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MechWarrior
Developer: Microsoft
Publisher: Microsoft

Microsoft treated us to a demonstration of the latest incarnation of MechWarrior, developed by the same people who had created the BattleTech universe and the original MechWarrior game. The developers have improved on the previous MechWarrior games in a number of areas; in particular, the graphics looked very impressive. We watched as Sebastien Motte, Microsoft's product manager, drove a mech around a highly detailed desert map to demonstrate the upcoming game, which is expected to be released at the end of 2000.

Click to enlarge

The game features a completely rebuilt 3D graphics engine, and the results are immediately apparent. The mechs look similar to those in MechWarrior 3 but move more realistically. The 3D environment we saw was very believable, and it included accurately rendered hills, mountains, and canyons. The world is populated with cars, people, and buildings, all of which are true to scale. These give a great sense of scale when seen next to the 40-foot-tall, 80-ton war machines wreaking havoc on their surroundings.

The weapon effects are also impressive. During the demonstration we watched a mech fire a series of guided missiles and lasers at distant enemy units. The rockets arced across the sky, trailing realistic smoke and fire, and even the laser effects (which are usually fairly plain) looked surprisingly good. We also witnessed a group of enemy rockets impact and explode nearby, sending up clouds of dirt and rubble. The realism and energy of the entire scene were remarkable.

Click to enlarge

The developers promise a dynamic mission and campaign structure that will involve the player in an epic storyline. More than 30 unique missions will be included that will span 15 different campaign maps. The mission objectives will include a palace assault, destruction of an enemy dropship, and a one-on-one showdown with a battleship. Missions will take place at different times of the day and night and in different weather conditions, including fog, rain, snow, blizzards, and lightning. Rather than on a sparse battlefield, these missions will take place in a dynamic world full of allies, enemies, and noncombatants that interact continuously to give a more realistic sense of the ongoing war.

The game will also feature a more streamlined interface than previous MechWarrior games, which should appeal to a wider audience, but it will also include more tactical options. To address a common complaint about the previous games, the developers are focusing on making the mech lab more accessible to let players fully customize their mechs quickly and easily. Seven new mechs will be included in the new game in addition to the previous mechs, for a total of 21 different types. Each mech has unique strengths and weaknesses and can be customized with new weapons, armor, and sensors.

The game will also focus on leadership and interaction with lancemates, who will be able to upgrade their skills and mechs as they gain experience. MechWarrior will also include a variety of multiplayer options that will let players create their own missions, host servers, and participate in cooperative play.

While MechWarrior doesn't feature any single revolutionary element, it has improved on the previous games in almost every respect. Assuming the campaign system, multiplayer options, and mech lab function as promised, this game may set a new standard for mech simulations.
 

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