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Difference between revisions of "MechCommander"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (→‎Availability: Added in DRM notes.)
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Line 7: Line 7:
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 31, 1998}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|June 24, 1998}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | Freeware }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person, Third-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select, Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Strategy }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | Robot }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | MechCommander }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
−
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|hltb        = 5761
 +
|lutris      = mechcommander-gold
 +
|strategywiki = MechCommander
 +
|mobygames    = 334
 
|wikipedia    = MechCommander
 
|wikipedia    = MechCommander
 +
|winehq      = 301
 +
|license      = former commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|MechCommander}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{--}} Installer is 16-bit only, but a workaround is available. See [[#Running the game on 64 bit Windows|Running the game on 64 bit Windows]]
+
|introduction      =
 +
 
 +
|release history  = The game was re-released in September 1999 as '''''MechCommander: Gold''''', featuring the content of the would-be expansion pack '''''Desperate Measures''''' with a new campaign, mechs, terrain and an editor. The ''Gold'' release would later be released as freeware.
 +
 
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
 
{{mm}} [http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Main_Page BattleTech Wiki] - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
 
{{mm}} [http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Main_Page BattleTech Wiki] - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
−
{{mm}} [http://mechcommandergold.wikia.com/wiki/MechCommander_Gold_Wiki MechCommander Gold Wiki] - A small wiki for the game
+
{{mm}} [https://mechcommandergold.fandom.com/wiki/MechCommander_Gold_Wiki MechCommander Gold Wiki] - A small wiki for the game
 +
{{mm}} [http://www.thegameengine.org/mechcommander-gold/ Mechcommander Gold on TheGameEngine.org] - solving some technical issues.
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B00001OWYK | Disc | MechCommander Gold. Contains the base game and expansion.}}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Publisher | http://www.thegameengine.org/mechcommander-gold/mechcommander-gold-freeware-download/ | DRM-free | Freeware download. | | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://archive.org/details/MCDEMO Archive.org].
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} '''MechCommander: Gold''' is an expanded re-release which contains the Desperate Measures campaign, new mechs, new terrain and an editor.
 +
 
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{DLC|
 +
{{DLC/row| Desperate Measures | Included with MechCommander Gold. Not available separately, despite original plans to the contrary. | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 29: Line 63:
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\PREFS.CFG}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\data\savegame}}
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
−
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
−
|origin                =
 
−
|origin notes          =
 
−
|steam cloud          =
 
−
|steam cloud notes    =
 
−
|uplay                =
 
−
|uplay notes          =
 
−
|gamesave manager      = true
 
−
|gamesave manager notes= Also supports the expansion.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 66: Line 88:
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
−
|windowed                  = false
+
|windowed                  = true
−
|windowed notes            =  
+
|windowed notes            = Toggle with {{key|Alt|Enter}}.
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
Line 74: Line 96:
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
−
|oculus rift                = unknown
+
|60 fps                    = unknown
−
|oculus rift notes         =  
+
|60 fps notes               =  
−
|high frame rate            = unknown
+
|120 fps                    = unknown
−
|high frame rate notes     =  
+
|120 fps notes             =
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
Line 100: Line 131:
 
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 +
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = unknown
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes   =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes         = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, Voice, Sound FX
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, Voice, Sound FX
Line 116: Line 185:
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = n/a
+
|mute on focus lost      = false
−
|mute on focus lost notes = Can't Alt-Tab.  
+
|mute on focus lost notes = Can't {{key|Alt|Tab}}.
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://www.old-games.ru/game/download/get.php?fileid=9596&modal=1 download]
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 126: Line 229:
 
|local play          =  
 
|local play          =  
 
|local play players  =  
 
|local play players  =  
 +
|local play modes    =
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|lan play            = hackable
 
|lan play            = hackable
 
|lan play players    = 6
 
|lan play players    = 6
−
|lan play notes      = IPX, TCP/IP, Serial/Modem.  
+
|lan play modes      =
−
|online play          = false
+
|lan play notes      = IPX, TCP/IP, Serial/Modem.
 +
|online play          = true
 
|online play players  = 6
 
|online play players  = 6
−
|online play notes    = Required MPlayer or MSN Zone.  
+
|online play modes    =
−
|local co-op          =
+
|online play notes    = The official [[MPlayer.com]] and MSN Gaming Zone services have been shut down. Supported by [https://gameranger.com/games/ GameRanger]
−
|local co-op players  =
 
−
|local co-op notes    =
 
−
|lan co-op            =
 
−
|lan co-op players    =
 
−
|lan co-op notes      =
 
−
|online co-op        =
 
−
|online co-op players =
 
−
|online co-op notes  =
 
−
|hot-seat            =
 
−
|hot-seat players    =
 
−
|hot-seat notes      =
 
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 152: Line 246:
 
|matchmaking        = false
 
|matchmaking        = false
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
−
|p2p                = false
+
|p2p                = true
 
|p2p notes          =  
 
|p2p notes          =  
 
|dedicated          = false
 
|dedicated          = false
 
|dedicated notes    =  
 
|dedicated notes    =  
−
|self-hosting      = false
+
|self-hosting      = true
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|direct ip          = false
 
|direct ip          = false
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 +
}}{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  =
 +
|udp  =
 +
|upnp =
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
−
===Running the game on 64 bit Windows===
+
===Running the game on 64-bit Windows===
−
Although the game installer is 16-bit, the actual game is 32-bit. The only way to play it is to do a manual install:
+
{{ii}} Although the game installer is 16-bit, the actual game is 32-bit.
−
====Manually install the game====
+
 
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Setting up the game manually|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Setting up the game manually|}}
+
# Create a new folder called where the game will be contained.
−
#Somewhere on the computer (ex. the Desktop), create a new folder called "MechCommander".
+
# Copy the contents of the MechCommander CD and paste them into that folder.
−
#Copy the contents of the MechCommander CD and paste them into the folder that was created before.
+
# Set {{file|MC.exe}} / {{file|MCX.exe}} to run in [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]] for Windows XP SP3.
−
#When everything has finished copying, go into the installation folder and right click on the MC.exe (or MCX.exe).
 
−
#Go to the "Compatibility" tab and enable Compatibility Mode (set it to "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)").
 
−
#Run the MC.exe (or MCX.exe) file to play the game.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Rainbow color problem===
+
===Use higher resolutions in game===
−
When running on fullscreen in Windows Vista or later may trigger the rainbow color problem.
+
{{Fixbox|description=Set higher resolutions|ref={{cn|date=March 2017}}|fix=
−
See [[Rainbow color problems in older games]].
+
# Go to the installation folder.
 +
# Open {{file|PREFS.CFG}}.
 +
# Add the line <code>l Resolution=X</code> at the bottom of the file.
 +
# Replace <code>X</code> with:
 +
#* <code>0</code> for 640x480 (default)
 +
#* <code>1</code> for 800x600
 +
#* <code>2</code> for 1024x768
 +
#* <code>3</code> for 1280x1024.
 +
# With the game running in higher resolution, you can use the zoom in feature (press '+') to play in highest detail with slightly more battlefield visibility that the game offers by default in the unzoomed state.
 +
 
 +
'''Notes'''
 +
{{ii}} Menus are fixed to 640x480. In game resolution can be increased, but menus will not stretch to fill the screen.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Rainbow color problem on Windows Vista/7===
 +
{{ii}} Check [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw troubleshooting]] for a proper fix.
 +
 
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      =
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|metal support          =
 +
|metal support notes    =
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  =
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            =
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = Mplayer, MSN Zone
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
|anticheat        =
 +
|anticheat notes  =
 +
}}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 185: Line 350:
 
|minOS    = 95
 
|minOS    = 95
 
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 133 MHz
 
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 133 MHz
−
|minmem   = 32 MB
+
|minRAM   = 32 MB
 
|minHD    = 200 MB
 
|minHD    = 200 MB
−
|minGPU  = 2 MB SVGA video card
+
|minGPU  = SVGA compatible
 +
|minVRAM  = 2 MB
  
 
|recOS    = 98
 
|recOS    = 98
−
|recmem   = 64 MB
+
|recRAM   = 64 MB
 
|recHD    = 600 MB
 
|recHD    = 600 MB
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 13:37, 29 December 2023

MechCommander
MechCommander cover
Developers
FASA Interactive
Publishers
MicroProse
Release dates
Windows June 24, 1998
Taxonomy
Monetization Freeware
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person, Third-person
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres Strategy
Vehicles Robot
Themes Sci-fi
Series MechCommander
MechCommander on HowLongToBeat
Icon overlay.png
MechCommander guide on StrategyWiki
MechCommander on MobyGames
MechCommander on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
MechCommander
Subseries of BattleTech
MechCommander 1998
MechCommander 2 2001

MechCommander is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person strategy game in the MechCommander series.

The game was re-released in September 1999 as MechCommander: Gold, featuring the content of the would-be expansion pack Desperate Measures with a new campaign, mechs, terrain and an editor. The Gold release would later be released as freeware.

General information

BattleTech Wiki - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
MechCommander Gold Wiki - A small wiki for the game
Mechcommander Gold on TheGameEngine.org - solving some technical issues.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Windows
Publisher website
DRM-free
 Freeware download.
Windows
A free demo version is available from Archive.org.

Version differences

MechCommander: Gold is an expanded re-release which contains the Desperate Measures campaign, new mechs, new terrain and an editor.

Monetization

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Desperate Measures Included with MechCommander Gold. Not available separately, despite original plans to the contrary.
Windows

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\PREFS.CFG[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\data\savegame[Note 1]

Video

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Toggle with Alt+↵ Enter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music, Voice, Sound FX
Surround sound
Subtitles
Affects radio chatter and video briefing
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Can't Alt+Tab ↹.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
German
Italian
Russian
Fan translation, download

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
6 IPX, TCP/IP, Serial/Modem.
Online play
6 The official MPlayer.com and MSN Gaming Zone services have been shut down. Supported by GameRanger

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Issues fixed

Running the game on 64-bit Windows

Although the game installer is 16-bit, the actual game is 32-bit.
Setting up the game manually[citation needed]
  1. Create a new folder called where the game will be contained.
  2. Copy the contents of the MechCommander CD and paste them into that folder.
  3. Set MC.exe / MCX.exe to run in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP3.

Use higher resolutions in game

Set higher resolutions[citation needed]
  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Open PREFS.CFG.
  3. Add the line l Resolution=X at the bottom of the file.
  4. Replace X with:
    • 0 for 640x480 (default)
    • 1 for 800x600
    • 2 for 1024x768
    • 3 for 1280x1024.
  5. With the game running in higher resolution, you can use the zoom in feature (press '+') to play in highest detail with slightly more battlefield visibility that the game offers by default in the unzoomed state.

Notes

Menus are fixed to 640x480. In game resolution can be increased, but menus will not stretch to fill the screen.

Rainbow color problem on Windows Vista/7

Check DirectDraw troubleshooting for a proper fix.

Other information

API

Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer MPlayer.com, MSN Zone

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 133 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB 64 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 200 MB 600 MB
Video card (GPU) SVGA compatible
2 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References