wargame
A wargame is a strategy game in which two or more players command opposing armed forces in a realistic simulation of an armed conflict. Wargaming may be played for recreation, to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to s ...
set in the fictional ''
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 tradema ...
'' universe that simulates combat between futuristic mechanized forces. Originally published by
FASA Corporation
Fasa ( fa, فسا, Fasā, also Romanized as Fassa) is a city and capital of Fasa County, Fars Province, Iran. At the 2016 census, its population was 110,825, in 33,379 families. Fasa is the fourth most populous city of the province. The city date ...
, the game is now produced by
Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs (CGL) was created in May 2007 by InMediaRes Productions, LLC for the purpose of publishing print ''Shadowrun'' and ''Classic BattleTech'' sourcebooks.WizKids. The term "Classic" is used to differentiate the original game from variants and related games that have derived from it, such as '' MechWarrior: Dark Age''. The game has an extensive range of 1/285 scale miniatures.
Gameplay
''BattleTech'' is a turn-based multiplayer game, typically 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
Dice (singular die or dice) are small, throwable objects with marked sides that can rest in multiple positions. They are used for generating random values, commonly as part of tabletop games, including dice games, board games, role-playing g ...
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
BattleMech
BattleMechs (often abbreviated 'Mechs) are large walking war machines that feature prominently in the fictional universe of ''BattleTech''. 'Mechs, which are generally either bipedal or quadrupedal in configuration, are controlled by human pilot ...
s, 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.
History
FASA Corporation
Fasa ( fa, فسا, Fasā, also Romanized as Fassa) is a city and capital of Fasa County, Fars Province, Iran. At the 2016 census, its population was 110,825, in 33,379 families. Fasa is the fourth most populous city of the province. The city date ...
published the first ''BattleTech'' game set in 1984 as ''
BattleDroids
''Battledroids'' is a 1984 board game published by FASA.
It would be renamed to BattleTech for its second edition in 1985 and spawn the ''BattleTech''/''MechWarrior'' military science fiction gaming franchise and setting with numerous board games, ...
'', and throughout the '80s and '90s released a wide range of supplemental books and materials for the series.
FASA
Fasa ( fa, فسا, Fasā, also Romanized as Fassa) is a city and capital of Fasa County, Fars Province, Iran. At the 2016 census, its population was 110,825, in 33,379 families. Fasa is the fourth most populous city of the province. The city date ...
ceased producing ''BattleTech'' in 2001 and sold the franchise to WizKids.
FanPro
Fantasy Productions Medienvertriebsgesellschaft GmbH (a.k.a. FanPro) is a German publishing company based in Erkrath.
History
The company was founded in 1983 by Ulrich Kiesow, Werner Fuchs and Hans Joachim Alpers to produce small metal miniatu ...
licensed the rights from WizKids and under the new name ''Classic Battletech'' continued to release
sourcebook
A sourcebook is a collection of writings on a subject that is intended to be a basic introduction to the topic presented.
Academic use
In American universities, a sourcebook, either a standard one or a custom collection, may function as a supplem ...
s and supplements. In June 2007,
Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs (CGL) was created in May 2007 by InMediaRes Productions, LLC for the purpose of publishing print ''Shadowrun'' and ''Classic BattleTech'' sourcebooks.InMediaRes Productions
InMediaRes Productions, LLC is an American game company that produces role-playing games and game supplements.
History
In 2003, Loren L. Coleman created the company InMediaRes Productions, which he founded with Heather Coleman, Randall Bills, ...
, 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
Fantasy Productions Medienvertriebsgesellschaft GmbH (a.k.a. FanPro) is a German publishing company based in Erkrath.
History
The company was founded in 1983 by Ulrich Kiesow, Werner Fuchs and Hans Joachim Alpers to produce small metal miniatu ...
. Catalyst Game Labs also reverted the name back to ''BattleTech'' in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the game's release.
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 that details the tournament legal and/or standard rules set for game play. ''Total Warfare'' is supplemented by six or more other books (some pending):
* ''25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set'', the fifth edition of the introductory box set includes all of the materials a player needs to play the game. The set includes a "quick-start" rulebook as well as a standard rulebook, plastic miniatures and record sheets of many common BattleMechs, two heavy cardboard game boards with reversible maps, and ''Inner Sphere at a Glance'', a book detailing the game's universe.
* ''Total Warfare'', the primary rulebook for BattleTech. It also includes the rules for playing the air combat game of AeroTech as well.
* ''TechManual'', which presents the design rules for making custom units that comply with the standard game play rules.
* ''Tactical Operations'', offering advanced rules and advanced or experimental equipment beyond those in ''Total Warfare'' and ''TechManual''. In 2020, this product was split into Tactical Operations: Advanced Units & Equipment, and Tactical Operations: Advanced Rules.
* ''Strategic Operations'', updating BattleForce 2 & Aerotech 2 Revised to provide a faster-paced or large-scale version of the game as well as adding advanced rules campaign elements such as repair, customization & salvage to the tactical game.
* ''Interstellar Operations'', advanced rules to allow the player become star lords of Succession State or Khan of their respective Clan. This is similar to previous FASA product named ''Succession Wars'' and rules found in FanPro source book named ''Combat Operations''.
* ''A Time of War'' (''BattleTech Roleplaying Game'', fourth edition), describing how to create characters and run RPG missions.
FanPro intended these six books to be the official core rules set that will govern all gameplay within the ''BattleTech'' franchise, be it ground combat, space combat or role-playing. Since 2007,
Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs (CGL) was created in May 2007 by InMediaRes Productions, LLC for the purpose of publishing print ''Shadowrun'' and ''Classic BattleTech'' sourcebooks.Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer'' No. 78. Tanner commented that "All in all, the ''BattleTech'' system is a very welcome addition to the gaming world, and is a worthwhile investment for those interested in the subject matter."
In 1997, the fourth edition of ''BattleTech'' won the
Origins Award
The Origins Awards are American awards for outstanding work in the game industry. They are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design at the Origins Game Fair on an annual basis for the previous year, so (for example) the 1979 aw ...
for ''Best Graphic Presentation of a Board Game of 1996''.
''Classic BattleTech'' won the 2007
Origins Award
The Origins Awards are American awards for outstanding work in the game industry. They are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design at the Origins Game Fair on an annual basis for the previous year, so (for example) the 1979 aw ...
for Best Miniatures Rules of the Year.
The original ''BattleTech'' was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame.
Reviews
*''Adventurer'' (Issue 7 - Feb 1987)
*''
Different Worlds
''Different Worlds'' was an American role-playing games magazine published from 1979 to 1987.
Scope
''Different Worlds'' published support articles, scenarios, and variants for various role-playing games including ''Dungeons & Dragons'', ''Ru ...
'' #45
*''
White Wolf
A white wolf or Arctic wolf is a mammal of the ''Canidae'' family and a subspecies of the gray wolf.
It may also refer to:
Organizations
* White Wolf (band), a Canadian heavy metal band
* White Wolf (band), white power oi band from the USA
* Whi ...