Author Topic: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Discussion, Vol. 1  (Read 170290 times)

Cubby

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Kickstarter campaign is LIVE! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/450703636/battletech-clan-invasion


In 3050, the true heirs of the lost Star League thunder forth from the depths of the far Periphery and carve deep into the quarreling Successor States. As the Clan juggernaut rolls across the coreward realms of the Inner Sphere, the House Lords scramble to shore up their defenses and devise some way to halt the invaders.

The Clan spear is aimed at the heart of human-occupied space. Do you possess the bold tactics and heroic courage to defeat warriors trained from birth to conquer? Or will you uphold Kerensky’s dream to cast aside the squabbling lords of the Inner Sphere and reignite the flame of the Star League?


Hot on the heels of the wildly successful launch of two new boxed sets, the BattleTech tabletop game comes to Kickstarter for the first time ever to unleash totally remodeled Clan and Inner Sphere ’Mechs on your gaming table. Utilizing the same process that modernized the nine BattleMechs found in those bestselling box sets, each ’Mech has been painstakingly re-imagined, holding to the spirit of their original design while embracing a modern aesthetic. (Click on the images to enlarge.)



The Clan Invasion box set will add five popular Clan OmniMechs to your arsenal, including the seminal Timber Wolf (Mad Cat). It will also include a bevy of support materials, the rules needed to play Clan technology, all new maps, and more.

Stretch goals will rapidly fill the ranks with more Clan and Inner Sphere ’Mechs boasting all-new looks. The Clan Command Star expansion will include the devastating Dire Wolf (Daishi) and the ever-popular Shadow Cat, while the Clan Attack Star pack will contain the Warhawk (Masakari) and Nova Cat. Meanwhile, the Inner Sphere will take desperate action to try to stave off the invasion. The Inner Sphere Command Lance pack will deploy the beloved Marauder and Archer, while the Warhammer and Phoenix Hawk will hot-drop from the Inner Sphere Battle Lance pack. And there’s more to unlock on both sides!



Add-ons will include a plethora of exciting new BattleTech merchandise, the latest rulebooks, sourcebooks, boxed sets, and more!

While you wait for the launch of the Clan Invasion Kickstarter on July 17, grab the brand-new and completely free Chaos Campaign: Succession Wars PDF to get a taste of campaign play using the new boxed sets!

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Any able commander can win a single battle, but only true leaders with skill, guts, and vision can win a war. Do you have what it takes to change the course of the Succession Wars and add your name to the annals of history?

Building off of the BattleTech Beginner Box and BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat, Chaos Campaign: Succession Wars provides rules for selecting a force and embarking on a planetary assault mini-campaign, as well as tools to create campaigns of your own.

The scenarios included with those boxed sets are intended as one-off battles with no impact on the next encounter. This module introduces Chaos Campaign play, which offers consequences between individual missions, a reason to chase down specific objectives while preserving your troops, and ways to improve your force as you progress.

Be sure to sign up on our email list to have updates on the Kickstarter and other BattleTech news delivered straight to your inbox!


« Last Edit: 22 July 2019, 14:18:13 by Cubby »
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Pat Payne

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #1 on: 13 June 2019, 12:35:19 »
(Well, I guess I know why the site's slow now... :) )

WAHOOOOOOOOO! The reports of the Marauder's demise WERE greatly exaggerated!

Looking forward to the 17th, gentlemen.

Though, what changed the stance on the Kickstarter? I thought the last stance that Catalyst had was a firm "we're not interested in that option".

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #2 on: 13 June 2019, 12:45:39 »
I believe Ray is the only one with decision making powers (or in the decision making process) that's posted about Kickstarter and his comments have always been something like "we'll use kickstarter when it's appropriate". CGL has used kickstarter several times before this, just not for BattleTech before.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #3 on: 13 June 2019, 12:46:43 »
The stars are right! (Pune intended)
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #4 on: 13 June 2019, 12:46:58 »
Though, what changed the stance on the Kickstarter? I thought the last stance that Catalyst had was a firm "we're not interested in that option".

It was more a matter of "we're not leaping into it as the magic answer to all problems: any possible kickstarter would require careful research and the right product."  Looks like they got both.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #5 on: 13 June 2019, 12:47:17 »

Though, what changed the stance on the Kickstarter? I thought the last stance that Catalyst had was a firm "we're not interested in that option".

They choose to apply that option where its use is warranted.  They've Kickstartered things before (Sprawl Ops for SR comes to mind).   

But instead of as a blunt instrument to apply to every problem,  they use it as a rapier to apply to certain things that Kickstarter is best able to solve.
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Cubby

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #6 on: 13 June 2019, 12:48:33 »
I believe Ray is the only one with decision making powers (or in the decision making process) that's posted about Kickstarter and his comments have always been something like "we'll use kickstarter when it's appropriate". CGL has used kickstarter several times before this, just not for BattleTech before.

Not a decision-maker, but I've posted about KS before. I think I've been pretty consistent in saying that management is aware of KS's potential, but that there are significant challenges to conducting one, and that I had no announcement to make at this time about a BT KS.

As I wrote on FB a little while ago, this was the right time and the right project. Not sure what further explanation anyone could offer.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #7 on: 13 June 2019, 12:48:54 »
Not a decision-maker, but I've posted about KS before. I think I've been pretty consistent in saying that management is aware of KS's potential, but that there are significant challenges to conducting one, and that I had no announcement to make at this time about a BT KS.

As I wrote on FB a little while ago, this was the right time and the right project. Not sure what further explanation anyone could offer.

Yeah, I haven't used Facebook since 2016 very much, so anything said there is lost on me :)

It was more a matter of "we're not leaping into it as the magic answer to all problems: any possible kickstarter would require careful research and the right product."  Looks like they got both.

I believe Ray is the only one with decision making powers (or in the decision making process) that's posted about Kickstarter and his comments have always been something like "we'll use kickstarter when it's appropriate". CGL has used kickstarter several times before this, just not for BattleTech before.

No worries, guess I just misread the Kickstarter thread and took the wrong impression from it.  :)


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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #8 on: 13 June 2019, 12:49:30 »
Great....just when I convinced my wife my BattleTech addiction was under control. 

I guess the July credit card bill goes missing  :D ;D
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #9 on: 13 June 2019, 12:50:12 »
“We weren’t interested until we were” or “believe me when I tell you I was lying before”

Good stuff. I’m glad Anthony's work he’s been showing off on patreon is finding a fast outlet to us

Great....just when I convinced my wife my BattleTech addiction was under control. 

Narrator: that was a lie

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #10 on: 13 June 2019, 12:50:45 »
Can we kickstart some sort of plot advancement?

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #11 on: 13 June 2019, 12:53:07 »
Oh this is gonna be good. Now the fanbase can put their money where their mouths are. ;)

Me, I'm not terribly interested in this particular product but I will probably support CGL on general principle (and get cool stuff for it).
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Cubby

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #12 on: 13 June 2019, 12:53:45 »
“We weren’t interested until we were” or “believe me when I tell you I was lying before”

The former, not the latter. I would not knowingly lie on anyone's behalf.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #13 on: 13 June 2019, 12:53:51 »
Guys, guys.  You did it.  You convinced me to sell my 40K armies (not all of them, but enough of them!)

Thank you.  These look fantastic!
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #14 on: 13 June 2019, 12:55:31 »
Guys, guys.  You did it.  You convinced me to sell my 40K armies (not all of them, but enough of them!)

Thank you.  These look fantastic!

Yeah, I gotta figure out where to come up with some money. I have no 40k armies :).
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #15 on: 13 June 2019, 12:57:42 »
The former, not the latter. I would not knowingly lie on anyone's behalf.

A refreshing change in the PR world

Also thank you for the month heads up. It will significantly improve my pledge.


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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #16 on: 13 June 2019, 12:59:15 »
Any idea on price points?

So are these the lance/star packs IN the box or are they something that rolls out separately?  Just trying to figure out my order for Marauders, Warhammers, Phoenix Hawks, Timber Wolves and Nova Cat?
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #17 on: 13 June 2019, 12:59:34 »
Oh this is gonna be good. Now the fanbase can put their money where their mouths are. ;)

Me, I'm not terribly interested in this particular product but I will probably support CGL on general principle (and get cool stuff for it).

Oh, I'm gonna support the everlivin' heck out of this. Couldn't care less for the Clans, but any chance to get that sweet Marauder and company...

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #18 on: 13 June 2019, 13:08:40 »
Oh, I'm gonna support the everlivin' heck out of this. Couldn't care less for the Clans, but any chance to get that sweet Marauder and company...

Same here, I'm more interested in the Inner Sphere Mechs, but wont turn away the OmniMechs. I'll be throwing money at this as soon as it goes live!

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #19 on: 13 June 2019, 13:13:37 »
Cool.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #20 on: 13 June 2019, 13:20:23 »
Any idea on price points?

My guess is the answer is 'when it goes live'. Otherwise they probably would have included it in the announcement already.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #21 on: 13 June 2019, 13:24:48 »
Yeah, I was just hoping 40s, 50s, 60s or 'like GoAC' just so I can start adjusting budget and getting the wife used to the spending idea.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #22 on: 13 June 2019, 13:25:59 »
Yeah, I was just hoping 40s, 50s, 60s or 'like GoAC' just so I can start adjusting budget and getting the wife used to the spending idea.

The timeline is usually around a month, so you won't have to make budget decisions or negotiate right this instant.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #23 on: 13 June 2019, 13:26:35 »
MARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADA MARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADAMARADA

*passes out, wakes up*

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #24 on: 13 June 2019, 13:27:48 »
The timeline is usually around a month, so you won't have to make budget decisions or negotiate right this instant.

Lol, for what I am thinking, I am going to start early . . .
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #25 on: 13 June 2019, 13:29:02 »
Any idea on price points?

So are these the lance/star packs IN the box or are they something that rolls out separately?  Just trying to figure out my order for Marauders, Warhammers, Phoenix Hawks, Timber Wolves and Nova Cat?

Going by the announcement, the main goal of the kickstarter is the Clan box, and I think the only confirmed mech in there is the Mad Cat. If we reach that level of funding and go farther, then we can unlock stretch goals, such as the lance and star boxes pictured.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #26 on: 13 June 2019, 13:30:18 »
I'm curious,  after the Kickstarter, is the plan for these to be available for stores to order? Because I know that's going to be a question my local game store is going to ask.

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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #27 on: 13 June 2019, 13:33:34 »
That's almost certainly the idea. Kickstarters are exactly what the name implies - a way to get the initial funding, and kickstart the production process. I imagine it's up to the profits from the first production run to fund further runs.
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #28 on: 13 June 2019, 13:33:51 »
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaas!
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Re: BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Coming July 17!
« Reply #29 on: 13 June 2019, 13:35:26 »

So are these the lance/star packs IN the box or are they something that rolls out separately?  Just trying to figure out my order for Marauders, Warhammers, Phoenix Hawks, Timber Wolves and Nova Cat?

The text states the Clan box set is 5 minis plus rules, maps and game aids, and the lance and star packs are stretch goals.
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