MechAssault Add-ons (LIVE)

Bond · 12-07-2002, 06:14 PM

Added Assault:

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MechAssault hit store shelves less than a month ago, released simultaneously with Microsoft's online service Xbox Live. One half of the Live promise has been fulfilled -- hundreds of thousands of people are playing each other in head-to-head competition every day. But the promise of downloadable content has been about as closely kept as a promise from your deadbeat dad that he'll quit boozing. It's great to hear, but until it happens it's a big disappointment. Well, fear not. Though your dad may still be a slobbering drunk, you will have downloadable content soon!
Levels, items, and new characters for ToeJam & Earl III, brand new levels for Splinter Cell, and new content for NBA 2K3 and NFL 2K3 should be announced and available shortly. But the kick off for d/l content announcements comes from big daddy Microsoft themselves.

Beginning the first week of January, owners of MechAssault and Xbox Live will be able to download new content regularly. Specific dates for content was not announced, but we expect new content to be released over the next several months. Revealed today were two new mechs, the Corvus and Raven along with a new map, Hell's Kitchen.

Following the release of this new content, Microsoft will offer a new online game mode, Capture the Flag. Anyone who's ever played an online FPS already knows the rules. Each team has a base with a flag. Your goal is to grab their flag and return it to your base. Of course, you'll also have to worry about having your flag nicked by the enemy. Sure, you've played this plenty with Unreal Championship, but come on now, we're talking Capture the Flag with mechs. You may now celebrate.

Details of how content will be downloaded, when specific content will be available, and whether this content will be available offline at any point were not given. However, we'll have more (yup, more!) on MechAssault downloadable content later today, so keep your eyes peeled. For now, check out what we do have: A new level and two new mechs.

Hell's Kitchen
The Irish district of New York? Uh, no. This area will look familiar to all those who worked through the single-player campaign in MechAssault. Though we're not certain how exact a replica the map will be, it sure looks an awful lot like the area you have to sneak into as an elemental. A map with endless amount of heat and no water should hamper those playing the powerful but overheating Mad Cat.

Hell's Kitchen

Raven
Energy Weapon: Laser x 2
Ballistic Weapon: Machinegun x 2
Missile Weapon: None
Jump Jets: None
Defense: Null Sig x 2

Note: Stats may change before final release.

The second fastest mech in the game, the Raven may lack
firepower, but it's probably the best scavenger in MechAssault. It's null sig cloaking device lasts twice as long as the standard mech's. Yup, the Raven can stay invisible for a long-ass time. No biggie, you say? Think about this. You are playing Capture the Flag. Who better to grab and run with the flag than a fast mech who can stay invisible? This is going to be your runner.

Corvus
Energy Weapon: Pulse Laser x 2
Ballistic Weapon: Autocannon
Missile Weapon: None
Jump Jets: Yes
Defense: Target Jamming x 2

Note: Stats may change before final release.

The Corvus may lack the cloaking capabilities of the Raven but it brings more firepower to the party. As fast as the Raven, the Corvus has a target jamming capability twice that of the other mechs, meaning it will be quite easy to dodge incoming missiles. Plus you get jump jets and a cool design. Yeah, it's another lightweight mech, but it's a nice alternative to the Raven. The more the merrier, we say.

Stay tuned to IGN for more on downloadable content for MechAssault.

Source: http://xbox.ign.com/articles/379/379306p1.html

Bond · 12-07-2002, 06:14 PM

MechAssault Content Update

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Yesterday Microsoft announced they would begin releasing downloadable content for MechAssault in January. We spoke with Steve Fowler, Product Manager for the hundred-ton mech game to clear up some questions about downloadable content and MechAssault. Here's what we learned:

Content saved onto hard drive
Everything you download can be deleted from your hard drive at any time. You can also copy saves (if your memory card is big enough) and take them to a friend's house.

You must download the content to enjoy it online
If you haven't downloaded a new map or game type, you will see games with the map and game type online but won't be able to enter. But, uh, why the hell wouldn't you download this stuff, it's free!

Downloaded content can be used offline
You can download content through Xbox Live and use all of it in offline multiplayer. So you can download Capture the Flag, various maps, and new mechs and use them against your buddies in split-screen or system link.

Those without Xbox Live won't be left behind
If you don't have Xbox Live, all of the online content will be made available to all gamers. The method for delivery hasn't been decided yet, but the content won't be offered until after it's available for download on Xbox Live.

Are they gonna fix the interface?
Likely. Microsoft realizes the Xbox Live lobbies aren't perfect and could be better, but the MechAssault team must work with the Xbox Live team to help create a more suitable interface. It's not bad as it is, but it should get better in a few months.

We also learned about much of the planned downloadable content. From January 1 to the end of March, gamers will enjoy a slew of downloadable MechAssault content. There may be even more planned than what's presented here, but Microsoft isn't saying what else may be in store for gamers beyond March.

New Years Day, the first of eight new maps will be released. Hell's Kitchen will be usable for all game types both on and offline. The plan is to follow each week or every other week with another piece of content. here's the order of all content as it's currently planned:

1. Hell's Kitchen map - Fiery map with electrical plants and large pools of lava
2. Raven mech - Fast mech with cloaking ability
3. Stone Cold map - Heavy industrial area covered in snow
4. Capture the Flag game type - Snag the enemies flag and return it to your base!
5. Two maps only for Capture the Flag - These will either be released with CTF or shortly afterwards
6. Loki mech - Heavy guns and armor
7. Hellbringer mech - Variant of the Loki
8. Objective Raid game type - Details to be released
9. Two maps only for use with Objective Raid - These will either be released with the new game type or shortly afterwards
10. Two additional maps - Details on these to be released

We'll have continuing coverage of all maps, mechs, and game types. Look to IGN for screens, movies, news, and impressions of all upcoming downloadable content.

Source: http://xbox.ign.com/articles/379/379464p1.html

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Personally I think this is simply awesome news. Any thoughts? I'm looking forward to some add-ons for Unreal Championship and maybe even PSO when it comes out.

Happydude · 12-07-2002, 06:43 PM

nice...very nice...i dont got cahsh though, so might be a while before i get the game or Xbox Live

Dyne · 12-07-2002, 08:09 PM

Oh boy! Looks very nice. The new mechs look fun! Can't wait to try it out!

12-07-2002, 10:59 PM

Doesn't the lack of heat in the game kind of defeat the purpose of a lava map?

gekko · 01-23-2003, 05:32 PM

These things out yet? I noticed Toe Jam & Earl III has content avaliable. Had to try one thing 3 times because it failed to install.

Anything else? I wish there was an easy way to know when things were released.

Koopa · 02-17-2003, 02:40 PM

hm i just heard last night that the DLC will be ready by week's end....lets hope theyre telling the thruth this time

02-17-2003, 03:34 PM

I don't know about anybody else, but I refuse to use any mech that lacks gauss rifles.

SPARTAN VI · 02-18-2003, 02:18 AM

Well, if MA does manage to become fun again, I'll keep it. Otherwise I'll trade it in for another XBL game. A couple maps and a new mech(with a variable) doesn't really excite me.

Bond · 02-19-2003, 04:07 PM

Here is some official news on the MechAssault Add-ons:

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Microsoft has announced that new content for MechAssault will be available for download via Xbox Live this Thursday, February 20. The extra content will include two new multiplayer maps, Hell's Kitchen and Stone Cold, and two new mechs, the raven and the corvus, both of which are designed for speed. "We'd like to thank all of the MechAssault fans out there for their enthusiasm and patience," said Mitch Gitelman, program manager for MechAssault.

Source: Gamespot

Professor S · 03-07-2003, 09:14 AM

The new maps are a lot of fun, but the new mechs suck. They can't do anything but run fast and avoid fire. Thats nice, but when you are judge by the number of kills you have, it doesn't make for a good time.

Bond · 03-07-2003, 05:49 PM

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Originally posted by The Strangler
The new maps are a lot of fun, but the new mechs suck. They can't do anything but run fast and avoid fire. Thats nice, but when you are judge by the number of kills you have, it doesn't make for a good time.

I have to partially agree with you.

Both of the two new maps are awesome, Hell's Kitchen is the best I think, it's just a great setting. For the mechs, Raven is awful, Corvus is pretty good though considering it has target jamming. But I agree it's still no match for the larger mechs.

I can't wait until CTF is released!