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Difference between revisions of "MechWarrior 3"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Created the page. Added in the basic layout with some general links.)
 
 
(115 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
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−
{{Infobox
+
{{Infobox game
−
|cover         = MechWarrior 3 Coverart.png
+
|cover       = MechWarrior 3 (PC Cover).png
−
|developer     = [[Wikipedia:Zipper Interactive|Zipper Interactive]]
+
|developers  =
−
|publisher     = [[Wikipedia:Microprose|Microprose]]
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Zipper Interactive}}
−
|engine        =
+
|publishers  =
−
|release dates = July 1, 1999
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MicroProse}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Hasbro Interactive}}
 +
|engines     =  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/engine|GameZ}}
 +
|release dates=  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|June 1, 1999}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }}
 +
{{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          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Action, FPS, TPS, Vehicle combat }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | Robot }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Stylized }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | MechWarrior }}
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20001204152300/http://mechwarrior3.com/index.html
 +
|steam appid  =
 +
|gogcom id    =
 +
|hltb        = 5765
 +
|strategywiki = MechWarrior 3
 +
|mobygames    = 284
 +
|wikipedia    = MechWarrior 3
 +
|winehq      = 3124
 +
|lutris      = mechwarrior-3
 +
|igdb        = mechwarrior-3
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|MechWarrior}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{--}} Poor performance on modern systems
+
|introduction      =
 +
 
 +
|release history  = The game received two [[#Patches|official patches]], as well as the '''''Pirate's Moon''''' expansion in December 1999, which introduced a new campaign, multiplayer maps and 'Mechs.
 +
 
 +
|current state    = Since the Windows XP era, the game has had severe compatibility issues, which would manifest in one or more of the following: rendering and control issues, refusal to start up, [[#Fix bouncing APCs and dysfunctional AMS|broken physics]] and [[#Variable game speed|uncontrollable game speed]]. [[#Adding compatibility for modern Windows|Two methods]] are known to resolve most of these issues on modern systems.
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://www.mechwarrior3.org/mechwarrior3com/index.html Official game site (Archived)]
 
 
{{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://www.mechwarrior3.org/ MechWarrior3.org] - A huge fansite for MechWarrior 3
+
{{mm}} [http://www.mechwarriorsunited.com/ MechWariorsUnited] - A community with patches and multiplayer maps
−
+
{{mm}} [http://mech3mod.weebly.com/ Mech3Mod] - A community with mods
 +
{{mm}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20140717205357/http://www.mechwarrior3.org/ MechWarrior3.org] - A huge fansite for MechWarrior 3 (archived)
 +
 
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
−
{{Availability Table|
+
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.amazon.com/MechWarrior-3-Pc/dp/B00000K4EC Amazon] | {{ID|Retail}} |}}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc}}. | | Windows}}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} Free demos are available from GameFront: [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-3/file/mechwarrior-3-singleplayer-demo singleplayer], [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-3/file/mechwarrior-3-multiplayer-demo multiplayer].
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} The '''Gold Edition''' includes the base game and the Pirate's Moon expansion.
 +
 
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{DLC|
 +
{{DLC/row| Pirate's Moon | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Improvements==
+
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
−
A list of patches and enhancements for both the base game and the expansion are available [http://www.mechwarrior3.org/downloads/ here].
+
{{ii}} The latest patch for the game (v1.2) can be downloaded from the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/585-mechwarrior-3-patch/ Files section]. The patch is available in English, French, and German.
 +
 
 +
===Official map pack===
 +
{{ii}} An official map pack has been released, and is available [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-3/file/mechwarrior-3-official-map-pack here].
 +
 
 +
===Adding compatibility for modern Windows===
 +
The following methods apply to both MechWarrior 3 and the Pirate's Moon expansion pack (except for the official patch step, as none were ever released for Pirate's Moon).
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Method 1: Use dgVoodoo 2|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Install the [[#Patches|1.2 Patch]].
 +
# Download [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 +
# Extract {{file|dgVoodooCpl.exe}}, as well as the following files from the {{folder|MS\x86}} into {{folder|{{p|game}}}}: {{file|D3DImm.dll}} and {{file|DDraw.dll}}.
 +
# Set the {{file|Mech3.exe}} [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility options]] to Windows 98 / Me compatibility mode, with administrator rights and display scaling disabled.
 +
# From the Windows Control Panel, enable [[DirectPlay]].
 +
# Run the game.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Method 2: Configuring compatibility settings|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Install the [[#Patches|1.2 Patch]].
 +
# Set [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility settings]] for {{file|mech3.exe}} to Windows 98 / Me.
 +
# Through the graphics card's control panel, enable "Vertical sync" and "Triple buffering".
 +
# From the Windows Control Panel, enable [[DirectPlay]].
 +
# Run the game.
 +
}}
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
−
=== Game files location ===
+
{{Image|MechWarrior 3 General.png|In-game general settings/options menu.}}
−
{{Game Location Table|
+
 
−
{{Game Location Table/row|Windows|C:\MicroProse\MechWarrior3}}
+
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|hkcu}}\SOFTWARE\MicroProse\MechWarrior 3\1.0\}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Save game data location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\pilots}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Video==
 +
{{Image|MechWarrior 3 Video Audio.png|In-game video/audio settings.}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  =
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      =
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    =
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =
 +
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
 +
|widescreen resolution notes= See [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2621-mechwarrior-3-widescreenultrawidesuperwidemultimonitor-fix/ Widescreen Patch].
 +
|multimonitor              = hackable
 +
|multimonitor notes        = See [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2621-mechwarrior-3-widescreenultrawidesuperwidemultimonitor-fix/ Widescreen Patch].
 +
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
 +
|ultrawidescreen notes      = See [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2621-mechwarrior-3-widescreenultrawidesuperwidemultimonitor-fix/ Widescreen Patch].
 +
|4k ultra hd                = hackable
 +
|4k ultra hd notes          = See [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2621-mechwarrior-3-widescreenultrawidesuperwidemultimonitor-fix/ Widescreen Patch].
 +
|fov                        = false
 +
|fov notes                  =
 +
|windowed                  = false
 +
|windowed notes            =
 +
|borderless windowed        = false
 +
|borderless windowed notes  =
 +
|anisotropic                = false
 +
|anisotropic notes          =
 +
|antialiasing              = false
 +
|antialiasing notes        =
 +
|upscaling                  = false
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = always on
 +
|vsync notes                =
 +
|60 fps                    = true
 +
|60 fps notes              = FPS should be limited to 30, see [[#Fix bouncing APCs and dysfunctional AMS|issues fixed]].
 +
|120 fps                    = unknown
 +
|120 fps notes              =
 +
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = false
 +
|color blind notes          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Input==
 +
{{Image|MechWarrior 3 Controls.png|In-game control settings.}}
 +
{{Input
 +
|key remap                = true
 +
|key remap notes          =
 +
|acceleration option      = false
 +
|acceleration option notes =
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 +
|mouse menu notes          =
 +
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 +
|invert mouse y-axis notes =
 +
|touchscreen              = false
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = true
 +
|controller support notes  =
 +
|full controller          = false
 +
|full controller notes    =
 +
|controller remap          = true
 +
|controller remap notes    =
 +
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 +
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 +
|invert controller y-axis notes=
 +
|xinput controllers        = unknown
 +
|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==
 +
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 +
|separate volume notes    = Speech volume is tied with music.
 +
|surround sound          = true
 +
|surround sound notes    =
 +
|subtitles                = false
 +
|subtitles notes          =
 +
|closed captions          = false
 +
|closed captions notes    =
 +
|mute on focus lost      = false
 +
|mute on focus lost notes =
 +
|eax support              = false
 +
|eax support notes        = A3D and QSound only.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203035731/http://www.3dai.com/oldnews/97-09.html|title=3D Audio Immersion - Old News: September 1997|date=May 2023}}</ref>{{CN|please check if rumors were right}}
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    = Infantry can not be crushed, as they vanish when a 'Mech aims at them or approaches them.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
=== [[Save game cloud syncing]] ===
+
==Network==
−
{{Save Game Cloud Syncing
+
{{Network/Multiplayer
−
|steam_cloud            =
+
|local play          =  
−
|steam_cloud_notes      =
+
|local play players  =  
−
|origin                =
+
|local play modes    =  
−
|origin_notes          =
+
|local play notes    =
−
|uplay                  =
+
|lan play            = true
−
|uplay_notes            =
+
|lan play players    = 8
−
|gamesave_manager       =true
+
|lan play modes      =  
−
|gamesave_manager_notes =
+
|lan play notes       =  
−
|gamestow              =
+
|online play          = false
−
|gamestow_notes         =
+
|online play players  = 8
−
|synctocloud            =
+
|online play modes    =  
−
|synctocloud_notes      =
+
|online play notes    = The official multiplayer service has been shut down.
−
|square_enix            =
+
|asynchronous         =  
−
|square_enix_notes      =
+
|asynchronous notes  =  
 +
}}{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        =
 +
|matchmaking notes  =
 +
|p2p                =
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          =
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      =
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          =
 +
|direct ip notes    =
 +
}}{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  =  
 +
|udp  =  
 +
|upnp =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Issues fixed==
−
{{Video Settings
+
===Installing under modern Windows===
−
|wsgf_link                  =
+
For many people, the version of Installshield which MechWarrior 3 uses refuses to start, and instead just hangs. This appears to be caused by conflicting programs running in the background. Singling out which program this is can be quite difficult. A simple workaround is to create a new account with administrative privileges, and install MechWarrior 3 under that.{{cn|date=September 2016}}
−
|widescreen_wsgf_award      =
+
 
−
|multimonitor_wsgf_award    =
+
Alternatively, open task manager, go to details tab, right click setup.exe, click "analyse wait chain", tick both boxes to end both processes. Repeat these steps until setup launches.
−
|widescreen_resolution      =false
+
 
−
|widescreen_resolution_notes=
+
===Fix bouncing APCs and dysfunctional AMS===
−
|multimonitor              =false
+
{{Fixbox|description=Limit the game's framerate to 30 FPS and/or force v-sync through a third-party application|ref={{cn|August 2023}}|fix=
−
|multimonitor_notes        =
 
−
|fov                        =false
 
−
|fov_notes                  =
 
−
|windowed                  =false
 
−
|windowed_notes            =  
 
−
|borderless_windowed        =false
 
−
|borderless_windowed_notes  =
 
−
|anisotropic                =false
 
−
|anisotropic_notes          =
 
−
|antialiasing              =hackable
 
−
|antialiasing_notes        =Needs to be forced through video card controls.
 
−
|vsync                      =hackable
 
−
|vsync_notes                =Needs to be forced through video card controls.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
===Variable game speed===
−
{{Input Settings
+
{{ii}} Game speed may constantly shift between too fast and too slow when the computer uptime is high.
−
|key_remap                  =true
+
{{Fixbox|description=Install the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2621-mechwarrior-3-widescreenultrawidesuperwidemultimonitor-fix/ Widescreen Fix]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-04-19}}</ref>}}
−
|key_remap_notes            =
+
 
−
|acceleration_option        =true
+
===Pirate's Moon 4th pirate mission crashes often===
−
|acceleration_option_notes  =
+
{{ii}} Caused by corruption of data used by the game's physics code.
−
|controller_support        =true
+
{{ii}} The game physics may still glitch out and destroy the player's mech, but the chances of completing the mission normally remain higher than on an unpatched game.
−
|controller_support_notes  =
+
{{Fixbox|fix=
 +
# Download the [https://archive.org/details/mech3pmpatch unofficial patch].
 +
# Copy file to {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
 +
# Run the patched .exe.
 +
# Try to complete the mission.
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Issues unresolved==
+
==Other information==
−
===Low FPS on Windows 8===
+
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 6
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          = true
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle 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        =
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          =
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          =
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
  
−
==Issues resolved==
+
===Middleware===
−
=== Adding compatibility for modern Windows ===
+
{{Middleware
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
|physics          =  
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Configuring compatibility settings}}
+
|physics notes    =  
−
# Install the [http://www.mechwarrior3.org/downloads/ 1.2 Patch]
+
|audio            =  
−
# Right click on the Mech3.exe file (located in the game directory) and select "Properties".
+
|audio notes      =  
−
# Go to the "Compatibility" tab and enable Compatibility Mode (set it to "Windows 98/ME").
+
|interface        =  
−
# Through your graphics card's control panel, enable "Vertical sync" and "Triple buffering".
+
|interface notes  =  
−
# Run the exe again.
+
|input            =  
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = MSN Gaming Zone
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
−
{{System Requirements
+
{{System requirements
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
−
|minOS  = Windows 95
 
−
|minproc = Intel Pentium 166MHz
 
−
|minmem  = 32 MB
 
−
|minHD  = 240 MB free
 
−
|minGPU  = High Colour Direct3D compatible graphics accelerator
 
  
−
|recOS   = Windows 98
+
|minOS    = 95
−
|recproc = Intel Pentium 200MHz or faster
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 166 MHz
−
|recmem  = 64 MB
+
|minRAM  = 32 MB
−
|recHD   = 390 MB free
+
|minHD    = 240 MB
 +
|minGPU  =
 +
|minVRAM  = 2 MB
 +
|minDX    = 6.1
 +
 
 +
|recOS   = 98
 +
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 200 MHz
 +
|recRAM  = 64 MB
 +
|recHD   = 390 MB
 +
|recVRAM  = 8 MB
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
[[Category:Windows]]
+
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 02:26, 19 February 2024

MechWarrior 3
MechWarrior 3 cover
Developers
Zipper Interactive
Publishers
MicroProse
Hasbro Interactive
Engines
GameZ
Release dates
Windows June 1, 1999
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person, Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, FPS, TPS, Vehicle combat
Vehicles Robot
Art styles Stylized
Themes Sci-fi
Series MechWarrior
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MechWarrior 3 on HowLongToBeat
MechWarrior 3 on IGDB
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MechWarrior 3 guide on StrategyWiki
MechWarrior 3 on MobyGames
MechWarrior 3 on Wikipedia
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⤏ Go to series page
Subseries of BattleTech
MechWarrior 1989
MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat 1995
MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries 1996
MechWarrior 3 1999
MechWarrior 4: Vengeance 2000
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries 2002
MechWarrior: Living Legends (unofficial game) 2009
MechWarrior Online 2012
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries 2019
MechWarrior 5: Clans 2024

Warnings

SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).

MechWarrior 3 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person action, FPS, TPS and vehicle combat game in the MechWarrior series.

The game received two official patches, as well as the Pirate's Moon expansion in December 1999, which introduced a new campaign, multiplayer maps and 'Mechs.

Since the Windows XP era, the game has had severe compatibility issues, which would manifest in one or more of the following: rendering and control issues, refusal to start up, broken physics and uncontrollable game speed. Two methods are known to resolve most of these issues on modern systems.

General information

BattleTech Wiki - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
MechWariorsUnited - A community with patches and multiplayer maps
Mech3Mod - A community with mods
MechWarrior3.org - A huge fansite for MechWarrior 3 (archived)

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 SafeDisc DRM[Note 1].
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
Free demos are available from GameFront: singleplayer, multiplayer.

Version differences

The Gold Edition includes the base game and the Pirate's Moon expansion.

Monetization

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Pirate's Moon
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest patch for the game (v1.2) can be downloaded from the Files section. The patch is available in English, French, and German.

Official map pack

An official map pack has been released, and is available here.

Adding compatibility for modern Windows

The following methods apply to both MechWarrior 3 and the Pirate's Moon expansion pack (except for the official patch step, as none were ever released for Pirate's Moon).

Method 1: Use dgVoodoo 2[citation needed]
  1. Install the 1.2 Patch.
  2. Download dgVoodoo 2.
  3. Extract dgVoodooCpl.exe, as well as the following files from the MS\x86 into <path-to-game>: D3DImm.dll and DDraw.dll.
  4. Set the Mech3.exe compatibility options to Windows 98 / Me compatibility mode, with administrator rights and display scaling disabled.
  5. From the Windows Control Panel, enable DirectPlay.
  6. Run the game.
Method 2: Configuring compatibility settings[citation needed]
  1. Install the 1.2 Patch.
  2. Set compatibility settings for mech3.exe to Windows 98 / Me.
  3. Through the graphics card's control panel, enable "Vertical sync" and "Triple buffering".
  4. From the Windows Control Panel, enable DirectPlay.
  5. Run the game.

Game data

In-game general settings/options menu.
In-game general settings/options menu.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\MicroProse\MechWarrior 3\1.0\

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\pilots[Note 2]

Video

In-game video/audio settings.
In-game video/audio settings.

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
See Widescreen Patch.
Multi-monitor
See Widescreen Patch.
Ultra-widescreen
See Widescreen Patch.
4K Ultra HD
See Widescreen Patch.
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
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.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS
FPS should be limited to 30, see issues fixed.
120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

In-game control settings.
In-game control settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Speech volume is tied with music.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Infantry can not be crushed, as they vanish when a 'Mech aims at them or approaches them.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8
Online play
8 The official multiplayer service has been shut down.

Issues fixed

Installing under modern Windows

For many people, the version of Installshield which MechWarrior 3 uses refuses to start, and instead just hangs. This appears to be caused by conflicting programs running in the background. Singling out which program this is can be quite difficult. A simple workaround is to create a new account with administrative privileges, and install MechWarrior 3 under that.[citation needed]

Alternatively, open task manager, go to details tab, right click setup.exe, click "analyse wait chain", tick both boxes to end both processes. Repeat these steps until setup launches.

Fix bouncing APCs and dysfunctional AMS

Limit the game's framerate to 30 FPS and/or force v-sync through a third-party application[citation needed]

Variable game speed

Game speed may constantly shift between too fast and too slow when the computer uptime is high.
Install the Widescreen Fix[3]

Pirate's Moon 4th pirate mission crashes often

Caused by corruption of data used by the game's physics code.
The game physics may still glitch out and destroy the player's mech, but the chances of completing the mission normally remain higher than on an unpatched game.
Instructions
  1. Download the unofficial patch.
  2. Copy file to <path-to-game>.
  3. Run the patched .exe.
  4. Try to complete the mission.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 6
Software renderer
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer MSN Gaming Zone

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 166 MHz Intel Pentium 200 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB 64 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 240 MB 390 MB
Video card (GPU) 2 MB of VRAM
DirectX 6.1 compatible 		8 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[1] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[2]
  2. ↑ 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