Anfang November hatte Piranha Games verkündet, dass es bei dem schon vor zwei Jahren angedeuteten MechWarrior-Titel um ein Free-to-play-Spiel mit Multiplayer-Fokus handelt. Das Studio verspricht aber, der Tradition der Marke gerecht zu werden: MechWarrior Online sei eine taktische Simulation, kein Action-Spiel á la MechAssault.

Das technische Fundament für die Söldnergefechte, die wohl ab Mitte 2012 stattfinden werden, stammt dabei aus Frankfurt/Main: Wie die Entwickler verlauten lassen , macht sich MWO die CryEngine 3.0 von Crytek zu Nutze.

"MechWarrior Online delivers a rich online experience, rewarding everything a player does with experience points, C-Bills, unlocks, and recognition. Upgrade skills and refine  your role in gameplay using an all-new leveling system, and up-to-the minute detailed player statistics allow you to compare, track and share your progress with other players. [...]

MechWarrior® Online™ will focus on four distinct pillars

• Mech Warfare, the embodiment of Mech to Mech combat.
• Role Warfare, the ability for player’s to customize their experience to suit their own style of gameplay.
• Community Warfare, the ability to let the players take part in epic combat for territorial control.
• Information Warfare, an element on the battlefield that incorporates information technology to help control the fight."