Mechwarrior Online announced

For anyone that has missed it. http://mwomercs.com/
I've added the Press Release below, if you know the universe it's set 1 year before the clans invade. From from I've read about it so far it looks like it might play kinda like World of Tanks/Chromehounds.  Looking really forward to this.

"- Piranha Games brings the long-awaited MechWarrior® as a Free-To-Play PC game -

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, October 31, 2011 -- Infinite Game Publishing Inc. (www.infinitegamepublishing.com) and Piranha Games Inc. (www.piranha-games.com) have announced MechWarrior® Online™ (www.mwomercs.com), the first officially licensed free-to-play title in the long-standing and award-winning MechWarrior® franchise. MechWarrior Online is set to launch in the second half of 2012 from newly formed digital publisher, Infinite Game Publishing.

Set in the year 3049 during the early stages of a massive interstellar war, MechWarrior Online puts you in command of the most powerful war machine to ever walk the field of battle, the mighty BattleMech™. Command your Mech™ and customize it to suit your battlefield role; upgrade systems, replace weapons, and tweak armor with endless options. 

MechWarrior Online lets players command at will: go head-to-head online alone or with friends in high-octane Conquest and VS modes. Band together and form your own Mercenary Corp, invite friends and battle other player-made Merc Corps for prestige and power. Pledge your allegiance to one of the five great houses and fight for control of precious Inner Sphere planets. 

You will play a key role in a dynamic and ever-changing universe where player exploits impact the world around you and daily story updates and frequent content additions create epic changes to the Inner Sphere universe and its many inhabitants.

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. 

“We’re excited to lead the MechWarrior franchise online for fans of the series,” said Russ Bullock, co-founder of Piranha Games. “We’re proud to partner with Infinite Game Publishing, and are thankful for the fans of the MechWarrior series that have been so patient for the next MechWarrior game to arrive. Infinite Game is a partner who understands both the world of games publishing and the crucial technical needs of today’s AAA online gaming experiences. Together we are bringing fans epic next-generation Mech combat online in 2012.”

More information about MechWarrior Online at http://www.mwomercs.com.