'MechWarrior 5' news: Gameplay details revealed

Promotional image for "MechWarrior 5"MechWarrior 5 official website

"Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries" is getting ready to roll out in style, as the developers have revealed more details about the upcoming robot combat game.

Piranha Games, the developer, has announced the features and gameplay details of the upcoming sequel on Saturday night, Dec. 9 during MechCon 2017. "MechWarrior 5" will now feature a four-person cooperative (co-op) multiplayer game mode where one player will be able to call on the help of three other strangers or friends in order to complete missions in the game.

A teaser trailer has also been uploaded to YouTube by the developers, and it shows some of the plot and narration for the game. Viewers will also be able to get a peek at what it looks like to be inside the cockpit of a Mech, showing the controls and the arsenal at their disposal, which includes cannons, Gatling guns, and rockets. The graphics engine also allows for a lot more environmental destructibility with improved physics and particle effects.

Fans will be able to play the campaign mode as co-op as well, though the controls and the settings that will be used are the responsibility of the host player. "MechWarrior 5" will also be unique since it will be the first "MechWarrior" game to have a full single-player capability in the span of 15 years of the franchise. This also means an actual story and single-player progression which may entice more players into the franchise.

As such, the campaign story of "MechWarrior 5" is set during the in-game year 3015 and will take place over 35 years in the game's timeline. The single-player content length of the game was not specified by the developers though they will be including full mod support for the game, meaning players will be able to create their own missions and introduce user-generated customization options which can improve the base game.

The mod system will be integrated with the Steam workshop, which also allows players to share their content for "MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries." The game is set to be released sometime in Dec. 2018.