Joystiq

MechWarrior Online to fully launch by end of summer

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST

Free-to-play mega-machine simulator MechWarrior Online will exit beta and launch by late summer. The game is currently playable in open beta. Asked to narrow down that launch window a little more, Russ Bullock, president of developer Piranha Games, noted it'll be "no later than" September 21 (the official close of summer).

Since the game is wholly player-versus-player, we asked if the company plans on implementing a player versus AI model. We were told at GDC that it's not in the plan and Piranha hasn't explored the option.

There are currently three major features the studio is planning to add before launch as they maintain their updates for the game every two weeks. The first is upping the number of mechs on the battlefield from eight versus eight to 12 versus 12, this will happen in "the next 60 days." They are also doing another complete revamp of the user interface. Finally, the "granddaddy feature," is community warfare that incorporates the lore from the BattleTech universe and allows players to pledge allegiance to houses.

MechWarrior Online to fully launch by end of summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mechwarrior Online 'Conquest Mode' update is massive

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 04:00:00 EST

Mechwarrior Online's final update of 2012 is Conquest Mode, allowing players to capture locations in the Inner Sphere. The update brings three new mechs, including the Twin Dragons in the above video, the River City Night map and some New Year's goodies. See the pics and video right in here.

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Mechwarrior Online 'Conquest Mode' update is massive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online assault class training starts in this trailer

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:00:00 EST

MechWarrior Online, which has been in open beta since October 29, is making sure systems are nominal for its full launch in the first quarter of next year. Here's a pair of devs showing off the game and, more specifically, the assault class mechs available now.

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MechWarrior Online assault class training starts in this trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online Founder's Program includes speedy Jenner mech

Mike Suszek — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST

The Jenner JR7 mech, seen above, is included in the Founder's Program for MechWarrior Online. The mech features a top speed of 118 km/h, a SRM-4 for firing missiles, and four medium lasers. Piranha Games describes the machine as light on armor, so using its speed and jumpjets to stay on the move is the key to victory for its pilots.

MechWarrior Online's Founder's Program is a three-tiered program in which players receive bonus content, early beta access, and in-game currency. The Jenner JR7 is one of four mechs exclusive to the Elite and Legendary levels of the program.

MechWarrior Online Founder's Program includes speedy Jenner mech originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online 'Founder's Program' bonus packages for sale

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST

MechWarrior Online's Founder's Program offers bonus in-game content in three tiers: Veteran, Elite, and today's new addition, Legendary. Legendary runs $120 and includes early access to the closed beta starting August 7, an exclusive founder's tag, three months of a premium account, $80 worth of in-game currency, all four founder's mechs and recognition in the game's credits.

Elite costs $60 and includes early access, a founder's tag, two months of a premium account, $80 worth of in-game currency and a choice of one founder's mech. Veteran runs $30 and includes early access, the tag, one month of a premium account and $40 worth of in-game currency. The Founder's Package and closed beta is available in North America only.

All three ranks are available for purchase via the MechWarrior Online Founder's page.

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MechWarrior Online 'Founder's Program' bonus packages for sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New MechWarrior Online trailer has no music, just giant robots

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

When your game involves giant robots with massive rockets, lasers and high-tech HUDs, you don't need epic rock music drowning out the sound of metallic hellfire and thundering footsteps, as MechWarrior Online demonstrates with the above teaser trailer.

You also don't need dubstep, but that's only because no one ever needs dubstep. That's right, not even you.

Gallery: MechWarrior Online (5/11/12)

New MechWarrior Online trailer has no music, just giant robots originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mechwarrior Online gameplay trailer: online

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST

Specific details about MechWarrior Online's free-to-play machinations are still months away from being discussed, but here's some of the gameplay we got to check out at GDC 2012. As fans are sure to notice, the game looks like an updated MechWarrior, which is exactly why we're overheating with anticipation for more info!

Mechwarrior Online gameplay trailer: online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online will run on CryEngine 3

David Hinkle — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST

While we still don't know that much about the newly announced Mechwarrior Online, we at least know what technology is behind it. The PC-exclusive free-to-play title will be powered by CryEngine 3, Crytek boasts in the press release past the jump. Developer Piranha Games' president, Russ Bullock, says the engine is "the best choice for us."

Mechwarrior Online is set in the year 3049 during the "early stages of a massive interstellar war," firmly planting the butts of players in a BattleMech, the "most powerful war machine to ever walk the field of battle." And here we thought the best war machine out there was the human mind!

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MechWarrior Online will run on CryEngine 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mechwarrior reboot will be PC exclusive

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:41:00 EST

After being teased over two years ago, the return of Mechwarrior is apparently around the corner.

PC Gamer reports that it has the details on the reboot, which will be a PC exclusive title. It will allegedly update with more information in a few hours, with "one very big surprise," so we'll be sure to let you know then.

The franchise has been making its return to the game space, stomping along slowly like an Atlas mech, for several years, with Jordan Weisman's Smith & Tinker obtaining the rights back in 2007. This was followed by a tease of the reboot in 2009, with a trademark dispute shortly thereafter. Since then, things have been very quiet... until now.

Update: PC Gamer notes the game will be freemium and launch in the second half of 2012.

Gallery: MechWarrior Online

Mechwarrior reboot will be PC exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Days of Thunder: Arcade rolls into rare Friday finish on XBLA

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST

So, the Days of Thunder game missed the movie's 20th anniversary thing last year -- was it a thing? -- but there was still one last, sort of deadline for the Xbox Live Arcade version to hit.

In late October, when Paramount Digitial Entertainment was still racing to get the game out for the anniversary, a representative told us that both the PSN-exlcusive "NASCAR Edition" and the vanilla Arcade version would be released "around the same time" (whenever that would be). On Tuesday, the NASCAR Edition finally rolled onto PSN, but then Wednesday came and went, with only one Blitz on XBLA.

But Days of Thunder is all about drama, right? A thrilling finish! And so, here we are, a Friday of all days, and there's a brand-new XBLA game available for $10 (800 points). It's like ... it's like Microsoft didn't want an univited guest in its House Party.

Days of Thunder: Arcade rolls into rare Friday finish on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duke Nukem Forever interview: An end in sight

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST

Duke Nukem Forever might actually be completed and released -- but like most everyone, I won't be convinced until the final product is in my hands. During a recent press event, I played through the same demo we saw at PAX and spoke with 2K Games senior producer Melissa Miller, who did her best to reassure me that the game might actually, maybe, seriously come out.

"It's really amazing when you think about it, because these guys -- along with everybody else -- thought Duke Nukem was dead," Miller recalled of one of the current developers, Triptych Games, which was founded by nine ex-members of 3D Realms. "And they were a group that just said, 'No, we're not gonna let this stop.'"

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Duke Nukem Forever interview: An end in sight originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Days of Thunder: NOTNASCAR Edition coming to XBLA 'this winter'

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:35:00 EST

We feel you. You've been waiting all year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the formative "romantic drama" Days of Thunder. Well, hang tight, your opportunity is coming -- just maybe not before 2011: Paramount Digital Entertainment and Piranha Games today assured patient fans that Days of Thunder: Arcade will be released on Xbox Live Arcade "this winter" (which means it could show up on a late-December Wednesday, or it would otherwise debut in early 2011).

Days of Thunder: Arcade is, naturally, an arcade-style romantic drama -- er, make that: racing game. Under the guidance of Rowdy Roddy Burns (was that the name?), players compete in an unlicensed racing circuit, careful to watch for "reckless, aggressive driving" by the movie's star, Cole Trickle, who is not voiced by Mr. Cruise in the game.

The PS3-exclusive licensed version, Days of Thunder: NASCAR Edition, adds a bit more authenticity to the "pedal-to-the-metal, adrenaline-fueled arcade racing" with the likes of modern day wheelmen Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart, among others. Earlier this month, NASCAR Edition was dated for release on PSN this fall -- that's right, in time for the anniversary! We figured we'd save the best news for last. You're welcome.

Update: Uh-oh. A representative for the game informs us: "NASCAR Edition for PSN is now scheduled for a winter release date, as well." But there's hope! "Both games will be releasing around the same time and should be within the next couple of months (Nov./Dec.). However, we are still waiting on an official date."

As for the PC/Mac Arcade version expected to be released via Steam? "At the moment, the PC/Mac version is still TBD as far as release date."

Continue reading Days of Thunder: NOTNASCAR Edition coming to XBLA 'this winter'

Days of Thunder: NOTNASCAR Edition coming to XBLA 'this winter' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Top Gun and Days of Thunder: NASCAR Edition

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:00:00 EST

Let's get this out of the way: I've never seen Top Gun nor Days of Thunder. I know, I know -- I'll turn my Man Card in at the door. The point I'm trying to make is: If there are in-jokes or sly references in either game, I wouldn't notice.

That said, Paramount Digital has recruited Jack Epps Jr., screenwriter of both films, so the company certainly seems serious about fan service. Setting aside their cultural significance -- emphasis on "cult" -- what I saw were two simple, playable arcade experiences.

Gallery: Top Gun -- E3 2010 (PSN, Mac, PC)

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Preview: Top Gun and Days of Thunder: NASCAR Edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on: Days of Thunder (XBLA/PSN)

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:45:00 EST

click to enlarge

Paramount Digital Entertainment and Piranha Games are bringing Days of Thunder to the Xbox 360 and PS3 this summer and it has a major actor attached. It's not Tom Cruise, Cary Elwes, Robert Duval, Randy Quaid or even John C. Reilly from the film of the same name, though. Nope, it's Michael Rooker? "Who?," you might be asking? Remember the guy who got stinkpalmed in Mallrats? Yes, that's him. Rowdy Burns himself. He'll play your crew chief in this downloadable title, until he gets back in a race car and challenges you on the track.

Days of Thunder plays like an extremely scaled down version of EA's NASCAR series, meaning you hold down the accelerator and rarely use the brake. You can draft other cars to "Drop the Hammer" and slingshot around them and spend points on one of four categories to improve the three different car types.

Update: Paramount has contacted us and asked us to remove the gameplay video, because more impressive material is in the works! Does that sound believable? And will NASCAR throw their weight behind this game? It was announced at an official NASCAR event, and the movie is NASCAR themed to the gills, but who knows. That license isn't EA exclusive anymore.

Check out screenshots and photos from the first-look event below, then read more details after the break.

Gallery: Days of Thunder

Gallery: Days of Thunder Event - 1-30-10

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Hands-on: Days of Thunder (XBLA/PSN) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New MechWarrior teased by IGN site [update]

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST

With the subtlety of a grand piano falling down the stairs, IGN's Voodoo Extreme is teasing that a new MechWarrior title will be announced shortly. Allegedly in development by Piranha Games, it would be the first "official" MechWarrior game in nearly a decade. The site teases that Piranha may have a full trailer up later this week.

The last time MechWarrior popped up on radar was when the property was licensed to Jordan Weisman after the dissolution of FASA. If Piranha is actually developing a true Mechwarrior sequel, it would appear to be the studio's first mega solo project. We're currently attempting to get in touch with Piranha Games for more details.

Update: A representative for Piranha replied to our inquiry, "We can't share any details right now, but will get in touch with you as soon as we are able." "Can't" ... or won't? Weird. Still following up.

[Via ShackNews]

New MechWarrior teased by IGN site [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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