- The Computer Game Preview -

MechWarrior 3 estimated release date: Beginning of the year 1999

MechWarrior 4 estimated release date: The year 2000

On the planet Yamarovka in the year 3059, you are one of four MechWarriors, sent to run guerilla missions against the Smoke Jaguar Clan. With no hope of resupply, you will be scavengars and theives. With no combat experience, you will be lambs to the slaughter. And with your first move you will become the hunted. Experience the intensity of the MechWarrior Universe as it's never felt before - here is MechWarrior 3.

No longer would FASA rely on the programming and marketing expertise of companies such as Activision. No, MechWarrior 3 was FASA's plan and they intended to take all the credit for it.

As with most plans, no matter how well thought out they usually go wrong at some point or another. Assigning the MechWarrior 3 project to publisher MicroProse and developer Zipper Interactive took away some of the problems encountered and allowed FASA to complete the excellent MechCommander and begin their work on MechWarrior 4.

             
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Perhaps FASA wanted to create MechWarrior 3 (and are now creating MechWarrior 4) themselves since the people who first instigated an idea usually follow it through with other thoughts, resting on the original foundation of their work.

Unfortunately MechWarrior 4 will not be released for a long while (the year 2000 I believe) and so 'Mech fans will have to sit back and enjoy MechWarrior 3 for a while. While it's not supposed to be a gigantic leap from the old MechWarrior 2 computer games it does appear to be shaping up rather well.

The game is set in the year 3058, sometime after the events featured in MechWarrior 2. The Inner Sphere is mounting a counterattack on Clan Smoke Jaguar (notice how the words Microprose and Smoke Jaguar seem to link together and ring a few bells?). You play the role of a reconnaissance Lance leader who has been dropped behind enemy lines. Your main objective is to cause as much chaos as possible while the main forces of the Inner Sphere mount their primary attack on the front lines.

             
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As your Lance begins its descent on the planet Yamarovka the dropship you are in comes under heavy Jaguar fire. The dropship crahses, scattering you and your wingmen far apart.

Obviously the mission seems like a general failure before it has even started, but you manage to gain the control of a Bushwacker, a fast medium 'Mech with some great weaponry.

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