h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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MechWarrior's just the role-playing component of BattleTech, is it not? Without it, BattleTech's just a board game. Which is the way I usually see BattleTech played, by the way.

Actually Wizards of the Coast has licensed the BattleTech name and has made a mildly popular TCG (trading card game) that has been on the market since late 1996. I still have almost the whole limited first edition set of this game, which is definately not an easy game to play if you are just a beginner.

Big J

And if you were referring to the computer game by the same name - that is mentioned in the entry.

I think the correct phraseology should be "Wizards of the Coast 'had' licenced". I believe thay have in actual fact now let the licence lapse or at the very least put it into mothballs. I can check if required.

And if your interested I have sealed Limited Edition starter and booster displays (one of each )

Neil
(former Operations Manager, Wizards of the Coast UK Limited, 1995 - 1997)

Battletech started as a board game, called Robotech. It was then bought by the FASA corporation and renamed Battletech. They then made several expansions for it and source books and such. During this time, FASA and ROC publishing began to create the Battletech series of Novels. These were made popular by New York Times best selling author Robert A Stackpole. During the late 80's and early 90's the first computer games for the battletech universe were created. These games were called Battltech and a sequal which has a name that I don't remember. They were Role-playing/Strategy/Adventure games. Then, In the early to mid 90's the Mechwarrior series of computer games started. I'm sure your all familiar with these. The most recent is Mechwarrior 4, a brilliant peice of eye candy. However, Mechwarrior 2: mercenaries has long been known as the best mechwarrior game for playability. However it was, um, lacking graphix wise. As was also earlier said, they also had a card game starting in 1996. It's creator, Wizards of the Coast stopped production in the year 2000. I'm not sure if they still own the licensing for the card game. Also, FASA the long time owner of the Battletech universe for the past 15+ years has closed shop and soled the rights for Battletech to a new company. Also, the novels took a big hit in the same year when Michael A Stackpole decided not to write any more Battletech novels. He was the writer responsible for most of the "important" series that outlines battletech's history and future.

And another side note: The original ownever of Robotech did end up sueing FASA for use of some of it's "mechs" in the battletech game. Namely the archer and i belive charger. That's why you can not find any of those or 11 other mechs in stores. However E-Bay has a good supply.

Any questions?

Wizards of the Coast have never got there hands on battletech, they may have tried but thats a mute point. FASA licenced the cardgame to wizard of the coast as they were judge to be the best for the job (after the success of magic:the gathering).

The 'unseen mech' hit the game hard with the lost of several popular designs (sorry is I miss any out)
Wasp
Stinger
Phoenix Hawk
Crusader
Ostscout
Ostal
Marauder
Archer
Griffin
Wolverine
Warhammer
The Wasp, Stinger, Phoenix Hawk came in optional 'LAM' mode which allowed them to transform into jetfighters just like Robotech. Everythin in this list with the except of the LAM modes has been re-designed and relased by FanPro (current battletech owners) under the much hyped "Project Phoenix".