Editing BattleTech Universe

{{otheruses|the BattleTech universe as such|the booklet titled "(Classic) BattleTech Universe" or the entire series of booklets introducing the BattleTech universe|Classic BattleTech Universe|Universe book}}
{{seealso|BattleTech (board game)|BattleTech (Video Game)}}

[[Image:Bt logo black.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Current BattleTech logo]]
'''''BattleTech''''' ("BT" for short) is a [[w:science fiction|science fiction]] universe and [[w:Media franchise|media franchise]]. Originally conceived in 1984 as a fictional background setting for a futuristic wargame, it was since expanded into an intricate fictional universe by various authors through a multitude of media.

[[Image:Battletech 20Year Transparent.gif|thumb|right|300px|20 Year Anniversary of BattleTech logo]]

=The BattleTech universe=
:''(See also: [[History]])''

==Inception and evolution==
:''See also: [[BattleTech eras]]''
In its earliest descriptions in the ''[[Battledroids]]'' rulebook the game was set around the year [[3025]] in the [[BattleTech eras|Succession Wars era]], a dystopian future where centuries of warfare following the demise of the once mighty [[Star League]] had all but destroyed mankind's previous achievements. Advanced technology was not understood anymore. Vehicles and machinery could hardly be maintained, and ritualized wars were fought over ancient spare parts or even water.

This state of affairs obviously left little room for evolution. Add-on publications for the game soon downplayed the technological decline more and more. Functional factories were mentioned that could even produce new 'Mechs. An early novel, [[The Price of Glory]], culminated in the recovery of an intact [[Star League era]] memory core to explain how lost technology was subsequently recovered. This and the [[Fourth Succession War]] concluded the earliest storylines.

The entire setting was then moved forward one generation, to the [[Clan Invasion era]] that began in [[3050]]. The invasion by an unknown enemy from beyond known space started an all-new story arc with numerous new factions, and a technological renaissance allowed the game to be expanded with additional rules and units. Over the next decade the universe quickly achieved, even surpassed the Star League-era level of technology. Weapon systems of all forms and sizes, right up to [[WarShip]]s, became available in increasing numbers. Similarly, the small-scale raids of the early setup gradually increased in size until multiregiment battles became normal again.

This military buildup culminated in a [[Civil War era]] draining resources, and then the [[Jihad era]] engulfed the BattleTech universe in yet another highly destructive war that essentially reset the technological advances and led to a new [[Dark Age]].

==BattleTech aesthetics==
The BattleTech universe in its early stages was heavily influenced by easily recognizable (and intimately familiar) staple concepts from the fantasy genre including
*feudalism (the [[Successor States]] with their established hereditary nobility),
*knights errant ([[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]]) and [[mercenary|mercenaries]],
*"magic" ([[LosTech]] gadgets that are not understood anymore) and
*a mysterious and powerful church (the [[ComStar]] order).

As the setting evolved and the storyline progressed, these concepts were gradually diluted and played down, in part because of changing ownership and production and writing staff. By the time of the Jihad era, the overall style had changed to more of a typical hard and "gritty" science fiction setting with well-understood technology, shady megacorporations and large-scale warfare with all its technical and social implications instead of the previous ritualized warfare. The previous black-and-white setting gradually evolved into a "shades of gray" setting where no single faction could be described as either good or bad.

While a plethora of alien flora and fauna are used to give an exotic feel, sentient [[Aliens]] are notably absent from the BattleTech universe (except for an [[Tetatae|isolated case]]) and play no significant role. The fiction works on the premise that man is his own worst enemy.

Although by nature a violent universe, graphic violence in BattleTech is largely restricted to objects and typically depicts war machines in combat, with ruins and wreckages in the background. Human suffering is rarely shown directly. However, recent stories from the Civil War era onwards tend to shift the focus on the price of perpetual battle to some degree.

==Technology==
BattleTech has been described as "the future of the 80s" for its aesthetics and technological fiction. Real-world technology developed quite differently from what the authors believed at the time of the inception of the game, leading to occasionally odd concepts of what is supposedly possible and what is not. The most glaring mismatches are weapon ranges in BattleTech, which are mere fractions of the ranges easily achieved with similar weapons in the real world, and the perceived size and performance of computers. The [[w:internet|internet]] was not part of the early fiction either, but comparable or better planetary communication networks were eventually included.

The BattleTech universe is largely rooted in real-world physics, but some key premises of the universe are science fiction in that they seem to defy the laws of physics as they are currently known. These include superefficient [[fusion engine]]s that supply vast amounts of power from relatively small and compact devices, starship thrust drives that outperform any currently known thrusters technology, and [[Kearny-Fuchida Drive]] technology that allows for faster-than-light travel and communication.

Iconic fictional technologies from the BattleTech universe include:
* '''[[BattleMech]]s''': A basic premise of BattleTech is the evolution of the BattleMech as a superior war machine. Driven by human pilots with the help of [[neurohelmet]]s, 'Mechs are gigantic humanoid walking tanks that imitate human movement patterns which makes them easier to control (as they can be used like superlarge battlesuits) and supposedly gives them a significant advantage in mobility and versatility over other vehicles.
* '''[[DropShip]]s''': Most space traffic is handled with DropShips. Powered by fusion engines and highly efficient thrust drives, these are extremely rugged and versatile shuttlecraft ranging from anywhere between 200 to 100,000 tons in mass. They are generally easily capable of landing on planets and taking off into space again under their own power. In space, they can maintain acceleration of 1g or more for several days or weeks.
* '''[[JumpShip]]s''': JumpShips can perform jumps of up to 30 lightyears between [[Jump Point]]s within mere seconds (typically from one star system to another). They are essentially [[Kearny-Fuchida Drive]] cores to which DropShips can attach themselves for faster-than-light transportation.
* '''[[Hyperpulse Generator]]s''': Known as HPGs for short, these employ the same fictional Kearny-Fuchida principles as jump drives, but instead of moving starships they transmit data at faster-than-light speed. Their range is up to around 50 lightyears, and messages are usually bundled and sent out in certain intervals (as opposed to continual transmission, which is also possible but rarely used). A communications network of HPGs was established that survived the downfall of the Star League and now marks the boundary of the Inner Sphere. The HPG network is generally associated with ComStar who exclusively operated it and evolved into a religious body over this.

==Factions==
The sundering of the Star League, followed by centuries of [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]], brought about five large nations known as the [[Successor State]]s. These are feudal realms, modeled after stereotypical cultural templates. They collectively comprise the [[Inner Sphere]]. Numerous other factions came and went over the course of the perpetual conflicts. The most notable and long-standing BT factions are:

* '''Federated Suns'''
[[Image:Federated_Suns_Logo.png|70px|Federated Suns]]
The [[Federated Suns]] &mdash; [[House Davion]]<br>North American/West European cultural template. Though outwardly espousing the virtues of freedom and democracy, the Federated Suns is often shown to possess a strongly militaristic bent. They are frequently the protagonists in BT fiction.
* '''Draconis Combine'''
[[Image:Draccombine.gif| 70px|Draconis Combine]]
The [[Draconis Combine]] &mdash; [[House Kurita]]<br>Feudal/medieval Japanese cultural template. Earlier sources typically depicted the Combine's honor-based samurai culture as single-minded, cruel, merciless and often irrational; the realm remains somewhat xenophobic and aggressive.
* '''Lyran Commonwealth'''
[[Image:House Steiner Logo.jpg|70px|Lyran Commonwealth]]
The [[Lyran Commonwealth]] &mdash; [[House Steiner]]<br>German/West European cultural template. Economic powerhouse with a strong but sluggish military. Bureaucracy, inflexibility and a lack of military skill prevents them from successfully campaigning abroad, but their defenses are strong and their traders are active everywhere.
* '''Free Worlds League'''
[[Image:Free Worlds League logo.png|105px|Free Worlds League]]
The [[Free Worlds League]] &mdash; [[House Marik]]<br>East European cultural template. More a loose coalition of highly distinct minor states than a unified realm. The limited powers of the state leader versus the parliament render the League largely incapacitated and suffering from frequent infighting. A political minefield of treachery, deceit, violent uprisings, and outright revolt.
* '''Capellan Confederation'''
[[Image:Capellan Confederation logo.png|70px|Capellan Confederation]]
The [[Capellan Confederation]] &mdash; [[House Liao]]<br>Communist Chinese/Soviet Union cultural template. A vain state of relatively few worlds but with a large population, weakened from a long string of military defeats and territory losses. Relies on nefarious scheming and notoriously ineffective secret operations. Hamstrung by communism and rampant paranoia. Described as cunning and dangerous in the initial setup, but depicted as irrational villains in subsequent publications. Almost destroyed in the Fourth Succession War, the Confederation saw a fantastic rebirth and went on to become one of the most powerful factions in the Dark Age era.
* '''ComStar'''
[[Image:ComStar.jpg|35px|ComStar]]
[[ComStar]]<br>This quasi-religious sect evolved out of the Star League's Communications Ministry under [[Jerome Blake]]. Controlling all interstellar communication and acting as a supranational arbitrator, mediator and banking house, they regard themselves as the saviors of humanity and keepers of lost technology. Later revealed as devious schemers who ruthlessly misused their trusted position to manipulate others, they have secretly maintained a strong army with cutting edge technology.<br>The radical splinter group [[Word of Blake]] eventually separates from the order to form an independent sect. Word of Blake later instigates the [[Jihad]], a cataclysmic total war against all of humanity and secular ComStar.
* '''Federated Commonwealth'''
[[Image:Fedcom.gif|70px|Federated Commonwealth]]
The [[Federated Commonwealth]] &mdash; House Steiner-Davion<br>A short-lived unified realm of Houses Davion and Steiner. Conceived through the marriage of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]], the Federated Commonwealth technically came into being only when [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] inherited both realms from his parents. It collapsed in a highly destructive civil war when [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] attempted to usurp power from her brother Victor, and reverted to its two separate founding nations.
* '''Free Rasalhague Republic'''
[[Image:Free Rasalhague Republic.jpg|70px|Free Rasalhague Republic]]
The [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] &mdash; [[House Magnusson]]<br>Scandinavian cultural template. Created from wayward provinces on both sides of the Kurita/Steiner border after the [[Fourth Succession War]]. At the time of its inception it was the sixth major Inner Sphere power, just after the five Successor States, but it was overrun by the [[Clans]] save for six worlds shortly after its creation. Eventually rejoined with its occupied territories in the formation of the [[Rasalhague Dominion]].
* '''Lyran Alliance'''
[[Image:Lyran Alliance Logo.png|70px|Lyran Alliance]]
The [[Lyran Alliance]] &mdash; House Steiner<br>Created when the former Lyran Commonwealth part broke away from the Federated Commonwealth. Eventually renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth.
*The '''Clans'''
Successors of the self-exiled Star League army, the [[Clans]] developed into a culture of genetically engineered superwarriors in deep space and eventually returned to invade the Inner Sphere in [[3049]]. Although they share the same culture, they are heavily factionalized and essentially independent from each other. From the original 20 Clans, only 7 are known to still exist by the Dark Age.
* '''The Republic of the Sphere'''
[[Image:Republic of the Sphere logo.png|70px|The Republic of the Sphere]]
[[The Republic of the Sphere]]<br>
Formed around [[Terra]] in [[3081]] by [[Devlin Stone]] following the devastating Word of Blake Jihad.
*The '''Periphery'''
Beyond the Inner Sphere, on the fringes of the HPG network, lies the [[Periphery]], a lawless region that has descended into barbarism. Numerous minor realms and pirate bands exist here.
* '''Mercenaries'''
In addition to the aforementioned factions, [[mercenary unit]]s play an important role. Some prominent units have achieved considerable fame and power, to the point of ruling entire planets. They are effectively autonomous political entities.

=The BattleTech franchise=
BattleTech was created by [[FASA]], who held the [[w:intellectual property|IP rights]] to the universe up until they withdrew from the market in 2001. They licensed limited rights to a number of third parties (such as [[Ral Partha]] to produce miniatures, publishing houses for comics, and later [[Roc Books]] for the novels, among others). The rights to produce computer games were with [[FASA Interactive]], which was eventually sold — including the IP rights to computer games — to [[Microsoft]].

In 2001, FASA ceased active operations and the BattleTech IP (minus the computer games license now held by Microsoft) was transferred to [[WizKids]], a new firm owned by FASA cofounder Jordan Weisman. WizKids split the IP, creating ''[[Classic BattleTech]]'' and ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age]]'' as separate brands.

The Classic BattleTech IP was licensed to [[FanPro]], a German games publisher who had previously produced the German edition of BattleTech, in the summer of 2001. FanPro had created FanPro LLC, a US-based sister company, to continue the original, English-language BattleTech line.<br />Meanwhile, WizKids produced a new [[Clix]]-based game in the ''MechWarrior: Dark Age'' setting, set almost a century after the current BattleTech timeline.

In 2003, WizKids was bought by the [[Topps]] company. In the same year, they granted a license to [[InMediaRes]] to publish new, [[canon]] BattleTech material on the internet, which led to the creation of the [[BattleCorps]] site.

In 2007, FanPro's BattleTech license ran out and was not renewed. In their stead, InMediaRes acquired the full license from Topps/WizKids, and created their [[Catalyst Game Labs]] subsidiary to continue the classic game line.

Topps terminated WizKids as a brand in 2008 and discontinued the Clix game lines, including ''MechWarrior: Dark Age''. Ever since, ''Classic BattleTech'' is marketed simply as ''BattleTech'' again. The license remained with InMediaRes.

=BattleTech Media=
:''(see also: [[List of BattleTech products]])''
The enormous instant success of the boardgame gave rise to a plethora of products that shaped, and still shape, the BattleTech universe. However, like with most fictional settings, not all products pertaining to the franchise are actually considered to contribute [[Canon]] for the BattleTech universe.

==Boardgames==
===BattleTech===
First published as ''[[Battledroids]]'' in 1985 and changed to ''BattleTech'' in the [[BattleTech, 2nd Edition|second edition]] a year later, this game provided the original scale and setting for the BattleTech universe. Featuring combat between individual 'Mechs, it was soon supplemented by [[CityTech]] to include [[infantry]], [[vehicle]]s and [[VTOL]]s. The BattleTech game board (or [[mapsheet]]) is based on a hexagonal grid with each hex representing 30m of ground space. Each turn represents 10 seconds of time. This scale of play still forms the core [[BattleTech]] setting, being the primary focus of the [[Total Warfare]], [[TechManual]] and [[Tactical Operations]] rulebooks.

===Succession Wars===
Published in 1987, the [[Succession Wars (Board Game)|Succession Wars]] is a grand strategy wargame/board game encompassing the whole of the Inner Sphere.  Each player operates one of the five main houses commanding the full military of their respective house.  This represents the highest scale of play among the BattleTech games.

===BattleForce===
Published in 1986, [[BattleForce]] is the game of Small Unit Actions in the 31st Century, featuring mapsheets that, while printed to the same physical size as [[BattleTech]] hexes, represented 180 m of ground space (later changed to 90 m). Turns are similarly scaled up, representing 60 seconds of time. BattleForce was the first BattleTech game to introduce a game wide level of abstraction, grouping 'Mechs, vehicles and air support into single units at the [[Lance]] level. Doing away with record sheets and instead aggregating unit damage to a simple set of steps recorded on the counter itself, BattleForce is intended for the convenient staging of battles between regiment sized forces. The BattleForce scale of play has carried through into the current [[Strategic Operations]] rulebook.

===BattleTroops===
Published in 1989, [[BattleTroops]] is focused on infantry-based small unit actions in the BattleTech universe; this would later be expanded by [[ClanTroops]] in 1991.  While other units, such as BattleMechs, vehicles, battle armor, and artillery, could be included, the focus was primarily on infantry combat.  Unlike standard BattleTech, wherein an infantry squadron would be represented as a single unit, in BattleTroops each infantry member was individually represented and controlled.

===AeroTech/BattleSpace===
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===Role-Playing Game===
MechWarrior was the RPG version of BattleTech.  Published by FASA, this was a continuation of the BattleTech franchise.

===Alpha Strike===
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==Technical Readouts/Sourcebooks/Scenario Packs==
Various Technical Readouts, Scenario Packs, and Sourcebooks have been published to permit augmentation and customization of the core games.  [[:Category:Technical Readouts and Recognition Guides|Technical Readouts]] provide details on specific in-universe units.  More recently introduced [[:Category:Technical Readouts and Recognition Guides|Recognition Guides]] function the same as Technical Readouts, but differ simply in that they are written with an in-universe perspective of a Clan author.  [[:Category:Scenario Packs|Scenario Packs]] provide preconstructed scenarios or give instructions for construction of scenarios or campaigns for gameplay.  [[:Category:Sourcebooks|Sourcebooks]] provides detailed historical, cultural, and organizational context regarding certain regions and/or eras of the BattleTech Universe (''i.e.'', world building) in support of the independent creation of scenarios or campaigns.  Certain publications do mix elements of these, so classification is not always crisp and clear-cut.

==Computer Games==

===BattleTech (Video Game)===
Developed by [[Harebrained Schemes]] and published by [[Paradox Interactive]], [[BattleTech (Video Game)|this 2018 take]] on the BattleTech universe puts the player in the shoes of a commander of their own 'Mech lance, via turn-based actions and with the power and responsibility of having a mercenary company under direct control. The player's character takes care of the crew, chooses the missions, handles the finances, and oversees the 'Mechs' loadouts and armor.

==Novels==
:''(See also: [[List of BattleTech Print Novels and Anthologies]] and [[:Category:Novels]])''
Set in various eras of BattleTech, more than a hundred ''BattleTech'' and ''MechWarrior'' novels have been written, advancing the storyline and fictional history of the universe.

==Magazines and Comics==
:''(See also: [[:Category:Comics]])''
Several publishers obtained the rights to publish comics set in the BattleTech universe. These, and at least two magazines (''[[BattleTechnology]]'' and ''[[Stardate]]''/''StarDrive'') were considered official products in their time just like the novels.

==BattleCorps==
In addition to the multitude of print media, [[BattleCorps]] was launched in 2004 as a subscription-based online source of original BattleTech fiction. Besides short stories and game scenarios, BattleCorps has also released novels in electronic format, sometimes before they were available in printed form and including novels that had previously only been published in another language.

==TV Series==
The [[BattleTech Cartoon]], a syndicated television series made and first aired in 1994-1995, follows the exploits of [[Adam Steiner]], a cousin to [[Melissa Steiner]], as he attempts to free his home planet [[Somerset]] from the Jade Falcon Clan occupation. His Jade Falcon root nemesis is Nikolai Malthus, who was the leading officer during the Somerset offensive.

==BattleTech Centers==
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==MechForce==
Dedicated Fan organizations were established under the [[MechForce]] moniker. Of these, only the [[MechForce Germany]] exists to this day.