Difference between revisions of "BattleTech (board game)"

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==History==
 
==History==
[[FASA|FASA Corporation]] published the first ''BattleTech'' game set in 1984, and throughout the '80s and '90s released a wide range of supplemental books and materials for the series. FASA ceased producing ''BattleTech'' in 2001 and sold the [[w:intellectual property|intellectual property]] (IP) to [[WizKids]]. [[FanPro]], who had previously held the license for German ''BattleTech'' products, licensed the rights from WizKids and continued to release sourcebooks and supplements under the ''Classic Battletech'' moniker. IP holder WizKids was purchased by [[Topps]] in 2003, and terminated as a brand in 2008; ever since, Topps holds the IP to ''BattleTech'' (among others).
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[[FASA|FASA Corporation]] published the first ''BattleTech'' game set in 1984, and throughout the '80s and '90s released a wide range of supplemental books and materials for the series. FASA ceased producing ''BattleTech'' in 2001 and sold the [[w:intellectual property|intellectual property]] (IP) to [[WizKids]]. [[FanPro]], who had previously held the license for German ''BattleTech'' products, licensed the rights from WizKids and continued to release sourcebooks and supplements under the ''Classic Battletech'' moniker. IP holder WizKids was purchased by [[Topps]] in 2003, and terminated as a brand in 2008; ever since, the IP to ''BattleTech'' (and others) are held directly by Topps.
  
During the time between 2002 and 2008, the IP was split and a new BattleTech game line called [[MechWarrior: Dark Age]] was produced which employed the substantially different [[Clix]] rules. The original board game line was re-branded [[Classic BattleTech]], but the "Classic" prefix was dropped again from new products after the Dark Age line was discontinued. It remains in use to some extent, most notably in the [[w:URL|URL]] of the official [http://www.classicbattletech.com/ "Classic BattleTech" homepage], and is now synonymous with the BattleTech board game.
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Between 2002 and 2008, the IP was split and a new BattleTech game line called '''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age]]''' was produced which employed the substantially different [[Clix]] rules. The original board game line was re-branded '''[[Classic BattleTech]]''', but the "Classic" prefix was dropped again from new products after the Dark Age line was discontinued in 2008. It remains in use to some extent, often to differentiate from the Clix game, and is now synonymous with the BattleTech board game.
  
In June 2007, FanPro's license ran out and [[Catalyst Game Labs]] (a subsidiary of [[InMediaRes]] Productions, LLC) acquired the license to Classic BattleTech in their stead. Catalyst also retained many of the staff members who worked for FanPro.<ref>[http://catalystgamelabs.com/2007/05/17/inmediares-productions-llc-forms-imprint-catalyst-game-labs Catalyst Game Labs » Blog Archive » INMEDIARES PRODUCTIONS, LLC, FORMS IMPRINT: CATALYST GAME LABS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br />
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In June 2007, FanPro's license ran out and [[Catalyst Game Labs]] (a subsidiary of [[InMediaRes]] Productions, LLC) acquired the license to Classic BattleTech in their stead. Catalyst also retained many of the staff members who previously worked for FanPro.<ref>[http://catalystgamelabs.com/2007/05/17/inmediares-productions-llc-forms-imprint-catalyst-game-labs Catalyst Game Labs » Blog Archive » INMEDIARES PRODUCTIONS, LLC, FORMS IMPRINT: CATALYST GAME LABS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br />
  
 
==Publications==
 
==Publications==

Revision as of 17:30, 5 May 2012

The BattleTech board game, also referred to as Classic BattleTech or "CBT" for short (see History below), is a table-top wargame simulating combat between futuristic mechanized forces in the fictional BattleTech universe. Originally published by FASA Corporation, the first edition was named Battledroids, but the game was renamed BattleTech from the second edition onwards. BattleTech, 2nd Edition, with its updates to the sometimes unclear or erroneous rules and record sheets from Battledroids, is generally considered the baseline game, and Battledroids merely a prototype or percursor.

The highly successful setting spawned numerous spin-off games, novels, etc. and established itself as a brand name (see BattleTech).

The game is currently owned by Topps, and produced under license by Catalyst Game Labs.

Gameplay

BattleTech is a turn-based, multiplayer game, typically played on a map divided into hexagonal grids with figurines or counters representing the various units. Paper record sheets provide detailed information about each unit, including its armament, armor and equipment, and are used to track damage, heat buildup, ammunition and various other data. Players use two six-sided dice to determine variable results, such as whether a shot strikes its target and the location it hits.

Of the units used in the game, the most common are the eponymous BattleMechs, large, semi-humanoid fighting machines controlled by human pilots. While pre-designed 'Mechs, vehicles and other military units are provided with the game, a complex system of design rules allows players to create their own custom units even in the introductory boxed set. This engineering facet of the game has remained enduringly popular with players.

History

FASA Corporation published the first BattleTech game set in 1984, and throughout the '80s and '90s released a wide range of supplemental books and materials for the series. FASA ceased producing BattleTech in 2001 and sold the intellectual property (IP) to WizKids. FanPro, who had previously held the license for German BattleTech products, licensed the rights from WizKids and continued to release sourcebooks and supplements under the Classic Battletech moniker. IP holder WizKids was purchased by Topps in 2003, and terminated as a brand in 2008; ever since, the IP to BattleTech (and others) are held directly by Topps.

Between 2002 and 2008, the IP was split and a new BattleTech game line called MechWarrior: Dark Age was produced which employed the substantially different Clix rules. The original board game line was re-branded Classic BattleTech, but the "Classic" prefix was dropped again from new products after the Dark Age line was discontinued in 2008. It remains in use to some extent, often to differentiate from the Clix game, and is now synonymous with the BattleTech board game.

In June 2007, FanPro's license ran out and Catalyst Game Labs (a subsidiary of InMediaRes Productions, LLC) acquired the license to Classic BattleTech in their stead. Catalyst also retained many of the staff members who previously worked for FanPro.[1]

Publications

The latest iteration of the BattleTech rules is Total Warfare (2006), a streamlined compendium intended to integrate the numerous rules sets that have governed the series into a single, comprehensive volume. Total Warfare is supplemented by five or more other books (some pending), aiming at producing compatible rulesets for various levels of gameplay:

Catalyst has continued this line of rulebooks that was begun by FanPro.

Gallery

See also:

External links

  • Classic BattleTech - the official BattleTech homepage, also hosting the official fan interaction boards (CBT Forum)
  • BattleTech - another, also official site that was launched after the "Classic" prefix was dropped

Notes