MechWarrior Online website announces that the Community Warfare update for the free-to-play mech game is now officially in beta (thanks Rhialto). Here's how this works:

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. The team has had their collective noses to the grindstone to bring you Community Warfare, and we are now looking forward to watching you launch into the battle for the Inner Sphere. This is it – House vs House, Clan vs Clan, and IS vs the Clans. We want to see the newly updated and dynamic Inner Sphere map change because of your actions, your efforts.

Factions have been reset with this patch - your previously chosen faction will no longer be active. Once you log in, head to the faction tab to select a contract with your chosen faction. There are three short-term contract options: 7, 14, or 28 days. The thoroughly dedicated can pledge their loyalty to their chosen faction for a permanent alliance. With a longer contract comes greater rewards, but also a greater penalty for breaking it. Once your faction choice is made you’ll have access to the Inner Sphere map. Here you’ll find a list of planets that you can attack or defend. So pledge your alliance to a faction and start fighting for territory control!