Customization
There are a number of settings and options you can change in Mech Wars. This is done from the Preferences screen, in the Misc game menu. This screen is divided into four areas: Preferences, Options, Layout, and Profile. All these areas are described in greater detail below.
When you have done your changes, go to the bottom of the screen and you will find the Update button. Click it to save your changes.
Preferences
The preferences contains settings for your game character.
- Handle
This is the handle your co-players know you as. It's what they call you, and what show up on the player ladder and player directory. (Also known as “nick” and “screen name”.)
- Ward
This is the name of your ward, your base; the area in the game that you rule over.
- Signature
The signature is a piece of text that can be appended to every message you send. There are some limits to how big this signature can be though: maximum 3 lines high, and maximum 80 letters in each line.
- Date Format
You may want to customize the way dates and times are formatted in Mech Wars. There are a number of different formats to choose from.
Options
Options change how different things are presented to you in the game.
- Enable Org Tag
This is whether you wish other people to see your org tag or not. Please remember that if your org commander has disabled the same option, that will override it. However, if you are orgless, or your org leader has said it's okay to view your org tag, it will appear in your profile (see below) as well as on the ladder listings.
- Enable Signatures
If you wish to never see other people's signatures in private messages and forum messages, then disable this option.
- Enable Helpers
On every screen there is a helper. This is a box containing some piece of helping information about the screen, and can be very helpful in the beginning of your Mech Wars career. As you get more experienced in the game, you may not need these helpers, and might want to turn them off.
Layout
The game interface can be changed to look a little bit different, just so that you feel comfortable with the interface.
- Mini
This is a very lightweight interface, and it is not recommended to use this one unless you are using a very low screen resolution.
- Modern
Modern is the preferred interface, and it also the default on. It features a main area and a control area, and the control area will include a graphical radar. Most definately the best interface.
This layout comes in two flavors: left and right. This controls whether the control area will be found on the left or right side of the game interface.
- Classic
This is the original interface, and features a main area and a control area. The control area only has the menu; meaning that you won't get a graphical radar, or any of the other things you find in the Modern layout.
Just like the modern layout, this layout also comes in two flavors: left and right. This controls whether the control area will be found on the left or right side of the game interface.
Profile
The profile contains information about yourself, the person behind the player mask. Be careful to only give out the information that you feel comfortable with other people knowing; this information can be seen by anybody in the game.
- Real Name
Your full, real name.
- Date Of Birth
The date you were born.
- Email address
Your e-mail address.
- Homepage
The URL to your homepage.
- ICQ Number
The identification number that people need to contact you on ICQ.
- AIM Screen Name
The screen name that people need to contact you on AIM.
- Yahoo! Messenger Handle
The handle that people need to contact you on Yahoo! Messenger.
- MSN Messenger Handle
The handle that people need to contact you on MSN Messenger.
- Location
Where in the world you live (most often town and country; for example New York, USA).
- Occupation
Your occupation (if you're a student, just write that).
- Interests
What you're doing in your spare time, and what generally interests you.
- Bio
Your biography. This is a description of you and your life, what you've done, what you're currently doing, and what you want to do (in your real life).