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Difference between revisions of "MercNet"

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{{otheruses|the in-universe [[mercenary]] database and media source|the online gaming service|Merc Net}}
{{InfoBoxProduct
 
| image              = mercnet.png
 
| type                = Video Game
 
| development        = [[Activision]]
 
| publisher          = [[Activision]]
 
| year                = 1997
 
| timeline            = [[3040s - 3050s]]
 
| precededby          = [[NetMech]]
 
}}
 
'''MercNet''' was a online multiplayer service for the [[MechWarrior II: Mercenaries]] video game by [[Activision]]. MercNet was a feature of MechWarrior II: Mercenaries (aka "Mercs") and was include in its initial release. 
 
  
MercNet received several updates along with Mercs that resulted in multiple versions, which can be broadly defined by the program being either DOS-based or Windows 95-based:
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Existing since at least [[3027]], '''MercNet''' was "the online database for mercenary units in search of employment and contract information" provided by the [[Mercenary Review Board]] and later the [[Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission]].<ref name=CMp5>''Chaos March'', p. 5</ref><ref>''Panzer''</ref>
  
1. Mercenaries / Mercnet DOS (v1.0, v1.05, & v1.06)
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==Overview==
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Access to MercNet is provided free of charge to all formally and officially registered members of either the MRB or MRBC.<ref name=CMp5/>
  
2. Mercenaries / MercNet Win95 (v1.1)
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Unlike alternate mercenary data sources such as [[The Cullen Institute Journal of Mercenary Affairs]], during the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]] many MercNet submissions were generally the product of a single party rather rather than a collaborative peer-reviewed effort, resulting in more evidence of personal bias and incomplete or incorrect information.<ref name=JSTBD-47>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 47 "Around the Sphere -  "Sharing the Love"</ref>
  
Mercenaries / MercNet v1.1 was released in 1997 and allowed for Titanium-version net play.
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==Information Sources, Databases and Publications==
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* Guide to the Chaos March - An overview of the [[Chaos March]] circa [[3058]].<ref name=CMp5/>
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* Database for Wanted and Renegade Commands - Information on rogue mercenary commands, the crimes for which they are accused and the bounty offered for their capture/demise, as of [[3071]] numerous Word of Blake employed units figured prominently upon it. <ref name=MSp16>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 16:"The MRBC's Most Wanted: 3071"</ref>
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* Letter from the Commander - Personal update from [[Colonel]] [[Jaime Wolf]] circa 3058.<ref name=CMp5/>
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* Letters from the Front - Brief overviews of conflicts from member submissions, circa 3058 included events in Chaos March.<ref>''Chaos March'', rear cover</ref>
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* MercNet Forum - Live discussion room format. Circa 3058 included a discussion on battlefield technology with Dr. [[Thornton Jerrick]] from the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]] and [[Elizabeth Kinkiad]], head of PR for [[Irian BattleMechs Unlimited]].<ref name=CMp5/>
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* MercNet Magazine -
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* MercNet Publications - published "A Mercenary Life" in [[3065]] which touched on topics such as the [[Draconis Combine]]'s "[[Death to Mercenaries]]" edict and general disdain for mercs.<ref name=JCIP2p25>''Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2'', p. 25: "Uncle Chandy - Mercenaries in the Combine"</ref>
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* MercNet Publishing -
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* Merc Weekly -
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* The Rumor Mill - Gossip column. As of 3058 it referenced the asperations of [[Nikoli Ridzik|Nikoli]] and [[Yuri Ridzik]].<ref name=CMp5/>
  
MercNet included support for multiple connection types, including modem, null modem, IPX, and server-based play. The then-popular online gaming client Kali supported several leagues at the height of Mercs online play.
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==References==
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<references/>
  
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==Bibliography==
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* ''[[Chaos March (sourcebook)|Chaos March]]''
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* ''[[Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2]]''
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* ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
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* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
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* ''[[Panzer]]''
  
===Minimum Requirements===
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[[Category:Mercenary Related Categories]]
NOTE: These are the original minimum requirements.
 
 
 
v1.05 DOS:
 
 
 
- 100% IBM PC-compatible computer
 
 
 
- 486 DX2/66 MHz processor
 
 
 
- 8 MB RAM
 
 
 
- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 operating system with MSCDEX 2.10.
 
 
 
- Double-speed CD-ROM drive (300K/second sustained transfer rate)
 
 
 
- 65 MB of uncompressed hard disk space
 
 
 
- VESA local bus (VLB) or PCI video with 1 MB RAM
 
 
 
- 256 Color SVGA (640 x 480) video card
 
 
 
- 100% Microsoft-compatible mouse and driver
 
 
 
- Dedicated game card is highly recommended for joystick
 
 
 
 
 
- 14,400 bps 100% Hayes-compatible modem using a 16550 UART, or direct Internet connection
 
 
 
- A PPP account with an Internet service provider
 
 
 
 
 
=== Downloads ===
 
* [https://file.io/n6qFdl0YSs5b Original Mercenaries v1.1 patch]
 
 
 
[[Category:Video Games]]
 

Latest revision as of 02:16, 5 March 2024

This article is about the in-universe mercenary database and media source. For the online gaming service, see Merc Net.


Existing since at least 3027, MercNet was "the online database for mercenary units in search of employment and contract information" provided by the Mercenary Review Board and later the Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission.[1][2]

Overview[edit]

Access to MercNet is provided free of charge to all formally and officially registered members of either the MRB or MRBC.[1]

Unlike alternate mercenary data sources such as The Cullen Institute Journal of Mercenary Affairs, during the Word of Blake Jihad many MercNet submissions were generally the product of a single party rather rather than a collaborative peer-reviewed effort, resulting in more evidence of personal bias and incomplete or incorrect information.[3]

Information Sources, Databases and Publications[edit]

  • Guide to the Chaos March - An overview of the Chaos March circa 3058.[1]
  • Database for Wanted and Renegade Commands - Information on rogue mercenary commands, the crimes for which they are accused and the bounty offered for their capture/demise, as of 3071 numerous Word of Blake employed units figured prominently upon it. [4]
  • Letter from the Commander - Personal update from Colonel Jaime Wolf circa 3058.[1]
  • Letters from the Front - Brief overviews of conflicts from member submissions, circa 3058 included events in Chaos March.[5]
  • MercNet Forum - Live discussion room format. Circa 3058 included a discussion on battlefield technology with Dr. Thornton Jerrick from the New Avalon Institute of Science and Elizabeth Kinkiad, head of PR for Irian BattleMechs Unlimited.[1]
  • MercNet Magazine -
  • MercNet Publications - published "A Mercenary Life" in 3065 which touched on topics such as the Draconis Combine's "Death to Mercenaries" edict and general disdain for mercs.[6]
  • MercNet Publishing -
  • Merc Weekly -
  • The Rumor Mill - Gossip column. As of 3058 it referenced the asperations of Nikoli and Yuri Ridzik.[1]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Chaos March, p. 5
  2. Panzer
  3. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 47 "Around the Sphere - "Sharing the Love"
  4. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 16:"The MRBC's Most Wanted: 3071"
  5. Chaos March, rear cover
  6. Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2, p. 25: "Uncle Chandy - Mercenaries in the Combine"

Bibliography[edit]