Yes, this is Solaris VII for Mechwarrior 5 (Big Mod News, with Video!)

Dear Patreons & Supporters - there are BIG news for MW5!

Basically, it all started with me reading Number 48 of the classic BattleTech books – a story about a guy arriving at Solaris VII, the "Game World".

I remembered that back in 2021, I tried once to make a custom mission for Mechwarrior 5 without big success. But now, with my (vastly) improved knowledge of MW5 editing, unreal 4 game art, scripting and modding, I thought why not… let's see how it goes and give it a second try.

So – why not make Solaris VII happen?

I still remember stomping around in the Steiner Coliseum in Mechwarrior 4 as "Specter" back then. Damn, that was amazing!

And here we are. The last week I spent in learning by doing, and building together a first unfinished but playable prototype. I have already created custom 3d models for the Coliseum level and even upscaled the original textures + making normal maps for bonus nostalgia;)

Take a look at the video in this Patreon Update for an in-game preview already!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJiEBQmLdNI

This can be a full new thing for all Mechwarriors

After the final lighting setup in vonBiomes 12.5, creating Custom Missions would be a cool new step for MW5. In my opinion, this is another major part, that a perfect BattleTech needs – stories and interesting mission to play.

The possibilities in the end can be … endless. E.g. a Trell Campaign. MW4 Missions redone with an additional twist. Things like that. Moreover, there can be good opportunities in the future for special Supporter content for you on Patreon, with missions and hand-crafted mercenary adventures and with polls on what story missions to do next. And at some point, someone has to do custom story missions for Mechwarrior 5 anyhow – right? ;)

What do you think — does that direction sound exciting to you, too?
I love to hear your feedback! :)

Next Step:

What you can see in the video is a good basis.
I will polish things up and then already soon there will be another special release for you here on Patreon: the first Solaris VII Arena in MW5!

I do not have yet a reliable number – but perhaps in around ~ one week there should be something ready to drop into your mod folder and play.
Just a teaser. The first playable arena.

After that, the system for sure needs likely more polishing, probably much trial and error, sweat, tears and crazy laughter until I am able to create variants like an arena for every Mech weight class. (Light, Medium, Heavy, Assault tonnage maximums) — And perhaps also a Team Play variant for Lance and/or Coop Play in a first version.

And then… more Solaris VII Arenas and leagues. Because there are a bunch of them: https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Solaris_Games. And mission chains for having leagues playing out over different arenas, like MW5 multiple mission operations.

Needless to say, I am very excited for things to come if you agree to proceed with custom missions and especially for now with Solaris VII;)

There can also be more opportunities for added Patreon Rewards, like Solaris VII Name Dropping in in-game art or more persona visibility like yourself being a Solaris VII representative or moderator in mission briefings, your mech stable, etc… ;)

As usual, please be invited to join up on Discord for (almost;) daily progress updates, WIP screenshots and discussion: https://discord.gg/YgBgJrmR
If you do not have access and your user role there, please let me know and post me a quick message, so I can set up your access!

See you in the Arena.

Cheers, and thank you for your support, fuelling the vonBioreactor (organic version, center torso) with beer & pizza for more modding!:)
- Jonathan