Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

May 5, 2010

Proving that BitTorrent technology isn’t just for Internet pirates, an overwhelming response to the free download of a new game is forcing a developer to turn to the file-sharing technology as a replacement for its own overloaded proprietary download system.

MekTek is currently offering up MechWarrior 4 for download through its website, this after 100,000 customers brought down its MTX system, and website, over the weekend. The developer, according to TorrentFreak, is now preparing a release of the free game via BitTorrent, once the new version makes its way through MekTek’s beta team.

While noting that other game companies have turned to BitTorrent technology in the past, including Electronic Arts, who used it to distribute the beta for Warhammer Online, Torrent Freak offered:

For large and popular releases BitTorrent is definitely the way to go. The larger the demand and the greater numbers of people active on a torrent, the faster a file can potentially be distributed with the protocol, saving the publishers money too.

Posted in Developers File Sharing Makes Sense

Comments

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by Kincyr on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 16:23.

I remember when Bandai released promotional videos for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya via BitTorrent

岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」

岩「if Phyllis Schlafly wants to undo Women's Rights, she should lead by example and get back in the kitchen」

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by SimonBob on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 15:56.

Isn't MechWarrior the game which integrates with an overly complicated control panel that sells for $150? Rhetorical via google; I'm thinking of Steel Batallion. Still, there's an idea: get the game for free, but you can't play it until you buy the proprietary hardware. Would we be able to say goodbye to DRM issues?

---
Fangamer

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by Technogeek on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 14:49.

It's probably worth pointing out that their MTX system uses BitTorrent by default to distribute the installer -- I was able to get the actual .torrent file from the MTX install folder and plug it into uTorrent.

The fact that I was still lucky to get 1k/sec unless I turned on "direct HTTP download" in MTX suggests the problem was a bit more complicated than just "install torrent problem solved".

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by Aliasalpha on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 03:35.

Did you open the correct port? Mine jumped to 300kb/s when I remembered that ports like to be open

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by SeanB on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 13:57.

And the ISP's profits die a little inside.

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by killatia on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 17:36.

How? the game was already being relased for free, all this move is doing is reducing the strain on there servers.

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by Thad on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 14:54.

Huh?

Re: Dev to Utilize BitTorrent for Free Mech Warrior Release

Submitted by Thad on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 13:54.

I remember when the first Win7 beta came out and MS's servers crashed, a popular response from wags was "You know, if they'd just used BT, this wouldn't have happened."

Nice to see SOMEBODY recognizing the potential of a technology where a high demand actually INCREASES download speed.

Shout box

tallimar: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57440902-94/microsoft-legal-win-over-google-may-signal-ceasefire/05/24/2012 - 10:17pm

ZippyDSMlee: TIme or an operation!05/24/2012 - 6:43pm

ZippyDSMlee: PC parts are in wish me luck or hell!!05/24/2012 - 6:43pm

MaskedPixelante: 38 Studios and Big Huge Games are pretty much dead now. http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs05/24/2012 - 4:39pm

DorthLous: Actually, nop, I did miss the emoticon for some reason (getting used to pics?) and I didn't know you changed it since (since I posted previous to my shout and it was still there.) Anyhow, thanks for taking it out!05/23/2012 - 6:01pm

james_fudge: Well we were just testing it. but it is still on the submission to fight $pam.05/23/2012 - 5:48pm

E. Zachary Knight: James, No I don't have it. I was just wondering who does and why. More curiosity than anything.05/23/2012 - 5:38pm

james_fudge: Did you not see the emoticon and did you not see that it has already been changed back?05/23/2012 - 5:10pm

james_fudge: LOL05/23/2012 - 5:07pm

DorthLous: Why? Not shocked that people are barking to an additional hoop to jump through when posting from their already logged in account or just mentionning this to try to paint me as one always complaining?05/23/2012 - 4:45pm

james_fudge: big shock there ;)05/23/2012 - 4:30pm

DorthLous: I'll add my voice to those wanting it gone :S I'm already logged in, I don't need a captch'a. That's for those registering.05/23/2012 - 3:54pm

james_fudge: Et tu EZK?!?05/23/2012 - 3:51pm

Craig R.: I'm a One Man Quorum! And it's working for me now, thanks. :)05/23/2012 - 3:48pm

E. Zachary Knight: How do we determine who get's the game/captcha thingy? Is there a certain posting threshhold users have to meet before it is turned off?05/23/2012 - 2:25pm

james_fudge: Give it a chance, we're still adjusting it ;)05/23/2012 - 11:20am

james_fudge: One does not a Quorum make Craig.05/23/2012 - 11:16am

Craig R.: If I complete the stupid game, and it just deletes my comment, what's the point?05/23/2012 - 11:15am

Craig R.: Ok, the little captcha game? You can get rid of it already.05/23/2012 - 11:13am

Craig R.: FCC boss is giving the thumbs up to usage-based pricing for Internet access05/23/2012 - 11:08am

All shouts

<< Return To Top

Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :