More Mechwarrior Online details emerge

Following yesterday’s reveal of Mechwarrior Online, Piranha has released a few more details about the game. The title will be based in the year 3049 “during the early stages of a massive interstellar war”, and will run as an “offset timeline” to the real world (ie; when it’s 2013 here, it’ll then be 3050 in-game).
Quite how that’ll affect mission structures and interactions in the game isn’t yet clear, but we do know that ‘Conquest’ and ‘Vs’ modes will be available to play. The former is suggested to be more tactical (perhaps with capture points on the map and whatnot), while Vs is a more straightforward deathmatch affair.
Systems, weapons and armour can all be upgraded on your mech prior to joining a battle, and the things you do in that battle will reward you with “experience points, C-Bills, unlocks, and recognition”. Piranha is promising plenty of real-time statistics with which to track your progress and standing against other people.
“Together we are bringing fans epic next-generation Mech combat online in 2012,” says Piranha co-founder Russ Bullock, crossing off at least two on the Game Developers Cliché Bingo card.
Mechwarrior Online is scheduled for release in summer 2012 (or 3049, if you prefer) for the PC.