On December 16, 2005, Virtual World Entertainment, maker of the critically acclaimed Tesla II Battletech: Firestorm attraction, was acquired by MechJock.Com founder and entertainment industry insider, Nickolas 'PropWash' Smith. Through the transaction, Smith acquired 100% of the membership interests from the three predecessor owners, James Garbarini, Ted Keenan and Bill Ettelson.

Nick had this to say about the transaction:

"Virtual World has been a staple in the BattleTech franchise for over 15 years thanks to the pool of talented and creative minds behind it, but also in large part because of its devoted fans.

"I look forward to doing great things with the company for both the Tesla II operators as well as the BattleTech community as a whole"

In regards to the future operation of Virtual World Entertainment, he added:

"The Tesla II system has proven itself to be a valuable centerpiece attraction in the location-based entertainment industry in venues around the world.

"VWE will continue to enhance and maximize the value of the Tesla II System for its owners and operators through system updates. We also intend to put together some creative promotional techniques and community development initiatives."

James Garbarini, former president of Virtual World, had this to say about the transition:

"Virtual World in its new chapter was ready for a new owner, and Nick will serve the community well. He is passionate about the product and is fully invested in its success. I feel fortunate that an individual with stature of Propwash was interested in taking on the torchbearer mantle."

In connection with the acquisition, Nick has relocated the principal offices of Virtual World from Chicago to Kalamazoo, Michigan. The company's new contact information is as follows:

Virtual World Entertainment, LLC

5671 N Westnedge

Kalamazoo MI 49004

Parts and support requests should be directed to the telephone number above.

You can look forward to more exciting news from Virtual World Entertainment in the near future!

Challenged to come up with one way to improve BattleTech: Firestorm? Well, Virtual World has come up with a couple dozen and has crammed them into its fifth update to this very popular experience. BattleTech: Firestorm Release 5.0 debuts at all locations in July 2005. This latest update features another EIGHT new BattleMechs and TWO new maps. Release 5.0 will contain other great features like increased armor for veteran play, and many of the 'mech's have been upgraded or modified.

The eight new 'mech's include at least two from each 'mech class: 2 light, 2 medium, 2 heavy and two more pounding assault class 'mechs. The new BattleMechs are the Commando and Wolfhound IIC (lights), the Hunchback and Black Lanner (mediums), the Grizzly and Black Knight (Heavies) and the Cyclops and Daishi (assaults). Four of these 'mech's were custom built by MekTek. VWE looks forward to continuing to work with MekTek in the future to provide even more new content in future releases.

Release 5.0 brings the Inner Sphere class of 'mechs a new level of weapon systems. Introduced are the Extended Range (ER) class of lasers that provide more reach to add to their already devastating damage capability. Several of the 'mech's have been upgraded with these new weapon systems including the Chimera, Bushwacker, Dragon and the Awesome.

Two exciting maps are being included in the Firestorm 5.0 Release. One of these was custom built to provide for a mission objective type play based off of historical fiction from the BattleTech universe. This map, titled TribeIncursion, stems from the Minnesota Tribe attack on a Kurita held planet called Richmond. The other map "Reduex" is a Martian-like terrain containing a number of bases. During Siege Assault missions, these bases are bristling with defenses that have to be overcome along with the defenders.

These are just some of the new features and updates included in BattleTech: Firestorm Release 5.0.

Click here for the [Game Software Info]
Click here for the ['Mech Info]
Click here for the [Map Info]
Click here for the [Mech/Weapon Data Sheets]

June 27, 2005 (SEATTLE) - WizKids Inc., creators of the runaway hit games MechWarrior(r): Age of Destruction and Pirates of the Spanish Main(tm), are proud to announce an alternative special prize for the winner of the MechWarrior World Championship held at Gen Con Indy 2005: a BattleTech: Firestorm Tesla II System (TM) cockpit from Virtual World Entertainment, LLC in cooperation with www.mechjock.com

"This partnership with Virtual World allows us to offer our finest players one of the greatest MechWarrior prizes ever," said Mike Samora, vice president of Sales and Marketing at WizKids(r). "The Tesla II virtual reality pod system has pleased millions of fans at Tesla BattleTech VR equipped entertainment venues for years." The pod comes complete with a full version of the Firestorm software that fuels the /BattleTech/ virtual reality experience, and, says James Garbarini, President of Virtual World, "is, hands down, the closest a person can come to climbing into the cockpit of a genuine BattleMech(tm)."

Should the winner choose not to accept the pod, he or she shall receive a full supply of MechWarrior for one year. For images of the pod, and more details as Gen Con approaches, visit www.wizkidsgames.com/mechwarrior.

Founded by 25-year game-industry veteran Jordan Weisman, WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Its Mage Knight(r), MechWarrior and HeroClix(r) CMGs and Pirates and Rocketmen(tm) CSGs are among the most successful games on the market today, and the company has sold hundreds of millions of game pieces worldwide. WizKids Inc. is owned by The Topps Company Inc. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

Headquartered in Chicago, Virtual World Entertainment is a leading supplier of high-end, centerpiece attractions to the location-based entertainment industry. Virtual World has produced and distributed cockpits since 1989 and boasts a U.S. player base over 500,000 strong and growing. More than 15 location-based operators feature Virtual World's systems, including sites in Chicago, New York, Houston, Denver and Detroit. Virtual World Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company. Visit them at www.virtualworld.com.

MechJock.com has secured exclusive rights to market and sell the Virtual World Tesla II System (TM) for home use.

MechJock.com, the longest running private owner of Virtual World BattleTech VR systems, has struck an agreement with Virtual World Entertainment, LLC to market Tesla II cockpits individually for home and other private use at an estimated cost of $2,000.00 per cockpit.

This is the first time BattleTech VR cockpits have been available to be purchased individually, allowing home consumers the exhileration of the ultimate BattleTech experience at home!

The Tesla II System allows the home enthusiast to play against up to seven computer generated combatants or 'bots', or the player can compete against other "Tesla@Home" owners and operators across the Internet.

Multi-cockpit owners would also have an option to purchase hardware to convert the Tesla II cockpits to the original Tesla system, allowing the owner to run Tesla 4.X BattleTech and Red Planet.

MechJock.com, in cooperation with Virtual World Entertainment, will support the systems, offer installation guidance and develop 'pod owner' communities to further develop the BattleTech VR experience.

MechJock.com and virtualworld.com will begin taking pre-orders by mid summer.

For more information please contact podsales@mechjock.com

On June 16th, at Dave & Busters Palisades, A sneak peak of the soon to be released Version 5 will available for play for one day only. Michel ‘Firestorm’ Lowrance will be on hand to observe the event as well as take player feedback on the latest update before it goes to general release. This sneak peak will provide players with an opportunity to play with eight new ‘Mechs ,two new maps, and many more new features. One of the new missions is based on a BattleTech Universe historical event and has bonus features to go along with the normal gameplay.

Master Trials

Bones

El Bu

(Visit the Order of Burton Page [Here])

Gunslingers

1st - Marshall - Crow

2nd - Deputy - Sauron

Class Match

1st - Bones

2nd - El Bu

3rd - Knarf

Purchase Mech FFA (Event added during invite)

1st - Sauron

2nd - Coyote

3rd - Speckle

Tandem Team Double Elimination

1 - Original Rednekz

2 - Forced Oxidation

Funhouse (Teams)

1st - Jaboi

2nd - Pimp Daddy's

Double Elimination (Teams)

1st - Jaboi

2nd - Clown Punchers

Tandom KOTH (Teams)

1st - Cameraship

2nd - KOS

Firestorm - "My apologies to everyone for the extremely late posting of these results"

Virtual World has announced the debut of BattleTech: Firestorm Release 4. This exciting update to the successful Firestorm software will include the first-ever VR BattleTech map created by a player. Atlanta pilot Ken “Flambé” Ray was inspired to create Storm Canyon, a map designed specifically for objective-based team play. Storm Canyon can be played with both teams attacking the others’ base while defending their own, or with either team only attacking while the other attacks. We chatted with Flambé about the inspiration behind Storm Canyon and how he felt about being the first pilot map designer for Virtual World. Here’s what he had to say:

VWE: Flambé, Virtual World has been around for 15 years. In that time, there has not been a single map released by the company that was conceived and designed by a non-employee pilot. Congratulations on being the first to receive that distinction.

KR: Thanks!

Click here for the rest of the [Interview]
Click here to view [Storm Canyon] - As close as possible to Original Submission
Click here to view [Storm Canyon Siege] - Heavily modified version for Sieage Assault

Just when you thought the Hellhound would be your favorite 'mech, we decided to make your decision a little tougher. BattleTech: Firestorm Release 4.0 debuts at all locations Thursday, January 13. This latest update features another FIVE new BattleMechs and THREE new maps, including the first ever player-designed map released by VWE. Release 4.0 will contain other great features like rear-firing weapons and a new Siege Assault game type that will be available on two maps.

The five new 'mech's include at least one from every 'mech class: 1 light, 1 medium, a heavy and two more pounding assault class 'mechs. Those new BattleMechs are the Uller (light), Ryoken (medium), the Dragon (heavy) and the Templar and Hauptmann (assaults).

Three exciting maps are being included in the Firestorm 4.0 Release. One of these three was submitted by Atlanta pilot, Ken "Flambé" Ray. The new maps are "Nazca" - a salt flat containing a number of watch towers that can be used for cover, "Cantina" - a wasteland of meteor craters and crystal rock formations, and "Storm Canyon" - Flambé's map created specifically for team play features bases to defend/attack over varying elevations.

Release 4.0 marks the debut of rear-firing weapons. These weapon systems will be only be able to fire to the rear - not to either the front or the sides. Only the Templar will include this weapon system for now…others may emerge from the 'Mech Bay in future releases with this mod.

You will also find in Release 4.0 that the missile lock is now tied to the radar system. A pilot will only get a target lock if that target appears on your radar. This means, of course, that having Beagle, ECM or running in passive radar mode will now have an impact on missile lock performance. Naturally, this is a veteran-pilot-only feature.

Team games get a new twist with a Siege Assault game-type. Team games should see more attack/defend scenarios with this game-type. It will be available on two new maps - Cantina and Storm Canyon. If a team objective is accomplished during the mission time, the mission continues to termination, but no further points for destroying buildings or achieving objectives are awarded. Only standard 'mech destruction points are awarded from that point on.

These are just some of the new features and updates included in BattleTech: Firestorm Release 4.0.

Click here for the [Game Software Info]
Click here for the ['Mech Info]
Click here for the [Map Info]
Click here for the [Mech/Weapon Data Sheets]

Master Trials

Craig 'Pharaoh' Evans (Visit the Order of Burton Page [Here])

Gunslingers

1st - Sherrif - Pharaoh

2nd - Deputy - Heckler

3rd - Deputy - Crow

Grand Melee (Event added during invite)

1st - Nomad (aka Firestorm)

2nd - Heckler

3rd - Rampage

Fixed Mech FFA

1st - Pharaoh

2nd - Visigoth

3rd - X-Sythe

Team Destruction

1st - Rednekz

2nd - C.D.D.

3rd - The Four Horsemen

Team Capture the Flag

1st - Rednekz

2nd - C.D.D.

3rd - Chaos

Thanks for everyone coming out especially the Ausie's and Freez Moon for making the long trip.

BattleCorps is a subscription-based website developed by InMediaRes Productions, LLC, to actively support the Classic BattleTech® universe with new art by fan favorite artists, fiction by such authors as Loren L. Coleman, Randall N. Bills, Michael Stackpole, and Robert Thurston, and a dynamic community.

Under license from WizKids, Inc, BattleCorps delivers new material every week, keeping fans and readers entertained with the ongoing politics, battles, and technological development of the 31st century.

After a year-long development cycle, InMediaRes Productions, LLC successfully launched www.battlecorps.com on August 2nd, 2004.

To celebrate their grand opening. BattleCorps will present many offers to the community as a demonstration of appreciation for its subscribers. These include:

o A give away of over 500 full-color posters

o "BattleCorps editions" of the leather-bound, Limited Edition Classic BattleTech Master Rules

o Exclusive purchase of the 20 Year Anniversary etching from Iron Wind Metals

o New, unique 'Mech variants and their famous pilots, on sale first from Iron Wind Metals to subscribers.

"We hope that membership will continue to bring more advantages," said Heather J. Coleman, one of the founders and the Executive Manager of InMediaRes Productions, LLC. "As BattleCorps.com grows, so will the benefits."

Come to www.battlecorps.com and see what the excitement's all about!

InMediaRes Productions, LLC is an electronic publishing company specializing in media tie-in fiction and the strong support of web-based communities. Its first foray is www.battlecorps.com, a Classic BattleTech fiction-based subscription website.

©2004. All rights reserved. Classic BattleTech is a registered trademark of WizKids, Inc. BattleCorps is a trademark of InMediaRes Productions, LLC.

Chicago, IL, June 2004 – Q-ZAR Family Entertainment Center and Virtual World Entertainment, LLC have teamed up to bring the Tesla II System to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The attraction will debut at Q-ZAR, Colorado’s greatest laser tag location, on Friday, June 25, 2004.

“The Tesla II System is a totally unique attraction and, in my opinion, one unsurpassed in the genre of virtual reality entertainment. It will perfectly complement our very popular laser tag experience,” said Mike Ritchie, Q-Zar’s operator, “I believe the addition of Tesla II makes Q-ZAR the best family entertainment and team-building experience in Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Brian Tagli, Q-Zar’s General Manager, believes that Tesla II will be a huge hit with his clientele. “What VWE has done with the BattleTech simulators is amazing. Our players are already pumped to jump into those cockpits and command their own ‘mech.”

Click here for the Full [Story]