Space operas like Star Wars and Dune project epic tales across the stars. On the tabletop side, games like Battletech and Warhammer 40,000 take up their own massive stories. The makers of Battletech recently announced an upcoming project that’s something of a cover album of the grim dark future where there is only war.
Battletech: Gothic was publicly announced last week at Adepticon in Milwaukee, WI. The boxed set features new sculpts and battle maps. More importantly, it offers a darker take on historical events in the Battletech timeline.
In this version, humanity’s lust for war has turned grim. Not only do grand factions war for dwindling resources on devastated planets but they must also contend against abominations. These twisted fusions of flesh and steel challenge mechwarriors for mastery of the battlefield.
“As a long-time fan of science fiction settings, one of my favorite riffs has long been the “what if?” possibilities they offer,” said Herbert A. Beas II, author of the Battletech: Gothic setting. “Now, while just about every sci-fi technically asks and answers that very question, what I’m talking about here is the kind of “what if?” that spawns from a fictional universe that’s already steeped in its own deep lore. Be it Star Trek’s “Mirror Universe,” the “Nightmares of Futures Past” take on the superhero universe of Marvel Comics, DC’s “Injustice” universe, or the “Shattered Glass” variation on Transformers—so many engaging, altered takes on the characters and stories we enjoyed one way have proven that we can always look at them in a new and different way that are just as compelling, while still enriching our love of their original timelines. As a writer and player of many a Battletech storyline, I have long asked the “what if?” question about established lore, but it wasn’t until I produced 2014’s Halloween-themed adventure supplement Empires Aflame that I seriously entertained a deep dive into the realm of alternative Battletech histories. I had an absolute blast on that project, and kind of wanted to do more ever since! [When]
Catalyst asked me if I’d like to try my hand at a box set-sized ‘what if?’ alternative universe for Battletech, well, how could I say no?”
The box is the first entry in the Continuum series which will explore different versions of the setting with lternate histories and aesthetics. Each boxed set is a one and done affair though the components will remain compatible with mainline products for players who want to take advantage of the unique looks of the redesigned mechs. Battletech: Gothic will contain record sheets for A Game of Armored Combat and cards for Alpha Strike.
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“I’ve worked on Battletech for thirty years now,” said Randall N. Bills, Creative Director for Catalyst Game Labs. “From game creation and development to art direction, writing novels to lore coordination with computer games, to everything in between. Yet Battletech: Gothic was a moment to step into a new space, creating the first official alternate setting for this game I’ve loved and played now for forty years. Working closely with Marco Mazzoni to hone his stunning art; coordinating with Herb Beas for the creation of this dark universe; meshing with Ray Arrastia to ensure we kept it all within some boundaries; to working alongside our manufacturer, Liya, to take the plastic models to new heights of quality and customization for Battletech fans of every stripe: this was such a creatively challenging and rewarding experience! Can’t wait to see these designs on gaming tables everywhere. While we’re already starting development of our next Continuum game setting in Rockets & Rayguns, an homage to the golden age of science fiction.”
Battletech: Gothic is currently expected for a summer 2025 release.
