What Kind of Sourcebooks Suit YOUR Fancy?

[HABeas2]

Hello,

In an effort to further gauge player interests in the BattleTech universe, the following opinion poll has been initiated by the BattleTech Line Developer (Herbert Beas). The topic is simple: Of the noted print sourcebook "types" (note: this does NOT include PDF-exclusives), which two sourcebooks (per voter) are seen as more desirable as we proceed further along in BattleTech's productive life.

The poll indicates the types of sourcebook by general description, but for those who wish to have examples, the following should clarify the point:
      Era Reports - Examples: Era Report: 3052, Era Report: 3062
      Historicals - Examples: Historical: Operation Klondike, Historical: Reunification War
      Field Manuals - Example: Field Manual: Updates
      Technical Readout - Examples: TRO: 3085, TRO: Prototypes
      Plot Sourcebook - Examples: Jihad Hot Spots, Interstellar Players, Wars of Reaving

Caveat: Decades of experience have taught us that specialist books--notably single-faction Handbooks and Field Manuals (such as Handbook: Davion or FM: Federated Suns), as well as single-unit-type Technical Readouts (such as TRO: 3057), scenario packs, and adventures--are unsuitable for mass printing due to their low demand. While suggestions are welcome for voting "Other", it is important to remember that the more specialized the concept is, the less likely it is to see print.

Thank you, and proceed to voting. Polls close on 2 September 2011. Discussion of this topic is "open".

- Herbert Beas
  BattleTech
  Catalyst Game Labs

[Drufause]

Yay! I actually got an email from Herb I may print it and frame it.

[Grave]

Wars of Reaving was outstanding.  More of that level of production is not only desired, but indeed required, at least in my view.

I also voted for more Field Manuals, but that's at least in part because I really, really, really want some updated Mercenary lovin'.

[Makinus]

I also voted for more Field Manuals, but that's at least in part because I really, really, really want some updated Mercenary lovin'.

What he said...

[Snake Eyes]

Well, i voted for TROs......i have bought every one that was released.........but i also like the Plot Sourcebook
(WoR was insanely cool)

[Dread Moores]

Plot sourcebooks over everything else. TROs probably next. I want more focus on moving forward, and less on historical eras. Wars of Reaving is a great step in that direction, and a welcome change from the JHS format.

[Charlie Tango]

I voted for Historicals (which I think are some of the most useful sourcebooks created for BT) and Plot Sourcebooks (especially if novels are going to continue to be delayed). 

I know TRO's are going to likely win the poll (because everybody wants more units, right?) but I feel the other two are the most useful of the remaining choices.

[Hersh67]

With only two votes, I really can't say what I like.   So, I'd go for everything but the field manuals.  I've got them, but if I had to jettison any part of my collection, it would be the field manuals.   Part of that is the timeframe they're set in though.

[Griffinpilot]

A feature of rulebooks called "flashbacks" all about unseen areas from the star league all the way upto the fourth succession war, and clan invasion....it would talk about some of the least noticed factions, and units during these time periods along with their pilot rosters and 'mechs piloted,etc. , along with less talked about battles, skirmishes, and hidden but important plot points, introduce a few new 'mechs, etc. depending on the era... titles would include "Flashback: Star League", Flashback: First Succession War", etc. sort of like field manuals but more about the non-lime light side of the IS...

[Skyth]

I voted Historicals.  I'm not a fan of anything after 3057ish, but I snap up stuff from before that as soon as I notice it.

[Cyttorak]

1) historicals, because there are great swaths of BT history that have never been covered. This would give players an excuse to dig out those old 3025-era 'mechs.
2) field manuals, because I'm a painter and I want MORE SCHEMES!

[blackjack]

1) Historicals ( see cyttoraks reasons)
2) TRO's love my mechs & fluff

[Crunch]

My vote for Other was to ask for more ATOW support products in whatever format.

[Mattlov]

I very specifically did NOT vote for TROs, I think we have a unit saturation right now and don't need another TRO for a while.  Yes, I know 3095 is coming out reasonably soon, but I think holding off on anymore is a good plan. 

I want to see more Era Reports and Historicals, sine as a Demo Agent I can use the Era Report games to make a quick and dirty campaign for players, and I always love a good Historical.

[The Hawk]

Ditto Historicals for reasons previously stated; I've really enjoyed every one and would love to see more.

As Charlie Tango surmised, I felt compelled to go with TROs, because more units = good, right?  Except I tend to feel like the declared TRO-per-year pace is conceptually a bit heady, and frankly am concerned about various units losing their unique charm if they are swallowed up in a sea of the undifferentiated.  So, my other vote was for plot sourcebooks.  That said, I feel compelled to note that I would totally be on board for historical TROs.  The TR3075 Age of War stuff, the primitive stuff, and the Reunification War stuff have all been fabulous, if you ask me.  More please!

[Orin]

I voted other. I'd like to see Quick Strike written up as its own product, rather than having to dig through the BattleForce and Total Warfare rules and Quick strike rules.  It allows playing BattleTech with a lot more models on the table in a reasonable amount of time. I'd also like to see a dueling rules/solaris type product and/or perhaps something specifically at the tactical AToW scale (again sort of already covered, but more a tabletop infantry/battlearmor perspective *wargame* ruleset than RPG combat rules). I guess separate product rules (some of which already exist in a scattered state) for games that allow existing stuff in the product line to be played at zoomed in and zoomed out levels on the table top.

[HABeas2]

Hello,

I very specifically did NOT vote for TROs, I think we have a unit saturation right now and don't need another TRO for a while.  Yes, I know 3095 is coming out reasonably soon, but I think holding off on anymore is a good plan. 

o.O Did someone schedule a product and not tell me? I know nothing of a TRO 3095...

Thank you,

- Herbert Beas
  BattleTech
  Catalyst Game Labs

[Bosefius]

TROs sell. Plain and simple. And, let's be honest, the histories and snippets we get with them make them interesting in so many ways.

I also said Plot Sourcebooks. My favorite books so far have been the Jihad sourcebooks and WoR. All of them were rules lite but the source material has been great. This is, in my humble and probably wrong opinion, what we need to move the game forward.

[oldfart3025]

Plot Sourcebooks and Technical Readouts.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Too hard a poll. I went with Era Reports and Plot Sourcebooks, but really, CGL has brought goodness in every form of product listed in the poll. TROs used to be my favorite, but WoR was so phenomenal I'm praying for more just like that. Same with the combo of fluff, tracks, and illustrations in the ERs. 

[Blackjack Jones]

Hello,

o.O Did someone schedule a product and not tell me? I know nothing of a TRO 3095...

Mattlov might be referring to the possible TRO at the end of the DA that you referred to in the last Battlechat.
As for that 3095 bit, well they have had a tendency to show up every 5 years in game time after all. If I had
to guess what the next TRO was after being away for a bit, it would have been my guess too (i.e. 3085, Prototypes (3090ish), then 3095).

As for me, I didn't vote for the TRO's either, as designs will come out as needed for that particular era as it's fleshed out, either in a TRO or a rules section in a scourcebook.
Refit lists like 3085's ONN could also be tacked on to scourcebook material instead of taking up TRO space as we move forward as well. I agree with the decision on the XTRO's
and such since the main story (and it seems the game rules as well in the case of TRO:Prototypes) needed it to finish fleshing out the Jihad/WoR, but every era doesn't need
that level of saturation.

I did vote for Historicals and the Plot books. There's just so much ground left to cover in the history, although that material would probably end up a bit condensed in places
in order for that material to sell. For example, condensing the first two or three Succession Wars into one big book that finished fleshing out that era. And I think we most
definitely need to move on with the story- finish up the Dark Age, give us new battles, new characters, and 'new' places to go (new being fleshed out or updated in the last case).

[Atlan]

I think WoR was an excelent example of the sort of book I want to see more of. Lots of plot-related developments, building up factions (some that we knew lots about, some which were mysteries), new construction rules (just a couple), and new units (but only a few), with some MWRPG stuff as well. All things in moderation.

[wackrabbit]

Era Reports and TROs. That is all...

[Dread Moores]

Hello,

o.O Did someone schedule a product and not tell me? I know nothing of a TRO 3095...

Thank you,

- Herbert Beas
  BattleTech
  Catalyst Game Labs

I'm guessing the OP meant TRO 3150, as mentioned in recent Battlechats.

[Peacemaker]

I voted for Plot Sourcebooks and Field Manuals. Plot Sourcebooks was an easy choice; they are the books that advance the universe and many of the best sourcebooks of all time would go in this category. Field Manuals are cool too; I would argue military units, not characters or military equipment are the lifeblood of the universe and everyone wants to know how they're doing.

As for the rest, well, I have different feelings. I've never read an Era Report, so no comment. I really enjoy Historicals and they contain great appeal for the man who isn't interested in the advancing storyline, but I don't like them as much as my two picks. As for Technical Readouts, they're neat and I understand that they're popular, but I'm beginning to think there are too many of them. 

[Sartris]

Field manuals, era reports.

I'm mostly only interested in universe fluff as it directly relates to the boardgame.  Field Manuals are probably my favorite product as the give a decent level of data on military formations, which helps me build more accurate faction forces.  I also am a fan of the Era Reports as they give just the right amount of universe detail I'm looking for. 

Edit:poor word choice

[Stormlion1]

Technical Readout are always good, and Plot Sourcebook are always my favorite books to read overall.

[ANS Kamas P81]

Personally I love the inclusive TRO style that we have now.  Getting snapshots of everything new, all in one book, it gives the world a nice richness.  You also get to see how entire armies evolve in their hardware as threats show up - look at the proliferation of various technologies and their defenses, all in the same book.  TROs got my instant vote.  The rest...geez.  It's hard to say at this point...Field Manuals are, for the most part, full and done.  Between the FMs and the HBs we've got tremendous amounts of info on the major factions (that anyone cares about, there's those samurai guys but who likes them  ;D) already and I don't see much need short of massive changes to anything.

Like say, what happens to the Lyrans if the end of Bonfire becomes a permanent situation with Alaric.  Or the reformed FWL, if the Zombie State is significantly different than what it was before, or the major post-Reaving situation "up north" - after 75 years, the post-3150 Scorpions and the Cluster ought to be radically different than it was.  Or if we go back in time and do something for the Star League itself.  But outside of that, I can't see much of a need for Field Manuals; the groundwork is laid pretty thoroughly.

The way the BT universe goes, I'm definitely digging the Era Reports and the Historicals, but the Plot Sourcebooks like the HS series and the War of Reaving are absolutely amazing.  Frankly, between the HS series and Ben's .44 Magnum Opus I can't find anything I don't like, except the lack of MOAR.  I went with those more, because of the general quality and density of product.

And Technical Readouts...hell if you keep the current art crew and the designers, I'll give kidneys for it.  I might even give one of my own.  BT has, at its heart to me, been about the 'Mechs - and I am, admittedly, a very visual person.  3025 hooked me into the game through seeing giant stompy robots, and the Catalyst TROs have been immeasurably better.  BattleTech is a game, not just fiction - and we need new dudes to play with.

I love it all, but I picked the Plot Books and TROs.  That was, admittedly, a bloody tough call.

[Kojak]

Operation Klondike is one of my very favorite sourcebooks, so I voted more Historicals. I also love the Field Manuals for the same reasons Sartris outlined.

[Atlas3060]

Era Reports and Plot Sourcebook because I like reading on a time frame to play.
I specifically love unit write ups and battles I can adapt or play with a unit I make on my own or use that written unit to bring new players into our Universe.