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Difference between revisions of "MechCommander"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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|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
 
|strategywiki = MechCommander
 +
|mobygames    = 334
 
|wikipedia    = MechCommander
 
|wikipedia    = MechCommander
 
|winehq      = 301
 
|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| Retail | | disc | | | Windows }}
 
{{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|
−
{{DLC/row| MechCommander: Desperate Measures | Included with MechCommander Gold. | Windows }}
+
{{DLC/row| Desperate Measures | Included with MechCommander Gold. Not available separately, despite original plans to the contrary. | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/saves|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\data\savegame}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 50: Line 78:
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
−
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
+
|widescreen resolution      = false
−
|widescreen resolution notes= See Use higher resolutions in game
+
|widescreen resolution notes=  
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
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|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
−
|60 fps                    = true
+
|60 fps                    = unknown
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
−
|120 fps                    = true
+
|120 fps                    = unknown
−
|120 fps notes              = No Frame Rate or Refresh Rate Cap
+
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
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}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
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|steam input api          = unknown
 
|steam input api          = unknown
 
|steam input api notes    =  
 
|steam input api notes    =  
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 
|steam input presets      = unknown
 
|steam input presets      = unknown
 
|steam input presets notes =  
 
|steam input presets notes =  
 
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 
|steam controller prompts notes =  
 
|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
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|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 
}}
 
}}
  
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  |subtitles = false
 
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |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
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      = IPX, TCP/IP, Serial/Modem.
 
|lan play notes      = IPX, TCP/IP, Serial/Modem.
−
|online play          = false
+
|online play          = true
 
|online play players  = 6
 
|online play players  = 6
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
−
|online play notes    = MPlayer or MSN Zone No Longer Works.
+
|online play notes    = The official [[MPlayer.com]] and MSN Gaming Zone services have been shut down. Supported by [https://gameranger.com/games/ GameRanger]
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
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|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
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==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Running the game on 64-bit Windows===
 
===Running the game on 64-bit Windows===
−
{{ii}} Although the game installer is 16-bit, Needs To Be Install Manually to Bypass The Installer.
+
{{ii}} Although the game installer is 16-bit, the actual game is 32-bit.
  
 
{{Fixbox|description=Setting up the game manually|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Setting up the game manually|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
# Somewhere on the computer (ex. the Desktop), create a new folder called "MechCommander".
+
# Create a new folder called where the game will be contained.
−
# Copy the contents of the MechCommander CD and paste them into the folder that was created before.
+
# Copy the contents of the MechCommander CD and paste them into that folder.
−
# When everything has finished copying, go into the installation folder.
+
# Set {{file|MC.exe}} / {{file|MCX.exe}} to run in [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]] for Windows XP SP3.
−
# Run the MC.exe (or MCX.exe) file to play the game.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Notes'''
 
−
{{ii}} This will not run full screen.{{cn|date=March 2016}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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}}
 
}}
  
−
===Rainbow Colors On Windows Vista And 7===
+
===Rainbow color problem on Windows Vista/7===
−
{{ii}} When running on fullscreen in Windows Vista And 7 may trigger the rainbow color problem This Issue Is Not Present On Windows 8 And Later This Only Applies To Earlier Versions.
+
{{ii}} Check [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw troubleshooting]] for a proper fix.
−
 
 
−
{{ii}} Check [[Rainbow Colors problem In Older Games]] To Fix The Problem.
 
−
 
 
  
 
==Other information==
 
==Other information==
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|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable     = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|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 =  
 
}}
 
}}
  

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