Difference between revisions of "MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries"
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{{Infobox game | {{Infobox game | ||
|cover = MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries cover.jpg | |cover = MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries cover.jpg | ||
|developers = | |developers = | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/developer|Cyberlore Studios}} | ||
{{Infobox game/row/developer|FASA Interactive}} | {{Infobox game/row/developer|FASA Interactive}} | ||
|publishers = | |publishers = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft Game Studios}} | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft Game Studios}} | ||
| − | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|MekTek Studios}} | + | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Ubisoft|Re-releases}} |
| + | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Atari|MW4 Compilation release}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|MekTek Studios|Freeware release}} | ||
|engines = | |engines = | ||
|release dates= | |release dates= | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 7, 2002}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 7, 2002}} | ||
| + | |taxonomy = | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | One-time game purchase, Freeware }}<!-- current status is unclear.--> | ||
| + | {{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 | Direct control }} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres | Vehicle combat }} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports | }} | ||
| + | {{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/20030416192411/http://www.microsoft.com/Games/mw4mercs/ | ||
|steam appid = | |steam appid = | ||
|gogcom id = | |gogcom id = | ||
| + | |hltb = 5768 | ||
|strategywiki = | |strategywiki = | ||
| + | |mobygames = 8000 | ||
|wikipedia = MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries | |wikipedia = MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries | ||
|winehq = 3839 | |winehq = 3839 | ||
|license = commercial | |license = commercial | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | |||
| − | ''' | + | {{Introduction |
| − | + | |introduction = '''''MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries''''' is the second expansion pack for the 2000 [[Glossary:Sci-fi|sci-fi]] [[Glossary:Vehicle combat|vehicle combat]] game ''[[MechWarrior 4: Vengeance]]''. Unlike ''Black Knight'', it is standalone and does not require the base game to play. It includes its own set of campaigns for various mercenary groups, as well as all 'Mechs from ''Vengeance'' and ''Black Knight''; while the official 'Mech Paks are not included, they are compatible with this release. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | |release history = The original retail version of the game received a [[#Patches|single official patch]]. The game was picked up by [[Company:MekTek Studios|MekTek Studios]] for a freeware release, which was heavily modified and included additional content, but has since been discontinued, leaving the game in unclear legal status.<ref name="MekTek">[https://web.archive.org/web/20131027154119/http://www.mektek.net/forums/topic/208502-before-posting-on-mechwarrior4/ Before posting on MechWarrior4 - General Discussion - MekTek Community]</ref> | |
| + | |||
| + | |current state = On modern systems, the game may have issues [[#Game does not recognize hardware or graphics card drivers|recognizing hardware or graphics card drivers]], which can be worked around. | ||
| + | }} | ||
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
| Line 32: | Line 52: | ||
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v2}}. | | Windows}} | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v2}}. | | Windows}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-4/file/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries-demo GameFront]. |
| − | |||
==Essential improvements== | ==Essential improvements== | ||
===Skip intro videos=== | ===Skip intro videos=== | ||
| − | + | {{Fixbox|description=Run the game with the <code>/gosnovideo</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command-line argument]]|ref=|fix=}} | |
| + | ===Patches=== | ||
| + | ====Retail game==== | ||
| + | {{ii}} In 2003, the retail game received its first and only patch, Point Release 1 (PR1). It can be downloaded from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-4/category/mercenaries-5 GameFront] and [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/2643/7/27616 Patches-Scrolls]. | ||
| − | === | + | ====Free release (from Mektek)==== |
| − | + | {{ii}} '''51.03.01.0017''' (2010-04): game + first patch. | |
| − | {{ii}} | + | {{ii}} '''51.03.01.0021''' (2010-05): game + first patch + latest ATI and Nvidia Cards support. |
| − | {{++ | ||
==Game data== | ==Game data== | ||
| Line 56: | Line 77: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Video | + | ==Video== |
{{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries settings.png|Launcher settings.}} | {{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries settings.png|Launcher settings.}} | ||
| − | {{Video | + | {{Video |
|wsgf link = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries | |wsgf link = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries | ||
|widescreen wsgf award = silver | |widescreen wsgf award = silver | ||
| Line 64: | Line 85: | ||
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = unsupported | |ultrawidescreen wsgf award = unsupported | ||
|4k ultra hd wsgf award = incomplete | |4k ultra hd wsgf award = incomplete | ||
| − | |widescreen resolution = | + | |widescreen resolution = limited |
| − | |widescreen resolution notes= False for retail; true for | + | |widescreen resolution notes= False for retail; true for freeware MekTek release. |
|multimonitor = true | |multimonitor = true | ||
|multimonitor notes = | |multimonitor notes = | ||
| Line 82: | Line 103: | ||
|antialiasing = limited | |antialiasing = limited | ||
|antialiasing notes = On/off only; set in the launcher. | |antialiasing notes = On/off only; set in the launcher. | ||
| + | |upscaling = false | ||
| + | |upscaling tech = | ||
| + | |upscaling notes = | ||
|vsync = unknown | |vsync = unknown | ||
|vsync notes = | |vsync notes = | ||
| Line 88: | Line 112: | ||
|120 fps = true | |120 fps = true | ||
|120 fps notes = | |120 fps notes = | ||
| − | |hdr = | + | |hdr = false |
|hdr notes = | |hdr notes = | ||
|color blind = unknown | |color blind = unknown | ||
| Line 94: | Line 118: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Input | + | ==Input== |
| − | {{Input | + | {{Input |
|key remap = true | |key remap = true | ||
|key remap notes = | |key remap notes = | ||
| Line 158: | Line 182: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Audio | + | ==Audio== |
{{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries audio settings.png|Audio settings.}} | {{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries audio settings.png|Audio settings.}} | ||
| − | {{Audio | + | {{Audio |
|separate volume = true | |separate volume = true | ||
|separate volume notes = Music and Sound Effects. | |separate volume notes = Music and Sound Effects. | ||
| Line 173: | Line 197: | ||
|eax support = | |eax support = | ||
|eax support notes = | |eax support notes = | ||
| + | |royalty free audio = always on | ||
| + | |royalty free audio notes = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{L10n|content= | ||
| + | {{L10n/switch | ||
| + | |language = English | ||
| + | |interface = true | ||
| + | |audio = true | ||
| + | |subtitles = unknown | ||
| + | |notes = | ||
| + | |ref = | ||
| + | |fan = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{L10n/switch | ||
| + | |language = German | ||
| + | |interface = true | ||
| + | |audio = unknown | ||
| + | |subtitles = unknown | ||
| + | |notes = | ||
| + | |ref = | ||
| + | |fan = | ||
| + | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 181: | Line 228: | ||
|local play modes = | |local play modes = | ||
|local play notes = | |local play notes = | ||
| − | |lan play = | + | |lan play = true |
|lan play players = | |lan play players = | ||
|lan play modes = | |lan play modes = | ||
|lan play notes = | |lan play notes = | ||
| − | |online play = | + | |online play = false |
|online play players = 16 | |online play players = 16 | ||
|online play modes = | |online play modes = | ||
| − | |online play notes = | + | |online play notes = The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down. |
|asynchronous = | |asynchronous = | ||
|asynchronous notes = | |asynchronous notes = | ||
| Line 209: | Line 256: | ||
==Issues fixed== | ==Issues fixed== | ||
| − | === | + | ===Game does not recognize hardware or graphics card drivers=== |
| − | {{ii}} When attempting to run the game on a modern Nvidia GPU | + | {{ii}} When attempting to run the game on a modern Nvidia or AMD GPU, the error may appear: {{code|Your current hardware or driver setup is not compatible with MechWarrior 4...}}. Selecting the graphics card in the {{file|autoconfig_MERCS.exe}} setup program may also be disabled. |
| − | {{Fixbox|description=Rename imagehlp.dll|ref=<ref> | + | {{Fixbox|description=Rename imagehlp.dll|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mechwarrior/comments/6mzki8/using_dxwnd_to_run_mechwarrior_4_mercenaries_on/dqvuvnr/|title=Using DXwnd to run MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries on Nvidia GPUs : mechwarrior|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix= |
| − | # Go to | + | # Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\Assets\Binaries}} |
# Delete or rename {{file|imagehlp.dll}}. | # Delete or rename {{file|imagehlp.dll}}. | ||
# Run {{file|autoconfig_MERCS.exe}} as administrator. | # Run {{file|autoconfig_MERCS.exe}} as administrator. | ||
| − | # Select the correct GPU and setup options as preferred and click | + | # Select the correct GPU and setup options as preferred and click Continue. The game should now run correctly. |
}} | }} | ||
| Line 222: | Line 269: | ||
===API=== | ===API=== | ||
{{API | {{API | ||
| − | |direct3d versions = | + | |direct3d versions = 7 |
|direct3d notes = | |direct3d notes = | ||
|directdraw versions = | |directdraw versions = | ||
| Line 242: | Line 289: | ||
|windows 32-bit exe = true | |windows 32-bit exe = true | ||
|windows 64-bit exe = false | |windows 64-bit exe = false | ||
| + | |windows arm app = false | ||
|windows exe notes = | |windows exe notes = | ||
| − | |macos 32-bit app | + | |macos intel 32-bit app = |
| − | |macos 64-bit app | + | |macos intel 64-bit app = |
| + | |macos arm app = unknown | ||
|macos app notes = | |macos app notes = | ||
|linux 32-bit executable= | |linux 32-bit executable= | ||
|linux 64-bit executable= | |linux 64-bit executable= | ||
| + | |linux arm app = unknown | ||
|linux executable notes = | |linux executable notes = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Middleware=== | ||
| + | {{Middleware | ||
| + | |physics = | ||
| + | |physics notes = | ||
| + | |audio = | ||
| + | |audio notes = | ||
| + | |interface = | ||
| + | |interface notes = | ||
| + | |input = | ||
| + | |input notes = | ||
| + | |cutscenes = | ||
| + | |cutscenes notes = | ||
| + | |multiplayer = MSN Gaming Zone | ||
| + | |multiplayer notes= | ||
| + | |anticheat = | ||
| + | |anticheat notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 258: | Line 326: | ||
|minCPU = 700 MHz | |minCPU = 700 MHz | ||
|minRAM = 128 MB | |minRAM = 128 MB | ||
| − | |minHD = 1 GB <br/>3 GB ( | + | |minHD = 1 GB (retail release)<br/>3 GB (MekTek release) |
|minVRAM = 16 MB | |minVRAM = 16 MB | ||
| + | |minDX = 8.1 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{References}} | {{References}} | ||
Latest revision as of 12:48, 29 September 2023
 |
|
| Developers | |
|---|---|
| Cyberlore Studios | |
| FASA Interactive | |
| Publishers | |
| Microsoft Game Studios | |
| Re-releases | Ubisoft |
| MW4 Compilation release | Atari |
| Freeware release | MekTek Studios |
| Release dates | |
| Windows | November 7, 2002 |
| Taxonomy | |
| Monetization | One-time game purchase, Freeware |
| Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
| Pacing | Real-time |
| Perspectives | First-person, Third-person |
| Controls | Direct control |
| Genres | Vehicle combat |
| Vehicles | Robot |
| Art styles | Stylized |
| Themes | Sci-fi |
| Series | MechWarrior |
 |
|
| ⤏ 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 4: Mercenaries is the second expansion pack for the 2000 sci-fi vehicle combat game MechWarrior 4: Vengeance. Unlike Black Knight, it is standalone and does not require the base game to play. It includes its own set of campaigns for various mercenary groups, as well as all 'Mechs from Vengeance and Black Knight; while the official 'Mech Paks are not included, they are compatible with this release.
The original retail version of the game received a single official patch. The game was picked up by MekTek Studios for a freeware release, which was heavily modified and included additional content, but has since been discontinued, leaving the game in unclear legal status.[1]
On modern systems, the game may have issues recognizing hardware or graphics card drivers, which can be worked around.
General information
- BattleTech Wiki - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
- MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries on TheGameEngine.org - solving some technical issues.
Availability
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
- A free demo version is available from GameFront.
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
Run the game with the /gosnovideo command-line argument
|
|---|
Patches
Retail game
- In 2003, the retail game received its first and only patch, Point Release 1 (PR1). It can be downloaded from GameFront and Patches-Scrolls.
Free release (from Mektek)
- 51.03.01.0017 (2010-04): game + first patch.
- 51.03.01.0021 (2010-05): game + first patch + latest ATI and Nvidia Cards support.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
| System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows | <path-to-game>\options.ini[Note 2] <path-to-game>\RESOURCE\Pilots\<user-id>\options.mw4[Note 2] |
Save game data location
| System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows | <path-to-game>\RESOURCE\Pilots\[Note 2] |
Video
Launcher settings.
| Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widescreen resolution | False for retail; true for freeware MekTek release. | ||
| Multi-monitor | |||
| Ultra-widescreen | |||
| 4K Ultra HD | |||
| Field of view (FOV) | |||
| Windowed | Toggle with Alt+↵ Enter. | ||
| Borderless fullscreen windowed | |||
| Anisotropic filtering (AF) | |||
| Anti-aliasing (AA) | On/off only; set in the launcher. | ||
| High-fidelity upscaling | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
| Vertical sync (Vsync) | |||
| 60 FPS and 120+ FPS | |||
| High dynamic range display (HDR) | |||
Input
| 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 settings.
| Audio feature | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Separate volume controls | Music and Sound Effects. | |
| Surround sound | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Closed captions | ||
| Mute on focus lost | ||
| Royalty free audio |
Localizations
| Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | ||||
| German |
Network
Multiplayer types
| Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAN play | ||||
| Online play | 16 | The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down. | ||
Connection types
| Type | Native | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peer-to-peer | ||
| Dedicated | ||
| Self-hosting | ||
| Direct IP |
Issues fixed
Game does not recognize hardware or graphics card drivers
- When attempting to run the game on a modern Nvidia or AMD GPU, the error may appear:
Your current hardware or driver setup is not compatible with MechWarrior 4.... Selecting the graphics card in theautoconfig_MERCS.exesetup program may also be disabled.
| Rename imagehlp.dll[4] |
|---|
|
Other information
API
| Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct3D | 7 |
| Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows |
Middleware
| Middleware | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplayer | MSN Gaming Zone |
System requirements
| Windows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | ||
| Operating system (OS) | 98, ME, 2000, XP | |
| Processor (CPU) | 700 MHz | |
| System memory (RAM) | 128 MB | |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) | 1 GB (retail release) 3 GB (MekTek release) |
|
| Video card (GPU) | 16 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.1 compatible |
|
Notes
- ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] 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.[3]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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%\VirtualStoreon Windows Vista and later (more details).
References
- ↑ Before posting on MechWarrior4 - General Discussion - MekTek Community
- ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
- ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
- ↑ Using DXwnd to run MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries on Nvidia GPUs : mechwarrior - last accessed on May 2023