The MPBT Gallery

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July 30, 2001 marked the end of GameStorm and Multiplayer BattleTech: Solaris.

December 6, 2001 marked the end of Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025 on EA.com. A few days later marked the end of Multiplayer BattleTech: Solaris from America Online - and the rest of the world.

For those fortunate enough to have been a part of this universe, it was indeed a special time.

1991 marked the beginnings of the game, affectionately known as "EGA", on the Genie service. 1996 marked both the end of "EGA", and the start of the next evolution of the game, Solaris, which would be beta-tested on America Online. The summer of 1997 ended that free period when the game went to a pay-for-play (p4p) format. The end-result was the migration of many players to either LineOne (a British ISP that, for a few months longer, provided Solaris at no-charge), or other games. Eventually, GameStorm would, in November 1997, lower it's prices to a reasonable monthly charge that inspired many to migrate to that service.

During the twilight of Solaris, 3025 (the game's next evolution) was eventually brought to beta life by EA.com in 2001 (they bought GameStorm's parent company, Kesmai, in November 1999) after many years and even more rumors, doubts, etc. The life of this final incarnation was limited at best, ending indignantly less than a year later. In addition to the cancellation of 3025, Solaris (which still operated on America Online) was also terminated only a few days later thus ending a remarkable period of gaming history.

Due to the size of the overall content, I have compressed my screenshots of both Solaris and 3025.

The Solaris zip file comprises every sector, district, and bar descriptions that made up the game environment. Also included are the splash screens, credits, combat shots (my final engagement) and the rooms that compose the International Zone (for which I spent much of my time as a staff member).	Click here to download zip file (4758 KB)
The 3025 zip file is highlighted by combat shots (my final engagement), additional screenshots of the new environment, and some of the splash screens.	Click here to download zip file (1259 KB)