MechWarrior Online, the reboot of the MechWarrior series, has been officially announced for release next year, though it is now a free-to-play title, according to the developers. Because of legal conflicts involved in making console versions, MechWarrior Online will be available only on the PC as a multiplayer game.

We’ve heard precious little in over two years about the MechWarrior reboot, a game where players control machines known as BattleMechs in combat against other BattleMechs and armies. Initially the developers announced that they intended for the reboot to have four-person co-op in addition to single-player and multiplayer modes, but MWO will only allow for multiplayer. The game is only confirmed for first-person view, eschewing the third-person alternate view available in later versions of the first run of the game.

As an online game, the FAQ indicates the game will have some online persistency where players can fight for control of border planets in the game universe. While there will be some items in the game players can buy with money, Bryan Ekman, MWO’s creative director, told PCGamer that any item that would give players a tactical advantage will have to be earned by playing the game.

MWO is set for release in the second half on 2012 on PC.