Difference between revisions of "MechWarrior: Living Legends"

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{{NonCanonProduct}}
 
{{NonCanonProduct}}
  
Mechwarrior: Living Legends is an independantly-produced total conversion modification of the CryEngine 2 game engine (on which the game Crysis is based), and takes place within the [[BattleTech]] universe. It requires the ownership of Crysis and/or Crysis Warhead in order to play, but is itself available for free.
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Mechwarrior: Living Legends is an independently produced total conversion modification of the CryEngine 2 game engine (on which the game Crysis is based), and takes place within the [[BattleTech]] universe. It requires the ownership of Crysis and/or Crysis Warhead in order to play, but is itself available for free.
  
 
==Development==
 
==Development==
  
As of January 2011, Mechwarrior: Living Legends is in version 0.4.3 and has been in development since December 2006. Originally, development was done on the Doom 3 engine, with the team switching to CryEngine 2 after the release of Crysis. The most recent major release was in December 2010 with the deployment of v0.4. Development of 0.4.4 is currently underway.
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Mechwarrior: Living Legends has been in development since December 2006, and is in version 0.4.9 as of April 2011. Originally, development was done on the Doom 3 engine, with the team switching to CryEngine 2 after the release of Crysis. The most recent major release was in December 2010 with the deployment of version 0.4. Development of the next major release, 0.5, is currently underway.
  
The team has stated that development focus for the foreseeable future will be focused on the multiplayer aspect of the game.
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The team has stated that development focus for the foreseeable future will be focused on the multiplayer aspect of the game, and that while a single player component to MW:LL is desirable, no actual design or planning has been put into it.
  
===Crysis and Crysis Warhead===
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===Crysis and Crysis Wars===
  
Prior to 0.4, MW:LL was available only as a modification of Crysis. As of the latest release however support has been added for Crysis' standalone expansion, Crysis Warhead. This allows users to install the mod on Crysis or Crysis Warhead. The development team has stated that in the future only Crysis Warhead will be supported. Due to the way in which Gamespy, who runs hosting for Crysis and Crysis Warhead multiplayer servers, manages game versions, Crysis and Crysis Warhead can not share the same servers. As a result, users who install MW:LL on Crysis, and those who install it on Crysis Warhead, will not be able to play together and will see two different versions of the multiplayer lobby.
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Prior to version 0.4, MW:LL was available only for Crysis. As of that release support was added for Crysis Wars, the standalone multi-player expansion, allowing users to install the modification for either version of the game. Due to the way in which Gamespy manages game versions Crysis and Crysis Wars can't share the same server. As a result, users who install MW:LL on Crysis will not be able to play with those who have installed it on Crysis Wars, and will see a different version of the multi-player lobby. With the forthcoming release of version 0.5, support for Crysis will be discontinued, and the modification will only run in Crysis Wars.
  
 
==Gameplay Elements==
 
==Gameplay Elements==
  
===Multiplayer===
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Multi-player is the main focus of the development team and as such is at an advanced development stage. Multi-player games use the Gamespy Arcade integrated into the Crysis engine. Connecting to multi-player requires a Gamespy ID, which can be created in-game for free and does not require a valid e-mail.
  
To date, Multiplayer remains the main focus of the development team and as such is at an advanced development stage. Multiplayer games are connected to using Gamespy Arcade integrated into the Crysis/Crysis Warhead engine. Connecting to multiplayer requires a Gamespy ID, which can be created in-game for free and does not require a valid email.
+
A server can host up to 32 players in one of three game modes: Team Solaris Arena, Terrain Control or Test of Strength. Team Solaris Arena and Test of Strength both pit teams against each other in a death-match scenario, with points awarded based on kills and damage dealt. The two modes differ in that Test of Strength starts a player with a set amount of funds to buy 'Mechs or vehicles that does not increase, while Team Solaris Arena awards cash in addition to points for dealing damage and refreshes a player's cash on respawn. In Terrain Control, teams battle over capture points on the map to deplete the opposing teams tickets using the same rank and cash system as Team Solaris Arena.
  
Multiplayer servers can host from 12 to 32 players in two different game modes, Territory Control and Team Solaris Arena, on a variety (up to a dozen) maps. Territory Control has opposing teams, either Inner Sphere or Clans, fighting over control of several Control Points around the map, which are usually housed within compounds or bases of various kinds. Team Solaris Arena pits the two teams against each other in a team deathmatch scenario with teams scoring points based on kills, and has no bases other than the Main Base of each side.
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In all game modes, players spawn as battle armor (BA) at a base under the control of their team, though only certain bases have facilities that allow for the purchase of a 'Mech or vehicle. Many maps also include separate air bases allowing players to purchase aerospace fighters and VTOLs to take the battle into the air. Players receive a set amount of money (called C-bills in the game) when they spawn according to their rank, with rank being gained as the player gains points through damaging or destroying opponents and capturing control points. Battle Armor are armed by default with a small laser (which can be upgraded to a variety of different weapons) and an SRM-2. Though the battle armor for each side is identical in terms of performance, the Clan team battle armor is an Elemental, while the Inner Sphere team uses the Longinus.
  
In both game modes, Players spawn at any bases under the control of their team. Often, only the Main Base will allow the purchase of 'Mechs. Most maps Include a seperate Air Base which allow Players to purchase Aerospace and VTOLs. When players spawn, they are automatically equipped with Battle Armor and an SRM-2. While Clan players will spawn with Elemental Battle Armor and Inner Sphere players in Longinus Battle Armor, both are functionally identical, equipped with jump jets and basic weaponry.
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The game features a large list of 'Mechs and Vehicles available for purchase, with many more planned for future releases. As of version 0.4.9 there are 22 BattleMechs, 9 vehicles, 3 aerospace fighters and 1 VTOL in the game. Currently, individual unit customization is not available, so MW:LL offers several variants of each model of 'Mech and Vehicle for purchase, with different load-outs of weapons, armor and equipment.
  
Upon spawning, Players receive a set amount of C-Bills according to their rank, with rank being gained as the player gains points through damaging or destroying opponents, capturing control points, and carrying out other team-oriented tasks. Players can also send C-Bills to other players on their team, and will earn further C-Bills as they earn points. Generally, upon dying, a player will respawn with only the amount of C-Bills afforded to his rank.
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The lore of Classic Battletech plays an integral role to design and development but is often a secondary concern to balance and the "fun factor", a necessity for any multi-player oriented game. This focus on balance can be seen in the weapons configurations of 'Mechs and Vehicles, some of which conflict or ignore canon sources for the sake of balance. For example, the development team has stated that non-'Mech assets such as vehicles, VTOLs and Battle Armor are made purposely more powerful in relation to 'Mechs, as otherwise they would be far too weak or ineffective for players to want to use in games.
 
 
MW:LL features a large list of available 'Mechs and Vehicles for purchase, with many more in development and planning. The game currently contains 22 different 'Mechs, 9 vehicles, 3 Aerospace and 1 VTOL. Currently, individual unit customization is not available, so MW:LL offers anywhere from 4 to 6 variations of each model of 'Mech and Vehicle in different configurations for players to purchase which leads to a high amount of variety in gameplay styles from player to player.
 
 
 
Canonical lore plays an integral role to design and development but is often a secondary concern to gameplay balance and "fun factor", a necessity for a multiplayer-oriented game. This focus on balance is primarily seen in weapons configurations of various 'Mechs and Vehicles which often conflict or ignore canon sources for the sake of balance. For example, the development team has stated that non-'Mech assets such as vehicles, VTOLs and Battle Armor are made purposely more powerful in relation to 'Mechs, as otherwise they would be far too weak or ineffective for players to want to use in games.
 
 
 
===Single Player===
 
 
 
The development team has stated that while a Single Player component to MW:LL is desirable, no actual designing or planning has been put into it, as development focus is fixed solely on Multiplayer and development of various assets.
 
  
 
==Featured BattleMechs, Vehicles, Aerospace and VTOLs==
 
==Featured BattleMechs, Vehicles, Aerospace and VTOLs==
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==Maps==
 
==Maps==
  
MW:LL features approximately 13 different multiplayer maps based on various worlds within the BattleTech universe. Most maps have both Terrain Control and Team Solaris Arena versions. These maps range from expansive deserts, restricted canyons and overgrown marshes to snowstorm-ridden valleys and the surface of an asteroid.
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MW:LL features numerous multiplayer maps based on various worlds within the BattleTech universe. Most maps have both Terrain Control and Team Solaris Arena/Test of Strength versions. These maps range from expansive deserts, restricted canyons and overgrown marshes to snowstorm-ridden valleys and the low-gravity surface of a rapidly spinning asteroid.
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==

Revision as of 19:53, 27 April 2011


Mechwarrior: Living Legends is an independently produced total conversion modification of the CryEngine 2 game engine (on which the game Crysis is based), and takes place within the BattleTech universe. It requires the ownership of Crysis and/or Crysis Warhead in order to play, but is itself available for free.

Development

Mechwarrior: Living Legends has been in development since December 2006, and is in version 0.4.9 as of April 2011. Originally, development was done on the Doom 3 engine, with the team switching to CryEngine 2 after the release of Crysis. The most recent major release was in December 2010 with the deployment of version 0.4. Development of the next major release, 0.5, is currently underway.

The team has stated that development focus for the foreseeable future will be focused on the multiplayer aspect of the game, and that while a single player component to MW:LL is desirable, no actual design or planning has been put into it.

Crysis and Crysis Wars

Prior to version 0.4, MW:LL was available only for Crysis. As of that release support was added for Crysis Wars, the standalone multi-player expansion, allowing users to install the modification for either version of the game. Due to the way in which Gamespy manages game versions Crysis and Crysis Wars can't share the same server. As a result, users who install MW:LL on Crysis will not be able to play with those who have installed it on Crysis Wars, and will see a different version of the multi-player lobby. With the forthcoming release of version 0.5, support for Crysis will be discontinued, and the modification will only run in Crysis Wars.

Gameplay Elements

Multi-player is the main focus of the development team and as such is at an advanced development stage. Multi-player games use the Gamespy Arcade integrated into the Crysis engine. Connecting to multi-player requires a Gamespy ID, which can be created in-game for free and does not require a valid e-mail.

A server can host up to 32 players in one of three game modes: Team Solaris Arena, Terrain Control or Test of Strength. Team Solaris Arena and Test of Strength both pit teams against each other in a death-match scenario, with points awarded based on kills and damage dealt. The two modes differ in that Test of Strength starts a player with a set amount of funds to buy 'Mechs or vehicles that does not increase, while Team Solaris Arena awards cash in addition to points for dealing damage and refreshes a player's cash on respawn. In Terrain Control, teams battle over capture points on the map to deplete the opposing teams tickets using the same rank and cash system as Team Solaris Arena.

In all game modes, players spawn as battle armor (BA) at a base under the control of their team, though only certain bases have facilities that allow for the purchase of a 'Mech or vehicle. Many maps also include separate air bases allowing players to purchase aerospace fighters and VTOLs to take the battle into the air. Players receive a set amount of money (called C-bills in the game) when they spawn according to their rank, with rank being gained as the player gains points through damaging or destroying opponents and capturing control points. Battle Armor are armed by default with a small laser (which can be upgraded to a variety of different weapons) and an SRM-2. Though the battle armor for each side is identical in terms of performance, the Clan team battle armor is an Elemental, while the Inner Sphere team uses the Longinus.

The game features a large list of 'Mechs and Vehicles available for purchase, with many more planned for future releases. As of version 0.4.9 there are 22 BattleMechs, 9 vehicles, 3 aerospace fighters and 1 VTOL in the game. Currently, individual unit customization is not available, so MW:LL offers several variants of each model of 'Mech and Vehicle for purchase, with different load-outs of weapons, armor and equipment.

The lore of Classic Battletech plays an integral role to design and development but is often a secondary concern to balance and the "fun factor", a necessity for any multi-player oriented game. This focus on balance can be seen in the weapons configurations of 'Mechs and Vehicles, some of which conflict or ignore canon sources for the sake of balance. For example, the development team has stated that non-'Mech assets such as vehicles, VTOLs and Battle Armor are made purposely more powerful in relation to 'Mechs, as otherwise they would be far too weak or ineffective for players to want to use in games.

Featured BattleMechs, Vehicles, Aerospace and VTOLs

Inner Sphere

Clan

Planned/In Development

Maps

MW:LL features numerous multiplayer maps based on various worlds within the BattleTech universe. Most maps have both Terrain Control and Team Solaris Arena/Test of Strength versions. These maps range from expansive deserts, restricted canyons and overgrown marshes to snowstorm-ridden valleys and the low-gravity surface of a rapidly spinning asteroid.

Links


The text in this article is based on the [1] used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. See the BattleTechWiki's copyright notice.