BattleTech

*BattleTech*  is a wargaming and military science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2001, which was in turn acquired by Topps in 2003; and published since 2007 by Catalyst Game Labs. The trademark is currently owned by Topps and, for games, Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios; Catalyst Game Studios licenses the franchise from Topps.

## **Summary**

FASA Corporation published the first BattleTech game set in 1984 as BattleDroids, and throughout the '80s and '90s released a wide range of supplemental books and materials for the series. How the game works is that its a turn-based multiplayer game played on a map divided into hexagonal grids with figurines or counters representing military 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 represented in the game, the most common are BattleMechs, also known as 'Mechs: 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.

FASA ceased producing BattleTech in 2001 and sold the franchise to WizKids. FanPro licensed the rights from WizKids and under the new name Classic Battletech continued to release sourcebooks and supplements. In June 2007, Catalyst Game Labs (a subsidiary of InMediaRes Productions, LLC) acquired the license to Classic BattleTech, and has reiterated its commitment to publishing quality products. Catalyst also retained many of the staff members who worked for FanPro. Catalyst Game Labs also reverted the name back to BattleTech in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the game's release.

The BattleTech franchise first extended beyond the tabletop wargame format with the release of MechWarrior, a role-playing game in which players portray BattleMech pilots or other characters in the 31st century. The RPG system has been republished in several editions and expanded by various sourcebooks and supplements. In 1996, FASA also introduced the *BattleTech Collectible Card Game*, a CCG developed by Wizards of the Coast, creators of the popular *Magic: The Gathering*. BattleMechs, the hulking flagship units of the franchise, made a natural subject for computer emulation, and so in 1988 Infocom released a PC based RPG called BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception. It was later followed up with a sequel, BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Revenge in 1990. Both games were reasonably well received, although aside from storyline continuity the second game held few similarities to its predecessor. The first pure simulation of BattleMech combat, however, was released for computers in 1989. Titled *MechWarrior* and published by Activision, the single-player game gave users the opportunity to pilot a range of Mechs and engage in combat against computer-controlled opponents. Sequels *MechWarrior 2* (1995), *MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries* (1996), *MechWarrior 3* (1999) and *MechWarrior 4* (2000), and *MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries* (2002) created simulations of progressively higher technical sophistication.

## **Action Figures**

One toyline was produced in the 1990's by Tyco for *BattleTech: The Animated Series*, which lasted only 13 episodes; and in 2001, Resaurus came very close to producing some action figures based on *MechWarriors* as part of their assortment of video game licenses:

* BattleTech/TYCO Toys
* MechWarrior/Resaurus

## **References**

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic\_BattleTech