BattleTech {VERSION} -- multiplayer client
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IMPORTANT: FULLY EXTRACT this zip first (right-click - Extract All).
Do NOT run anything from inside the zip. The .bat files must sit next
to the 'content' and 'build' folders.
TO JOIN AN INTERNET GAME: double-click join.bat
-- pick your CALLSIGN and MECH, click JOIN (your choice is sent to
the operator; waits for the session if it's not up yet)
TO JOIN A LAN GAME: double-click join_lan.bat (operator's LAN;
same callsign/mech menu)
SINGLE-PLAYER: double-click play_solo.bat -- opens the
mission menu: pick your mech (all 18), map, experience level,
colours, weather and mission length, then launch
{STEAM}STEAM INTERNET PLAY: double-click play_steam.bat (EXPERIMENTAL --
{STEAM} needs the Steam client running; host or join from the menu)
Your seat is assigned automatically; you'll pilot the mech you picked
in the join menu (the operator can override it).
When a round ends your game AUTOMATICALLY rejoins for the next one
(same seat, same mech) -- just wait for the operator's next launch.
Close the window to leave for real.
If the game closes unexpectedly, send the operator content\join.log.
AFTER A MULTIPLAYER SESSION: the game writes a small match report,
content\matchlog_<date>_<time>_<number>.txt. Please send the operator
the newest one -- we combine everyone's files to verify damage, kills
and scores worked correctly across all players.
You start INSIDE the cockpit with the pod's MFD panels composited
around the view (one window). The red MFD buttons, radar rails and
joystick buttons are all MOUSE-CLICKABLE -- right-click a button to
latch it held. Press V any time to toggle the external camera.
CONTROLS (keyboard):
W/S or Up/Down ....... throttle lever X / NumPad5 ... all stop
A/D or Left/Right .... turn pedals Alt ........... reverse thrust
Q/E .................. torso twist R/F ........... torso aim
NumPad 8/2/4/6 ....... torso aim/twist (alt) Shift ......... throttle up
1 or Space ........... main trigger 2 ............. middle thumb
3 or Ctrl ............ upper thumb (missiles) 4 ............ pinky
V view | B look-behind | M control mode | N schematic | J/K/L MFD pages
- / = ................ game volume down/up (saved between sessions)
A weapon gone quiet with ammo left has probably JAMMED (heat makes
ballistic weapons jam -- authentic!). Check its panel's ENG DATA page
for the jam lamp (a cocked round with warning bolts). The pod's fix
is the EJECT button on that weapon's ENG DATA page: TAP to eject the
jammed round (weapon reloads and returns to service), HOLD ~3s to
jettison the whole bay before it cooks off. Watch the TEMP strip and
pace salvos.
G (hold) + fire key .. regroup a weapon onto that trigger -- or hold a
weapon panel's red PROGRAM button with the mouse and tap a fire key;
the joystick diagram on the panel shows the binding live.
An Xbox controller works out of the box. FLIGHT STICKS / HOTAS /
pedals: run joyconfig.bat ONCE -- a wizard asks you to move each
control (stick, twist, throttle, fire buttons), writes the bindings,
and drops you into the solo menu to try them. Rebind keys in
content\bindings.txt (regenerates with defaults if deleted).
This build: {VERSION}. Private -- do not redistribute.
{EXPIRE}Test builds STOP WORKING 14 days after they are made -- if the game
{EXPIRE}says it has expired, just grab the operator's newest zip.
