BattleTech press release

Classic BattleTech: Back with a Vengeance!

YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BATTLETECH LIKE THIS!

August of 2006 sees the unveiling of a whole new look and presentation for Classic BattleTech.

The basic rules and concepts of the game have not changed: thirty-foot tall metal titans of doom-piloted by feudal MechWarrior knights-firing lightning bolts, coherent lasers and autocannons in an orgy of destruction across a futuristic landscape of thousands of worlds.

These concepts have made Classic BattleTech/MechWarrior® one of the most successful science fiction lines ever created, spawning millions of sold MechWarrior PC games, almost a hundred full-length novels, more than ten million sold MechWarrior: Dark Age Collectable Miniatures Game figures, comic books, toys, a cartoon, virtual reality centers, over five-thousand fan-based websites and more.

Yet it all began with the original board game, which still conveys all the best the universe has to offer, presented in a whole new way:

*All the disparate game systems from BattleMechs® to vehicles, battle armor to aerospace units: all are fully integrated into a single, unified rules set.

*The new series of six core rulebooks are organized and presented to provide a foundation of game play (and the universe), for the various aspects of Classic BattleTech. Knowing which core products to stock or purchase for Classic BattleTech will be simple and easy, allowing for a smooth transition from one core rulebook to the next.

*The core line of Classic BattleTech rulebooks will be published in full-color, hard back.

THE FIRST PRODUCTS IN THE RETURN OF CLASSIC BATTLETECH

Total Warfare™

The product of over twenty years of gaming experience, Total Warfare presents the rules of the BattleTech game system as never before. Fully integrated and meticulously updated, Total Warfare provides the most detailed and comprehensive rules set published to date for BattleTech; the perfect companion for standard tournament play.

Starterbook: Sword and Dragon™

The Starterbooks are a perfect way to jump into the further excitement of the Classic BattleTech universe once players have tried their hands at BattleTech. Starterbook: Sword and Dragon provides a short synopsis of the conflicts between the ancient enemies of House Davion and House Kurita, as conveyed through the infamous Fox's Teeth and Sorenson's Sabres.
Includes record sheets for everyone in both commands, including eight, never-before-seen 'Mech variants!

Sword and Dragon 'MechPacks

Iron Wind Metals (www.IronWindMetals.com) will be simultaneously releasing Sword and Dragon 'MechPack Davion and Sword and Dragon 'MechPack Kurita to support Starterbook: Sword and Dragon. Each 'MechPack contains four unique 'Mech variants, to be used in conjunction with the new variant record sheets found in the Starterbook.

TechManual™

A companion volume to Total Warfare, Classic BattleTech TechManual combines all the construction rules for the various units presented in that core rules set. More than just a rulebook, the TechManual presents numerous sourcebook-style treatises, providing the in-universe context for these units and the technologies of their development.

Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set™

For the first time in over a decade, plastic miniatures are back in the base box set! As ever, the introductory box is the starting point for any player, containing everything needed to play. But now players can have the thrill of 3-dimensional figures to bring excitement to their games from the moment they open the lid.

FROM HERE TO PUBLICATION

FanPro LLC has big plans afoot to support the re-branding of Classic BattleTech.

*Issue #8 of Games Quarterly (shipping February 10th) contains an interview covering some of the behind-the-scenes decisions for this re-branding and the launching of the new core line of Classic BattleTech rulebooks.
*An extensive marketing campaign leading up to August's release will launch in March.
*Kicking off the launch will be a great new look to the www.ClassicBattleTech.com website. Fully integrating the new branding look of Classic BattleTech, the site will be streamlined, while retaining the depth of information of the current site, including the ever popular forums.
*A new weekly BattleBlog will be featured on the front page that will have insights and information direct from the Line Developer, Randall Bills, on a whole range of topics pertaining to all aspects of this new and exciting time. Topics include everything from what this re-branding means for fans and retailers to what rules will be improved upon and how they will be presented.
*Starting on March 18th (and running the third Saturday of every month through August) an open-to-the-public Live BattleChat will be hosted by www.BattleCorps.com, at 10AM Pacific Standard Time. Randall Bills will be answering questions posted by those in attendance; look to both www.BattleCorps.com and www.ClassicBattleTech.com as we near March 18th for details on how to attend.

Feel free to use the attached PDF, containing most of this information, as you deem appropriate and make sure to keep watch at www.ClassicBattletech.com (and www.FanproGames.com) for updates, sneak previews, and more!

©2006 WizKids, Inc. All rights reserved. Classic BattleTech and WK Games are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of WizKids, Inc. Used under license.