Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025 (PC, 2001)

The BattleTech franchise seemed ideally suited for the multiplayer PC gaming world. Indeed, there was a time when the science-fiction series had dedicated online gaming titles, which had developed a strong following of both BattleTech fans and wargaming aficionados. Multiplayer BattleTech titles EGA and Solaris helped set the stage for what looked to be a high point for the series with Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025. The MMORPG was officially announced by EA and ground-breaking game developer Kesmai Studios in 1999. The game was designed to support 50,000 simultaneous players on Kesmai's online gaming service, GameStorm. Players would assume the role of a MechWarrior in one of the five warring houses of the Inner Sphere (Davion, Liao, Kurita, Steiner and Marik) and pick planets and environments throughout the known galaxy to do battle with other MechWarriors. The objective was to gain as much territory for your house as possible, while improving your player ranking and notoriety with each victory.

MULTIPLAYER BATTLETECH: 3025 Slide Show (8 images)

After announcing the title, Kesmai and EA quickly signed up 10,000 registered beta testers and began hyping the title through the BattleTech community and on GameStorm, but it would be more than a year before the arrival of an actual beta version of BattleTech: 3025. Part of the delay may have been a result of EA acquiring Kesmai from Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Whatever the reason, the beta version received rave reviews when it debuted in 2001, at which point there were 15,000 to 20,000 active testers. In addition to non-stop action, the game featured a well-designed economic system where players could win money by defeating opponents and then purchase upgrades and new mechs, with dozens of choices available. The subscription-based Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025 also looked to be a boon for the GameStorm service, which EA acquired along with Kesmai. By all accounts, the outstanding MMORPG was polished and ready to go (here's a promotional trailer).

Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025 looked to be a high point for the BattleTech games series, but the MMO was cancelled after its impressive beta trial.

EA launched an official site for Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025 in July, and the game was schedule for release just a couple of months later. Yet despite the title being virtually finished, EA cancelled the title in November. No official reason was given by the publisher - just an announcement that the beta version would be available until Dec. 7, and by the way, thanks for playing.

Some attribute the cancellation to EA's corporate restructuring in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks; the publisher shut down Kesmai and reportedly laid off more than 250 employees. Others believe there was a dispute between EA and Microsoft regarding the BattleTech license. Still, many wondered why such a highly anticipated game would be cancelled so close to the finishing line. EA, though, followed a similar modus operandi with other acquired MMORPGs, such Ultima Online 2/Ultima Worlds Online: Origin. In 2003, a group of BattleTech fans attempted to keep the title alive by developing a new title called Inner Sphere 3028, but the project appears to have stalled. We'll always have that memorable beta...