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Mechwarrior 4 (and expansions packs) to be released for FREE
TheMan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
That's right, Mechwarrior 4 is gonna be realsed for free on www.battletech.com sometime very soon. I tried searching to see if this had been posted yet but I wasn't allowed to use "4" in the search term so I said forget it, I'll just post it.
Always wanted to get this game, but I never got around to it. Now I (and hopefully lots of you guys) can finally play it.
Edit- So, according to a poster in this thread, this release will include all the expansions packs, mech packs, and mektek packs, all integrated. I will try to update the OP as more info arises, such as a link to download.
UPDATE: So I (and I'm sure many of you) have been wondering what is taking so long with the release. Here is an update taken straight from metket.net:
Well folks its certainly time for an update regarding the the FREE release of Mechwarrior4 recently announced. I figured it would be worth mentioning considering this is the weekend of GENCON 2009 where all of the major players in the Mechwarrior and BattleTech world are expected to converge on Indianapolis this weekend. We have been receiving a wealth of requests for information regarding this release from gamers both young and old. As a game fan community development site such as MekTek, receiving such honor to release a million dollar product developed by Microsoft may be one thing but delivering on this release successfully is another. Currently, MekTek is working around the clock on pretty much everything in preparation for this free release. There will be a second media blitz when the release is ready as both MekTek and the release partners want to ensure the word travels far and wide regarding the official release. Also expect to see more info regarding partner developments around this time on BattleTech.com.
The reason we did not re-package the ISOs of Mechwarrior4 and release the game as is right after the release of the announcement is because we simply were not prepared. The news and announcement of the FREE release happened very quickly and was dropped in our lap almost as quickly as it was dropped in yours. Since the announcement, we have been diligently preparing for the release of Mechwarrior4 which has all of the digital protection mechanisms removed. Along with this development we have also been working on our MekMatch software. For those of you not familiar, MekMatch is a reverse engineered protocol developed for match making services in Mechwarrior4 by MekTek. This service was developed after Microsoft terminated the Zonematch service which officially supported Mechwarrior4 multiplayer. Our MekMatch software needed a serious overhaul to handle the amount of traffic we expect on our servers when the game is released. MekTek also plans to include MekPak3.1 with the free release of Mechwarrior4 which includes an additional 100+ new battlemechs, dozens of new weapons, maps, and other content developed by MekTek. The distribution will come as a single file self-installable which will be initially downloadable via torrent trackers and later provided in multi part volumes, ISO. Finally, MekTek is also releasing a new application which has been in development since this announcement which provides the community with the latest patches and software from MekTek. This software will greatly simplify the patching process of Mechwarrior4 and allow MekTek to push updates, such as our MekPak4, to the Mechwarrior4 community much easier than in the past.
The unfortunate aspect of all this great news is that all of these new developments could have been ironed out before the announcement but they were not. Our partners felt an initial announcement was necessary and so did we. We plan to release Mechwarrior4 for FREE when developments are completed and considered stable. We are also waiting on legal paper work from lawyers and as anyone out there that has worked in the professional industry knows, something of this magnitude takes time on all fronts. MekTek is not receiving any financial support from the partners regarding this release and obviously no one can quit their daytime job to get the job done faster either. The release has entered beta status and will be delivered to the world very shortly. MekTek is supported through donations from our community and thus far we have received 50% of our goal to cover server infrastructure costs. We hope the community will continue to support us during this very busy time to ensure we have the best possible hardware in place for this release.
Thanks for supporting us folks, while we work hard on something new and shiny, for everyone, for FREE!
Hopefully we'll see this soon, but I guess it's gonna take a little while.
UPDATE 2: Fear not, this free release is still on its way. Here's another update straight from mektek.net (does anyone acutally give a shit anymore?)
Its been awhile since we last updated you on the status of the FREE release of Mechwarrior4 so we felt the need to assure everyone that the time is nearing. We had hoped to release the FREE title the last weekend of summer but that unfortunately did not happen due to paperwork. As previously mentioned, I indicated that there are still a number issues to resolve before the FREE release. Those issues are resolving thanks to the hard work of many at MekTek. From a development stand point the FREE release is near ready to go but we are still waiting to resolve some of the legalities associated with such a wide distribution. While we have not provided a set date for the release, we are still on target, and our partners are happy with the progress MekTek has been making. Our focus on the FREE release has been revamping our match making service MekMatch in order to accommodate many more users. In addition to the work being conducted on the Mechwarrior4 FREE release, we are also working on a community software distribution and patching application which we have been alluding to on our forums. This software is known as MekTek X (or simply MTX). X stands for the last decade of service to the Mechwarrior community. MTX was developed out the need for a centralized distribution and patching point for all of MekTek's software currently being developed and planned to be released including MekPak4 for the FREE release, Single Player Campaigns from Mechwarrior4: Vengeance and Black Knight, Assault Tech1: BattleTech, and much more. This software has been in development by Studio MekTek since the announcement of the FREE release and successfully reached beta testing status two weeks ago. MTX is a free desktop product which has been thoroughly tested and will connect you with MekTek.net's community as well BattleTech.com and the rest of our partners.
MTX will be the central point of distribution for the launch of the FREE release. This application boasts some of the following features:
Bootstrap Installations
Incremental Delta Auto-Patching
Torrent or HTTP Downloading from an exclusive MekTek Tracker
Custom Web Browser
News Updates from MekTek and Partners
Online Help
Community Chat Lobbies
Network Diagnostic Tools
Update 10/28: Beta version is out! http://www.mektek.net/projects/at1/promo/index.html
Always wanted to get this game, but I never got around to it. Now I (and hopefully lots of you guys) can finally play it.
Edit- So, according to a poster in this thread, this release will include all the expansions packs, mech packs, and mektek packs, all integrated. I will try to update the OP as more info arises, such as a link to download.
UPDATE: So I (and I'm sure many of you) have been wondering what is taking so long with the release. Here is an update taken straight from metket.net:
Well folks its certainly time for an update regarding the the FREE release of Mechwarrior4 recently announced. I figured it would be worth mentioning considering this is the weekend of GENCON 2009 where all of the major players in the Mechwarrior and BattleTech world are expected to converge on Indianapolis this weekend. We have been receiving a wealth of requests for information regarding this release from gamers both young and old. As a game fan community development site such as MekTek, receiving such honor to release a million dollar product developed by Microsoft may be one thing but delivering on this release successfully is another. Currently, MekTek is working around the clock on pretty much everything in preparation for this free release. There will be a second media blitz when the release is ready as both MekTek and the release partners want to ensure the word travels far and wide regarding the official release. Also expect to see more info regarding partner developments around this time on BattleTech.com.
The reason we did not re-package the ISOs of Mechwarrior4 and release the game as is right after the release of the announcement is because we simply were not prepared. The news and announcement of the FREE release happened very quickly and was dropped in our lap almost as quickly as it was dropped in yours. Since the announcement, we have been diligently preparing for the release of Mechwarrior4 which has all of the digital protection mechanisms removed. Along with this development we have also been working on our MekMatch software. For those of you not familiar, MekMatch is a reverse engineered protocol developed for match making services in Mechwarrior4 by MekTek. This service was developed after Microsoft terminated the Zonematch service which officially supported Mechwarrior4 multiplayer. Our MekMatch software needed a serious overhaul to handle the amount of traffic we expect on our servers when the game is released. MekTek also plans to include MekPak3.1 with the free release of Mechwarrior4 which includes an additional 100+ new battlemechs, dozens of new weapons, maps, and other content developed by MekTek. The distribution will come as a single file self-installable which will be initially downloadable via torrent trackers and later provided in multi part volumes, ISO. Finally, MekTek is also releasing a new application which has been in development since this announcement which provides the community with the latest patches and software from MekTek. This software will greatly simplify the patching process of Mechwarrior4 and allow MekTek to push updates, such as our MekPak4, to the Mechwarrior4 community much easier than in the past.
The unfortunate aspect of all this great news is that all of these new developments could have been ironed out before the announcement but they were not. Our partners felt an initial announcement was necessary and so did we. We plan to release Mechwarrior4 for FREE when developments are completed and considered stable. We are also waiting on legal paper work from lawyers and as anyone out there that has worked in the professional industry knows, something of this magnitude takes time on all fronts. MekTek is not receiving any financial support from the partners regarding this release and obviously no one can quit their daytime job to get the job done faster either. The release has entered beta status and will be delivered to the world very shortly. MekTek is supported through donations from our community and thus far we have received 50% of our goal to cover server infrastructure costs. We hope the community will continue to support us during this very busy time to ensure we have the best possible hardware in place for this release.
Thanks for supporting us folks, while we work hard on something new and shiny, for everyone, for FREE!
Hopefully we'll see this soon, but I guess it's gonna take a little while.
UPDATE 2: Fear not, this free release is still on its way. Here's another update straight from mektek.net (does anyone acutally give a shit anymore?)
Its been awhile since we last updated you on the status of the FREE release of Mechwarrior4 so we felt the need to assure everyone that the time is nearing. We had hoped to release the FREE title the last weekend of summer but that unfortunately did not happen due to paperwork. As previously mentioned, I indicated that there are still a number issues to resolve before the FREE release. Those issues are resolving thanks to the hard work of many at MekTek. From a development stand point the FREE release is near ready to go but we are still waiting to resolve some of the legalities associated with such a wide distribution. While we have not provided a set date for the release, we are still on target, and our partners are happy with the progress MekTek has been making. Our focus on the FREE release has been revamping our match making service MekMatch in order to accommodate many more users. In addition to the work being conducted on the Mechwarrior4 FREE release, we are also working on a community software distribution and patching application which we have been alluding to on our forums. This software is known as MekTek X (or simply MTX). X stands for the last decade of service to the Mechwarrior community. MTX was developed out the need for a centralized distribution and patching point for all of MekTek's software currently being developed and planned to be released including MekPak4 for the FREE release, Single Player Campaigns from Mechwarrior4: Vengeance and Black Knight, Assault Tech1: BattleTech, and much more. This software has been in development by Studio MekTek since the announcement of the FREE release and successfully reached beta testing status two weeks ago. MTX is a free desktop product which has been thoroughly tested and will connect you with MekTek.net's community as well BattleTech.com and the rest of our partners.
MTX will be the central point of distribution for the launch of the FREE release. This application boasts some of the following features:
Bootstrap Installations
Incremental Delta Auto-Patching
Torrent or HTTP Downloading from an exclusive MekTek Tracker
Custom Web Browser
News Updates from MekTek and Partners
Online Help
Community Chat Lobbies
Network Diagnostic Tools
Update 10/28: Beta version is out! http://www.mektek.net/projects/at1/promo/index.html
TheMan on
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Posts
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
That's awesome.
Does that include Mercenaries, too?
I never played the 4th so with it becoming free I don't really have much of an excuse now.
One of my more successful runs was when I put a ton of flamers on a small mech, forget which one, and used it to get in real close and overheat the big ones. That was good times.
It's going to include MW4, Blackknight, Mercenaries, both official mechpacks, and all the mektek mechpacks, now built into the singleplayer campaign.
These guys are integrating the Mechpacks? Dang.
Probably an install option.
Ah yeah, they needed the source code to implement them into the campaigns apparently.
It does work wonderfully, but I've unfortunately lost my adapter since our most recent move. I'll have to use my Ace Combat stick instead.
(oh darn)
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970666737/
I have no clue where my joystick is.
I never tried Mechwarrior 4, but I still have my Sidewinder Joystick, so I'd definitely be interested in trying it out.
SC2: XxKhrushchev.539
Mostly deathmath and such, though there is a co-op mod and a waves mode somewhere
It will be eaiser to get my friends into the multiplayer though, with this.
i don't know if I hate you for delivering the news or if I love you for making things clear and alleviating my anxiety (I mean, now that I know it will take weeks, i won't be pressing F5 every minute).
I could be wrong. Not sure if the guy saying several weeks was actually in on the project or just a long time poster guessing.
Well, this and that badass Mechwarrior (5) trailer. Heavy vs Assault mech combat is so hot.
bootcamp, win XP.
For those of you with Mechwarrior 4: Mercs here are some mods that rock.
First download the official patch It should be Point Release 1.
Next download MP3.02a (from PR1) (English)
Then download the MP3 patch MekPak 3.0.2b (English)
Finally get yourself the High Def patch for 3.0.2b
And lastly enjoy.
Summary:
(1) Install Mercenaries
(2) Patch to PR1
(3) Run MekPak 3.02a
(4) Run MekPak Patch 3.02b
(5) Patch with High Definition Patch
If you wish to play online go into your Mechwarrior Mercenaries install directory and run the registry file "mekmatch".
edit- The mods do a number of things, one of which is add about 30-40 new mechs, tons of new weapons, new camo options, some what better AI, and interface changes.
edit 2: In fact the MetTek team is still working on mods for MW4:Mercs. They are curretnly working on MP4 which adds a number of things including free reticle targeting. So you do not have to move your entire torso to target something.
edit 3: Hey look a video showing off the new mechs and such. MekTek
I this case, I would say very slight. Most likely they just worked out an agreement that they'd provide them with the source code and allow them to release the game, but not the code itself. It's happened before.
They've said on their website many times that they won't put out their modding tools because there's too much a chance of cheaters and hackers messing up online play, so I doubt that the source code will be put out
I got real hot and bothered after reading the battletech wiki and I wonder if we can get some modded campaigns giving us the clan wars and the fall of clan smoke jaguar.
screw the great refusal, the clan invasion is where it is all at. To bad the only game that really covered it was MW2:mercs. Heck, you have the dificulty curve built in: when you first get there, clan mechs are all WTFPWNing the IS all over, but as it goes on, they develop better tech and tactics to counter the clans.