Spreading the Good Word
The Introductory Box Set is in sight.
For those who have not seen the news, Randall has posted a number of pictures of the final proofs for the 25th Anniversary Box Set. This has been a long time coming and I am ecstatic at the opportunity to be able to point new players to this product.
A Second Renaissance
The first renaissance of BattleTech occurred under the aegis of FanPro with the re-branding of the BattleTech line. The re-branding campaign launched the core rule book series and shortly thereafter, Catalyst Game Labs.
With the re-launch of the box set comes new chances to point prospective players to a proper introduction and help to steady a shaken foundation. BattleTech needs some good news and this new information, released in spite of a well exercised policy not to divulge information on unreleased products, is very well received. Thanks to Randall for bucking the status quo and giving the community a glimpse of this gem on the horizon.
Challenges Loom
And now the most important part and potentially the hardest, this box set must remain in print. The box set is a treasure for collectors and faithful gamers looking for cheap miniatures. From the old guard to the newly initiated, there are plenty of prospective buyers out there. It is imperative that this set remain in print and available.
Without a keystone product for BattleTech the game will be hard to impress upon the masses. From local gaming groups to crowded conventions, the box set is the product pitch we have been waiting for.
Strike the right tone with a prospective gamer and you may very well capture that person’s imagination for life. Those are the moments that this box set will help create alongside the efforts of the Demo Team. Hopefully Catalyst has wrung out the kinks and can keep this fantastic product in steady supply.
BattleTech is a game that gets better the more people play. Ultimately it is up to the players to make that happen, so get out there and play. Start a campaign, relive an epic battle, or settle a grudge in the arenas. BattleTech has plenty of sandboxes to play in. Time to kick it into high gear and enjoy the game. It’s worth it.
Posted under News
Absolutely right, for the game to remain in the public arena it needs to accessible. Hopefully, with the release of this product a new leaf has been turned over and CGL can consolidate and move forward with their business plans. I say every home should have a Battletech boxed set sitting on the shelf waiting to be played.
Totally agree. The box set is necessary for new players. I started with a 4th edition starter set in 2003 and I’ve probably spent close to $1.5k on Battletech products since that time. And it all started with the introductory set, because without it I wouldn’t have discovered the game on my own.
I want mah plastic minis! >:) Have they leaked a price yet?
Scratch that question. Just saw it was 50$. :)
Scratch that question. Just saw it was 50$. :)
I started back in 1989 with the second edition boxset and have looked back since. Well done Catalyst.
‘…this box set must remain in print.’
That really is the most important part. Lets see if CGL manages to succeed where FASA and Fanpro failed.
The Boxed Set would’ve remained in print through the original 25th anniversary set, but the surprise legal issues killed it. At that point, the original boxed set with minis had been discontinued due to the anticipation of the 25th.
It’s a little irritating that there’s this continued (mis)perception that CGL just let the Boxed Set lapse out of print and is only now getting it back up due to aggravated fans. That’s simply not the case. It was a mess of product timing that got torpedoed by various outside factors; believe me, they would’ve kept it in print, if they could have. It was simply out of their collective hands…until now.
I’m just happy that when I run a game/event at my FLGS that I’ll be able to direct new player the perfect item that will be on the shelf for them to pick up.
Battletech has been and always will be my first gaming love. I am looking forward to the new boxed set, and I hope to be able to spread the love locally.