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GameSpot's Preview of MechWarrior 4 Q&A

Page 2 of 3

GS: The ability to customize weapon and armor loadouts of your Mechs in earlier MechWarrior games was undoubtedly robust, but it scared off some of the more novice players. Have you enhanced the way players will tweak their Mechs in this game? Is Mech customization still based on weight and space limitations?

screenshot
A Bushwacker retreats.
TJ: For the novice users, Mechs will come with standard loadouts that they will be able to successfully play the game with (that is, the Mechs won't suck). For those of you who want to configure and tweak out your Mech, it will be easier and faster then ever. Mech loadouts are based on a number of factors, including, space, tonnage, technology, and hardpoints.

GS: Will MechWarrior 4 introduce any new Mechs to the BattleTech universe?

TJ: Yes, we will be adding seven completely new Mechs to the BattleTech Universe. You may already have seen the Uziel in some of the screenshots.

screenshot
A Shadowcat fires a shot.
GS: How many Mechs will players be able to pilot in the single- and multiplayer modes of MechWarrior 4?

TJ: You will be able to pilot 21 different Mechs, and you will be able to command up to three lancemates at a time.

GS: Will MechWarrior 4 have more than one campaign, like MechWarrior 2?

TJ: MechWarrior 4 will have a nodal campaign structure, where the player will have to make choices as to which route to take.

screenshot
The powerful Madcat.
GS: How many missions are there in the single-player mode?

TJ: Since the decisions that the player makes will determine what missions they play, the actual number will vary around 30.

GS: MechWarrior 4 is being designed by the same team that developed the original arcade version (and multiplayer-only) BattleTech. What kinds of multiplayer options will be available in the game? Are you introducing any unique modes that we haven't seen before?

TJ: You'll have king of the hill, deathmatch, capture, defend, assault, and a few surprises in both single and team play.

screenshot
A Cougar takes evasive action.
GS: Which single aspect of MechWarrior 4 excites you the most?

TJ: For me, it's finally being able to bring the multiplayer BattleTech experience we had in the pods to the PC user. The thought of hundreds of dedicated servers running MechWarrior 4 across all different styles of play and multiplayer modes makes me giddy.

GS: When will MechWarrior 4 be ready?

TJ: Christmas 2000.

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