BattleTech 'Mercenaries' Kickstarter - EU WRAPS UP, WAVE 4 NEWS (UPDATE #130)

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**Ancestral Hamster**

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Mercenaries KS Salvage boxes are an US dollar more expensive than those on the CGL webstore. That makes this KS a even poorer value. I did pledge at Veteran, but that can be cancelled.

@ Platuan4th. Thanks for the CC link. I did read up on CCs before when a different KS I backed offered them as a bonus, but it did not stick. {Also, I've no idea where I put the damn thing. It's in the house somewhere ... Maybe in a boardgame as a first player token. But this is why I want functional KS bonuses, and not swag.}

**H.B.M.C.**

I literally didn't realise Challenge Coins were a real thing.

I thought they were some Clanner bull gak.

**Theophony**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
I literally didn't realise Challenge Coins were a real thing.

I thought they were some Clanner bull gak.

A gentleman from my church passed away a few years back, he had some physical disabilities, but worked for the US government and had earned some Presidential challenge coins, which were displayed at his funeral. They can be awarded to individuals for exceptional performances in their jobs, it’s not just about who buys the drinks, but can be seen almost like service medals. Lots of different challenge coins.

**Ghaz**

Ancestral Hamster wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Mercenaries KS Salvage boxes are an US dollar more expensive than those on the CGL webstore. That makes this KS a even poorer value. I did pledge at Veteran, but that can be cancelled

It's called inflation. The new Mercenaries Salvage Boxes will cost $8 when they hit retail. It's the same reason if you go into your account where it says 'Configure reward' you will see the add-ons they have Clan Invasion ForcePacks at $25/$30 and the Mercenaries ForcePacks are at $30/$35. Prices have gone up for the new products.

**deleted20250424**

Ghaz wrote:
Ancestral Hamster wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Mercenaries KS Salvage boxes are an US dollar more expensive than those on the CGL webstore. That makes this KS a even poorer value. I did pledge at Veteran, but that can be cancelled

It's called inflation. The new Mercenaries Salvage Boxes will cost $8 when they hit retail. It's the same reason if you go into your account where it says 'Configure reward' you will see the add-ons they have Clan Invasion ForcePacks at $25/$30 and the Mercenaries ForcePacks are at $30/$35. Prices have gone up for the new products.

It's called Recession.

They're asking people to drop big money in a time they SHOULD be saving it and they aren't offering value for that money.

The newest update is every 2 million the KS goes up, they will put in another ADD ON Forcepack, nothing FREE to increase Value.

I'm pulling back to $80 and sitting.

**Ghaz**

They haven't raised prices on the older product. They're not doing a GW raising all of their prices, even if the old ForcePacks now cost more to produce but I guess that's not good enough.

**Flinty**

I thought it said more free stuff every 2m starting at 3.

**Ghaz**

Flinty wrote:
I thought it said more free stuff every 2m starting at 3.

Update #10

So here's our new plan. Every $2 million starting at $4 million we are going to unlock a new ForcePack for add-on. We have 2 ForcePacks that are 70% designed, but each one will extend the time of fulfillment to put the work in. All said and done, we're talking 2-3 more months for up to $8 million on the Kickstarter. ($8 million is going to be REALLY special, but we're ironing out some final details before I can announce what is in each of the ForcePacks).

Additionally, every $2 million starting at $3 million means more plastic for you. More Salvage Boxes and ForcePacks.

Update #9

So I'm here to fill you in on the next couple of stretch goals, and we've got some bigger plans I'll be releasing within the next few days.

$4 Million: a new Battlefield Support Forcepack will be unlocked for Add-Ons AND all backers will receive the "Tales of the Bounty Hunter" digital shortstory anthology.

$5 Million: Veteran level backers and above get a free Salvage Box. Battalion level backers and above get a free salvage box and a free ForcePack. ALL backers will receive free audiobook files of a novella (to be decided soon).

These are a baseline - we might add more to these or our higher levels over the next few days (we have some calls to make to vendors to see if they can bring these ideas to life, and we have to see what Anthony can actually sculpt for us in a reasonable amount of time to fulfill).

**deleted20250424**

I was working from #10, didn't bother to read #9.

However, the hubris of thinking they are going to reach 8m is laughable.

The new Forcepacks are the same price as the current Forcepack. The Vehicle packs are the only ones that went up.

We covered this already.

What CGL *is* GWing is making you Go Direct to save the FLGS! instead of selling the product at FLGS prices.

**petrov27**

Ghaz wrote:
They haven't raised prices on the older product. They're not doing a GW raising all of their prices, even if the old ForcePacks now cost more to produce but I guess that's not good enough.

I keep hearing this cost more to produce but the just released Mercenary Forcepacks can be purchased right now for 22.49 USD from online US retailers; like how much mark up is going on to get to the "new" $30 MSRP? I assume retailers with the recently released packs are making a profit selling them at 22.49 still, so what is the actual cost to produce I wonder? Like 15 bucks a force pack? 20? With the numbers of the packs needed for the huge KS, doesn't the price per unit to produce go down not up typically?

Just curious and following along with the KS to see where it goes before I make a final decision on backing....

**Ghaz**

petrov27 wrote:
Ghaz wrote:
They haven't raised prices on the older product. They're not doing a GW raising all of their prices, even if the old ForcePacks now cost more to produce but I guess that's not good enough.

I keep hearing this cost more to produce but the just released Mercenary Forcepacks can be purchased right now for 22.49 USD from online US retailers; like how much mark up is going on to get to the "new" $30 MSRP? I assume retailers with the recently released packs are making a profit selling them at 22.49 still, so what is the actual cost to produce I wonder? Like 15 bucks a force pack? 20? With the numbers of the packs needed for the huge KS, doesn't the price per unit to produce go down not up typically?

Just curious and following along with the KS to see where it goes before I make a final decision on backing....

ACD Distribution has the Northwind Highlander's ForcePack at $29.99 while Barnes & Noble has the Eridani Light Horse ForcePack at $29.99 as well. If an online retailer wants to sell them for a lower price (and profit margin) then that's their right and a common modus operandi for them.

EDIT: Prices for the upcoming Proliferation Pack ($44.99), UrbanMech Lance ($29.99) and Snord's Irregulars Assault Lance ($29.99)

https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-at-adepticon-mercenaries-kickstarter-launch-party-details-and-product-announcements/

**deleted20250424**

petrov27 wrote:
Ghaz wrote:
They haven't raised prices on the older product. They're not doing a GW raising all of their prices, even if the old ForcePacks now cost more to produce but I guess that's not good enough.

I keep hearing this cost more to produce but the just released Mercenary Forcepacks can be purchased right now for 22.49 USD from online US retailers; like how much mark up is going on to get to the "new" $30 MSRP? I assume retailers with the recently released packs are making a profit selling them at 22.49 still, so what is the actual cost to produce I wonder? Like 15 bucks a force pack? 20? With the numbers of the packs needed for the huge KS, doesn't the price per unit to produce go down not up typically?

Just curious and following along with the KS to see where it goes before I make a final decision on backing....

Don't let Ghaz bs you too much. The IS Pack are 24.99 MSRP and the Clan are 29.99 and yes, the newest ones are all 29.99. Vehicles are 34.99 MSRP.

So technically only a small handful of the IS packs are technically raising in price, the rest are not.

Typically the discount from Manufacturer (CGL) down to Retailer (your FLGS) shake out to between 43% and 47% of MSRP. So your FLGS pays, on average, @13.50 for a 29.99 MSRP pack.

The Distributor takes their piece out of the remaining 16.49 and the Manufacturer gets the rest. So if you buy them from CGL through the KS, like they want (because Randall Bills cares about your FLGS), CGL will get almost double what they would if you waited for Retail.

**Justyn**

(because Randall Bills cares about your FLGS),

This is probably true. However,

CGL will get almost double what they would if you waited for Retail.

This is a far more likely reason they are running the KS the way they are. It is win win for them. They get to claim the moral high ground, and make more money. Given Catalysts track record where money is concerned I know which one of those two reasons I believe is the more motivating one.

**Platuan4th**

Theophony wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
I literally didn't realise Challenge Coins were a real thing.

I thought they were some Clanner bull gak.

A gentleman from my church passed away a few years back, he had some physical disabilities, but worked for the US government and had earned some Presidential challenge coins, which were displayed at his funeral. They can be awarded to individuals for exceptional performances in their jobs, it’s not just about who buys the drinks, but can be seen almost like service medals. Lots of different challenge coins.

The tradition started with the drinks, but a collector's community built up around them(I have a number my self). Being given one by the president or superior officers isn't so much seen like service medals, but as personal recognition by that person. In fact, the whole giving of a coin is specifically meant to be hidden in a handshake and not as a public thing like a service medal. If you read through the various etiquette guides available, that's mentioned.

**Orlanth**

Justyn wrote:
(because Randall Bills cares about your FLGS),

This is probably true. However,

CGL will get almost double what they would if you waited for Retail.

This is a far more likely reason they are running the KS the way they are. It is win win for them. They get to claim the moral high ground, and make more money. Given Catalysts track record where money is concerned I know which one of those two reasons I believe is the more motivating one.

We don't live under communism, no problems with Catalyst making money, its how they make money. This campaign is so greedy it leaves a bad taste.

**Flinty**

Secret handshakes and special club markers. NIce and transparent

**H.B.M.C.**

TalonZahn wrote:
However, the hubris of thinking they are going to reach 8m is laughable.

"And if we reach 1 billion dollars, we'll make all the 'Mechs out of solid gold! WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!"

Hubris is the word.

**Flinty**

Is gold any good for holding detail?

**H.B.M.C.**

It holds value.

**Miguelsan**

Update number 10 doesn't look right. So the answer to people asking for more free stuff is that if we give them more money they will grciously allow us to buy unfinished prodcut, but that due to the need to finish it delivery time will be pushed from 2nd quarter of 2024 to 4th quarter (possible delays not accounted for).

Do they want more money, or not? I dread to think what will happen if we reach 8 million and get the special surprise. Do they take split the pledge in 3, and send it at a random time then?

Seriously this update looks more like discouragement to keep pledging than anything else.

M.

**Ghaz**

Miguelsan wrote:
Update number 10 doesn't look right. So the answer to people asking for more free stuff is that if we give them more money they will grciously allow us to buy unfinished prodcut, but that due to the need to finish it delivery time will be pushed from 2nd quarter of 2024 to 4th quarter (possible delays not accounted for).

Do they want more money, or not? I dread to think what will happen if we reach 8 million and get the special surprise. Do they take split the pledge in 3, and send it at a random time then?

Seriously this update looks more like discouragement to keep pledging than anything else.

M.

You did read the next paragraph?

Additionally, every $2 million starting at $3 million means more plastic for you. More Salvage Boxes and ForcePacks.

So at $3 million, $5 million, etc. Veteran level backers and above get a free Salvage Box while Battalion level backers and above get a free salvage box and a free ForcePack.

**Miguelsan**

The 3 million extra pack/box was already in place, and the 5 million freebie is from update number 9. The only change is that the 7 million mark now copies the 5 million one. So nothing new, or relevant to me.

What's relevant, and why I wrote my post above, is that if we give them more money we are looking at a delay on fullfillment. A delay for backers, and a delay for stores. I, for one, do not want my new toy to be delayed to Xmas 2024 or even 2025.

M.

**Ghaz**

From Update #10:

So here's our new plan. Every $2 million starting at $4 million we are going to unlock a new ForcePack for add-on. We have 2 ForcePacks that are 70% designed, but each one will extend the time of fulfillment to put the work in. All said and done, we're talking 2-3 more months for up to $8 million on the Kickstarter. ($8 million is going to be REALLY special, but we're ironing out some final details before I can announce what is in each of the ForcePacks).

Not a major wait time IMHO.

**Miguelsan**

I will grant you that I misread the 2-3 months part as in for each additional force pack. But delays will happen, I don't want extra delays due to something that I'm 80% sure won't benefit me as the packs I'm interested are already in the pipeline.

M.

**zend**

The rewards are just so lackluster compared to Clan Invasion. Like the swag? The $150 tier lets you pick a single patch, pin, or challenge coin?

Clan Invasion's $150 tier gave you all of them, plus a shirt and custom dice to match your faction choice.

This is very much a case of "We know that we'll be successful regardless of how little we offer" and it's kinda sad.

**Ghaz**

zend wrote:
Clan Invasion's $150 tier gave you all of them, plus a shirt and custom dice to match your faction choice.

Shirts are in the Catalyst Game Labs store so no need to waith for a Kickstarter if you need a new shirt, as are dice which can actually be used as dice (unlike the misshapen so-called 'dice' from the CI Kickstarter).

**Kanluwen**

They hit $4mil.

**Ghaz**

Just finished watching the interview with Anthony Scroggins. They will be moving directly into working on the faction-specific ForcePacks to be released alongside the corresponding Force Manuals. It also sounds like each faction may have era-specific ForcePacks (e.g., Davion would have Clan Invasion and ilClan ForcePacks, etc.).

**Kanluwen**

Ghaz wrote:
Just finished watching the interview with Anthony Scroggins. They will be moving directly into working on the faction-specific ForcePacks to be released alongside the corresponding Force Manuals. It also sounds like each faction may have era-specific ForcePacks (e.g., Davion would have Clan Invasion and ilClan ForcePacks, etc.).

Where was the interview?

**frankelee**

I think we should consider that delivery will invariably be delayed whether they add stuff or not, but this at least gives them an excuse.

It'll be cool if it hits $5 million and I get another Salvage Box, and then perhaps have everyone start asking if we still get to keep it when the total threatens to fall back below that.