More than 120 novels have been published for the perennial BattleTech and Shadowrun universes across the last two plus decades: both with a huge, vibrant history and compelling characters that have entertained millions around the world. However, most of that fiction has been out of print for long years.

With the launch of the iPad (along with the Kindle, Sony Reader and others), electronic fiction reading devices have reached a critical mass. Catalyst is enthusiastically embracing this new medium and launching epub formats for both BattleTech and Shadowrun fiction.

The quintessential BattleTech novels that launched the first of the great story arcs are now available in an Author’s Definitive Edition. The Warrior Trilogy can either be purchased as three separate novels or in an Omnibus Edition. We’ve also published an all-new novel set in BattleTech’s Dark Age Era, A Bonfire of Worlds.

For Shadowrun, all four Nigel Findley books (including one of the all time favorites in 2XS) are now available for individual purchase, as well as an Omnibus Edition. Additionally, later this month we’ll publish Spells & Chrome, an anthology edited by John Helfers of brand new fiction from a host of authors: Michael Stackpole, Steven Kenson, William H. Keith, Jean Rabe, Matt Forbeck, and more.

On Amazon.com you can find the Kindle format of all the BattleTech and Shadowrun novels, while a zip file containing both the Kindle and epub formats for those BattleTech and Shadowrun novels are available at the BattleShop. As the iBookstore expands its catalog, we’ll add our novels as well.

Catalyst Game Labs remains committed to launching a print novel publication program. However, as we wait for all the pieces to fall into place for that program, we’re excited to join this revolution. We’ll continue expanding the back catalog of novels for both Shadowrun and BattleTech (as well as compiling and releasing the million words of BattleCorps.com fiction) each month while dropping in the occasional brand new fair.

For long-time fans looking to revisit great memories, or anyone newly introduced to BattleTech or Shadowrun, there’s never been a better time to carry an entire universe around in your pocket to enjoy at any time!

The criminal underworld of the Sixth World has never been exposed like this. Vice talks criminal operations worldwide, from small fry to international syndicates. Vice is a 192-page softcover for Shadowrun, Fourth Edition. And it comes to gaming stores on the street date of Tuesday, February 23rd! Give your local store a call this week or next and let them know that you want a copy, and they should be able to have it for you that date or later that week. Overseas customers, as usual, will need to give it another week or two to get across the pond! Take a look at the first two Vice preview: the Table of Contents and the first few pages of the International Syndicates chapter in one preview, and part of the Yakuza section in another!

Vice

Illegal is a strong word. It means you’re doing something that the government doesn’t want you to do. You’d never do anything like that, right? Or would you? It might be that some laws are… misguided. It’s civil disobedience and a moral imperative to oppose those laws. Gandhi taught us that. My friends and I—we’re here to help you make these difficult moral choices. We’ll even provide you with a support network, if someone objects to your strong moral compass. And, hey, if everything works out, maybe all of us might come out ahead. Don’t worry! We’ve got your back.

Effective immediately, Catalyst Game Labs is lowering the prices for its core rulebook PDFs for all game lines. This includes:

SHADOWRUN

Shadowrun 20^th Anniversary Edition: $15
Runner’s Companion: $12
Arsenal: $12
Augmentation: $12
Unwired: $12
Street Magic: $12

BATTLETECH

Total Warfare: $15
TechManual: $15
Tactical Operation: $15
Strategic Operations: $15

CTHULHUTECH

CthulhuTech Core Rulebook: $15

Catalyst Game Labs has embraced electronic publishing as a vital medium for expanding a community’s enjoyment of a game line. This is readily apparent with the launch of Eclipse Phase under the Creative Commons license and at a $15 price point, simultaneously with the release of the print rulebook into standard distribution. Catalyst Game Labs continues to follow this pattern with the recent publication of Leviathans’ Lieutenant’s Manual, the first major miniatures game release also utilizing the Creative Commons license, embracing the open-minded nature of the electronic medium.

At the same time Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to supporting brick-and-mortar hobby stores, still the life’s blood of our hobby and the greatest avenue for new players to be exposed to new games. The Catalyst RED (Retailer Electronic Distribution) combines Catalyst embracing of electronic distribution and retailer support into a single system that allows retailers to sell our PDFs directly to customers.

The release of both Eclipse Phase Core Rulebook and Leviathans’ Lieutenant’s Manual PDFs at a reduced price showcased the willingness of gamers to “check out a new game” if the price is reasonable; especially combined with the willingness of a publisher to stand by the quality and strength of their game line. With two of the most icon universes in our industry (and a fabulous up-and-coming game line) Catalyst Game Labs is standing by the strength and quality of its game lines, lowering the price of its introductory products for the entire gaming community.

If you’ve always wanted to check out Shadowrun or BattleTech (or would like to return after a long hiatus), there’s never been a better chance to grab a PDF and see what the excitement is all about! Our PDFs are available from our own BattleShop or DriveThruRPG.