Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
I'd forgotten about that scale honestly.
Catalyst would be really happy if you continued to forget about it, and not mention it to others.
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
I'd forgotten about that scale honestly.
Catalyst would be really happy if you continued to forget about it, and not mention it to others.
It's far from the worst illogical thing in Battletech, I mean you have the draconious combine conquering half the FedSuns well fighting a civil war, Meanwhile the FS fights a civil war and is crippled by it, you'd never know that the line developer was a Combine fan would you?
Well well- Ironwind Metals has really stepped up their game. There's now an advanced Battletech search where you can go by Technical Readout- and they've bundled together lances and stars for a huge variety of factions in their lance packs. with mechs pulled from that faction's Random Assignment Tables.
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
I'd forgotten about that scale honestly.
Catalyst would be really happy if you continued to forget about it, and not mention it to others.
It's far from the worst illogical thing in Battletech, I mean you have the draconious combine conquering half the FedSuns well fighting a civil war, Meanwhile the FS fights a civil war and is crippled by it, you'd never know that the line developer was a Combine fan would you?
Given the amount of Federated Suns is the best and most honourable good guys in the universe taking place in the story for so very long I think a Combine bias is incorrect.
Look at the NAIS - Not just super scientists but super super ninja scientists that invent "everything".
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
I'd forgotten about that scale honestly.
Catalyst would be really happy if you continued to forget about it, and not mention it to others.
It's far from the worst illogical thing in Battletech, I mean you have the draconious combine conquering half the FedSuns well fighting a civil war, Meanwhile the FS fights a civil war and is crippled by it, you'd never know that the line developer was a Combine fan would you?
Given the amount of Federated Suns is the best and most honourable good guys in the universe taking place in the story for so very long I think a Combine bias is incorrect.
Look at the NAIS - Not just super scientists but super super ninja scientists that invent "everything".
that hasn't been the case for over 25 years real time. right now the line developer is Randell Bills whose fav faction is the Combine and the owner of CGL is Loren L Coleman whose preferance is the CapCon and it reaallly reaaaaally shows
Mr Morden wrote: Not read much past the Inner Sphere capturing Huntress
thats not a bad place to stop TBH. the storyline was just moderatly bad around there but the stupid picked up full scale with the end of that and the beginning of the FCCW
Then again, some people still think the Clans ruined everything.
the problem with the FCCW was it was an intreasting idea ruined by execution. Katherine Steiner-Davion simply had no legal claim to the throne against her brother Victor. but they tried to claim it was somehow grey anyway. A better solution would have been to have VSD killed and thus through the sucession into question. (Katherine was the second born and thus in theory next in line, but she was actually inelligable for the throne given the FS's sucession laws)
I liked the way she stoked the prejudices of the LC and made herself out to be their leader, rather than the leader of the Federated Commonwealth as a whole, only reluctantly taking command of the Fed Suns half because she "had" to.
She was a complete and utter bitch, and got what she deserved in the end (and then made a genetic son that was technically hers and Victor's... 'cause that's not creepy at all!), and it made for an interesting story.
H.B.M.C. wrote: I liked the way she stoked the prejudices of the LC and made herself out to be their leader, rather than the leader of the Federated Commonwealth as a whole, only reluctantly taking command of the Fed Suns half because she "had" to.
She was a complete and utter bitch, and got what she deserved in the end (and then made a genetic son that was technically hers and Victor's... 'cause that's not creepy at all!), and it made for an interesting story.
the problem is... the minute Victor said he wanted her off the throne, every career officer in the fedsuns should have sided with Victor. She simply had no legal claim. but at the same time, despite that they tried to write about honest good officers like Jackson Davion serving ehr cause she was the lawful ruler... the woman was an unlawful usurper. with no more claim then the US vice president would have over the US if the POTUS went out of country for a month on busniess.
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
I'd forgotten about that scale honestly.
Catalyst would be really happy if you continued to forget about it, and not mention it to others.
It's far from the worst illogical thing in Battletech, I mean you have the draconious combine conquering half the FedSuns well fighting a civil war, Meanwhile the FS fights a civil war and is crippled by it, you'd never know that the line developer was a Combine fan would you?
Given the amount of Federated Suns is the best and most honourable good guys in the universe taking place in the story for so very long I think a Combine bias is incorrect.
Look at the NAIS - Not just super scientists but super super ninja scientists that invent "everything".
that hasn't been the case for over 25 years real time. right now the line developer is Randell Bills whose fav faction is the Combine and the owner of CGL is Loren L Coleman whose preferance is the CapCon and it reaallly reaaaaally shows
Randall Bills hasn't been the BattleTech Line Developer for over a year. He's still the Managing Director for CGL, but Brent Evans (formerly the Art Director for CGL) is now the BattleTech Line Developer.
Ghaz wrote: BattleTech has never really had a set scale for the miniatures.
Have they ever even published sizes for the 'Mechs? All I've ever seen is tonnages and vague statements of height ranges for Battlemechs as a whole.
They did put a scale in the back of TRO: 3039, but it was ridiculous and is often ignored. That image showed that a light 'Mech only came up to an assault 'Mechs' crotch. It would have been impossible to punch the TORSO of an assault 'Mech in a light 'Mech, let alone the head.
But mostly they say all 'Mechs are between 8 to 12 meters tall, with a few exceptions being taller.
I'd forgotten about that scale honestly.
Catalyst would be really happy if you continued to forget about it, and not mention it to others.
It's far from the worst illogical thing in Battletech, I mean you have the draconious combine conquering half the FedSuns well fighting a civil war, Meanwhile the FS fights a civil war and is crippled by it, you'd never know that the line developer was a Combine fan would you?
Given the amount of Federated Suns is the best and most honourable good guys in the universe taking place in the story for so very long I think a Combine bias is incorrect.
Look at the NAIS - Not just super scientists but super super ninja scientists that invent "everything".
that hasn't been the case for over 25 years real time. right now the line developer is Randell Bills whose fav faction is the Combine and the owner of CGL is Loren L Coleman whose preferance is the CapCon and it reaallly reaaaaally shows
Randall Bills hasn't been the BattleTech Line Developer for over a year. He's still the Managing Director for CGL, but Brent Evans (formerly the Art Director for CGL) is now the BattleTech Line Developer.
ahh did they, well hopefully they'll fix things that way, that said not terriably sure I like this Ilclan thing. I've heard the original plan for it and was not impressed
Has the 8-mech starter set hit stores yet? MM only has the 2-mech starter and the only copy of the 8-mech set I've seen on ebay someone's trying to pawn for $400.
Howabout the new print of rulebook? Anybody know europe based story that might carry and ship outside own country? FLGS doesn't seem to sell it. And what are odds it does indeed get released today like publisher claims?
tneva82 wrote: Howabout the new print of rulebook? Anybody know europe based story that might carry and ship outside own country? FLGS doesn't seem to sell it. And what are odds it does indeed get released today like publisher claims?
It's been awhile since I've directly purchased Btech stuff, but generally speaking in my experiance their release date is typically "when we send the books out" CGL, as far as I know, typically hasn't done what the bigger companies like GW, WOTC etc do of sending stuff out a week or two in advance and then asking them to hold off selling it for the release date (and in fairness they lack the level of market power to enforce that kind of thing) So chances are you won't nesscarily get the book on the release date. Just my experiance.
A small skirmish on a little-known planetoid called The Rock in 3049 was the first warning that the invasion had arrived. The Clans, genetically engineered warriors piloting cutting-edge OmniMechs, spent the next three years tearing through the Inner Sphere’s elite, claiming world after world in a seemingly endless campaign of conquest. Only a desperate, final stand against the combined might of the Clans could deny the invaders their glittering prize: Terra itself.
Technical Readout: Clan Invasion is a companion to the BattleTech Manual and the follow-up to Technical Readout: Succession Wars. Combining ‘Mechs previously detailed in Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3060, and Technical Readout: 3067, this volume includes the unequaled Clan OmniMechs and upgraded Inner Sphere ‘Mechs fielding technology unlocked by the Helm Memory Core. Each machine is illustrated in detail, and accompanied by a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats, along with their most famous pilots.
Stormonu wrote: Has the 8-mech starter set hit stores yet? MM only has the 2-mech starter and the only copy of the 8-mech set I've seen on ebay someone's trying to pawn for $400.
A small skirmish on a little-known planetoid called The Rock in 3049 was the first warning that the invasion had arrived. The Clans, genetically engineered warriors piloting cutting-edge OmniMechs, spent the next three years tearing through the Inner Sphere’s elite, claiming world after world in a seemingly endless campaign of conquest. Only a desperate, final stand against the combined might of the Clans could deny the invaders their glittering prize: Terra itself.
Technical Readout: Clan Invasion is a companion to the BattleTech Manual and the follow-up to Technical Readout: Succession Wars. Combining ‘Mechs previously detailed in Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3060, and Technical Readout: 3067, this volume includes the unequaled Clan OmniMechs and upgraded Inner Sphere ‘Mechs fielding technology unlocked by the Helm Memory Core. Each machine is illustrated in detail, and accompanied by a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats, along with their most famous pilots.
so it's tro 3050, 3055, 3058 3060 and 3067 COMBINED?! jesus that thing must be HUGE
A small skirmish on a little-known planetoid called The Rock in 3049 was the first warning that the invasion had arrived. The Clans, genetically engineered warriors piloting cutting-edge OmniMechs, spent the next three years tearing through the Inner Sphere’s elite, claiming world after world in a seemingly endless campaign of conquest. Only a desperate, final stand against the combined might of the Clans could deny the invaders their glittering prize: Terra itself.
Technical Readout: Clan Invasion is a companion to the BattleTech Manual and the follow-up to Technical Readout: Succession Wars. Combining ‘Mechs previously detailed in Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3060, and Technical Readout: 3067, this volume includes the unequaled Clan OmniMechs and upgraded Inner Sphere ‘Mechs fielding technology unlocked by the Helm Memory Core. Each machine is illustrated in detail, and accompanied by a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats, along with their most famous pilots.
so it's tro 3050, 3055, 3058 3060 and 3067 COMBINED?! jesus that thing must be HUGE
From the BattleTech Forum it's the same size as Technical Readout: Succession Wars (so approximately 93 'mechs) and no new art
Albertorius wrote: So it won't have the Macross unseens, then? That's a bummer. I was hoping they would put them there, seeing as they weren't in the Succ. Wars TR.
It might have the upgraded variants which appeared in TRO: 3050, at least originally.
Albertorius wrote: So it won't have the Macross unseens, then? That's a bummer. I was hoping they would put them there, seeing as they weren't in the Succ. Wars TR.
It might have the upgraded variants which appeared in TRO: 3050, at least originally.
If as stated it doesn't have new art I don't think so.
It may have the Project Phoenix artwork but Catalyst has said they will not use artwork based on designs produced out of house even if there is no legal problem in doing so. So there will be no Unseens in the tech readout.
Oh, sorry I misunderstood. I thought Albertorius was referring to the unseen designs appearing in the book (as in stats and development/background/usage/notable pilots text), not the specific artwork appearing.
Yeah, like Ghaz said, PP artwork, or some of the revised artwork* would probably be used if those designs are included in this book. Considering the effort made to create new models and artwork for the unseen I hope those designs are part of this Clan Invasion book. The 3050 refits were fun!
*The "no new artwork" rule seems like it isn't set in stone ("plans may change"). I am holding out hope that the re-imagined classic designs make it in.
Ghaz wrote: It may have the Project Phoenix artwork but Catalyst has said they will not use artwork based on designs produced out of house even if there is no legal problem in doing so. So there will be no Unseens in the tech readout.
And yet, in the TRO: Succession Wars you have Locust (based on the out of house Crusher Joe anime series), Ostscout (based on the out of house Macross anime series), Griffin, Shadow Hawk, Wolverine, Thunderbolt and Battlemaster (all based on the out of house Dougram anime series).
Plus, the same artist that has done the above desings has also done a lot of Macross ones:
Spoiler:
I was expecting Catalyst to use all of the above, as he did with the others for TRO:SW
Albertorius wrote: And yet, in the TRO: Succession Wars you have Locust (based on the out of house Crusher Joe anime series), Ostscout (based on the out of house Macross anime series), Griffin, Shadow Hawk, Wolverine, Thunderbolt and Battlemaster (all based on the out of house Dougram anime series).
All of which have been updated and redesigned in-house. They are new designs, even if they were inspired by the original anime artwork.
Albertorius wrote: And yet, in the TRO: Succession Wars you have Locust (based on the out of house Crusher Joe anime series), Ostscout (based on the out of house Macross anime series), Griffin, Shadow Hawk, Wolverine, Thunderbolt and Battlemaster (all based on the out of house Dougram anime series).
All of which have been updated and redesigned in-house. They are new designs, even if they were inspired by the original anime artwork.
Then so are all the other ones, you know. That's what you meant then? When you said that "Catalyst has said they will not use artwork based on designs produced out of house even if there is no legal problem in doing so" you seemed to be implying that they would not be using any artwork based on outside sources, even if they were redesigned in-house.
Nope. That's you leaping to conclusions. The updated 'mechs are new designs inspired by the original anime artwork. They're no more the same design than the current Land Raider is to the original Land Raider back in 2nd edition.
Ghaz wrote: Nope. That's you leaping to conclusions. The updated 'mechs are new designs inspired by the original anime artwork. They're no more the same design than the current Land Raider is to the original Land Raider back in 2nd edition.
...alright then. Still, maybe next time you could clarify, because "art based on design X" usually includes redesigns based on the aforementioned design X. That's what all the legal kerfuffle seemed to be about, after all.
H.B.M.C. wrote: I'm confused... are they using those designs or not?
No one knows exactly what will be in the book other than Catalyst, and they're not talking. What's been noted already in this thread is about all that we know for sure. There's a THREAD on the BattleTech forums if you want to read all of the speculation.
Well, I'm stoked. Reading as many of the old books as I can and purchased a Pursuit Lance this past weekend. Does anyone know here I could buy clear acrylic hex bases to replace the huge black ones they come with?
ancientsociety wrote: Well, I'm stoked. Reading as many of the old books as I can and purchased a Pursuit Lance this past weekend. Does anyone know here I could buy clear acrylic hex bases to replace the huge black ones they come with?
https://litko.net/ sell a wide varity of bases. including clear plastic hex bases
ancientsociety wrote: Well, I'm stoked. Reading as many of the old books as I can and purchased a Pursuit Lance this past weekend. Does anyone know here I could buy clear acrylic hex bases to replace the huge black ones they come with?
https://litko.net/ sell a wide varity of bases. including clear plastic hex bases
ancientsociety wrote: Well, I'm stoked. Reading as many of the old books as I can and purchased a Pursuit Lance this past weekend. Does anyone know here I could buy clear acrylic hex bases to replace the huge black ones they come with?
https://litko.net/ sell a wide varity of bases. including clear plastic hex bases
Cool. Any idea what size?
30mm for Battletech. Litko doesn't sell them standard though so you'll need to custom order, still, shouldn't be too bad. you'll not need very many
Is there any news on this? Like a rough release date and maybe a European retailer?
Still "3rd (fiscal) quarter 2018" as far as I am aware. FantasyWelt.de has them up for pre-order. But rather oddly none of the other (English/German) usual suspects I know of do.
Cergorach wrote: I see this going the same way as many of the previous starter sets with minis, out of stock most of the time...
Catalyst sucks. Tops really needs to get the license into someone else's hands.
problem is that Topps only lisences the game to Catalyst because CGL wants it. I don't think anyone else is INTREASTED in the lisence. CGL is basicly a "by the fans, for the fans" type deal.
Well, CGL posted this to the Battletech FB page...
"
Update on Upcoming BattleTech Boxed Sets
With convention season behind us, the Catalyst team wanted to provide an update on two hotly-anticipated BattleTech products, the “BattleTech Beginner Box” and “BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat” boxed sets.
Just before PAX West, we were surprised to learn we would not be receiving additional rush-delivered copies of the two boxed sets. What’s more, despite being in near-constant contact with the overseas manufacturer throughout August, it is clear they have not shipped the production runs as expected.
As such, we wanted to let customers and retailers alike know that the two products will not be available by the end of the third quarter of 2018 as we’d planned. While this news is as disappointing to our team as it is to you, we wanted to ensure you had the most up-to-date information possible.
We continue to work with the manufacturer to get both box sets in stores as soon as possible. Once the production run ships and clears customs, we will have a reasonable estimate for a release date of the two products.
Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding, and your continued support of BattleTech."
With convention season behind us, the Catalyst team wanted to provide an update on two hotly-anticipated BattleTech products, the “BattleTech Beginner Box” and “BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat” boxed sets.
Just before PAX West, we were surprised to learn we would not be receiving additional rush-delivered copies of the two boxed sets. What’s more, despite being in near-constant contact with the overseas manufacturer throughout August, it is clear they have not shipped the production runs as expected.
As such, we wanted to let customers and retailers alike know that the two products will not be available by the end of the third quarter of 2018 as we’d planned. While this news is as disappointing to our team as it is to you, we wanted to ensure you had the most up-to-date information possible.
We continue to work with the manufacturer to get both box sets in stores as soon as possible. Once the production run ships and clears customs, we will have a reasonable estimate for a release date of the two products.
Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding, and your continued support of BattleTech.
Albertorius wrote: So... CGL is still CGL. In other news, water is still wet!
This isn't CGL. This is China messing with the country that decided to start a trade war with them.
Of course. That's why FFG has been suffering the same delays.
Oh wait. No, they haven't.
FFG is much bigger then CGL So I imagine they are prioritized etc, despite the age and pedigree of Battletech as a whole CGL is a pretty small company and lacks the clout of even some of the larger gaming companies (not that even the big ones have a lot of clout) they're not getting rich making Battletech.
torgoch wrote: I don’t normally post much anymore but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this way!
I don't think the Clans ruined anything.
The Word of Blake and their temper tantrum are the ones who ruined everything...
The Blessed Blake apologizes for the nuclear fires which spontaneously consumed so many vile heretics and enemies of our peaceful cybernetic movement. In our defense, we warned you. Also-
Then again, some people still think the Clans ruined everything.
^^^THIS
I don’t normally post much anymore but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this way!
You are not alone in this belief. It was an unwanted attempt to patch to the game.
the problems with the clans can be addressed in two ways, narraitive and balance, from a balance POV the addition of a seperate tech base did add an unnesscary complication. even the writers I belive have said that in retrospect clantech may have been a mistake.
Cergorach wrote: I see this going the same way as many of the previous starter sets with minis, out of stock most of the time...
Hopefully not. Apparently this one is actually priced to make a profit for Catalyst, so it will be easier to order new runs.
The old one(s) were priced low to draw in new people, which made it hard to keep in production for a small outfit like Catalyst. Especially since the sets were snapped up by oldtimers looking for cheap minis rather than new players.
Ooops.
So the story goes on the BT forums at least. We will see...
I dunno if the Clans themselves were necessarily a bad thing. In the fluff they were massively out numbered and their win condition really meant nothing to their opponents. They had a major tech advantage but that started to evaporate quickly by Tukayyid.
Post-Refusal War has some interesting concepts (Ghost Bear and Snow Ravens merging with smaller states, Diamond Shark/Sea Fox turning into wandering merchants, and the Wars of Reaving where the home clans ate themselves).
In game though, their biggest fans always seemed to be the type of people who liked to munchkin their battles.
Personally I thought the whole Dark Ages (as well as large chunks of the Jihad) thing was a bigger problem.
nobody wrote: Personally I thought the whole Dark Ages (as well as large chunks of the Jihad) thing was a bigger problem.
Yeah, FanPro allowing authors to run rough shod over the setting and turning official products into glorified fan fictions was problematic for me. Looking at your Warner Doles.
nobody wrote: Personally I thought the whole Dark Ages (as well as large chunks of the Jihad) thing was a bigger problem.
Yeah, FanPro allowing authors to run rough shod over the setting and turning official products into glorified fan fictions was problematic for me. Looking at your Warner Doles.
you mean when well writing Guide to covert Ops Warner randomly re-wrote the entire history for Free Capella (they never should have allowed him to touch the faction he had a char named after him for) so that they where always capellan loyalists? or even worse when he, on the offical website wrote that House Davion had started the sucession wars (not the 4th sucession war. ALL of them) I called him out on that one and the excuse he gave was pretty lame.
I sometimes wonder if the Battletech license had been allowed to just sit around, gathering a bit of dust for a few years, if that would have been such a bad thing... Imagine, if you want to upset yourself, that Fantasy Flight Games had decided to pick it up and test the waters with a well-made starter box with a decent promotion campaign behind it, followed up by a bunch of decent, worthwhile expansion boxes covering different historical periods. No jumped up fanfic, just good products with decent print runs to restock when they ran out with expert game designers and decent writers that understood their source material (maybe even, y'know, freelancers, but freelancers that, I dunno, get paid)...
Instead of the CGL charlatans who, in spite of being very enthusiastic when not covering up massive financial impropriety, have simply NEVER really been able to handle the license well.
It's sad. The small, barely-hanging-on fanbase appears to be just large enough to provide CGL the meagre profits necessary to sit on the license for long stretches of time while doing nothing but offering up glorified novellas in RPG-sourcebook format every 3-5 years.
ekwatts wrote: I sometimes wonder if the Battletech license had been allowed to just sit around, gathering a bit of dust for a few years, if that would have been such a bad thing... Imagine, if you want to upset yourself, that Fantasy Flight Games had decided to pick it up and test the waters with a well-made starter box with a decent promotion campaign behind it, followed up by a bunch of decent, worthwhile expansion boxes covering different historical periods. No jumped up fanfic, just good products with decent print runs to restock when they ran out with expert game designers and decent writers that understood their source material (maybe even, y'know, freelancers, but freelancers that, I dunno, get paid)...
Instead of the CGL charlatans who, in spite of being very enthusiastic when not covering up massive financial impropriety, have simply NEVER really been able to handle the license well.
It's sad. The small, barely-hanging-on fanbase appears to be just large enough to provide CGL the meagre profits necessary to sit on the license for long stretches of time while doing nothing but offering up glorified novellas in RPG-sourcebook format every 3-5 years.
Nah, any other company that did battletech'd proably take the basic setting and do their own "version" of it. we'd get something like MWDA. no thanks.
nobody wrote: Personally I thought the whole Dark Ages (as well as large chunks of the Jihad) thing was a bigger problem.
Yeah, FanPro allowing authors to run rough shod over the setting and turning official products into glorified fan fictions was problematic for me. Looking at your Warner Doles.
you mean when well writing Guide to covert Ops Warner randomly re-wrote the entire history for Free Capella (they never should have allowed him to touch the faction he had a char named after him for) so that they where always capellan loyalists? or even worse when he, on the offical website wrote that House Davion had started the sucession wars (not the 4th sucession war. ALL of them) I called him out on that one and the excuse he gave was pretty lame.
Exactly. That was a real low point for Battletech IMO, and turned me off completely on all of the story lines FanPro introduced. It is pretty much why I stopped the timeline at 3067, and mainly hang in the 3030's for games and unit building.
nobody wrote: Personally I thought the whole Dark Ages (as well as large chunks of the Jihad) thing was a bigger problem.
Yeah, FanPro allowing authors to run rough shod over the setting and turning official products into glorified fan fictions was problematic for me. Looking at your Warner Doles.
you mean when well writing Guide to covert Ops Warner randomly re-wrote the entire history for Free Capella (they never should have allowed him to touch the faction he had a char named after him for) so that they where always capellan loyalists? or even worse when he, on the offical website wrote that House Davion had started the sucession wars (not the 4th sucession war. ALL of them) I called him out on that one and the excuse he gave was pretty lame.
Exactly. That was a real low point for Battletech IMO, and turned me off completely on all of the story lines FanPro introduced. It is pretty much why I stopped the timeline at 3067, and mainly hang in the 3030's for games and unit building.
guide to covert ops was a horriable book, apparently for some reason they didn't have an editor, but yeah, there was also the FCCW a terriably black and white concept that they kept insisting was grey
Manchu wrote: CGL once made me wait a year and a half for a refund on a product I bought from their webstore.
Just to give you some context for what they might mean by “delay.”
jebus, thats insane. a refund is simple eneugh to do.
They probably needed to wait for Loren Coleman to finish having his house underpinned and the swimming pool in his garden expanded before they could afford to send the refund through.
All about priorities.
On-topic, anybody else a little miffed that we're now just over two months away from Christmas with no news at all on the status of the box sets? At this rate we're close to ending up with the first expansion for the Battletech video game released before the actual starter sets.
On-topic, anybody else a little miffed that we're now just over two months away from Christmas with no news at all on the status of the box sets? At this rate we're close to ending up with the first expansion for the Battletech video game released before the actual starter sets.
*raises hand*
I did a small game a couple of weeks ago with 3rd ed figures, and it had me chomping at the bit to buy into the new set. The fire has cooled since then, and I’m sure I am not the only one whose burning pockets have had funds mysteriously allocated elsewhere.
My hankering after some small-scale action with stompy robots has led to me dusting off my old epic collection and adding a new Adeptus Titanicus Reaver to the ranks of my space marines (looks fine, by the way- the 8mm to 6mm conversion looks even better with more "modern" looking Epic vehicles like Vanguard Miniatures stuff since the original Epic vehicles were out of scale anyway).
I'm now looking at adding some Warhounds and maybe some more Epic proxies to fill out the ranks. Battletech may have just dropped off my shopping list for the next six months. If it even comes out within that timeframe anyway!
Manchu wrote: CGL once made me wait a year and a half for a refund on a product I bought from their webstore.
Just to give you some context for what they might mean by “delay.”
jebus, thats insane. a refund is simple eneugh to do.
They probably needed to wait for Loren Coleman to finish having his house underpinned and the swimming pool in his garden expanded before they could afford to send the refund through.
All about priorities.
On-topic, anybody else a little miffed that we're now just over two months away from Christmas with no news at all on the status of the box sets? At this rate we're close to ending up with the first expansion for the Battletech video game released before the actual starter sets.
yeah Loren's mistake (and it was a mistake) certainly made things difficult.
No tricks this Halloween, but a small treat for BattleTech players – we’ve got some new information about the much-anticipated “BattleTech Beginner Box” and “BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat” boxed sets.
We have confirmed that the full run of both sets has been printed, and shipped from China on Tuesday, Oct. 30. They’re making their way across the high seas, and are expected in port on the East Coast of the United States on Nov. 26. After about a week to clear customs, they’re scheduled for arrival at our distributor on Dec. 3. At that point, we should be able to offer a more specific street date for these products.
Remember that these dates are estimates only–things like weather and other physical delays can and do occur in maritime shipping. We’ll keep you updated as we continue to track the shipment’s progress.
It's amazing that the street date for these sets is more and more likely to be early 2019. Not surprising... but you would have thought that they'd have gone the extra mile to ensure that this whole process didn't turn into a debacle like... well, all their other debacles.
Welp, I guess I'll put aside some cash to grab a few before they go immediately out of print, come back again, go away again, then finally disappear for good with no comment at all from CGL until they start talking about the next big starter set in 2024.
Back from the dead, we have news from Mech-Con, which is happening right now. Really all the news is about Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries, the 5th game in the Mechwarrior series (if you ignore Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries, which was a spin-off of Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance) and the third game to be called "Mercenaries". Video games are confusing y'all!
But in table top news, BTech is finally getting new maps for the first time since the Bronze Age I think!
As a lover of all things maps/tiles/board pieces (I think I own between 2 and 4 of every BTech Map, maybe even as high as 6 for some of them) I am super excited by this.
And I confirmed with Catalyst that these are all new maps.
OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote: I think that once you've given the factory your money (unless you're a big repeat business partner) you pretty much have to lie back and wait,
That's certainly the case when trying to get space on ships too
Which is fine, I get that. Nearly every company has to deal with that aspect of the industry unless they're so massive that they actually own most of their own production and warehousing (like GW). But this is as much about the dire state of the game under CGL and their licensor than the speed at which they're bringing this product to market.
For example, it wouldn't feel quite so disappointing that this game realistically won't be in my hands until early next year if it wasn't for the silly long gap between the availability of the last proper starter set and this one. Moreover, it's not as if that gap has been down to the sort of developmental progression that other games go through; aside from the new, redesigned plastic mechs, the rules are going to be almost identical to the rules found in almost every boxed starter set going back to the 1980s.
CGL simply cannot bring products to market because they lack the capital to properly invest in making competitive products for what is one of the oldest licenses out there. It's embarrassing and silly.
If there's no major changes in content besides the plastic miniatures, no major development, then the delays and the gaps and the lack of products are basically down to the fact that the company in charge can't actually afford to keep their products on shelves.
To me, that's a fundamental failure of an actual games company. They're hobbyists and enthusiasts masquerading as a legitimate games company with just enough capital to be able to apply a glossy sheen over their efforts to fool enough people that nobody important starts asking why the (potentially profitable) Battletech license is being allowed to languish.
From everything I've seen about this company, I think it must actually be made up of 3 guys sitting around in a storage unit playing games and calling themselves a game company. They probably do it in order to be able to buy other companies games at a discount for their club! Why am I so bitter? I am a retailer, and I see these guys every year at the GAMA trade show. Every year they put on a big show about all of the products they are coming out with, but they never produce in quantity. What that looks like in a store is that we get a splash of product. Some of our Alpha gamers or old grognards (the two groups most likely to pick up a game and get others involved) buy the game and start showing it to other players. Demand begins to grow about the time Catalyst runs out of stock. For 6-8 months I can't get any more product. My player base becomes bitter about the game and moves on to the latest GW game. If I am a smart retailer, I am going to allocate my resources to the product with the best turn-over rate. That won't be Catalyst. It's a shame because I actually love BattleTech. It was one of the first miniatures games I began playing and I will always have fond memories of going to conventions and playing giant games of BattleTech. But Catalyst is doing a disservice to the gaming community by holding on to licenses that they cannot adequately deliver on. Either they need to get a business loan or raise enough capital to stock their game properly, or they need to sell it to Asmodeus(who always seem to be looking to acquire game licenses). And while they are at it, they need to sell Shadowrun to someone who can produce that game as well.
Smellingsalts wrote: Catalyst is doing a disservice to the gaming community by holding on to licenses that they cannot adequately deliver on.
Where is the clapping Orkmoticon? Yes, yes, yes! Topps needs to revoke Battletech and Shadowrun's licenses from Catalyst, no question. I won't go so far as saying the company has damaged those licenses, but they aren't doing them any favors, either. From past bad practices of not paying freelancers, to embezzling funds, to the glacial rate of releases, Catalyst is a problematic company. They should have been dropped by Topps years ago.
There is so much enthusiasm for Battletech with the popularity of the HBS video game, and MechWarrior Online, and now news of Mechwarrior 5, and yet, no new table top products at all to capitalize on that interest. That is just fething backwards.
Smellingsalts wrote: Catalyst is doing a disservice to the gaming community by holding on to licenses that they cannot adequately deliver on.
Where is the clapping Orkmoticon? Yes, yes, yes! Topps needs to revoke Battletech and Shadowrun's licenses from Catalyst, no question. I won't go so far as saying the company has damaged those licenses, but they aren't doing them any favors, either. From past bad practices of not paying freelancers, to embezzling funds, to the glacial rate of releases, Catalyst is a problematic company. They should have been dropped by Topps years ago.
There is so much enthusiasm for Battletech with the popularity of the HBS video game, and MechWarrior Online, and now news of Mechwarrior 5, and yet, no new table top products at all to capitalize on that interest. That is just fething backwards.
So you want BattleTech to go out of production altogether? Because there's not a line of companies waiting to pick up the license.
Smellingsalts wrote: Catalyst is doing a disservice to the gaming community by holding on to licenses that they cannot adequately deliver on.
Where is the clapping Orkmoticon? Yes, yes, yes! Topps needs to revoke Battletech and Shadowrun's licenses from Catalyst, no question. I won't go so far as saying the company has damaged those licenses, but they aren't doing them any favors, either. From past bad practices of not paying freelancers, to embezzling funds, to the glacial rate of releases, Catalyst is a problematic company. They should have been dropped by Topps years ago.
There is so much enthusiasm for Battletech with the popularity of the HBS video game, and MechWarrior Online, and now news of Mechwarrior 5, and yet, no new table top products at all to capitalize on that interest. That is just fething backwards.
So you want BattleTech to go out of production altogether? Because there's not a line of companies waiting to pick up the license.
Mmm delicious false dichotomy.
Do you work for Topps and have information regarding the license? Because if not, how can you back up your last statement?
Battletech could be a lucrative license in the right hands, why wouldn't companies be interested? It is a property with history, and very popular computer games currently in vogue.
Games without even 1/10 of Battletech's pedigree get licensed all the time when their parent companies fail, or if enough time has lapsed between editions. Why do you think Catalyst is the only company interested in Battletech?
Smellingsalts wrote: Catalyst is doing a disservice to the gaming community by holding on to licenses that they cannot adequately deliver on.
Where is the clapping Orkmoticon? Yes, yes, yes! Topps needs to revoke Battletech and Shadowrun's licenses from Catalyst, no question. I won't go so far as saying the company has damaged those licenses, but they aren't doing them any favors, either. From past bad practices of not paying freelancers, to embezzling funds, to the glacial rate of releases, Catalyst is a problematic company. They should have been dropped by Topps years ago.
There is so much enthusiasm for Battletech with the popularity of the HBS video game, and MechWarrior Online, and now news of Mechwarrior 5, and yet, no new table top products at all to capitalize on that interest. That is just fething backwards.
So you want BattleTech to go out of production altogether? Because there's not a line of companies waiting to pick up the license.
Mmm delicious false dichotomy.
Do you work for Topps and have information regarding the license? Because if not, how can you back up your last statement?
Battletech could be a lucrative license in the right hands, why wouldn't companies be interested? It is a property with history, and very popular computer games currently in vogue.
Games without even 1/10 of Battletech's pedigree get licensed all the time when their parent companies fail, or if enough time has lapsed between editions. Why do you think Catalyst is the only company interested in Battletech?
If it was so lucrative then why does Catalyst still have the licenses for the board game and RPG after all of these years? Not even WizKids thought the board game was worth further development when they purchased the BattleTech rights from FASA and instead licensed it to FanPro and later Topps licensed it to Catalyst Game Labs after they acquired WizKids. Both FanPro and Catalyst Game Labs had links to BattleTech in the FASA days. If there was other interest in the board game and RPG licenses, there was plenty of opportunity for them to make a bid for those licenses yet none ever materialized. Therefore there's plenty of evidence that those licenses aren't as hot of a commodity as you believe.
Then the new BTech edition can have pre-painted minis and more counters than there are worlds in the Inner Sphere!
In other words, actual physical in hand product for the shelves instead of a random phantom product preview pic every 6 months to bump this thread? Sounds good.
CGL should learn from the mantra, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." Especially because Stackpole uses the phrase a lot on some of the novels.
CGL suffered by being small and trusting to Chinese manufacturing with their last boxset, and received a crap product. They have not learned their lesson.
They will end up like Rackham, unable to service their game because outsourcing means they are essentially reduced down to a design house attached to a Chin ese factory that is actually calling the shots.
This is what happens to smaller companies time and time again.
A Kickstarter works because the money comes in ahead of time there is a plan it gets done and after 2d6 months extra delay it is actioned. plan well enough and you might get 1d6 months delay. CGL are going through the traditional approach to outsourcing production, and the result is the same. "Are you Hasbro or Disney, or maybe Games Workshop? No. So no priority for you. We will do it when we get around to it, meanwhile shut up and pay us."
There are three ways around this. Be bigger, which isn't an option for CGL. Be smarter, which possibly is. A number of small companies make good service of Chinese manufacturing, by playing along on the inside. The best way to do this is gain connexions and work via Hong Kong. This is what Plastic Soldier Company did and is principally why it had no problems. PSc had the advantage of being British nd the British still have good existant business ties to Hong Kong, but these relationships are by no means exclusive. PSC had the wisdom and forsight to have offices in Hong Kong so there is hands on representation.
CGL hasn't learned, twice, Rackham also never learned. At least CGL is primarily a publisher and a licensor of miniatures to IWM, who can be relied upon. So they will not fold unlike Rackham, who were so far in they became the Chinese manufacturers bitch.
the third way is of course to go elsewhere. Plastic manufacturing has been sourced back to the west. There are manufacturers who work for third parties, Renedra being the most well recognised name. Renedra do all the plastics for Fireforge, Perry and Osprey (Frostgrave), they make good stprues at a good price and they make them on time with no BS. If CGL came to its senses and outsourced mech production to Renedra or one of the alternatives in the US the mechs would be out there already and there would be no quality issues either.
If it was so lucrative then why does Catalyst still have the licenses for the board game and RPG after all of these years? Not even WizKids thought the board game was worth further development when they purchased the BattleTech rights from FASA and instead licensed it to FanPro and later Topps licensed it to Catalyst Game Labs after they acquired WizKids.
So, yeah, that all was nearly 20 years ago. A lot has changed in the gaming landscape since. When Wizkids was in control Battletech had just become "dead" with the close of FASA and they had focus on their new clix game. The last Mechwarrior computer game was already 2 years old (MW4) and Mech Assault wasn't out yet. That was probably the lowest point for (Classic) Battletech as a property.
Ghaz wrote: Both FanPro and Catalyst Game Labs had links to BattleTech in the FASA days. If there was other interest in the board game and RPG licenses, there was plenty of opportunity for them to make a bid for those licenses yet none ever materialized. Therefore there's plenty of evidence that those licenses aren't as hot of a commodity as you believe.
I'd agree with you if I was also basing my assessment of the license on the state of affairs from 16 years ago. But it isn't 2002 and Battletech is in a much stronger position as a license right now due to the success of the various computer games associated with the setting. Battletech has also weathered the demise of FASA, and while some people still think it is a dead game, there are 15 years of product development, a slow trickle though it was, that proves the game is still "alive" with an active fan base behind it.
So, yes, I disagree with your assessment that Battletech isn't a lucrative license. I don't know if Topps has explored other companies taking over or not, but they absolutely should. Catalyst is holding back a potential cash cow. Battletech is one of the original mecha games, and with the right stewardship it could be a hit again. Mecha are popular with gamers, so what is it about Battletech that is so problematic as a table top game that it can't even make it to store shelves? Surely it is the company producing the game that is to blame, not the license itself because the setting of Battletech is as popular as ever in other media.
Truth is Battletech needs a major face lift, revised rules and a leaner model product line. Catalyst is doing the face lift part with this new boxed set, but until the other issues are addressed they are holding the game back by simultaneously trying to keep the mechanics and units from 30+ years viable, while also trying to appeal to a modern audience. I don't think you can do that, and based on Catalyst's output over the last few years they can't juggle those two disparate parts of the fan base. By doing relatively little to modernize Battletech Catalyst isn't going to gain the market share needed to do the game justice.
A larger company with more resources would be a better steward because Battletech can't thrive when it releases a few pieces of new material each year that are difficult to find, or, like in Smellingsalts' case, retailers want to stock the game but know it is a waste of money and space because there won't be much support for the game from Catalyst after product initially drops.
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H.B.M.C. wrote: BattleTech under anyone else wouldn't be BattleTech.
You think the rules would survive sale to another company?
The rules need changing. They are clunky and way too detail oriented. Which is what I love about them, but they don't appeal to modern players. I know it isn't a popular opinion, but it honestly needs to be done.
H.B.M.C. wrote: BattleTech under anyone else wouldn't be BattleTech.
You think the rules would survive sale to another company?
Exclusively in the form they're in now? No... but I suspect that there will always be in print a "Classic" edition book that will be updated once before printing and then largely stay the same in addition to whatever form the revamped game will end up.
The full print runs of the "BattleTech Beginner Box" and "BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat" reached our fulfillment center as scheduled on Dec. 3
The Beginner Box has moved into the distribution pipeline and could appear on store shelves as soon as this Friday, Dec. 14, with full availability likely during the week of Dec. 17.
The "BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat" boxed set will have a street date of Wednesday, January 23. Both box sets should be available via your local game store's order form, and both will become available via the Catalyst Game Labs webstore on January 23.
I don't know about you folks, but I know nothing is more effective at engendering positive customer relations like arbitrarily deciding to withhold the release of your flagship product by another month when its already suffered manufacturing delays, thereby forcing customers who pre-ordered with the expectation of release in Q3 of 2018 to wait until Q1 of 2019. Brilliant business decision by the 'management' of Catalyst Game Labs. /s
I wish someone would give the license to a company that understood the gaming industry as it exists in 2018, rather than one that pretends its still 1990.
EDIT: I'm almost positive CGL edited their posting on Facebook on this.
Initially, it said that 'management' made a decision to withhold release of AGoAC. Now it simply says that both sets reached the fulfillment center on Dec. 3.
ancientsociety wrote: I don't know about you folks, but I know nothing is more effective at engendering positive customer relations like arbitrarily deciding to withhold the release of your flagship product by another month when its already suffered manufacturing delays, thereby forcing customers who pre-ordered with the expectation of release in Q3 of 2018 to wait until Q1 of 2019. Brilliant business decision by the 'management' of Catalyst Game Labs. /s
I wish someone would give the license to a company that understood the gaming industry as it exists in 2018, rather than one that pretends its still 1990.
That is a very good point. If both are available and set, it's purely a business decision not to release them both now- I guess in the hopes Battletech fans are too impatient to wait for the box we really want. Heck, there's a Beginner's exclusive mech. Battletech fans were going to buy both anyways.
Or their fulfilment centre is one man and a dog and will take that long to get the beginner box out before being able to start work on the main BattleTech box?
(not as implausible as it first sounds as they're not big or wealthy so may well have gone for a cheap option)
or their fulfilment center just doesn't have a big enough time slot to do both since they're late and other firms have pre-booked so they get the beginner out (if they do have to split the stuff it make sense to do this first) and the main one as soon as they can?
OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote: Or their fulfilment centre is one man and a dog and will take that long to get the beginner box out before being able to start work on the main BattleTech box?
(not as implausible as it first sounds as they're not big or wealthy so may well have gone for a cheap option)
or their fulfilment center just doesn't have a big enough time slot to do both since they're late and other firms have pre-booked so they get the beginner out (if they do have to split the stuff it make sense to do this first) and the main one as soon as they can?
I edited my initial comment because I went back to their FB page and I could have sworn it said that 'management' made the decision to stagger the release. Now it doesn't say that. It stood out to me because it sounded really odd to say something like that on social media in 2018.
Or Catalyst has other products releasing on or near those dates. After all Catalyst Game Labs does have Shadowrun, and other games as well as BattleTech.
I edited my initial comment because I went back to their FB page and I could have sworn it said that 'management' made the decision to stagger the release. Now it doesn't say that. It stood out to me because it sounded really odd to say something like that on social media in 2018.
I think there was a ninja edit. There is an angry thread on Facebook that also mentions "management" despite that term not appearing in the press release.
Siygess wrote: Gaah so much for lower price point. Gameslore (the one place I could guarantee would have it) has the 8 mech box at £47 :(
Not seen it anywhere else in the UK yet and no sign of the beginners box.
Yeh was a bit of a shocker as the USD retail is $59.99 but then current exchange rates have that as £46.45, the price seems about right in that respect. I had expected them to list the beginner box and they are the only stockest in the UK I know of. Importing it might also get expensive especially as from the USa it's the shipping cost, then customs charges, with from abother EU country being up inthe air if it is a delayed release.
Oh good lord, I decided to hold fire for a couple of days so I could order the core box and beginners box at the same time as nobody was listing the latter yet.. and now the core box is sold out everywhere. Good job CGL!
Stockholm syndrome, and Microsoft/Piranha basically keeping the IP relevant. Big problem is Iron Wind though, Catalyst has to jump through a lot of hoops to make these.
Vertrucio wrote: Stockholm syndrome, and Microsoft/Piranha basically keeping the IP relevant. Big problem is Iron Wind though, Catalyst has to jump through a lot of hoops to make these.
How is Iron Wind still getting a license to make minis? Are they the only company that is asking for the license? No other company is interested? Or are they the best of the worst? Just still shocked they are still holding onto the license to make minis for BattleTech. Who wants 80s quality minis in the twenty first century?
Triple9 wrote: For those in the States. Miniature Market still has 6 copies of the Core in stock.
Too late. Out of stock. Catalyst really doesn't want new customers to play. Yeah yeah, I hear them now, "we don't have much money so can't make a lot of product". Shame really. I hope this does help them. I guess getting a bigger order is no guarantee that they all would sell. So why not do what Games Workshop does. After all they seem to know what they are doing, so not a bad idea I guess. Would have been nice to be able to get a copy.
Vertrucio wrote: Stockholm syndrome, and Microsoft/Piranha basically keeping the IP relevant. Big problem is Iron Wind though, Catalyst has to jump through a lot of hoops to make these.
How is Iron Wind still getting a license to make minis? Are they the only company that is asking for the license? No other company is interested? Or are they the best of the worst? Just still shocked they are still holding onto the license to make minis for BattleTech. Who wants 80s quality minis in the twenty first century?
You know, it's really weird. Ironwind has the benefit of every Battletech miniature being available, even some really obscure variants. They'll never move the volume of a typical wargame because of Battletech's low model count. For anyone else to take over it would either mean putting hundreds of designs out of production for years, or doing a full restart.
Personally, I think Catalyst could do it, if they were willing to sever ties with IWM. Imagine a kickstarter for 3025, which puts 16 or so of the most popular designs in plastic. It's made, molded, shipped out in a year or two, then you do a kickstarter for 3050. You maintain momentum, and in 10 years you've got models available for 4 or 5 different eras, and a business model that's far more similar to Reaper Miniatures, who do the niche specialty model and enormous catalog really well.
Iron Wind Metals (f.k.a. Ral Partha) has been making BattleTech miniatures since 1985 when the game was still called Battledroids.
According to sarna.net there are 645 discrete BattleMech designs, with each design having anywhere up to a dozen variants which may or may not be visibly different from the base design. Starting over again from square one would be infeasible in my opinion.
Maybe during the next event they'll just make slightly better BattleMechs to help phase out the old ones. They could call them... oh I dunno... Primaris BattleMechs?
I started playing Battletech in 87. I loved the setting and the granular game play way back when. Their artist created captivating visuals for their universe. I stayed with the game through the WizKids era, getting even more involved as a play tester for the game. I hung on during the early Catalyst Years because I hoped they would get their feet back underneath them.
Now, I couldn’t care less about the brand. I have seen shockingly unprofessional arguments between current and former employees on their discussions boards. The latest round of leadership has done even less than the last group, which is saying something. There is no direction. They waste their limited resources on books from across the vast timeframe of the game. The most recent book, which was desperately hoped to be the climax of a story arc that began in 89’ didn’t really wrap the story up, because the company said they wanted to really flesh out the end with a bunch of (never to be released) awesome books. I think the PDF for that book came out last summer maybe, I don’t really keep track, and it still not quite out in hard copy. The new boxes are overpriced and still not available.
When the story ark of 40K moves faster than Battletech, which at its peak was a sweeping and constantly evolving space opera, you know there is a serious problem.
Battletech is dead to me. Catalyst doesn’t deserve such a great IP.
Ghaz wrote: Iron Wind Metals (f.k.a. Ral Partha) has been making BattleTech miniatures since 1985 when the game was still called Battledroids.
According to sarna.net there are 645 discrete BattleMech designs, with each design having anywhere up to a dozen variants which may or may not be visibly different from the base design. Starting over again from square one would be infeasible in my opinion.
I also wouldn't be surprised if the Iron Winds Licence isn't one that the IP owner could just cancel, I suspect Iron Wind would have to deliberately give it up meaning at best any 'new' stuff would have competition or at worst (and from that catalyst etc have said) that the new company would have to get iron winds agreement for them to do the stuff too in addition to the IP owner unless they came out with a totally new set of mechs (which given the unseen issues would have to be distinct enough from the existing ones to not fit with the rest of the pre-existing game). Enough to make the IP a poor investment opportunity unless you're a real fan rather than a businessman (hence catalyst)
I'm also disappointed at the cost-cutting with the core box (that I don't have). 20+ mechs down to 8 mechs I can just about accept given the quality difference, but going down to paper mats from the fold out cardstock ones from the previous sets.. coupled with an increase in RRP vs the 25th anniversary intro boxes.. well, it just makes me sad :(
Ghaz wrote: Iron Wind Metals (f.k.a. Ral Partha) has been making BattleTech miniatures since 1985 when the game was still called Battledroids.
According to sarna.net there are 645 discrete BattleMech designs, with each design having anywhere up to a dozen variants which may or may not be visibly different from the base design. Starting over again from square one would be infeasible in my opinion.
I also wouldn't be surprised if the Iron Winds Licence isn't one that the IP owner could just cancel, I suspect Iron Wind would have to deliberately give it up meaning at best any 'new' stuff would have competition or at worst (and from that catalyst etc have said) that the new company would have to get iron winds agreement for them to do the stuff too in addition to the IP owner unless they came out with a totally new set of mechs (which given the unseen issues would have to be distinct enough from the existing ones to not fit with the rest of the pre-existing game). Enough to make the IP a poor investment opportunity unless you're a real fan rather than a businessman (hence catalyst)
Quite possibly. FASA did purchase Ral Partha around 1998 a few years before they themselves ceased operations. The history of the BattleTech intellectual property and the various licenses can be quite confounding at times.
Siygess wrote: Oh good lord, I decided to hold fire for a couple of days so I could order the core box and beginners box at the same time as nobody was listing the latter yet.. and now the core box is sold out everywhere. Good job CGL!
Wait, what the hell. You're right. How are they sold out everywhere already? I am so glad I didn't actually fall down the hole of trying to get back into Battletech, it's fethed all the way down.
Siygess wrote: I'm also disappointed at the cost-cutting with the core box (that I don't have). 20+ mechs down to 8 mechs I can just about accept given the quality difference, but going down to paper mats from the fold out cardstock ones from the previous sets.. coupled with an increase in RRP vs the 25th anniversary intro boxes.. well, it just makes me sad :(
Yeah, honestly speaking the paper boards is what irks me most.
What on earth is going on with the availability of this stuff?!
I'm paying attention to the forums and Facebook; understanding that delays happen, so when the flag finally goes up, I'm expecting a Google search to show me where I can get the boxes on this backwater island that I live on.
This is like my parents trying to hunt down a Jawa figure for my Christmas present in 1980!
At this rate, I'm thinking that life will be quicker, easier and cheaper if I just get an Anycubic Photon and do it myself...
Prometheum5 wrote: I am so glad I didn't actually fall down the hole of trying to get back into Battletech, it's fethed all the way down.
Why? The starter set isn't necessary to play in the slightest.
I meant more of 'get back into CBT' fundamentally, with new models and a new box to work out of. I've got multiple old starters and probably a hundred bare metal mechs, but you need an entry product that people can actually purchase on shelves to build any community. The idea of a new starter with new models had me toying with breaking everything out and seeing if I could get anyone interested. Doesn't seem worth the effort.
Chillreaper wrote: What on earth is going on with the availability of this stuff?!
I'm paying attention to the forums and Facebook; understanding that delays happen, so when the flag finally goes up, I'm expecting a Google search to show me where I can get the boxes on this backwater island that I live on.
This is like my parents trying to hunt down a Jawa figure for my Christmas present in 1980!
At this rate, I'm thinking that life will be quicker, easier and cheaper if I just get an Anycubic Photon and do it myself...
If you live in a backwater island, look at were I live... I was planing to get one box, and two beginner boxes from the US because there is no way anybody is going to carry this game to Japan, but it seems that I blinked and it's all gone I hope Catalyst arranges a second run but I¡m not going to hold my breath.
Prometheum5 wrote: I am so glad I didn't actually fall down the hole of trying to get back into Battletech, it's fethed all the way down.
Why? The starter set isn't necessary to play in the slightest.
It is if you actually want to play with good looking miniatures instead of something in the 20th century. There is a reason why most people don't play with Rogue Trader minis or second editon 40K minis. While good at the time, they do get nicer and better looking. You can't say that for Battletech minis until now. So not being able to buy the new box set, why bother getting into it then?
I think another reason why BattleTech doesn't do goo is because the web sites are just atrocious for Ice Wind Metals. So even if people want to get into BattleTech, since Catalyst really does just the rules/story, people have to go to IWM for official minis and that web site is just atrocious. I basically gave up.
Mmmpi wrote: I was able to order both boxes off of their website just a few days ago.
I'd rather not pay the cost of the two boxes all over again in shipping + customs, myself >_>.
Plus, it's DP9's "buy it from me, or from nowhere else" problem all over again. Is it because it's a giant robots game?
Don't know what to tell you. I only really by from DP9 when I do because no one else carries it. In this case I only bought from Catalyst directly because everyone sold out.
While good at the time, they do get nicer and better looking.
The IWM mechs actually got worse. Buy a Dragon today and compare that to the Dragon model from was it 86 or 89... Yep, it's the same basic sculpt, except that they shaved off the surface detail off the old one. I guess that way the moulds wear off more slowly, but the newer model is much worse than the 30 year old model. I think they did that to the Atlas and the BLR at some point, too.
H.B.M.C. wrote: "It's not available!"
"It's available right here."
"But it's available in the wrong way!"
Be consistent people. Sheesh...
I would not consider "having to pay $60+ additional" to be "available" myself. I mean, that's kinda like saying "you can still buy if from eBay!"
Maybe saying "it's not available in my continent" would suffice?
Plus, of course, what I actually said was "I'd rather not pay the cost of the two boxes all over again in shipping + customs", not "it's available the wrong way!". If you want to nitpick, at least be precise. It's kinda like being consistent.
EDIT: So I've just gone and checked at their store. This is what they tell me the shipping will cost to my address:
So, box + shipping would cost about $120. Add to that VAT (21%, so another $25) and customs' "handling fee" (usually somewhere between 20 and 50 euros, so between $25 and $60, I think), and I would be paying between $17 and $205 for a $60 box... yeah, I think I won't
And that's of course, if I choose the cheapest shipping method of the two available.
...Yeah, I'd settle for "not available in my continent", thanks.
I picked up some of the new books in the sale but will wait and see if anyone in the Uk stocks it as I already have 4 or 5 base sets from various ediitions
So, box + shipping would cost about $120. Add to that VAT (21%, so another $25) and customs' "handling fee" (usually somewhere between 20 and 50 euros, so between $25 and $60, I think), and I would be paying between $17 and $205 for a $60 box... yeah, I think I won't
And that's of course, if I choose the cheapest shipping method of the two available.
...Yeah, I'd settle for "not available in my continent", thanks.
Yikes. That really sucks. I can see why home printing is a viable option in that case although you're at the mercy of whatever mechs the modellers online fancy making and releasing.
MrDwhitey wrote: Luckily got a copy of the bigger box, some minor bending on models but overall really nice.
I'd love it if the entire 3025 range were redone to be like this, but I wont hold my breath.
Would you mind posting a few pictures of the mechs? I haven't seen any close in detail shots of the ones that come in the big box yet.
Also when are these supposed to start shipping from retailers? I ordered one last week from the Warstore. It didn't say sold out at the time of purchase so I assume he still had stock.
Catalyst Game Labs management is aware that copies of the BattleTech Beginner Box are running critically low both among our retail partners and on the company’s web store. Expecting this unprecedented demand, we have already taken aggressive action to restock this product.
A full reprint of the Beginner Box, of the same size as the initial order, has been completed overseas and is awaiting shipment during the first week of February. We are closely monitoring availability of the “A Game of Armored Combat” box.
Please note: both boxed sets remain in stock via the Catalyst web store as of this writing, and all orders placed while the boxes are in stock will be filled. When inventory runs out, the store will reflect that, and will not accept further orders until the product is back in stock. If you have questions about an order you have already placed, please email store@catalystgamelabs.com.
In addition, the popularity of the BattleTech and Shadowrun anniversary apparel has caused many sizes of both the t-shirt and hoodie for both lines to sell out. A robust re-order has been placed, and all sizes of these items should be back in stock in the next few weeks.
We will follow-up with more details as they become available. Thank you for your patience.
Catalyst Game Labs management is aware that copies of the BattleTech Beginner Box are running critically low both among our retail partners and on the company’s web store. Expecting this unprecedented demand, we have already taken aggressive action to restock this product.
A full reprint of the Beginner Box, of the same size as the initial order, has been completed overseas and is awaiting shipment during the first week of February. We are closely monitoring availability of the “A Game of Armored Combat” box.
Please note: both boxed sets remain in stock via the Catalyst web store as of this writing, and all orders placed while the boxes are in stock will be filled. When inventory runs out, the store will reflect that, and will not accept further orders until the product is back in stock. If you have questions about an order you have already placed, please email store@catalystgamelabs.com.
In addition, the popularity of the BattleTech and Shadowrun anniversary apparel has caused many sizes of both the t-shirt and hoodie for both lines to sell out. A robust re-order has been placed, and all sizes of these items should be back in stock in the next few weeks.
We will follow-up with more details as they become available. Thank you for your patience.
From their FB page.
Read that and honestly I think it's BS at this point. It took them how long to get the initial print out and suddenly they've done a second printing in a couple of weeks? Not buying it. I'm thinking either:
A: The manufacturer never shipped the entire first printing (which was part of the reason CGL sat on it after delivery) but decided to finally release it in low numbers and manage PR by claiming they're "taking the initiative" by taking stock of the remainder of the first printing
B: They severely underestimated demand and are now trying to cover their butts by looking like they're being proactive
Catalyst Game Labs management is aware that copies of the BattleTech Beginner Box are running critically low both among our retail partners and on the company’s web store. Expecting this unprecedented demand, we have already taken aggressive action to restock this product.
A full reprint of the Beginner Box, of the same size as the initial order, has been completed overseas and is awaiting shipment during the first week of February. We are closely monitoring availability of the “A Game of Armored Combat” box.
Please note: both boxed sets remain in stock via the Catalyst web store as of this writing, and all orders placed while the boxes are in stock will be filled. When inventory runs out, the store will reflect that, and will not accept further orders until the product is back in stock. If you have questions about an order you have already placed, please email store@catalystgamelabs.com.
In addition, the popularity of the BattleTech and Shadowrun anniversary apparel has caused many sizes of both the t-shirt and hoodie for both lines to sell out. A robust re-order has been placed, and all sizes of these items should be back in stock in the next few weeks.
We will follow-up with more details as they become available. Thank you for your patience.
From their FB page.
Read that and honestly I think it's BS at this point. It took them how long to get the initial print out and suddenly they've done a second printing in a couple of weeks? Not buying it. I'm thinking either:
A: The manufacturer never shipped the entire first printing (which was part of the reason CGL sat on it after delivery) but decided to finally release it in low numbers and manage PR by claiming they're "taking the initiative" by taking stock of the remainder of the first printing
B: They severely underestimated demand and are now trying to cover their butts by looking like they're being proactive
Something is very fishy here. You just can't just "order" up and then have them ship so soon. That is what I believe they even said (could have been another company who said it, been a while and got things mixed up) 5 years ago when people wanted the box sets, it's just not possible to do because of the demands those shops have, this has to be planned months if not a year in advance and then shipped so soon? You just can't place an order and have them made in a month. Catalyst said, that shipping can take 3 months (or is that Fantasy Flight Games said that?) anyways, shipping can't be done in a month or less I believe. So yeah if they have product delayed then it is answer A. If not and answer B, I can't see that even possible from what Catalyst or other companies have said.
I am believing the answer is B, and that they are just lying and will not get new product and hope they are like Bethesda, that some people will complain but it will ride over. Thing is, customers don't give companies breaks anymore. I believe those days are gone and if Catalyst is lying, they will pay for it. They can barely keep open now, I can't see how they can out ride the storm here. You can't keep selling to a small amount of people and keep surviving. Not if what Catalyst says how show string budget they are on. No way.
Something real fishy is going on and they should just say the truth.
B: They severely underestimated demand and are now trying to cover their butts by looking like they're being proactive
Catalyst is small, I could imagine that they needed the cash from the first print run to make more, i.e. no matter the demand, the first run was what they could pay for and that was it.
MrDwhitey wrote: Luckily got a copy of the bigger box, some minor bending on models but overall really nice.
I'd love it if the entire 3025 range were redone to be like this, but I wont hold my breath.
Would you mind posting a few pictures of the mechs? I haven't seen any close in detail shots of the ones that come in the big box yet.
Not good with photos sorry.
Those're great. Thanks buddy. Wasn't sure if we were getting the better looking (in my opinion at any rate) MWO design style mechs, or a continuation of the unfortunate IWM style mechs. Glad to see they're more in the Warhansa/MWO aesthetic. Thanks again!
Das_Ubermike wrote: Those're great. Thanks buddy. Wasn't sure if we were getting the better looking (in my opinion at any rate) MWO design style mechs, or a continuation of the unfortunate IWM style mechs. Glad to see they're more in the Warhansa/MWO aesthetic. Thanks again!
CGL can't legally use the MWO designs and don't allow artwork based on them on their forums. Those models are based on original artwork commisioned by CGL. Also note that the miniatures produced by IWM are based on artwork produced by FASA or CGL and are not their own designs.
I ordered the Beginner Box and the Not-Beginner Box direct from Catalyst about a week ago, and just got the shipping notice today. I'm looking forward to introducing my son to some old-school mecha combat.
JoshInJapan wrote: I ordered the Beginner Box and the Not-Beginner Box direct from Catalyst about a week ago, and just got the shipping notice today. I'm looking forward to introducing my son to some old-school mecha combat.
What I'm surprised at they never got some of wiz-kids clix molds, the paintjobs weren't the best but the models were ok
They could have included infantry and vehicles in plastic
dekinrie wrote: What I'm surprised at they never got some of wiz-kids clix molds, the paintjobs weren't the best but the models were ok
They could have included infantry and vehicles in plastic
Completely different company and completely different scale. Battletech is in 1/295 while Mechwarrior was in 1/160. The smallest of the Mechwarrior Clix mechs was still a bit of a giant compared to the very biggest Battletech miniatures.
JoshInJapan wrote: I ordered the Beginner Box and the Not-Beginner Box direct from Catalyst about a week ago, and just got the shipping notice today. I'm looking forward to introducing my son to some old-school mecha combat.
Oh nice, how bad was the postage to Japan?
M.
Not the person you asked, but it sucks. I got both sets and the shipping was 60% of the total price. Plus it took them 10 days to send me a damned tracking number. 2 business days left before I let them know I'm pissed about it.
I guess they could fire the best art director and artist they've ever had, and hire some schlub to make them look like Gundams or something, but that would be utterly Medged.
JoshInJapan wrote: I ordered the Beginner Box and the Not-Beginner Box direct from Catalyst about a week ago, and just got the shipping notice today. I'm looking forward to introducing my son to some old-school mecha combat.
Oh nice, how bad was the postage to Japan?
M.
Not the person you asked, but it sucks. I got both sets and the shipping was 60% of the total price. Plus it took them 10 days to send me a damned tracking number. 2 business days left before I let them know I'm pissed about it.
Seems better than to Spain where the price doubles... As much as I'm dying to get this I'll have to pass. If I find it at the store when I return to Spain for holidays I will buy it, if not... It's not the first time I had to pass on something due to unreasonable postage.
Albertorius wrote: I'm sure eventually a reprint will get over here. Eventually.
Not sure where do you live Albertorious but so far none of the shops in Madrid I've checked online seem to carry it.
M.
In Madrid, actually. I know some people has gotten it preordering and such, but as far as I known, no store has gotten enough to actually put any in the store.
My stuff arrived today. At first glance, everything looks pretty good. The models seem a lot larger than the ones I had back in the '80's/'90's. The Quick Start rules seem pretty much the same, but of course it's been long enough that I may be mistake.
I can't catch a break on this set, and when my last order from GF9's website took 6 months and three e-mails to support to fix, I'm not keen on ordering it from their web site.
I can't catch a break on this set, and when my last order from GF9's website took 6 months and three e-mails to support to fix, I'm not keen on ordering it from their web site.
Are you signed up at MiniatureMarket for product alerts? I imagine that's how what they got in was snagged so quickly.
I can't catch a break on this set, and when my last order from GF9's website took 6 months and three e-mails to support to fix, I'm not keen on ordering it from their web site.
I can't catch a break on this set, and when my last order from GF9's website took 6 months and three e-mails to support to fix, I'm not keen on ordering it from their web site.
why would you order from GF9?
From previous posts I thought I read that Catalyst Games used GF9/Battlefront for their store/shipping. Did I misread/imagine that?
Generalstoner wrote: Ugggh. Broken auto cannon on the shadowhawk and the locust snapped at the ankles and is missing its left machine gun.
Miniature market was great giving me a partial refund but I am still waiting to hear back from catalyst and I do not expect much from them.
Anyone else gotten broken mechs in their box?
In my experience, Catalyst are brilliant when it comes to replacing broken/miscast miniatures. Might take some time for them to get to you but they will.
(I don't want to jinx it, but the last beginner box I bought had three botched figures and rather than send me the individual mechs in question they simply sent a big bag of all 24 of the miniatures in the box...!)
I hope Catalyst arranges a second run but I¡m not going to hold my breath.
