Editing MechAssault

{{Short description|2002 video game}}
{{multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2009}}
{{original research|date=January 2009}}
}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = MechAssault
| image = MechAssault Coverart.png
| developer = [[Day 1 Studios]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.day1studios.com/products.htm | title=Products | website=[[Day 1 Studios]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050215005633/http://www.day1studios.com/products.htm | archive-date=February 15, 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref><br />[[FASA Studio]]
| publisher = [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]
| director = 
| producer = Michael J. McDonald
| designer = Tom Dowd
| programmer = 
| artist = Timothy Zwica<br>Tim Coman
| writer = 
| composer = 
| engine = 
| series = ''[[BattleTech]]''
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|November 12, 2002<ref name="release"/>|PAL|November 22, 2002}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]] / [[Shooter game|Shooter]]
| modes = [[Single player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
}}
'''''MechAssault''''' is a 2002 [[video game]] released for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. Developed by [[Day 1 Studios]] and [[FASA Studio]] and published by [[Microsoft]], ''MechAssault'' was initiated when [[Denny Thorley]] of Day 1 Studios approached [[Jon Kimmich]] of Microsoft about developing an original BattleTech game built from the ground up to support console play.<ref name="release">{{cite web | author=Goldstein, Hilary | date=October 21, 2002 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/21/mechassaultin-the-interview | title=MechAssaultin': The Interview | website=[[IGN]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211111825/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/21/mechassaultin-the-interview | archive-date=December 11, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref> notable for being one of the first games to support [[Xbox Live]] online multiplayer. A sequel, ''[[MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf]]'', was released on December 28, 2004. Both games are set in the [[BattleTech]] fictional universe.

==Plot==
''MechAssault'' takes place in the [[BattleTech]] universe, a science-fiction universe that often revolves around pitched battles between human-piloted walking, heavily armed and armored machines, called BattleMechs. The plot of the game centers on an inhabited planet called Helios in the dominion of the Inner Sphere, a powerful coalition of feuding factions in control of large areas of space. The player is a BattleMech pilot (referred to throughout the game as simply "Captain" or, "MechWarrior") in the employment of an elite mercenary organization called Wolf's Dragoons. The player's ship is hired to investigate the cessation of communications from the planet Helios. The Dragoons' ship, the ''Icarus'' arrives at the planet and is shot down upon entering the atmosphere, causing the ship to crash-land on the surface of Helios. It is later discovered by the player that a rogue technology-worshipping cult known as the Word of Blake has invaded and conquered Helios, and is under the rule of an iron-fisted fanatic called Commander Strader. The game follows the player as, commanded by elite officer Major Natalia and assisted by inept techie Lieutenant Foster, they fight the military forces of the cult, assist in the liberation of the planet from Word of Blake rule, and assassinate Commander Strader.

==Multiplayer==
''MechAssault'' was one of the first games on the Xbox to feature the ability to be played on the [[Xbox Live]] service. "MechAssault" included many of the basic Live services that are now considered standard on any Live-enabled video game. These features included options for finding and creating online matches, such as the common "Quick Match", which enables a player to find an online match quickly regardless of qualifications. For players who wanted to join a specific type of online session of ''MechAssault'' hosted by another player, "Optimatch" allowed the player to specify the criteria for the session they want to join. The player could also create and host an online session of ''MechAssault''. Once the player defined all the characteristics of a game, they could invite other players from their friends list or leave slots open for any online player to join the battle. Online modes were available via Xbox Live until April 15, 2010. ''Mechassault'' is now playable online again on the replacement Xbox Live servers called [[Insignia (Xbox)|Insignia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://insignia.live/games/4d530017 | title=MechAssault | website=[[Insignia]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117041032/https://insignia.live/games/4d530017 | archive-date=November 17, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Gilbert, Fraser | date=November 16, 2023 | url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games | title=Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games | website=Pure Xbox | publisher=[[Gamer Network|Hookshot Media]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205015833/https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games | archive-date=December 5, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>

''MechAssault'' had several modes of combat in which players could engage, often based around by-now-common forms of online competitive gaming. In ''Grinder'' mode (local play only), the player tries to survive as more and more 'Mechs are [[Spawning (computer gaming)|spawned]] into the battle. This mode can be played with one or two players. In ''Destruction'' mode, the player can choose a 'Mech and fight to the death in [[Deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatch]] or [[team deathmatch]]. The player or team with the most kills wins. ''Last Man Standing'' is a free-for-all with no respawning as a mech. Once a player dies, they respawn as an unarmed infantryman. Gameplay can be either deathmatch or team deathmatch. ''Capture the flag'' is a team based game where the opposing team spawn on opposite ends of the map and try to "Capture" the enemy flag without giving up their own.

A fairly common metagame during the height of online popularity was known as "Elemental". A Last Man Standing match, "Elemental" saw only one player choose a Mech while all others chose the Elemental mobile armor, a much smaller and weaker playable class. This was decided by players in voice chat prior to the start of the game. It was later released as an official game type known as "Giant Killers".

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 87/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mechassault/ | title=MechAssault | website=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123030807/https://www.metacritic.com/game/mechassault/ | archive-date=November 23, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Marriott, Scott Alan | url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38622&tab=review | title=MechAssault - Review | website=AllGame | publisher=All Media Network | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114195929/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38622&tab=review | archive-date=November 14, 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
| Edge = (XBL) 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | title=MechAssault (Xbox Live) | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] | issue=120 | date=February 2003}}</ref><br />4/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | title=MechAssault | magazine=Edge | publisher=Future Publishing | issue=118 | date=Christmas 2002}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=EGM staff | url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1488351,00.asp | title=MechAssault | magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=162 | date=January 2003 | page=198 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040229073456/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1488351,00.asp | archive-date=February 29, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>{{efn|Three critics of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave the game each a score of 9/10, 8/10, and 8.5/10.}}
| EPD = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web | author=MacIsaac, Jason | date=November 18, 2002 | url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=10061&full=1 | title=MechAssault | website=[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]] | publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030112231221/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=10061&full=1 | archive-date=January 12, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| EuroG = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Bramwell, Tom | date=November 22, 2002 | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-mechassault-x | title=MechAssault | website=[[Eurogamer]] | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526132758/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-mechassault-x | archive-date=May 26, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| Fam = 28/40<ref name="fam">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1993&redirect=no | title=メックアサルト | language=ja | magazine=[[Famitsu]] | publisher=[[Enterbrain]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203065106/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1993&redirect=no | archive-date=February 3, 2022 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| GI = 8.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Brogger, Kristian | url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-116-december-2002/page/136/mode/2up | title=MechAssault | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | publisher=[[GameStop]] | issue=116 | date=December 2002 | page=136 | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| GameRev = B+<ref>{{cite web | author=Sanders, Shawn | date=November 2002 | url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34297-mechassault-review | title=MechAssault Review | website=[[GameRevolution]] | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909053520/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/mechassault | archive-date=September 9, 2015 | url-status=live | access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name="gspot">{{cite web | author=Gerstmann, Jeff | date=November 8, 2002 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mechassault-review/1900-2897126/ | title=MechAssault Review | website=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229030107/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mechassault/review.html | archive-date=December 29, 2004 | url-status=live | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Hodgson, David | date=November 8, 2002 | url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/mechassault/542471p1.html | title=GameSpy: MechAssault | website=[[GameSpy]] | publisher=IGN Entertainment | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609100841/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/mechassault/542471p1.html | archive-date=June 9, 2007 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| GameZone = 9.6/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Knutson, Michael | date=November 18, 2002 | url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/mechassault_xb_review/ | title=MechAssault - XB - Review | website=GameZone | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118081823/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20047.htm | archive-date=January 18, 2008 | url-status=live | access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.2/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Goldstein, Hilary | date=November 6, 2002 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/06/mechassault | title=MechAssault | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009200743/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/06/mechassault | archive-date=October 9, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| OXM = 9.3/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title=MechAssault | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future US]] | date=January 2003 | page=72}}</ref>
| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Keil, Matt | date=November 29, 2002 | url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3409396%2C00.html | title='MechAssault' (Xbox) Review | website=[[X-Play|Extended Play]] | publisher=[[TechTV]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021216203151/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3409396,00.html | archive-date=December 16, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev1Score = B+<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Keighley, Geoff | url=https://ew.com/article/2003/01/10/mechassault/ | title=Mechassault [sic] | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | publisher=[[Time Inc.]] | issue=690 | date=January 10, 2003 | page=77 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012013616/https://ew.com/article/2003/01/10/mechassault/ | archive-date=October 12, 2015 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Boyce, Ryan | date=November 13, 2002 | url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4386.html | title=MechAssault | magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] | publisher=MaximNet, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021203052120/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4386.html | archive-date=December 3, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
}}

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mc"/> [[Jeff Gerstmann]] of ''[[GameSpot]]'' said, "If you're going to buy one game with your Xbox Live starter kit, ''MechAssault'' is the one to get."<ref name="gspot"/> In Japan, where the game was ported for release on June 12, 2003, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.<ref name="fam"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' called it "a blitzkrieg of metal-mauling combat and strategy, purely for stick jockeys. It's no sim, but it's not simple either."<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Atomic Dawg | url=https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e3/GamePro_US_172.pdf | title=MechAssault | magazine=[[GamePro]] | publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] | issue=172 | date=January 2003 | page=122 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213003612/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27074.shtml | archive-date=December 13, 2004 | url-status=live | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game 5/5 for graphics, two 4.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4/5 for control.}}

''GameSpot'' named it the best Xbox game of November 2002,<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | date=December 7, 2002 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/120702/p3_01.html | title=GameSpot's Game of the Month, November 2002 (Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=[[CNET]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040315202702/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/120702/p3_01.html | archive-date=March 15, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref> and later presented it with the annual awards for "Best Online Game on Xbox",<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | year=2002 | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox6.html | title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Online Game on Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030212110704/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox6.html | archive-date=February 12, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref> "Best Shooter on Xbox",<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | year=2002 | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox11.html | title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Shooter on Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030221121336/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox11.html | archive-date=February 21, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref> and overall "Game of the Year on Xbox".<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | year=2002 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox25.html | title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Game of the Year on Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030613112412/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox25.html | archive-date=June 13, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref> It was a runner-up in the publication's "Best Sound" and "Best Graphics (Technical)" categories.<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | year=2002 | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox2.html | title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Sound on Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223110354/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox2.html | archive-date=December 23, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | year=2002 | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox4.html | title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Graphics (Technical) on Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202020722/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox4.html | archive-date=February 2, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref> The game won the awards for "Best Online Xbox Game" and "Best Online Console Game" at ''[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]]''{{'}}s 2002 Blister Awards, and was nominated for "Best Graphics in a Console Game", "Best Console Shooter" and "Xbox Game of the Year", but lost to ''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (video game)|Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell]]'' (Graphics, Xbox Game of the Year) and ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', respectively.<ref>{{cite web | author=EP staff | year=2003 | url=http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=10626&page=4 | title=Blister Awards 2002 (Console Awards) | website=The Electric Playground | publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030514171906/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=10626&page=4 | archive-date=May 14, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=EP staff | year=2003 | url=http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=10626&page=5 | title=Blister Awards 2002 (More Console Awards) | website=The Electric Playground | publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030514172958/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=10626&page=5 | archive-date=May 14, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=EP staff | year=2003 | url=http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=10626&page=6 | title=Blister Awards 2002 (Even More Console Awards) | website=The Electric Playground | publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030514172609/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=10626&page=6 | archive-date=May 14, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>

By July 2006, the game had sold 750,000 units and earned $26 million in the U.S. ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' ranked it as the 85th highest-selling game launched for the [[PlayStation 2]], Xbox or [[GameCube]] between October 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the ''MechAssault'' series reached 1.1 million units.<ref>{{cite magazine | author1=Campbell, Colin | author2=Keiser, Joe | date=July 29, 2006 | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 | title=Top 100 Games of the 21st Century | magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]] | publisher=Future US | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 | archive-date=October 28, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20040806151609/http://www.xbox.com/en-us/mechassault/default.htm}} (archived)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040814125136/http://fasastudio.com/games/mechassault/default.htm?c00=0 ''MechAssault''] at [[FASA Studio]] (archived)
* {{moby game|id=/7767/mechassault/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090429211500/http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/846/Day-1-Studios-Jon-Kimmich-Interview/p2/ TeamXbox.com Interview re: Day 1 and FASA games including MechAssault]

{{MechWarrior series}}
{{Wargaming Chicago-Baltimore}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mechassault}}
[[Category:2002 video games]]
[[Category:BattleTech video games]]
[[Category:FASA Studio games]]
[[Category:MechWarrior]]
[[Category:Microsoft franchises]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Video games about cults]]
[[Category:Video games about mecha]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Wargaming Chicago-Baltimore]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:Xbox-only games]]