.
Joe @ Dec 6th 2007 8:48PM
Both Shadowrun and Crimson Skies I wanted to see a sequel too. So this is great news. I can't wait to play a good RPG of Shadowrun again. Plus a great flight sim of Crimson Skies. I wonder if these game will come out on both the 360 and PS3 then. I am not saying this will happen but what if these games only went to the PS3 so Weisman can get back at MS.
I for one think He would be above that but you never know.
rv @ Dec 6th 2007 9:13PM
Don't care...
What I want is crackdown 2. Fuck those other games.
jynxycat @ Dec 6th 2007 9:41PM
Mechwarrior could easily be an MMO if they followed their plans from the Battletech 3025 project.
Copy the gameplay from Battletech Solaris. Behind the scenes dice roll, ala the board game. Slow, and tactical combat, not this arcade-y MW3 & 4 junk. Then add in clan (anti-pun? It would be Inner Sphere anyhow) support, and you would be on to something.
The coolest part of the good MW games were all the dice roll for crits, ammo explosions, overheats, losing limbs, fall over, shooting when downed, etc.
I'm excited, assuming this ever sees the light of day :P
KiwiLord @ Dec 6th 2007 9:45PM
For the love of all that's holy, please let this mean that we will see Mech games return their older Mech piloting Simulation days, and not the arcadey crap that's been pushed on us for a while now (I do love me some MechCommander though). Hell, just make an update of Mechwarrior 2, or Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries... A million fanboys would rejoice (especially if the original soundtracks were kept in place).
Eville1 @ Dec 7th 2007 1:08AM
I've been playing the Mechwarrior mod for C&C lately so maybe they could do a tactics type game? Heh. I'd rather see Warhammer 40K be an MMO than Shadow Run. A Mech MMO would be cool.
Afterlifer82 @ Dec 7th 2007 2:47AM
Here's what needs to happen, we need a new crimson skies game for next-gen system developed by Airtight Games!!!
Mort @ Dec 7th 2007 10:08AM
I think I might have just died... and gone to the good place. Mechwarrior, Shadowrun, oh yes, please sir may I have another? I played the original SR way back when, the PnP version too (but preferred Cyberpunk), played the PnP and original Mechwarrior stuff too.
Give me an MMO and single player games... and multiplayer... and and and... a clean pair of pants.
Petme @ Dec 7th 2007 11:29AM
I played battletech 3025 in beta, i must say it was the shit. The mech customization was good, the game played very well, the battles kicked ass. City battles got crazy with jumpers getting on buildings and shit. Open desert battles with catapults raining lrm's onto the battlefield... I would love to see that game get picked back up and updated... dibs on beta :)
Patrick @ Dec 7th 2007 12:34PM
This is what we need:
A shadowrun RPG. Preferably third-person, with a solid squad-based combat system, tons of user customization, and an intelligent story. Kind of like mass effect, but with more control and grit.
A Battletech/Mechwarrior persistent online combat game. Full 'mech customiztion (dont dumb it down!), a persistent online universe spread over a couple of star systems. "Party" based (Star/Lance) PVE missions, competitive territory control PVP. Different career paths (mercenary, military, etc), maybe even non-combat roles.
Crimson Skies: who knows. The original was tons of fun, I'd be happy to see simple updated "more of the same" version.