09.30.02

Blacksmith promoted to Senior Corporal (SCP).  Orion promoted to Private First Class (PFC).  Lonewolf added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.

09.29.02

Greg Roberts added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Mechwarrior Equipment page added.  Roster layout improved.

09.27.02

Mechwarrior Profile posted for MARZ.  Alternate promotions method based on Time in Grade criteria added to Promotions and Roster.  CMD.Blacksmith and Laruk added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Badger Garner, Stan and Sykes promoted to Private First Class (PFC).

[MEDIA ALERT] MECHWARRIOR 4: MERCENARIES FAN FICTION CONTEST TO LAUNCH MONDAY

Setting and Story Rules:

- The submission must be true to the setting below.
- The family must be rescued successfully at the end.
- No foul language will be accepted. The winning stories will be published on the official Mercs web site.

Story Setting

Summary: The planet Eaton is dissolving into civil war as the Skye separatist movement takes advantage of the turmoil in the divided Federated Commonwealth. The governor on Eaton has become a target and fears for his safety and the safety of his family. With open conflict imminent in the capital city, the governor sent his family into hiding a month ago. Loyalists to the Lyran Alliance have been sighted in the valleys east of the capital, near the governor’s rural estates. The area is too volatile for an airborne extraction; ground force intervention is required to protect the family.

Setting: The planet Eaton is located in the Lyran Alliance, near the border with the Draconis Combine. Parts of the planet are desert-like, barren, and rocky, but others are more lush and green. The governor's family is hiding out in their mansion, surrounded by artificially maintained grassland near a river. Other mansions are just visible in the distance in this playground for the wealthy.

Your mission: Describe a situation where a small team of mercenaries drops on-planet and fights off the Lyran rebels, rescuing the governor's family. Provide details on the mercenary defenders, attacking forces, the personalities involved, how it ties into the larger FedCom civil war, and so forth. Pay particularly close attention to the mercs, as they represent "your" characters--tell us all about them! Remember, this is BattleTech, so make your story exciting and have lots of giant 'Mechs destroying things! Describe the 'Mech being piloted into battle, the weapons and targeting, the tension of battle, and even a little humor if appropriate (who knows how the governor's family is reacting to all of this). Just make sure you end with the family being rescued successfully.

September 27, 2002

MechWarrior 4®: Mercenaries Fan Fiction Contest to Launch Monday

Do you have what it takes to lead a team of 100-ton war machines on a perilous mission to protect the governor's family? Microsoft Game Studios today announced that MechWarrior fans will have the opportunity to enter the MechWarrior 4®: Mercenaries Fan Fiction Contest at three loyal 'Mech fan sites on Monday, September 30. Those interested in entering the contest are challenged to write an engaging and compelling story about their epic battle for peace and order.

Five finalists will be chosen by each fan site and submitted to Microsoft, FASA Studio and Cyberlore for judging. One finalist from each fan site will be chosen to receive a free autographed copy of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries and have their story posted on the official MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries site. All 15 finalists will receive a free Mercenaries T-shirt for their participation in the contest. Submissions must be received at any of the three participating fan sites by Friday October 11, 2002. For complete contest information and rules stomp over to the official contest site at http://www.microsoft.com/games/mw4mercs/fanfiction.asp.

MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, the latest installment of the hugely popular "MechWarrior" franchise, combines the popular gun-for-hire theme with a dynamic storyline and several features never before seen in the MechWarrior universe. Following the rise to power of a newly formed Mercenary MechWarrior Company, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries allows players to affiliate with the Northwind Highlanders, Gray Death Legion, Kell Hounds or Wolf's Dragoons to experience a captivating story line that evolves based on players' actions during the game. Features include the ability to command up to eight 'Mechs at one time, as well as new multiplayer options and a new dynamic single player campaign with more than 40 missions. Developed by Cyberlore Studios Inc. in conjunction with Microsoft's FASA Studio, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries challenges players to decide whether to remain a neutral party in the conflict or intentionally accept contracts that will set them firmly against one of the great Noble Houses. Completing missions for either side ultimately determines the fate of the players' band of mercenaries, and the path they choose determines how their quest ends. For more information about MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, visit the official site at http://www.microsoft.com/games/mw4mercs/.

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the PC, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC ( http://www.microsoft.com/games/ ), including such franchises as Age of Empires, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon; Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ), including such franchises as Halo, Project Gotham Racing and NFL Fever; and Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart.

Arbuthnot Entertainment Group
9000 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1010
Los Angeles, CA 90069

09.26.02

Davis promoted to Hauptmann (HPT) (command).  MARZ added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Kraig Thebado transferred to the Dropship Reserves.  Mechwarrior Profiles posted for Gallows and Dragon.

09.24.02

Mechwarrior Profiles for Blind and WInter posted.  Orion and Eric Bow added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Gunman (former SaA) transferred to the Dropship Reserves.

09.20.02

Gunman posts The Jade Falcon - Part 2 (SR Fiction) and a new SR Mech Decals Pack (See Downloads).  Caesar promoted to Private First Class (PFC).  Ethan Voce and Covenant added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Profile for Daun Erikson posted in our Mechwarrior Profiles.

[MEDIA ALERT] OFFICIAL MECHWARRIOR 4: MERCENARIES SITE STOMPS ONTO THE SCENE
From: wiebke@AEGmail.com

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that 100-ton war machines were spotted at the newly launched official MechWarrior 4®: Mercenaries site, http://www.microsoft.com/games/mw4mercs/. Visitors to the site will be able to immerse themselves in the Mercenaries universe by learning about the game's features, downloading screenshots and other content and checking out all the latest news surrounding the game. Visitors should be sure to check out the continuously updated "what's new?" section, which includes information on the brand new pre-purchase offer.

The official site features profiles on the ten new 'Mechs, giving players the history, load-out and specs of each 'Mech. Gamers can familiarize themselves with the three Solaris VII arenas where mercenaries can turn a quick battle into some serious cash and much deserved fame. 'Mech fans can also get a preview of the various mercenary legions and star systems to prepare themselves for the release of the game. The community section links gamers to the online fan community, allowing them to get in-the-know about all the latest MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries hot discussion topics.

MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, the latest installment of the hugely popular "MechWarrior" franchise, combines the popular gun-for-hire theme with a dynamic storyline and several features never before seen in the MechWarrior universe. Following the rise to power of a newly formed Mercenary MechWarrior Company, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries allows players to affiliate with the Northwind Highlanders, Gray Death Legionnaires, Kell Hounds or Wolf's Dragoons to experience a captivating story line that evolves based on players' actions during the game. Features include the ability to command up to eight 'Mechs at one time, as well as new multiplayer options and a new dynamic single player campaign with more than 40 missions. Developed by Cyberlore Studios Inc. in conjunction with Microsoft's FASA Studio, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries challenges players to decide whether to remain a neutral party in the conflict or intentionally accept contracts that will set them firmly against one of the great Noble Houses. Completing missions for either side ultimately determines the fate of the players' band of mercenaries, leading up to a final, perilous mission.

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the PC, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC ( http://www.microsoft.com/games/ ), including such franchises as Age of Empires, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon; Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ), including such franchises as Halo, Project Gotham Racing and NFL Fever; and Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart.

* * *
Arbuthnot Entertainment Group
9000 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1010
Los Angeles, CA 90069

09.17.02

Raven promoted to Executive Officer (XO).  NEW Skye Province Militia (SPM) unit opens for our Mechwarriors.  MonkeyMan takes command of the Skye Province Militia (SPM).  Hydra transferred to command of the 10th Skye Rangers.  Alliance Star (AS) Medal (for recruiting) added to the Skye Rangers Medals Page.  New Profile Add Page posted.  Positions page updated - Command Lance duties streamlined...

09.15.02

Blind promoted to Sergeant Major (SGM).  Eric Burns added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.

09.14.02

Jason Zingg added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Tamas Horvath promoted to RCOM of 17th Skye Rangers.  Firewalker and Mobius transferred to the 17th Skye Rangers.

09.12.02

Danny added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.

09.09.02

Caesar added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  The 17th Skye Rangers open for MW4/MW4: BK Mechwarriors.  Reality Sixteen posts NEW original Skye Rangers artwork...

09.08.02

Tavillion promoted to Hauptmann-Kommandant (HPT-KM) and command of the 10th SR.  Tamas Horvath promoted to Leutnant-Colonel (LT-COL).  Reality Sixteen added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.

09.07.02

Davis promoted to Sergeant (SG).  Tamas Horvath promoted to Sergeant Major (SGM).

09.03.02

New Skye Ranger Mechwarrior Links Added

Sharon added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.  Davis promoted to Senior Corporal (SCP).  Tamas Horvath promoted to Corporal (CP).

09.02.02

Davis added to the Roster of Mechwarriors and promoted to Corporal (CP) and transferred to the 3rd SR.  Tamas Horvath promoted to Private First Class (PFC) and transferred to the 4th SR.

09.01.02

Fox awarded the McKennsy's Hammer Medal for achieving 1,000+ kills.  Combat Calendar updated.  Direwolf promoted to Private First Class (PFC) and transferred to the 3rd SR.  Tamas Horvath added to the Roster of Mechwarriors.