A lot of work continues to be focused on our major launch features. If you haven’t already checked it out, head on over to the UI 2.0 Command Chair post and check out the latest information on our major overhaul of the Front End UI. Production is well under way on this new UI and we expect to begin testing in August. The final bits of engineering work are being put into 12 v12, which include further networking code optimizations, UI work, art optimizations, and some minor gameplay/level adjustments. Our drive to launch continues to keep the bulk of our team focused on delivering an exciting MechWarrior experience for all players.

New Content:

`Mech of the Month - Quickdraw (18th)
Hero `Mech of the Month - FireBrand (4th)
Champion `Mech of the Month - Hunchback-4P© (18th)
New Pattern(s) - Sherman (4th)
New Cockpit Item(s) - Spider Statue (18th)
Special - Sarah's `Mech (25th)

Test Servers



The networking and hardware wizards are hard at work setting up this our new public testing environment. While not necessarily a new feature per se, this new server architecture will allow us to test a range of features from small tuning adjustments to large additions such as 12 v 12 and UI 2.0. This is part of our continued commitment to product quality and stability, along with involving the community in key aspects of the game’s development. The test servers will be coming online in June, and the first major test will feature 12 v 12 functionality.

Company and Lance Improvements

Further lance improvements make their way into the game this month. These adjustments are based of internal testing and player feedback. These new adjustments include text and audio queues when new orders are issued, Company and Lance Commander icons to identify leadership, revised chat color, and revised order icons for more clarity. If you haven’t tried out your leadership skills yet, have a go! Players can take command by pushing “B” for BattleGrid and taking either a Lance Command (4 players) or a Company Command (8 players).

Balancing and Tuning

LRMs, SRMs, and Flamers will receive tuning passes in the first patch of this month. For mid-June expect to see more tweaks to the UAV consumable, and Seismic Sensors. Jump Jets will receive a weight based shake to add a more realistic feel and help to balance out some of the jump sniping meta game. Caustic Valley gets a lighting adjustment for the mid-June patch Expect to see more details about upcoming adjustments in the Command Chair section.

Host State Rewind (HSR) – Missiles

With this latest addition, all weapon systems are now affected by HSR. HSR helps high ping players achieve more reliable hits, improving the gameplay experience and making them more competitive.

Bugs and Stability

A lot of effort has gone into improving and fixing some of the more difficult technical issues, among them the HUD bug (last month). This month we are introducing fixes for some to the more frequent black screen and disconnect issues some players may experience.

Looking Forward

12 v 12 is due out for first patch in July.
Training Grounds (tutorial) will make it's way live mid-July to early August.
Third Person view will be pushed to test servers in the next 30-60 days./

Personally I was jazzed to hear the Quickdraw was comming, and out of left field too! I kind of like that they can pull a mech surprise like that out of their hat. 'Course, folks on the forum didn't agree with me.

I agree with you that it is nice to have a pop, mech out of left field. I'm just bummed because the quickdraw doesn't look to appealing to me except the OMNI version that is outside this timeline. I am curious to see if we get the version with ECM.

S

edit: I will say that I am excited to see the artwork. This team has done a good job of producing these mechs.

From the pic, the layout looks like

RA: 1 energy
RT: 2 energy
CT: 1 missile(4)
LT: 2 missile(10)
LA: 1 energy

I said it. Your Commando is ugly