MechWarrior Online may support cockpit peripherals

If you have a gaming den full of precision controllers, MechWarrior Online could be a dream come true.

In a new developer Q&A, Piranha Games said it has been investigating the possibility of supporting peripheral controllers like a "joystick, pedals, throttle" - and more.

While that's still up in there, take heart from the news that keyboard and mouse controls will be fully customisable, even down to thoughtful touches like the ability to set your reverse steer direction.

Other interesting snippets from the Q&A include news that mech will give off visual indicators of their status; on hot maps, overheating mechs will produce a heat haze, and steam when entering water, as well as HUD changes as damage mounts up.

Damage effects gameplay as well, of course - damaged engines produce more heat, and damaged weapons may explode or simply sieze up.

MechWarrior Online is expected to launch this year. It's free to play and follows the MechWarrior canon in real time.

Thanks, Massively.