MechWarrior fans have been hoping, praying and anticipating a new game in the famed franchise ever since the last expansion pack for MechWarrior 4 was released in 2002. Now, seven years later, their prayers have been answered. IGN has the very first details about MechWarrior reboot that is currently in production at Smith and Tinker and Piranha games. Yes, that's right, reboot. Instead of this game becoming MechWarrior 5, the developers have decided to completely re-launch the entire franchise, calling this new title MechWarrior.

We spoke to the two main players involved with MechWarrior. First there's Jordan Weisman, co-founder of Smith and Tinker and co-founder of FASA, the company that created the BattleTech universe that MechWarrior is based upon. Second is Russ Bullock, president of Piranha Games. (For an in-depth discussion of the reboot and how it fits in the franchise, check out our exclusive interview.)

You may remember the MechWarrior games published by Activision, MicroProse, and Microsoft. The latter actually acquired FASA Interactive in the 1990s only to shutter the studio in 2007. However, the software giant retained the rights to the MechWarrior franchise. After leaving Microsoft, Weisman engaged in various pursuits before founding Smith and Tinker in 2007. That same year, Smith and Tinker acquired the rights to many FASA properties from Microsoft, including MechWarrior.

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.

The game is being developed for the PC and the Xbox 360, though there isn't any idea of a release date yet, since the game is still in the middle of development and the companies are still talking to publishers. For more information, read the interview with Weisman and Bullock. We also dissect the trailer in a Rewind Theater. Check out the gallery for the very first screens of the game anywhere. Finally, keep checking back with us as we keep a very close eye on this exciting new project.

Teaser Trailer: http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/18954/mech-warrior-project/videos/mechwarrior_trl_phoenix_70709.html
screens : http://media.pc.ign.com/media/018/018954/imgs_1.html

http://pc.ign.com/articles/100/1002275p1.html

this is going to be so awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just hope it will be as good as MW4 games.

What have you mucked up?

Hey Sal I need some help gettin up and running..I seemed to have mucked it up

The only one I have seen around playing this game so far has been Sal, unless you guys are going by different names when you play
I would like an opportunity to get in a few games with some of you guys to blow up some stuff.
Despite some very annoying bugs I still love to play this, but going out in pub games playing it alone with complete strangers can be rather boring in the long run.

Aye, looks alone from pics and videos can not tell that it is unfinished. Once it is played and bugs are noticed (genuine, not WAT) and things are yearned can it be said that it is not finished. I have played it and while it can use more content/features, it is very much further along in progress to any other game that says "beta".

It looks like a beta version because it IS a beta version. The beta is nowhere near being feature or content complete. We are busy smashing bugs, balancing and getting new content ready for the next patch.

Besides balance and under the hood changes, further down the road, you can surely expect to see more of everything content-wise. More gametypes, maps, Mechs and vehicles are all in the works.

By the way, what specifically is it that you think makes the game look like unfinished?

I am thinking of playing MWLL but i am not sure about it. I like what it does with crysis but it still looks like a beta version.

I am going try to load it all today Sal..

it is looking less and less likely that we will see this game any time soon. The good news is that there is already an awesome mech game available. www.mechlivinglegends.net

Is it real,,sombody pinch me! I gota be dreaming,,oh please Lord let it be real!!
But until than what are we playing?