Quote from: HappyDaze on March 28, 2025, 01:33:47 AM

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on October 24, 2024, 01:47:48 PMSo when are we gonna get a new mech game that isn't Battletech? I have some ideas for original mech games and settings. I think it would make the most sense to start with generic rules that can support multiple settings, then make a plethora of settings rather than limiting yourself to just one. E.g. the war of earthly aggression, the bug war, mech sports, mechs vs the cthulhu mythos...

There's an alt-universe BattleTech product (BattleTech Gothic boxed set) that's being produced with a new setting and it will have kaiju-like monsters to fight with your mechs.

I'm not giving money or exposure to bigots

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on March 28, 2025, 07:43:59 AM

Quote from: HappyDaze on March 28, 2025, 01:33:47 AM

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on October 24, 2024, 01:47:48 PMSo when are we gonna get a new mech game that isn't Battletech? I have some ideas for original mech games and settings. I think it would make the most sense to start with generic rules that can support multiple settings, then make a plethora of settings rather than limiting yourself to just one. E.g. the war of earthly aggression, the bug war, mech sports, mechs vs the cthulhu mythos...

There's an alt-universe BattleTech product (BattleTech Gothic boxed set) that's being produced with a new setting and it will have kaiju-like monsters to fight with your mechs.

I'm not giving money or exposure to bigots

They're taking a step towards giving you what you asked for but that's not enough for you. Suit yourself. I'll take a look at it and judge it on its own merit (or lack of such).

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on March 28, 2025, 07:43:59 AMI'm not giving money or exposure to bigots

Who would that be?

Quote from: blackstone on March 28, 2025, 01:18:35 PM

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on March 28, 2025, 07:43:59 AMI'm not giving money or exposure to bigots

Who would that be?

Since we were talking about BattleTech, I assumed he was talking about Catalyst/Topps.

BattleTech is a wargame of warlike nobles inside giant robots fighting over land ownership in a centuries long war. 

This new Gothic version is just silly. I have zero interest in it.  Warhammer 40K is a genre unto itself, and already has several good copycat games.  One Page Rules for example

This new BattleTech game is likely to flop hard.  In fact, I'm now to the point that I'm considering boycotting them.  I have enough BattleTech.  I'm good.  Everything else I can do myself since I own a Mars Elegoo 3D resin printer.

One additional thing.  One source I heard from says BT Gothic is just one of several Alternative Universe BattleTech games planned.  There will also be a diesel-punk version set in an alternate WW-2 for example. Gothic is just the first one out.

Gothic holds no interest for me, but a BTech/WW2 hybrid might.

Quote from: zircher on March 31, 2025, 02:45:34 PMGothic holds no interest for me, but a BTech/WW2 hybrid might.

Me too.

However, I'm not sure of this Gothic version will sell.  I'll wait and see.

I did find where they talk about this. It's called the Continuum series.

Catalyst Continuum Series

Apparently the next game will be pulpy sci-fi called Rockets and Rayguns.

Like I said, other settings might take off.  Each one might just be a test to see what's popular and develop that into a new product line.  World War 2 is a good choice.  Or steampunk?

Quote from: weirdguy564 on March 31, 2025, 11:47:54 PMApparently the next game will be pulpy sci-fi called Rockets and Rayguns.

If it produces a better set of aerospace rules than the current Total War rules, it will be worthwhile for that alone. Bonus points if it makes WarShips work.

Now they're trying to turn BattleTech into a generic overarching brand name for miniatures games of various genres? What provoked that?

They're just going to throw things against the wall to see what sticks.
The first of five BattleTech continuum universes.

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59201/icv2-interview-catalyst-game-labs-ceo-loren-coleman-game-designer-tommy-rice

QuoteAre you going to keep them in print, or is this going to be a one‑and‑done kind of thing?
Coleman: That'll depend on the fans, if they're just loving the miniatures and want more of them.  What I don't think we're going to do is produce hundreds of mechs in this style.  We've got eight now.  Maybe an Abomination ForcePack.  Really, we have too much more to go to.  We will not sacrifice the main line.

Gothic will flop.  Nobody wants that game.  I think we can safely predict that one.

Rockets and Rayguns will probably be quietly accepted, but not commercially vaible.  A niche within a niche, but acceptable.  Robby the Robot as a mech the size of a tree with a pilot inside the bubble helmet doesn't sound awful, but I don't think it has mass appeal.

Anime BattleTech might work?  Maybe?  High speed, low drag, agile mechs that can do jump kicks like a Gundam, with Japanese art style...which was the original 16 mechs from the original game (Macross, Dugram, and Crusher Joe are all anime already).  Give them Beam Sabers and energy edged axes and we might have a game.

WW-2 BattleTech.  Set this one on Earth in 1940 without any spaceships.  Have Germany (Lyrans), Japan (Draconis Combine), Britain/France (Federated Suns), America (Free Worlds League), Russia (Capellans) duking it out using diesel powered BattleMechs in an alternate World War 2 might actually work.  We would have to re-arrange the alliances so the Lyrans and the Draconis Combine vs the Feds, FWL, and Cappies.

I have no idea what the fifth setting will be.  I think the four I just listed are what they're planning.

Hopefully they're starting with the least popular and working up from there.  I would not think Gothic is their best attempt at an alternate universe.