Do you like gameplay footage? Do you like giant robots? Well, those two things are combined here in this new open beta trailer for MechWarrior Online which, naturally, celebrates the games’ newly-active open beta. If you’re interested, you can hit up the official site for more info — but you might want to check out our hands-on impressions first.

The recent resurgence of action orientated (rather than story based) online mech shooters in the forms of Hawken and MechWarrior Online has many fans a flutter. Why not? The combination of missiles, chunky steel and tactical urgency would find itself perfectly placed within an online community, particularly one obsessed with finding the perfect load-out. James Pinnell straps himself in.

The MechWarrior Online open beta, originally scheduled for earlier in the month and then rescheduled, has now officially gone live. If you’re interested in pretending to be a giant combat robot, the official site is now open for signups.

This open beta launch represents the final data wipe: all characters created from here on out are the real deal, although Founders can look forward to having their premium time reset by an additional two weeks in an estimated November 13 patch.

With Hawken going into closed beta over the weekend, it’s clearly time for mech-lovers around the world to start gunning their engines. Two different games, with two very different approaches to robotic warfare: which will you choose?

MechWarrior Online was expected to go into open beta earlier in the month, but after closed beta testers raised concerns about stability and balancing, the doors were kept firmly shut. It’s been a busy few weeks of patching and tweaking for the development team, who now believe they’re ready to let wannabe pilots into the fray come October 29.

Despite the beta delay, interest in the free-to-play combat sim is high; Founder’s Program purchases have brought in over $5 million since the scheme launched in July. MechWarrior Online lets you take on the role of a mercenary and participate in the transmedia franchise’s official canon, which it re-enacts in realtime; it’s expected to launch in full during 2013.

Source: Blue’s News

The open beta for MechWarrior Online begins next week, according to Piranha Games — who should know, really, as it is their game. Over at their site they’ve gone into some of the new items and features the beta will bring.

First is the Camo Spec, which will allow the player to customise the base skin of their mech, along with up to three colours. As well as customising the outside, you will be able to personalise the inside of your mech with some sweet decorative items like fuzzy dice or the hula girl. Finally, by December, players will be able to attach their own decals. Pre-made affairs at first, but soon after players will be able to create and attach their own pieces of art for the mech-world to see.

Source: MechWarrior Online

An urban map for the upcoming MechWarrior Online has been revealed in the recently-released ‘River City’ map trailer, which shows what Piranha Games describe as ‘unrelenting’ terrain. Two bridges span this unrelenting terrain, forming key bottlenecks to fight over and underneath. Take a look for yourself, and enjoy three minutes of new gameplay footage to boot!

Source: VG247

Well, this man’s crazy. Crazy awesome! He’s built a simulated cockpit for the upcoming release of MechWarrior Online, and he has spared no expense, including surround sound and three 28 inch monitors. I have to admit, I haven’t watched all of this 9-minute video, doing so would probably encourage the Editor-in-Chief in a few home modifications of his own. But in the video the creator will walk you through how he built it and why, and for further detail you can check out the MechWarrior Online forum post where he made the big reveal.

Source: Rock, Paper, Shotgun

There is a really cool new trailer for MechWarrior Online just released, featuring the game’s Caustic Valley map. The emphasis is on heat on this map, with it being both a challenge and an ally as you struggle to balance weapon usage with heat build-up – but also using heat to disguise your ‘mech in thermal vision. Looks like a nasty place to be! If you wanna check out the closed beta you can sign up over here. Either way, check out the trailer below.

Upset by the constant linearity in modern MMO design, James Pinnell has assembled this collection of the best upcoming sandbox MMO’s, designed to encourage creativity, teamwork, and player authority. Take a look.