Difference between revisions of "Unseen"

Revision as of 10:26, 3 May 2010

The Unseen is a term used for some of the first BattleMech designs from the original game. These designs, longtime favorites of BattleTech fans, were based on mecha found in the Japanese anime series' Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Fang of the Sun Dougram and Crusher Joe.

Legal difficulties prohibited FASA from displaying any more pictures depicting these 'Mechs, although they were often freely mentioned in novels and books, and their rules remained legal. Thus, these 'Mechs remained unseen until the publication of Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, which presented "redesigns", allowing them to be used freely once again.

On 24 June, 2009, it was announced that Catalyst Game Labs had secured the permissions needed to utilize the original "unseen" artwork for these designs again.

Shortly after the return of the "unseen" BattleMechs was announced, the BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction PDF was pulled from circulation. Managing editor Randall Bills made a statement on Catalyst Game Labs' website on August 10th, 2009 explaining the move. An error was made in negotiating the distribution rights for some of the images. Twelve Unseen images, those originating from Macross, were again pulled from circulation and will remain unseen, due to their exclusive distribution rights (within the United States) belonging to another company (Harmony Gold). Whether or not these images will be licensed or purchased in the future remains to be seen. The tone of the article was doubtful.^[1]

The Unseen 'Mechs, and their origins, are:

From Crusher Joe

Locust - Ostall

Locust IIC - Ostall

Corsair aerospace fighters - Siren

Samurai aerospace fighters - Harpy

Sparrowhawk aerospace fighters - mix of Siren & Harpy

Galleon Tank - Galleon tank

Leopard Dropship - Minerva

From Macross

VF-1 Valkyrie

This 'Mech from the Super Dimension Fortress Macross series normally transformed into the three combat modes recognized in BattleTech by Land Air 'Mechs. Within the BattleTech game this one vehicle was split into distinct non-transformable 'Mechs models and LAM models. The LAMs, true to their artistic origin, could transform into aerospace fighter, hybrid and 'Mech mode.

Stinger

Stinger LAM - LAM model of above, illustrated in LAM or Hybrid mode

Wasp

Wasp LAM - LAM model of above illustrated in LAM or Hybrid mode

Valkyrie

Phoenix Hawk - VF-1S with FAST Packs

Phoenix Hawk IIC - VF-1S

Phoenix Hawk LAM - LAM model of above illustrated in LAM or Hybrid mode

Crusader - Armored VF-1A

Falcon

Firebee

Hornet