'Mech 3 Multiplayer Reunion!

So, Gameranger is the best place to play 'Mech3 so far. Up to 16 players (although 16 players is not tested by us yet, but it's an option) and teamplay.
The lobby is very smooth.

Rules are: (for best performance)
Turn off all antivirus and malware detection programs and firewalls before launch.
You can always turn them right back on after the game is over, and with only the lobby running chances are you probably don't have anything to worry about.
If they are left on, you will warp from one location to another, you will lag, you and other players will experience difficulties playing against and even seeing each other.

www.gameranger.com

The whole process is very simple, you may need a flash update, if so it will happen automatically.

Download the multiplayer maps on the main site here (downloads page) and get the weapons module from my mod site, just click my avatar below.

When you get together with players just be honest about whether or not you are running the mod.

You can easily have two instances of Mech3 and go from one to the other by doing the following:

Install Mech3 as you normally would, with the 1.2 patch, unless you have the gold edition. (btw, the quadrilogy is awesome, and you should still be able to do this)
Install the weapons module as you normally would.

Now, in order to have a 2nd install of 'Mech3, you need to get your pc to believe you don't have it installed. To do this, go into your Microprose folder (c: microprose) Find the "MW3" folder, and rename it to "offModdedMechWarrior3", then go inside that folder and rename your mech3.exe file the same way "offmech3.exe"

Now you can install a second instance of 'Mech3 using the cd, or if you used the quadrilogy version go to the install file for it and go through the same routine as before to install 'mech3. You can find your "keys" folder from the other instance of 'mech3 inside the "MechWarrior3" folder and copy/paste it to the new instance of the game and your "keys" will be there for you to load your custom keyboard configurations, assuming you did them.

When you want to use the modded version, rename your folders in the stock version to either "stockMechWarrior3" or I like to write it as "Vanilla". YOu don't need to write the word "off", vanilla, modded, stock, whichever is fine as long as it's not the name the game is looking for when you are using the other instance. don't forget to rename the mech3.exe so your PC doesn't get confused.

Simple huh?

So basically you just showed me with the mod how some dedicated pilots could have hacked their mechs back in the day on competitive play.

It depends on what's done. Like I told you, what you do to your files effects YOUR game. So, increased damage values would only hurt you...but faster recycle times, less heat, longer ranges, increased impact force depending on the weapon...all these things could go to the hacker's advantage. Impact force, though, can easily work against you. It may be random what the game does with the information when it passes through the web.. and it may depend on who the host is...these are things I'm not sure about because since I've been doing this work I haven't had much multiplayer testing.
Tonight and tomorrow night I want to test stuff with you if you don't mind.

Hey guys! omg I can't believe I found a group that still wants to play this! I was "WhenSlayerComes" in The Horsemen on MSN. Would LOVE to get my gank on again. I'm getting my game going and seeing if it'll run. Please post when the next meet is going to be!

i'm working late tonight, so i'm iffy for tonight. if i do make it, my ETA is 7-9 pm EST on DBS to chat or we can just use the game room in GameRanger to chat. if it ever goes over 15 people, we move to the lobby. up to you guys.

Yeah I remember your name. I wasn't much into the c5/ua/ice world unless it was bid in a league game.

well, I have my game installed. Everything seems to be working. I'm just getting some very inconsistent framerates. Anyone else having FPS issues?