Hired Steel: A Mech Machinima - Episode Three 

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This makes me happier than a Steiner Scout squad landing undetected

To all you MWO and MW 5 players..... THAT'S why mechs have machine guns and small lasers. You may think they are useless, until some infantry on foot start bringing out inferno and anti-mech missile launchers. Awesome video!

It's nice to see tanks and infantry actually matter and do damage to mechs too

I love the Tex's coffee reference building. One of his voice lines in Roguetech was something to the effect of "They made me spill my coffee and now I'm F'ing angry"

So good, but so short. Love the "hope we can salvage that" cliché.

Okay, I have to say: I LOVE how the mechs are shown moving in this, much more fluid than we otherwise see them in most media save only D.C. Bruins. Makes them feel much more alive, like those neural uplinks are actually necessary as compared to the "normal" robotic motions we see in MW. And now to watch it 27 more times.

Everytime this fandom cries for a movie or series, this....this is what I truly believe we all mean. The love and dedication shows in each finished peice. Amazing work, looking forward to the next peice with great anticipation.

I feel like this is professor Tex in his younger years before he lost his eye and getting his awesome And the balls of that infantry trying take down a hunchback is respectable

reactor online. sensors online. weapons online. all systems nominal LETS DO THIS. Can't wait to see what that Thunderbolt gets up too. I hope we get to learn how Professor Tex got the eye patch. The 3rd person infantry shots and tracking cam was amazing. Chills! Ever since I was a kid and seeing The Battle of Hoth I'm afraid of giant things chasing my little human ass. Also, god damn, AggieLawGirl continues to be brutal.

Warheads may have been placed on foreheads... but that Gauss was the real boss! Awesome work on another great episode.

Can't wait. Each episode is breathtaking and beautiful

I think I can speak for everyone when I say that- LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

My only regret watching this, is the anticipation for the next one. Stellar work

The Kerensky quote was great, but in context, foreboding. I was sure we were gonna see a DFA there. I fear Aggielawgirl and Tex may not survive the next chapter. "Warheads on foreheads" new meme from Tex!

So much talent on display in these episodes. The work is outstanding. Well done to everyone involved.

"Warheads on Foreheads". Freakin love it.

Love the smaller, more "realistic" details, like the PPC actually punching a hole in the LRM hatch, that look into how the auto-loader mechanism works, and how when the thunderbolt goes down his AC10 contacts the ground and actually makes the torso slightly twist to the right as it descends. Really impressive labor of love and a treat to watch. A big thanks and pat on the backs to all in the team that made this possible, I can't possibly imagine all the effort that went into making these but it most definitely shows, and looking forward to future episodes.

*-steadily rising in frequency vibration of excitement-* Worth it. Hate the cliffhanger, but WORTH IT.

Corridor Crew need to see this. They love fan projects and I know this would be right up their alley.

Baradul was in the Rifleman. Woohoo

Love the line "warheads on foreheads"

I absolutely love the chosen voice actors for Eques. I'm fairly certain not all of them are VA's by profession yet there's this degree of personality that each one brings. You've got the professional yet relaxed leader who treats the whole thing as a leisurely stroll, but is clearly a capable leader. The matter of fact rifleman pilot who speaks to his lance mates almost as if they're telling him stuff he already knows. Possibly ex military. Certainly feels like he'd be the most by the books of the group. You've got the wisecracking catapult pilot who is clearly the most laid back of the bunch, he doesn't seem to take things as seriously, and I'd wager most of the teams friction comes from his antics and the rifleman pilot being perturbed by them. Then there's the Hunchback pilot, who, oddly I think her most telling scene was one where she didn't say anything, but just stared at and gunned down a bunch of infantry. She seems like the member of the team who could harbour the roughest past, and has become hardened because of it. Not completely cold or emotionless, but certainly harder. I infer this from the fact she doesn't say a lot overall and what she does say is based on the situation. I'm thinking she's from a family that was betrayed or killed, and took to mechwarrior-ing to seek justice. Though to be fair that's pretty common in the battletech universe. I also feel like she could be the newest addition into Eques Lance, because she seems to be the least experienced, granted I'm inferring that entirely from one rather sparse dialogue exchange. "Four watch your left!" "What?" The fact that she's Eques 4, and that she wasn't quite as aware of everything going on around her to the point where her mech lost an arm. All of them are great, every single VA on the project, I just wanted to share specifically what I had inferred from the main 4 so far.

The opening narration of Aleksander Kerensky describing the Atlas was awesome. Guessing that's what the pirates are after (among others) in that vault.

Getting Tex, Baradul, Paladin and Aggielaw to VO for this series was (and is) epic.... Then you had to throw in GEORGE EFFIN LEDOUX!! lol... seriously, though, fanatastic work all around and I cant wait to see whats next! (like for example, is the opening quote hinting about whats lurking in the depot?)

Tumbler here of the Braindamage Batalion our Thunderbolts stand with the Cast and Crew of Hired Steel

I really hope that opening quote leads to a specific Mech showing up later, slim chance but it would be utterly terrifying. To the animation and video, INCREDIBLE WORK! One of the best, if not the best, Battletech animation I have ever seen

As a Catapult pilot I can't get over the, "Puttin' warheads on foreheads." line. Absolutely mint.

Just fantastic stuff. 21:9, superb animations (ESPECIALLY THOSE HIP ANIMATIONS MM MMMM), and clear inspiration from modern-day systems that make this all so believable. You've made my 9 year old self's dreams come true. You guys really nailed the slower pace of what these battles probably would feel like. Each weapon system has agency and *impact*. A PPC shot is devastating. Jump Jets are powerful. Components fail. Armor is breached. This is probably as close to a good battletech t.v. show as we'll get. If we get one, you all better be the creative leads.

I love how the comms sound. Thats exactly how the books describe it. Also tex's voice with that filter is so fucking badass

That shadow hawk running animation 👌 I wish the game play was like that

Oh damn... A cliff hanger... Anyways, I'll take it as a late birthday present... The Thunderbolt didn't disappoint

Can we talk about how hard the music in this series slaps?! Because it fucking does!

Absolutely stunning. From the fluidity of the mechs' movement to the PPC ion scatter, from the top-notch dialogue to Tex's coffee in the cockpit like it's just Tuesday, this was phenomenal. Keep up the amazing work, guys! Looking forward to the next episode, and willing to wait as long as it takes.

We Battletech lovers feel like this is the perfect type of cinematics for Battletech. The ones that should be done in the Mechwarrior games of today...and the ones they don't do. Look at how little care they had on Mechwarrior 5, in comparison to what you have done here with like 1000 times less resources, or even more? Keep it up, guys, you are making lots of fans sooooo happy to see this and wait for the next one. And think big: I hope you really want to keep it up and, eventually, get us a series or a movie we will all here watch and, of course, buy. Amazing job, gang!!

I love how dynamic everything looks! Each mech has its own combat style and that brace-and-fire move by the catapult is peak anticipation

Oh that little blurb from Tex there at the end, that's hilarious. 😂

Whoo Hooo!!! More Hired Steel!!! YES!!! Hunchback has lost an arm, half of the Catapult's missiles are down, and everyone's got damage... and an ATLAS is in bound. Yeah, things are getting 'dicey'.

I love the combined elements aspect of the Mercenaries, as well as the reason why you bring Machine Guns to every medium and light mech. Honestly people have been comparing this to Warhammers Astartes, but I think that does a disservice to this. You have voice acting, multiple scale models, changing environments, as well as extremely good pacing! Not to do any duscredto Astartes but, to me this is just flat out better. Fantastic work! I wish you the best of luck and speed on the next part and any future projects

Yeah, that missile barrage will cost Treb dearly. Lance Leader will spill some coffee and will be frakking angry about this.

This is so awesome. It may take a year between each episode but the quality makes the wait well worth it.

PGI should commission your team to make the game cinematics for Mechwarrior 6. Such great quality.

That opening was George Ledoux? I didn't even recognize him at all, guy is stupidly talented. Top notch video as to be expected from this crew.

Join the team for a live launch celebration and Q&A over at RenegadeHPG, right after the premiere! ru-vid.comVJS50rAqIcI?feature=share

Get the Hired Steel battle mix on Spotify -> open.spotify.com/track/2bDGTWHg43bcEJ5Z6mFkn3?si=1a081d24d41a4674 Like, follow, and add to your favorite playlist. Also available on other streaming services.

Oh I can’t wait. This is going to be good

Can I just say I LOVE ShadowHawks! That Jumpjet move was AMAZING to watch. I can't wait to see what happens in the next episode.

Damn I love how dynamik the battle feels and how different the mechs act and that espacialy the Shadow Hawk shows that mechs are by no means slow, lumbering hulks of metal but can actualy move around pretty fast and agile. Overall this is so well done. Can't wait for the next part. Keep it up guys.

Excellent scene with the infantry squaring off against the Hunchback. You can almost feel how terrifying it is to face that monster of a machine at an angle like that. Short, but superb; excellent as always

I may have to start using the phrase “Warheads on Foreheads”

Love it! Especially watching that ShadowHawk running, all while issuing commands and blowing shit up. Makes me pumped to fight some robots.

It's beautiful. How 'heavy' they feel is beautiful. How is it that something in a visual medium can be shown as 'heavy' like this? It's so well done. Thank you, TMC, and all the team that made them look so 'real'. I was waiting for this. You guys blew me away for a second time.

Dude, I can’t not stress this enough, this is the best animation I have seen ever.

I’ve watched this ten times after the premiere and post-premiere stream. I’m a humble nobody that seldom uses social media but I have shared this everywhere I can. This needs more love!!

This is the Battletech Animated Series we deserve and need.

Each and every time…it just gets better. This is absolutely a 10/10. Again I have to say this your team is making us BattleTech fans proud and I cannot wait for more. The best MW/BattleTech animations and shorts anywhere.

Really pumped for this, great work so far!

Oh yeah. I knew today was going to be a good day. I just hope this video is like 45 minutes long. I really wish Hollywood would give these guys some money so they can actually make full featured films.

0:57 something I love here is the little details, you can actually see the thunderbolt miss with its large laser initially and then bring it back on target

VERY Fear Factory-esque guitar riffs! Absolutely amazing work! This are so incredibly fun to watch. Maybe we all send links to the Corridor Crew?

this series is simply incredible, I could watch hours of this.

"Warheads on foreheads" I gotta steal that

That intro.! Showing the use of AMS, infrantary, mech melee combat. The small details are do good too like the light in the cockpit of the Thunderbolt going out as it gose down.

Damn that internals intro flowing into the fight was siiiiiiick

Holy crap I was just thinking about this series and BAM. New episode

Amazing video. I know that it's a long wait in between because this is a passion project and does not have the financial backing of a big studio. Thank you for the effort. The animation, music and script are great stuff. We all love it and can't wait to see more.

Awesome! I'm really happy to see this installment of Hired Steel, and can't wait for the next one (I couldn't even if there wasn't a cliffhanger). I feel like this series is basically the tabletop brought to life. The engagements are quick and deadly, yet every unit has its five seconds of fame. Even the infantry, never underestimate the infantry! I can't wait to see more, and what surprises you have waiting in the wings. PS: I enjoyed the extra bit at the end of Tex having fun reading the script. This is probably a dream come true for him too. It's great to hear the cast is having fun with this as much as I am.

First thing, Amazon needs to jump all over this and make a MechWarrior or BattleTech TV show. Second thing, they definitely need to hire Tex. Third thing, they need to hire you for artistic consultant. That... was... AWESOME!

"Warheads on foreheads" was great!

*"Eques, focus the Fuckerbolt."* - Tex

It keeps getting better and better with each episode. Yeah, this is what the game is supposed to look like in 3D. I'm subscribed now.

The beginning was awesome... Was like a really good manga movie

Turned 33 this year, hyped for October 3rd! Seeing MechWarrior be so beloved again, brings a smile to me face. And I'll be using that phrase, putting warheads on foreheads! To all my fellow MechWarriors, good hunting and great salvage!

Just flipping beautiful in every detail, even down to the way that the tanks are realistically moved by the ballistic impacts. Stellar work. I wish one of the rights holders would chuck some money at you to produce more episodes!

Can i just say i love the opening scene because thats what i have been imagining ever since i first found battletech the inner workings loading up the guns hiss of pistons and servos moving amunition and then the firing i just LOVE it

Shadow hawk movement was probably most accurate depiction of how agile battletech mechs can move. Only complaint is that some of scenes felt way to Hollywood for me.

The walking/running animations are amazing! Especially the bounding advance. Absolutely love your videos!

So I watched the premier and now I've watched two more times already. Love the "Warheads of foreheads" line. Wish you guys could make them faster or longer or both.

I love how the Thunderbolt is extremely well armored, even from behind. And how its pilot recognized the Cat as the greatest threat because he knew it would wear the opfor down if allowed to, whereas if the Cat couldn't pressure, him and the rest of the opfor could take the heroes one by one

Again this is absolutely amazing work! Thank you guys and gals so much for all the passion, love, and hard work you put in! This is a dream come true as a BT fan. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I have been playing and supporting this franchise since its inception. Tabletop, Mechwarrior games on every platform, hell I was even in a competitive league when the BattleTech Centers were a thing back in 94-96!!! Now THOSE things were amazing...closest thing to actually being in a mech I have ever played. 130 something toggles, foot pedals, switches buttons etc. and none were just for show. Watching people do amazing fan led stuff like this, and getting the RU-vid mechwarrior community to do voicework...just way to many kudos to pass around! Keep the vids coming guys!!!

Ahhhh, this is going to be so sweet.... I wonder how that 'Bolt is going hold up against that lance? Looks like a few heavy tanks to back him up..... We'll see!

Another beautiful video. Forget the games, we need more of this

Love it! The graphics have really came a long way since you made ours for CGBI. Only issue I have is how mechanized all of the voices are - I understand the intention, but hard to tell the difference in the voices with all the distortion.

The fact that this is rendered in not just 4K, but 21:9 ratio's 5120:2160 blows my mind, and it looks amazing!

I clicked the notify me button and then realised that that's going to drop at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Average Hunchback Pilot. Rushes ahead, gets smacked by heavy guns. Complains at team mates. Gets hit again, cries more.

God I love watching these. If only you guys had a Hollywood budget imagine the amazing stuff you guys could make.

The Hunchback immediately having its arms blown off is very true to the game.

Absolutely amazing, well worth the wait, kudos.

I am so glad tex sent me in your direction when you made the 1st and 2nd videos. You and your team make amazing work. This is what I would Expect out of a high production battletech movie

You guys top yourselves every episode. See you in a few months! "warheads on foreheads" was pretty badass

It makes me so proud to see the infantrymen scratch their paint.

i cant wait till this eventually becomes a full length film.

This looks amazing!!!!! A huge BRAVO to everybody involved!

I was really hoping I would get to see an Atlas.

I found this series today. It is great and I hope there will be more episodes soon. Thanks to everyone who is working on it.

The fact that the Rifleman still has all of its weapons seems a bit far fetched.

Holy shit hearing Baradul alongside Tex is just so god damn good

Growing up, the first game I ever owned was MechWarrior 2 on windows 95. I grew to love the series, and I have MW2 Mercs, MW3, Pirate's Moon, MechCommander Gold and 2, MW4 Mercs, and MW5 Mercs on PS4. For a while, I didn't think the fandom was as big as it used to be. But seeing this, people making soundtrack remasters and covers, audiobooks, and synthwave mixes, it's made me quite happy! Turning 32 on the 25th, so from an old MS-DOS MechWarrior, to all of you, Good Hunting!