MW 6: Mercs?...

[Vinnie DAngelo]

Do you all think it'll happen? Preferably spanning another half a century starting where this one left of just before Clans. I want my UZIEL & Belial Variant.

[Stalectos]

only if the devs get the license renewed and even then they might do a Mechwarrior Online 2 first.

[Vinnie DAngelo]

Originally posted by Stalectos:

only if the devs get the license renewed and even then they might do a Mechwarrior Online 2 first.

Really.. Their license for the Mechwarrior franchise expired? I thought they owned/had the license for making named Mechwarrior games. So who owns BattleTech now? for making games...

[Stalectos]

Originally posted by Vinnie DAngelo:

Originally posted by Stalectos:

only if the devs get the license renewed and even then they might do a Mechwarrior Online 2 first.

Really.. Their license for the Mechwarrior franchise expired? I thought they owned/had the license for making named Mechwarrior games. So who owns BattleTech now? for making games...

last I heard their license agreement only lasts until 2025. as for who owns the rights to battletech that's been catalyst game labs for a while now but what you probably meant is who has the rights for mechwarrior the game series and that has always been microsoft. microsoft has been licensing it out to other developers since the beginning and we will learn sometime next year probably if Piranha gets their license renewed.

[Hykril Tynyx]

The concept of "Mercenaries" needs more time before becoming relevant again. It's much more likely that there'll be some other "MW6" games focused on a more linear experience - as it happened in the past. I'm hoping for a game that will have the balls to do an actual deep dive into the Reunification War and just Star League era stuff.

[Vinnie DAngelo]

Originally posted by Stalectos:

Originally posted by Vinnie DAngelo:

Really.. Their license for the Mechwarrior franchise expired? I thought they owned/had the license for making named Mechwarrior games. So who owns BattleTech now? for making games...

last I heard their license agreement only lasts until 2025. as for who owns the rights to battletech that's been catalyst game labs for a while now but what you probably meant is who has the rights for mechwarrior the game series and that has always been microsoft. microsoft has been licensing it out to other developers since the beginning and we will learn sometime next year probably if Piranha gets their license renewed.

Yeah that's what I meant. I know Mechwarrior is licensed separately from BattleTech. At least the MW games are. I thought Microsoft had sold them away... Good to know the truth though. I was under the impression PGI had bought the license

[Vinnie DAngelo]

Originally posted by Hykril Tynyx:

The concept of "Mercenaries" needs more time before becoming relevant again. It's much more likely that there'll be some other "MW6" games focused on a more linear experience - as it happened in the past. I'm hoping for a game that will have the balls to do an actual deep dive into the Reuniifcation War and just Star League era stuff.

That would be really interesting, but I legit rather have another Sandbox game or even an RTS, not turn based, but I really want to see a modern look of and be able to use the Uziel/Belial and those mechs don't make an appearance until 3060ish.

[Cursed Hawkins]

Originally posted by Stalectos:

Originally posted by Vinnie DAngelo:

Really.. Their license for the Mechwarrior franchise expired? I thought they owned/had the license for making named Mechwarrior games. So who owns BattleTech now? for making games...

last I heard their license agreement only lasts until 2025. as for who owns the rights to battletech that's been catalyst game labs for a while now but what you probably meant is who has the rights for mechwarrior the game series and that has always been microsoft. microsoft has been licensing it out to other developers since the beginning and we will learn sometime next year probably if Piranha gets their license renewed.

PGI ISN'T going to touch MWO much less make an MWO2.

[Stalectos]

Originally posted by Cursed Hawkins:

Originally posted by Stalectos:

last I heard their license agreement only lasts until 2025. as for who owns the rights to battletech that's been catalyst game labs for a while now but what you probably meant is who has the rights for mechwarrior the game series and that has always been microsoft. microsoft has been licensing it out to other developers since the beginning and we will learn sometime next year probably if Piranha gets their license renewed.

PGI ISN'T going to touch MWO much less make an MWO2.

last I heard the main reason they aren't considering an MWO2 atm is primarily the licensing concerns. they don't think there is a point to developing a live service they can only support for less than a year. unless you have a source that says it's a hard no even with a license extension I'm going to assume that's still PGI's stance on the matter.

[Bloodsong]

It would probably take pace after the clan invasion considering they just did a clan game. I personally would like to see it take place during the early succession wars or pre star league.

[Realhollow]

Originally posted by Hykril Tynyx:

The concept of "Mercenaries" needs more time before becoming relevant again. It's much more likely that there'll be some other "MW6" games focused on a more linear experience - as it happened in the past. I'm hoping for a game that will have the balls to do an actual deep dive into the Reunification War and just Star League era stuff.

Yet there linear game is dead already wile Mercs wile it had its issues had repeatability (and has double the avg playcount clans does)were as Clans and most Linear things dont all they had to do was put clans in the same way they made mercs but they didnt and it failed yes there were other reasons it did but replyablity is defo one

[Cursed Hawkins]

Originally posted by Stalectos:

Originally posted by Cursed Hawkins:

PGI ISN'T going to touch MWO much less make an MWO2.

last I heard the main reason they aren't considering an MWO2 atm is primarily the licensing concerns. they don't think there is a point to developing a live service they can only support for less than a year. unless you have a source that says it's a hard no even with a license extension I'm going to assume that's still PGI's stance on the matter.

No it's because MWO was a pain in the ass for them to do in terms of balancing as well as just a generalized statement since MWO landed them in hot water on more than one occasion, did you even hear about the "golden mechs" controversy for that game? Plus Microsoft's the one that holds the IP when it comes to the game adaptation side of the Battletech hobby so even IF there ever WAS a license concern, Microsoft would likely let PGI continue to use it.

[themovingfinger]

Originally posted by Vinnie DAngelo:

Do you all think it'll happen? Preferably spanning another half a century starting where this one left of just before Clans. I want my UZIEL & Belial Variant.

As someone who's spent countless hours immersed in the BattleTech universe, from dice-rolling tabletop campaigns to PC games spanning turn-based tactics and first-person MechWarrior titles, this franchise holds a special place in my heart. I’ve watched it grow and adapt over the decades, but, like you, I find myself wondering what the future holds for this IP—and for fans like me who appreciate its deep, tactical roots.

I’ll admit, my bias leans heavily toward turn-based strategy games. Harebrained Schemes' BattleTech (2018) was a real winner for me, capturing the tactical depth (and even some storytelling) of the tabletop game that I've been playing since the Reagan administration, while modernizing it for a digital audience. That game’s Kickstarter success gave me hope that there’s a strong market for turn-based strategy in the BattleTech universe, even if it's not the flashiest genre. I’m not sure if that success was an anomaly or a proof of concept, but I hope future developers take note of what it achieved.

That said, I also enjoy the MechWarrior games for what they are: action-packed first-person-shooter experiences that let you step into the cockpit and feel the raw power of piloting a 'Mech. MW5: Mercenaries and MW5: Clans shows just how much potential this side of the franchise still has. But as much fun as it is to stomp around in a Madcat, I can’t help but feel that first-person combat isn’t what BattleTech is really about. The franchise has always been, at its core, a story of tactics, strategy, and the complex interplay of factions and characters in a sprawling, war-torn galaxy. I think there is plenty of compelling content still to be mined in the BT universe. Even if you don't know who Natasha Kerensky, Jaime Wolf, Morgan Kell, Grayson Carlyle, Victor Davion, Kai Allard-Liao, and Phelan Kell are, their stories could be compelling springboards for future games in the franchise, or at least some DLC in the current games. Fighting with (or against!) one of them would guarantee my purchase… :)

I can’t help but speculate (and worry) about where BattleTech might go. The popularity of online PvP shooters makes it easy to imagine a future where the BattleTech IP pivots toward fast-paced, competitive multiplayer experiences. While I understand the financial appeal of catering to that market, I’d hate to see BattleTech reduced to just another online shoot-em-up for the Call of Duty crowd. The BattleTech universe is, frankly, above that, and its best games (both tabletop and digital) have always offered more than just flashy explosions and twitch reflexes.

What I think fans like me hope for—is a future where BattleTech continues to embrace its versatility. There’s room for the high-octane MechWarrior games and the thoughtful, turn-based tactics of HBS’s BattleTech. I hope future developers recognize the distinct markets this franchise can address and resist the temptation to chase only the most lucrative trends.

BattleTech’s heart and soul lie in its depth, complexity, and the stories it allows us to tell. Let’s hope its future doesn’t lose sight of that.

[Stalectos]

Originally posted by Cursed Hawkins:

Originally posted by Stalectos:

last I heard the main reason they aren't considering an MWO2 atm is primarily the licensing concerns. they don't think there is a point to developing a live service they can only support for less than a year. unless you have a source that says it's a hard no even with a license extension I'm going to assume that's still PGI's stance on the matter.

No it's because MWO was a pain in the ass for them to do in terms of balancing as well as just a generalized statement since MWO landed them in hot water on more than one occasion, did you even hear about the "golden mechs" controversy for that game? Plus Microsoft's the one that holds the IP when it comes to the game adaptation side of the Battletech hobby so even IF there ever WAS a license concern, Microsoft would likely let PGI continue to use it.

unless you have a source where Piranha has actually come out and said "MWO was such a nightmare to handle we are never doing something like that again" I'm still going to go with what I have actually heard in an official statement prior. as for licensing Microsoft has given them a license until 2025. if there was 0 doubt it would get extended they would not have specifically brought it up as a concern prior in interviews.

as far as I've heard if they lose the license it doesn't mean they have to close down MWO or any other mechwarrior game but they'd have to stop adding new content and would basically have to put the game in maintenance mode. I do not know the technicalities of their agreement that make it work like this but that is what I have heard from interviews.

[Tenebris]

I'd definitely like another sandbox game like this one. Clans is alright, but not nearly enough replay value.

If it started time right around when this one ends, around the 3040s, giving you time to build up for a decade before the clan invasion, would be perfect.

[Cursed Hawkins]

Originally posted by Stalectos:

Originally posted by Cursed Hawkins:

No it's because MWO was a pain in the ass for them to do in terms of balancing as well as just a generalized statement since MWO landed them in hot water on more than one occasion, did you even hear about the "golden mechs" controversy for that game? Plus Microsoft's the one that holds the IP when it comes to the game adaptation side of the Battletech hobby so even IF there ever WAS a license concern, Microsoft would likely let PGI continue to use it.

unless you have a source where Piranha has actually come out and said "MWO was such a nightmare to handle we are never doing something like that again" I'm still going to go with what I have actually heard in an official statement prior. as for licensing Microsoft has given them a license until 2025. if there was 0 doubt it would get extended they would not have specifically brought it up as a concern prior in interviews.

as far as I've heard if they lose the license it doesn't mean they have to close down MWO or any other mechwarrior game but they'd have to stop adding new content and would basically have to put the game in maintenance mode. I do not know the technicalities of their agreement that make it work like this but that is what I have heard from interviews.

Straight from an article on Sarna, to put it basically PGI was BLEEDING money into MWO more money than what they were making back, they stepped away from MWO because of that which is why as of 2020 (which is likely the statement YOU'RE referring too) is when they turned the game over to the community (which is in the same Sarna article)
https://www.sarna.net/news/mechwarrior-onlines-renaissance-is-all-thanks-to-the-developers-putting-players-in-charge/
"MechWarrior Online is a textbook example of what happens to an online service game when it expands faster than its developers can keep up. You can hardly blame PGI for wanting to monetize MWO as best they could, but the way they decided to do that was to keep throwing more and more ‘Mechs and weapons into the game until it became too overwhelming for their dev team to keep up with both balancing the game and also creating the next big thing.

Those big things often became sweeping changes to MechWarrior Online‘s mechanics that nobody really asked for. Perhaps the best example of this is MechWarrior Online‘s absolutely byzantine skill tree--resoundingly panned for being both overly complicated and ludicrously expensive at launch, and that opinion hasn’t changed much in the years since.

Throw on engine desync, overly quirked Hero ‘Mechs, pay-to-win airstrikes and artillery strikes, and the still-infamous golden ‘Mech cash grab, and at times it seemed almost like PGI was deliberately trying to alienate MechWarrior Online‘s audience.

It certainly alienated me. Until recently, I hadn’t even touched the game since sometime back in 2017. And although we don’t have a complete report on MechWarrior Online’s total player count, we can assume based on the game’s Steamcharts performance that it also alienated plenty of other players over the years.

By early 2020, MechWarrior Online had reached its lowest point. With few players still left actually playing the game, it made far more financial sense for PGI to focus on creating MechWarrior 5 than it did to waste resources in a game that nobody was playing. Although the servers remained online, few players meant extra-long wait times for MechWarrior Online’s matches to start, and so PGI declared official updates for the game would end in January of 2020.

At that point, the writing was on the wall. MechWarrior Online was on life support, and it seemed only a matter of time before it became more profitable to turn the MWO servers off rather than keep them online."