I really, really hope that TPTB will soon make a big push so that there will be new novels when the 3250 era rolls around. Herb mentioned in that chat that new novels "remains solidly on [his] list of goals." As far as I'm concerned it should be at the very top of his list, and I say this not just because the novels are my favorite part of the universe. I've noticed that activity on this board has decreased over time, and I believe that the reason for this is lack of new novels. Certainly it can't be for lack of new sourcebooks, miniatures or even video games. Even if novels aren't what a number of players most enjoy about the BT universe, they were what made people become fans of this or that faction rather than another.
IMO the Warrior Trilogy is the main reason why there are more FedSuns and Lyran fans than those of other Inner Sphere factions, and the Blood of Kerensky series is why the original four invading Clans have more fans than the other Clans. And novels spurred lively debate over the latest actions or the superiority of characters or factions, something else that's been missing of late on this board. Being told that a character does this or that lacks the dramatic impact it would have if first told in a well-written, well-developed novel. Would you have had the same emotional reaction to Hanse's "Here, my love. I give you the Capellan Confederation!" if you're read about it in sourcebook instead of it being the culmination of dozens of pages of story in a novel? I certainly wouldn't.
Having new novels to read, and knowing that there would soon be even more new novels published, made me feel part of an exciting living, growing universe. Short stories and novellas can be fine complements to full-length novels, but for me the former can never replace the latter. Long-term character development, exciting buildup -> climax -> resolution sequences of major importance to the setting, an abundance of details about the universe - for me short stories and novellas simply cannot provide those, or at least not nearly enough to feel truly satisfying.
If there are no new novels, then it must be because someone somewhere, or perhaps several someones, keep(s) saying "no." Unless those people are completely unreasonable and are just being obstructive for the sake of obstruction, there must be some way of convincing them to change their stance, some way of coming to a satisfying agreement for all, and the sooner the better.
Oof. I hope I haven't offended anyone with this rant.