MechWarrior Online Open Beta Finally Launches Monday

News
By
published

Piranha Games president Russ Bullock said on Friday that the open beta is scheduled to launch on Monday, October 29. Originally the free-to-play shooter was scheduled to throw open its doors to all on October 16, but was delayed due to the game's "current state of stability". The team said the new date would depend on the stability and playability of the new build, which now seem to be good to go for this coming Monday.

MechWarrior Online went into closed beta on May 22. It features a real-time mechanic where 24-hours in the game equals to 24 hours in the real world (January 1, 2012 is equal to January 1, 3049). The setting takes place during the early stages of a massive interstellar war and throws players into the seat of "the most powerful war machine to ever walk the field of battle," the BattleMech. Players can customize the Mech to suit their battlefield role, upgrade systems, replace weapons, and tweak armor with endless options.

On Friday Bullock presented a fairly lengthy update, addressing many concerns gamers have expressed all through the closed beta, including concerns about launching the open beta too soon. He reaffirmed that the team just couldn't ask the closed beta testers to continue because they are likely fatigued from having to start over multiple times.

"We can’t effectively test certain things any further with our current community," he added. "In many ways we can’t effectively test systems both in back end infrastructure and game systems without both more and different types of players. We need to bring in new non-core players to determine what aspects of MWO interface, etc need to be changed and exactly how they should be changed. We can’t make proper headway in these areas without Open Beta."

The blog also reveals that the Founder's Program has generated millions of dollars. The company offers three Founder's packages: the $120 Legendary package, the $60 Elite package, and the $30 Veteran package. All three offer a nice set of perks including free access to a premium account for a limited time, a Founder's tag, in-game currency and more.

So far Piranha has received $5.2 million USD. "That is a huge statement to just how amazing the MechWarrior franchise and it’s unique and exciting play mechanics are, and now a whole new generation of gamers are about to learn that," he said.

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback           

Kevin Parrish
23 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jkflipflop98
    I still don't know why they call it an MMO if it's just 7 on 7 team deathmatches.
    Reply
  • timw03878
    Exacjkflipflop98I still don't know why they call it an MMO if it's just 7 on 7 team deathmatches.
    Exactly.. there's nothing massive about it.

    Furthermore, SLI is still not supported.
    So basically anyone with aging gaming rigs can't run it respectable.
    Reply
  • kelemvor33
    Wait, so it's not an MMORPG? You log in, have a match and then it's done? Then you repeat it? hmm.

    I remember playing Mechwarrior when it came free with my Matrox Mystique video card about 20 years ago. heh heh.
    Reply
  • hippee921
    Basically this is a Bad version of Quake Live. There are no Tutorials, no where to change Keyboard bindings. Nothing is explained at all. your locked in to 4 mechs unless you want to pay for more. When I first heard about the game I was crazy Excited. Then When I got into the Beta I was even MORE excited. Then I played the game and then I was a Sad Panda.
    Reply
  • demonhorde665
    hippee921Basically this is a Bad version of Quake Live. There are no Tutorials, no where to change Keyboard bindings. Nothing is explained at all. your locked in to 4 mechs unless you want to pay for more. When I first heard about the game I was crazy Excited. Then When I got into the Beta I was even MORE excited. Then I played the game and then I was a Sad Panda.
    you exagerate things drastically !!!!!

    1. you are not locked into the 4 trial mechs, on open beta players will get a starting income to buy a regular mechs.


    2. you don't have to pay real money for new mechs you can use in game currency

    3. you did note it was CLOSED BETA, you can't join a closed beta or even an open beta and expect a fully polished game. you might as well stamp "I'm an idiot" or your forehead. if you expected a fully fleshed out game experience.

    4. you must have got into the closed beta MUCH MUCH earlier than the current incarnation, because there are full options for altering your key bindings, and there is even controller suport now for joy sticks that allow top change bindings. from the sound of things, a lot has changed since you tried teh closed beta , because i'm in the closed beta and the game you describe jsut isn't what i've been paly all morning.
    Reply
  • Mathos
    BigMack70O snap that WAS 20 years ago... wow now I feel old
    Ahem, 16 years ago, the mystique didn't come out till 96 and the mystique 220 in 97....... But then again, I did have the original non accelerated version in 95 :D. And was beta testing Mechwarrior 2 Mercenaries in 96-97 online.
    Reply
  • gmarsack
    MechWarrior2 was released in 1995... I remember coming home from the store with a copy... And then buying the "Net Mech" add-on which allowed for LAN plan. Some of the best memories ever.

    On a note: MWO online is loads of fun, and you do not need to spend a dime. Also, it's 8 on 8 game play - for now... remember, it's in BETA and there are still A TON of things they need to add into the game. This game is still very early, but already it's a lot of fun.
    Reply
  • Kami3k
    Wow, a lot of bull on here.
    Reply
  • bigdragon
    I wasn't impressed by what I saw on YouTube. The game looks poor, appears painful to play, and doesn't stand out like Hawkin does. I think Mech Warrior needs some major creative help and inspiration. Watching mechs fire hitscan lasers at each other, knock each other over, and wander around uninspired environments isn't appealing. There is still time to fix this though! I want to see the devs address these concerns.
    Reply
  • tinman12
    It won't be worth buying when it comes out. It's a sandboxed wash and repeat arcade style game. Tons of technical pre game stuff if you like stats but the game itself is very disappointing.

    You want a really throwback reference? I used to play Battletech MUSE online, that was text based combat and that was still more in depth and open world community than this is.
    Reply