So i've been trolling the internet looking to end my sudden and intense battletech craze, and I shockingly discovered that MechCommander Gold is not only freeware, it still has a living multiplayer community. I've been playing it on this god-forsaken piece of shit computer waiting for my replacement graphics card to arrive.
Here's the site if you want to get it for old time's sake or for multi to kill a few minutes:
www.mechcommander.orghttp://wgcenter.com/e107_plugins/games/index.php(WGC CD ROM to play MP, you need to make an account there but it takes 2 seconds)
I will warn you: stock campaign of mechcommander gold is very challenging, it's not for the faint of heart.