MegaMek

MegaMek is an open source, turn-based strategy computer game that simulates the Classic BattleTech board game. MegaMek is not licensed by or affiliated with Topps or Catalyst Game Labs, the owners and publishers of the BattleTech line, but is nonetheless a faithful simulation of the game. Exceptions are a few trademarked items changed by the developers (e.g., changing 'Mech to Mek).

Overview
MegaMek is developed and maintained by a community of volunteer programmers, with a small core of developers supported by numerous contributors. The project is hosted by SourceForge.net and is distributed with its source under the GNU General Public License. The game is written entirely in Java with graphics based on Swing (a AWT interface also exists, but it's not updated with the newest features), resulting in reasonable playability even on low-end platforms.

Currently, MegaMek supports all the rules from the BattleTech introductory box set, most of the rules from the Total Warfare core rulebook, and a number of advanced rules from the Tactical Operations rulebook and some house rules. The game offers a simple genetic-algorithm-driven bot that one can play against, though so far its intelligence is limited. Also, most of the AeroTech rules from Total Warfare are implemented. An optional 3D interface is currently under development. The game currently supports multiplayer via TCP/IP, though play-by-email is possible through the exchange of saved games.

Critical reception
In June 2003, MegaMek was chosen as SourceForge.net's project of the month and was featured in the print edition of the Linux Magazine