My game, My Life, Mechwarrior Online.

For the past let's say, two months or so, I have been playing one of the best games ever, Mechwarrior Online.  It isn't City of Heroes.  Nothing will ever come close to that game.  But the thing is, MWO is NOT run by NCSoft, but by Infinite Games Publishing.  So...that is a point in it's favour right off the bat.  Now, I never really was into the whole Battletech universe.  Big Stompy mechs, were cool, I liked the concept, but I never really got *into* it back in the late 90's early 2000's or so.  (earlier if you're into the tabletop game, but that required friends, mine were into the Marvel Universe so we played that as the pen and paper/tabletop)

My main mech chassis right now is the Centurion.

This was a bit different though.  My husband was totally into Battletech, and Mechwarrior before we got married, and when Mechwarrior Online got announced, he was extremely happy.  We're a couple that games together.  Most women are like "UGH my husband games ALL THE TIME and I HATE IT because he never spends time with ME ME ME ME ME".  I'm not like that.  I actively try to get interested in what my husband is interested in and try to connect with him at that level.

Thing is,  MWO, is Player vs Player (aka PVP)  I've had some *very* bad experiences in PVP arenas in the past.  Mostly because, I'm not the greatest gamer in the world.  There I said it. I'm not l33t, I'm not uber.  I play to have FUN.  I don't take it seriously.  Anyway,  I was very hesitant to get involved in MWO mostly due to the PVP aspect.  League of Legends, Call of Duty, all have their share of prepubescent dickheads that shout endless amounts of abuse at you through their mic over teamspeak...will MechWarrior's community be any different?

It is.  Especially if you get in with a great gaming company that can teach you the ropes.  I got in with the company my husband got into during closed beta.  The Black Widow Company. Aka Bravo Whiskey Charlie.  They don't just do MWO,  They're pretty well entrenched in Planetside2, and have been running their own Real Life paintball company as well.  They're also gearing up for Star Citizen when it gets released.  So if any of those games appeal to you, and you want a great close knit corps, head on over and tell them MeltedSnowgirl sent you in your application post on the forums.

Designed by *and used with the permission of*

 Miki Rei of http://the-bwc.com

Now, from a game play perspective.  MWO has a decent learning curve. Luckily for you, there's an offline training area where you can go stomp and blow up dummies to your hearts content while you get used to the mech controls.  This game has joystick/Throttle/Rudder support.  Don't worry about that, it's how my husband plays.  Me I'm a mouse and keyboard gal and enjoy it that way. (that and I don't have enough room on my desk for a full joystick setup..too much crud..I need to clean ugh).  The controls, once you get used to them, are pretty easy to deal with.  *I* would recommend turning off throttle decay so you can move around easier during combat.  Arm Lock, there are differing opinions on that, I'll just tell you it has improved my ability to target.

Story-wise,  they haven't brought in community warfare just yet.  They plan on that this summer.  So all the Major Houses and Merc Corps WILL BE blowing each other up eventually.  Might even be ladders and real tourneys, who knows.  I don't, but it would be cool.

As for mech releases, they go with the timeline.  There is no Clan-tech in game yet.  There will be, don't worry.  I'm still waiting on my Pink Urbanmech. *sigh*  I like my waddling trashcan with legs.  Giant pink R2-D2 with jump jets and boom sticks.

Designed by *and used with the permission of* 

Miki Rei of http://the-bwc.com

I have so much fun in this game, mostly when I run drops with The BWC.  If I run solo as a PUG it's pretty frustrating, but running with the company,  we have fun, camaraderie, and more co-ordination over teamspeak, so we do more winning than losing.  It's a team game, being part of an established team makes it WAY better.

Designed by *and used with the permission of* 

Miki Rei of http://the-bwc.com

Oh and MWO is Free To Play.  Yup. Download it and go.  You need to run trial mechs until you can afford enough in game currency to get your first mech.  You get a cadet bonus for the first 25 matches you're in so it adds up quick.  You CAN spend real money on Mech Cash... Two types of currency in game, Cbills, that's the stuff you earn through normal play, and Mech Cash, that's bought with real money.  You can buy Hero Mechs with MC, which boosts your Cbill earnings by %30.

I  can go on and on about this game.  This entry is almost tl;dr as it is.  I'll leave you with these  links.

Click here for Mechwarrior Online. Download and rules and all the rest of the stuff you need to know is here.

Once you've downloaded and decided you actually enjoy the game:

Head on over to TheBWC and post an application. MeltedSnowgirl is your recruiter.

Online web based Mech Builder.