The
MechWarrior Q&A
on IGN confirms
yesterday's indications that a new MechWarrior
game is in the works, discussing the project with Piranha Games president Russ
Bullock and FASA cofounder/MechWarrior creator Jordan Weisman about the
Unreal-engine project, which will be simply titled
MechWarrior, as it is
one of those franchise reboots that the kids are all so wild about these days.
This separate IGN
article offers a teaser trailer and details about the game, which is in
development for Windows and Xbox 360, but does not yet carry a projected release
date. Here's a bit on the game, including plans for co-op support:
This
new MechWarrior is set on the planet Deshler in the year 3015, and places
players in the role of Adrian Khol, a wayward nobleman who prefers partying and
shirking responsibility over his training and studies. However, when House
Kurita launches a massive invasion to conquer Deshler, resulting in the death of
his entire family, Khol discovers a purpose to fight for.
There are ambitious plans for this new MechWarrior. The original MechWarrior
games were limited by technology; now with modern computing power, the
developers are hoping to really capture the sense that you're piloting a giant,
walking war machine in the middle of an incredibly dynamic battlefield. While
the two companies are still talking to potential publishers that could determine
the final production budget, Weisman and Bullock explained that they plan to
have a full single-player campaign, as well as support for a four-player co-op
campaign, and a full multiplayer suite.
One of the key features is a sense of information warfare, using everything from
unmanned drones surveying the battlefield from above to light scout mechs
relaying information to teammates. Weisman and Bullock both explained how they
want every class of mech to really matter in this game; it's not just a race to
the heaviest, most powerful mechs. The designers want to reward you for picking
a mech and sticking with it -- you will gain experience and become better at
piloting your chosen mech, and that will translate into better accuracy and
damage with weapon systems. This way, a player could specialize in a light mech
throughout the entire game if they choose. It also means there are multiple
playthroughs with different mechs. The developers also said the game will change
based on your chosen mech class.
While the developers didn't go into how many mechs will make the game, based on
the video trailer and the discussions, we know of at least four. There's the
Jenner (light class), both the Warhammer and the Rifleman(heavy class), and an
Atlas Prime, a feared assault-class mech.