Having secured the videogame license to Dream Pod 9's Heavy Gear franchise last August, Canadian outfit Stompy Bot Productions has now launched an official website with a crowdfunding platform for Heavy Gear Assault, a mech combat game that hopes to revive the spirit of Activision's Heavy Gear games from the 90s.

We are excited to present you with the return of Heavy Gear to the gaming world. Heavy Gear and Heavy Gear 2 by Activision were State-of-the-Art and pushed the envelope of what was possible in the late 1990's. Both games paid tribute to the acclaimed and award-winning science-fiction Heavy Gear Universe, created by Dream Pod 9. The original Heavy Gear PC games left a lasting impression on a whole generation of gamers through its action packed game play, cutting edge graphics and deep lore. Heavy Gear Assault will be even better. Built with tomorrow's technology, Heavy Gear Assault will be nothing less than amazing.

Heavy Gear Assault will combine over the top, fast-paced Giant Robot action with all the pageantry and excitement of a World Class Sporting event.

Unusually, Stompy Bot is only taking pledges via the game's new official website, rather than using one of the more trusted third party crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, and there does not appear to be a running tally of backer pledges. However, the developer doesn't have a target requirement for development of the base game, only an array of lofty stretch goals that start at US$900,000.

The announcement doesn't explain things all that well, but our best interpretation is that the team will be making the base multiplayer game for Heavy Gear Assault regardless of crowdfunding success, then if pledge total begin to reach the ambitious stretch goals from $900K, they'll expand plans to include tournaments, and additional multiplayer content, all the way up to a seemingly implausible US$10M, where they would add a single-player and cooperative campaign.

Stompy Bot will serve as the digital publisher, with development at MekTek, a sister company hosting some industry veterans of Crytek, Midway and Ubisoft heritage:

MekTek Studios is a Saint John-based Canadian video game developer, best known for its work on the MechWarrior4 series with Microsoft Game Studios. Since then, the team has seen the addition of game design veterans such as Jack Mamais, most noted for Heavy Gear 2, FarCry and Crysis, as well as Matthew Steinke, who worked on Mortal Kombat and Splinter Cell. Dedicated to the Giant Robot genre and composed of passionate and creative individuals, the MekTek team will be developing Heavy Gear Assault.

Although the project details are less defined at a glance than most Kickstarter projects, Heavy Gear Assault does appear to have the credentials to deliver on its promises. It's a shame however, that no gameplay footage has yet been presented, only a rather dull teaser trailer (below), and some concept shots.

Head on over to heavygear.com if this sounds like your bag.