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BattleTech: Firestorm

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This article is about the location based simulator pod game. For other uses, see Firestorm.
For the company that maintains the location based simulator pods, see Virtual World Entertainment.


BattleTech: Firestorm (Tesla II)
Product information
Type Location Based Entertainment
Development Virtual World Entertainment
FASA Studio
Cyberlore Studios
Gameleap
Publication information
Publisher Virtual World Entertainment
First published 2002
Content
Era FedCom Civil War
Timeline 3050 - 3067

Battletech: Firestorm (BT:FS) is the software run on Virtual World Entertainment's (VWE) location based simulator pods. The software was developed by VWE, FASA Studio, Cyberlore Studios, and Gameleap Inc. [1] The initial rollout was principally to various Dave & Busters (D&B) locations around the United States, with the first being D&B Chicago Gold Coast. [2]

From the BattleTech: Firestorm BattleMech Operations Manual

“ Welcome to the BattleTech Experience

We are proud to present our latest technological breakthrough that will allow you, through the science of interdimensional travel, to translocate into the future and experience the fascinating and deadly world of BattleTech.

When the technicians translocate you into the future, the cockpit you are in will morph into a gigantic walking tank called a BattleMech. These monsters of the battlefield average 10 meters in height and carry enough firepower to level a small city. As the pilot (Mechwarrior) of one of these amazing machines, you will go into combat against other translocated pilots. Blast away at your opponents with missiles, autocannons and lasers. Our technicians are constantly monitoring your situation. If they determine that your life is in danger at any time, they will pull you out of a critically damaged 'mech just before it is destroyed. You will immediately be inserted into a new one in order to continue the battle. Our track record is excellent. We lose very few pilots.

Now you can experience the adrenaline rush of real BattleMech combat and get your hands on the controls of these huge machines. You have the opportunity to pit yourself against others and test your mettle on the battlefield of the 31st Century.

Good luck and good hunting![3]

”

Description

Further information: Virtual World Entertainment § BattleTech Cockpit Simulator Pods

BT:FS runs a modified version of the Mechwarrior 4 game engine. The immersive cockpit and controls provide a different experience from playing on a home computer. Each installation of BattleTech: Firestorm is on a system of fully enclosed sit-down simulator cockpits (pods), with up to eight connected via LAN. This allows up to eight human players (pilots) in either individual Free-For-All (FFA) matches or as teams.

Gameplay

All 'mech choices are stock, with some configurations specific to BT:FS. Customization of 'mech loadouts are not an option. This makes operation in the retail space simpler. All 'mechs within a weight class have identical torso twist ranges and twist speeds. Light class 'mechs have the narrowest twist range (180 degrees) and the fastest torso speed (80 degrees/second), while assault class 'mechs have the widest range (320 degrees) and the slowest torso speed (40 degrees/second). Rates of acceleration, deceleration, turning rate, and top engine speeds are set individually per 'mech. Lighter 'mechs tend to be faster than heavier ones, but not in all cases. Acceleration/deceleration and turn rates vary widely, even within weight classes. All 'mechs in a class also have identical amounts of coolant flush with assault 'mechs having the most (8 uses) while light and medium 'mechs the least (4 uses).

All mission types are either FFA or team matches. Mission lengths are typically 7-10 minutes long at retail. As such no campaign play was offered. Several of the maps in BT:FS are modified versions of those found in MW4, again to better match retail venue play. BT:FS is presented with an Inner Sphere point of view. All Clan 'mechs are referred to by their I.S. designations.

The new player experience would include a short training video on basic operator controls, a ten minute mission (game), and mission review replay complete with a physically printed scoresheet. The scoresheet would have the names (call-signs) of all pilots in the game, their respective scores and damage tallies, and a mission log with blow-by-blow narrative of their engagements.

Differences from BattleTech

  • The 'mech design has heat sinks installed with locations accounted for but not shown to the player except as a stat line in the 'mech specifications. Locations can be inferred by observing damage to the 'mech and corresponding change in heat sinking performance.
  • Contrary to BattleTech construction rules, in BT:FS 'mechs can have fewer than ten heat sinks.
  • Heat sink performance is affected by throttle position with slower speeds allowing better heat sinking.
  • Water gives cooling benefits to all 'mechs whether they traditionally have heat sinks in the legs or not. The more a 'mech is submerged increases the rate of heat dissipation.
  • In standard damage mode (Console option) all 'mechs, both I.S. and Clan, behave as if they have IS XL engines installed. (Center or side torso destruction destroys the 'mech)
  • In advanced damage mode (Console option) all 'mechs behave as if they have standard fusion engines installed. (Center torso destruction destroys the 'mech.)
  • Ammunition based weaponry have increasing chances to jam as the heat scale climbs into the red zone. Jammed ammunition needs to be manually ejected by the pilot.
  • There are no ammunition critical hits. 'Mechs do not suffer ammunition explosions.
  • AMS has unlimited ammunition and works against all incoming missile volleys that have a lock. At very short ranges AMS will destroy missiles upon exiting their launcher. The resulting detonations will damage the missile firing 'mech.

Software Versions

BattleTech: Firestorm would introduce new 'mechs, maps, as well as bug fixes and new gameplay features released as software updates.

Debut Release (Rel 5.00)

The initial release of BT:FS contained 11 'mechs. The Osiris, Raven, Chimera, Uziel, Vulture, Catapult, Loki, Thor, Mad Cat, Mauler, and Atlas. Maps included Scarab Stronghold (the default map for new players), Big City, Central Park, Dustbowl, Frostbite, Gatorbait, Hideaway, Inner City, Lunacy, Palace Gates, Snow Job, and Timberline. Mission types (game modes) included Attrition (Points scored for damage dealt, kills, and bonuses for destroying weapons and equipment as well as killing 'mechs larger than your own.), Team Attrition, Destruction (One point per kill.), Team Destruction, King of the Hill (points for controlling the score zone), Team King of the Hill, Capture the Flag (teams), and Steal the Beacon (Free-for-all game with points scored while holding the flag.) This was also the first BattleTech pod game to have AI opponents (bots) that would allow solo pilots to run missions without having to wait for human opponents. Bots limited to Attrition and Destruction mission types only.

First System Update (Rel 5.01)

Changes were made to top speeds so lighter 'mechs would be significantly faster than 'mechs in heavier weight classes. Ammunition loads were reduced, particularly for heavy weapons, since most would almost never run out before being destroyed. Armor enhancements for 'mechs with special locations such as the Mad Cat's missile launchers. Weapon changes for the Uziel, Vulture, Loki and Mauler. Introduction of the AC 2. Bots could now be set as Level 9 for enhanced lethality.[4]

Version 2.0 (Rel 5.02)

This version included four new 'mechs (Cougar, Shadowcat, Masakari, Highlander) and two maps (Coliseum and Ghost Highway). Additional increases to max speeds and armor, as well as longer ranges for certain weapons. The ability to change fire modes (group fire or chain fire) could now be set independently per trigger. Additional weapon changes for the Loki and Mauler.[5]

Version 3.0 (Rel 5.03)

This update included six new 'mechs (Owens, Hellhound, Bushwacker, Novacat, Awesome, and Mad Cat Mk II). Four original maps only available in BT:Firestorm to supplement the collection of modified MW4 maps were debuted (Freezer, Grassland, Hotplate, and Peaks). Introduction of gyro and HUD system crits, weapon jams (must be cleared manually by the pilot), Reactive and Reflective armor types, and the Gauss Rifle. Weapon changes for the Chimera, Catapult, Vulture, and Mauler. Also introduced the BattleTech Master Trial mission type to BT:FS.[6]

Version 4.0 (Rel 5.04)

Released five 'mechs (Uller, Ryoken, Dragon, Templar, Hauptmann IIC) and three new maps (Cantina, Nazca, Storm Canyon). Of particular note is the Hauptmann IIC which is equipped with Clan weapons and equipment. Nazca was a recreation of a System 3 BattleTech map, and Storm Canyon was the first ever player created and submitted map for the pods. Introduced rear-firing weapons (for specific 'mechs) and a change to missile guidance. A player now needed to have radar contact for missiles to track. This allowed 'mechs that carried BAP or ECM, or deciding to run passive vs active sensor modes, greater tactical impact. A new eject button parameter was integrated. Previously a player could only eject if all weapons were destroyed or out of ammunition. Now a player would also have the option to eject if a leg was destroyed. A new mission type, Siege Assault, offered attack/defend scenarios with bases that have automated defenses to help or thwart players. Initially only offered on Cantina and Storm Canyon maps. Weapon changes for the Mad Cat.[7]

Version 5.0 (Rel 5.05)

This large release brought eight new 'mechs (Wolfhound IIC, Hunchback, Black Knight, Daishi) with four 'mech models being custom built by Studio MekTek, Inc (Commando, Black Lanner, Grizzly, Cyclops). Of particular note is the Wolfhound IIC as it is the version presented to Phelan Kell by Khan Ulric Kerensky upon achieving full status as a Clan Wolf MechWarrior.[8] Two original maps (Tribe Incursion and Redeux) has the Siege Assault mission type from the previous release. Tribe Incursion also had a special mission based on historical fiction from the BattleTech Universe: The Minnesota Tribe attack on the Kurita-held planet of Richmond.[9] This objective based mission includes the Minnesota Tribe's dropship landing zone, Kurita prisoner camp, and Kurita garrison base. Objectives (including dropships) feature automated defenses. Players could decide to be Minnesota Tribe attackers or Kurita defenders. Additional features include Advance Damage and Advanced Armor modes (Veteran level options set by The Console), and the introduction of Inner Sphere Extended Range (ER) class of energy weapons. Bot Level 0 introduced for testing purposes and training.[10]

Version 6.0 (Rel 5.06)

This update includes eight new 'mechs (Puma, Arctic Wolf, Cauldronborn, Thanatos, Zeus) with three made by Studio MekTek (Brigand, Hollander II, Deimos). The Deimos is notable as being the original MekTek version that is similar to the later, canonical version of the Deimos. "The two new maps (Jungle, Factory) provide additional Solaris Arenas to BT:FS. Additional content includes over 135 'mech variants that are based on the Classic BattleTech TRO versions. Another new feature is the ability to network up to sixteen Tesla II pods as a single set (previous limit was 8 pods). This allows up to sixteen 'mechs, with either human pilots or bots, on the field simultaneously. Ammunition load change for the Uziel.[11]

Version 7.0 (Rel 5.07)

The seventh update to BT:FS introduced nineteen new 'mechs (Flea, Hellspawn, Argus, Victor, Longbow, Gladiator, Sunder, Fafnir, Kodiak) including ten by MekTek (Solitaire, UrbanMech, Assassin II, Black Hawk, Ares, Avatar, Battlemaster IIC, Annihilator, Behemoth, Behemoth II). Introduction of the Heavy Gauss Rifle.[12]

Light 'Mechs

Medium 'Mechs

Heavy 'Mechs

Assault 'Mechs

† Indicates in-game model contributed by Studio MekTek, Inc


Canonicity

Computer games are explicitly excluded from the list of products that contribute straight Canon to the BattleTech universe while at the same time it was stated that the IP owners are "not in total denial about these sources either"; it has also been stated that fluff from certain official, licensed products (namely certain computer games including those produced by FASA) can be assumed to be part of the shared universe as long as it is not directly contradicted, and makes sense. On this premise, BattleTech: Firestorm is considered to be an apocryphal product.

References

  1. ↑ BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction, Page 259
  2. ↑ VWE Press Release: "BattleTech: Firestorm Premieres at Dave & Busters Chicago Store"
  3. ↑ BattleTech: Firestorm Operations Manual, Page 1
  4. ↑ Tesla II System Update Released
  5. ↑ Nationwide Free-For-All will Kick-off Firestorm release 2.0
  6. ↑ BattleTech:Firestorm Release 3.0 Debuts
  7. ↑ BattleTech:Firestorm 4.0 To Debut January 13th
  8. ↑ Blood Legacy, Chapter 21
  9. ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 62: "The Minnesota Tribe and the Chahar Profit"
  10. ↑ Fifth Update to BT:Firestorm to be Released
  11. ↑ Sixth Update to BT:Firestorm Released
  12. ↑ 5.07 Stats Sheets

Bibliography

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