Catalyst Game Labs bring Classic BattleTech, Shadowrun, and MechWarrior novels back to bookstores
Lake Stevens, Washington (June 24, 2008) - Catalyst Game Labs (An InMediaRes Productions, LLC company) announces the return of novels for Classic BattleTech, MechWarrior, and Shadowrun. The re-launch of these perennial lines will include an amazing selection of authors—including New York Times’ Bestselling Author Michael A. Stackpole.
"The triumphant return of three of the most seminal adventure gaming book lines heralds a great next step for all the brands," David M. Stansel-Garner, Operations Manager for Catalyst Game Labs said. "We're really excited to bring these novels back to thousands of eager fans who have been waiting patiently for their return."
"An estimated 25 million people having played a game or read a novel set in the BattleTech Universe since its inception almost 25 years ago," Stansel-Garner continued. "Throughout that time BattleTech alone has inspired over a dozen video games, a cartoon, a collectible card game, a collectible miniatures game and several toy lines. Additionally, it has amassed one of the largest fictional universes in the sci-fi genre, with over 170 gaming products and almost 100 full-length novels (with much of that translated into over a dozen languages world-wide). Tie that together with the hundreds of thousands of copies of Shadowrun's 120 game sourcebooks, video games, and 50 novels (also translated into numerous foreign markets)… we have a lot of eager fans chomping at the bit for these new books."
Bestselling author and owner of InMediaRes Loren Coleman will return to pen more novels in the Classic BattleTech line. "In 1994 I read through the Warrior trilogy in a single weekend. I've been a devoted fan ever since. I expect to feel much the same way as I pick up the new storyline installments. Working with top writers on a compelling storyline is one of my greatest joys as a writer. Coming back to it now—and with Mike back on board as well—it's like our favorite park has just been reopened. I'll bring the green army men. He'll supply the fireworks."
Look for the first MechWarrior novel, A Bonfire of Worlds by Steven Mohan, Jr. in November 2008, followed by the first Classic BattleTech novel, Shadows of Faith by Loren L. Coleman in December. The first of the all-new Shadowrun novels will appear in January, 2009.
About Catalyst Game Labs Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high quality gaming products that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes, presented in a form that allows both beginning players and long-time veterans to easily pick up our games. Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC, which specializes in electronic publishing of professional fiction. This allows Catalyst to participate in a synergy that melds printed gaming product with all the benefits of an electronic interface and community, creating a whole-package experience for any type of player. For additional information, visit www.catalystgamelabs.com.
About WizKids, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company, WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Its HeroClix® and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over one hundred million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Are the new MechWarrior book mentioned in this article part of the “Dark Age” series?
Is the switch in publishers due to the Topps buyout of WizKids?
August 6th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Hi Spencer,
We will be publishing MechWarrior books that are in the Dark Age/Age of Destruction timeline, yes.
This switch in publishers has nothing to do with Topps. ROC and WizKids did not renew their novel publishing agreement, and we absolutely wanted to do it!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Will the new stories continue to follow the same basic story line of “Fortress Republic” and keep the same characters? I was happy to locate this web site to find out the news regarding new release dates. I confess that I am completely hooked on these novels and I am looking forward to reading more of this well made sci-fi universe. Can I get on a mailing list or will this web site provide updated information?
Thanks for any information you can share.
Dennis McNulty
August 10th, 2008 at 4:21 am
It is great that Catalyst Game Labs are taking over the Mechwarrior and Battletech novel’s future. I have been reading and loving the novels since the beginning and now really look forward to the stories to come. Thank you for picking up the flag and leading this universe forward the way it deserves to be.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Glad to see the series, esp the Dark Age novels, continue. I was rather disgruntled that they were starting to progress through the series, then all the sudden, nothing on radar. Thank you Catalyst, and I’m buying every book (from both MW and BT) that comes out!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Dennis,
Sorry for the late reply to this, but your comment arrived right during the pre-Gen Con frenzy. Randall Bills has the following answer for your question:
Yes. Just as most MechWarrior Dark Age novels built upon previous storylines and characters, the MechWarrior Dark Age novels published by Catalyst Game Labs will follow suit, further developing the stories and characters of this setting. We’ll keep catalystgamelabs.com updates with release dates and information concerning the novels as it becomes available.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Its good to see that the classic line is coming back.. i have them including ideal war which i thought was the worst one lol…
October 17th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Can you share any information regarding other authors for the new Dark Age novels? Will Michale Stackpole or Blaine Lee Pardoe be approached to contribute new stories in the future?
Dennis McNulty
November 6th, 2008 at 5:02 am
yes its great to hear that MW and the original BT storyline will be continued. I’ve been a fan since ‘94 and have every single canon novel. Was really worried when nothing came out after To Ride a Chimera
November 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Adam,
Is there a firm release date for Catalyst Labs first new Battletech novel ” A Bonfire of Worlds ” ? I am watching all of the retailers but none of them offer a solid lead. I am off on vacation soon and nothing would be better for a little reading on the beach.
George
November 8th, 2008 at 9:38 am
with regards to reading the latest technical which i found absouluteley brilliant,i wish to
know if there will be a release date the next tech readout called the experimentals,i have
been looking up brent evans website and found there is nothing at the moment.can you tell
us when will we be see the first pictures of the experimental battlemechs in the not too
near future
November 8th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Can you tell me when this month the new novel “A Bonfire of Worlds” will be released? I have checked with Borders Books and Amazon.com and cannot find out any information.
Thanks
Dennis McNulty
November 8th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Bonfire of Worlds won’t be launching in November like we initially planned; the novel lines will be launching in early 2009, instead. We needed some more time to make sure we would be properly positioned by the major chains.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:06 am
I am so glad to hear that the Classic Battletech line of books will be relaunched. With the switch to Dark Age, I got away from the book series, and will definately be going back for the Classics! I always enjoyed the books and would buy them the day they came out! Thank you very much for picking them up!!!