KickStarter BattleTech Pre-Release Thread

[aeternalis]

My friend Cole brought Battletech tabletop to Game Club (why yes, I do go to a nerd school) and the tabletop group, which I'm a part of, really enjoyed as a break up from D&D and Star/Zombie Munchkin. Had a lot of fun. I hope this comes out and is good.

Funny, I also played tabletop BT in school. I was cautiously optimistic on this from the beginning based on it being turn-based and in 3025 so there won't be any Clan bullshit. Their recent updates have sounded good.

 

[Werdna's Revenge]

As a long time Battletech junkie, the new state they created is in sort of a weird spot since a later colonization plan takes place in the region that breaks off into it's own faction. If it becomes canon in the Tabletop game (and it will likely be) then there'll be lots of retconning to fit it in the post-3025 timeline unless they decide that it just collapses before 3050.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Concept art:
https://community.battletechgame.com/forums/threads/2797?page=5

 

[Severian Silk]

Those pictures are grainy as fuck!

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Those pictures are grainy as fuck!

Probably grabbed from the Twitch stream.

 

[Grotesque]

How come in this motherfuckin BattleTech franchise there is virtually zero information about mechs height?

 

[Quigs]

How come in this motherfuckin BattleTech franchise there is virtually zero information about mechs height?

8 to 14 meters tall. Game wise, a mech stands 1 level above it's terrain.

 

[ArchAngel]

So when is some gameplay video coming?

 

[Cassar]

 

[J_C]

It's shit.

 

[Mustawd]

This looks pretty good. Like that the AI takes advantage of elevation.

Not a BT player, but like how some aspects of the UI are handling tabletop rules well, like LOS, without making it too cumbersome.

 

[Cyberarmy]

Ohhh so melee is in! I thought they were scrapping melee combat.

This will be glorious!

 

[Haba]

Lol @ losing your Atlas to the first shot.

 

[Trash]

Damn. The game looks much better than I anticipated. Nice. Really looking forward to this.

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/webeharebrained/battletech/posts/1647007

A “Super-Pre-Alpha” First Look at BATTLETECH Combat - And It’s Playable at GenCon! Plus a New Late Backer Opportunity!

Hey everyone! Mike here. In the months since our Kickstarter campaign closed late last year, every one of us on the BATTLETECH team has been working hard to bring BATTLETECH to life - and today, we’re very excited to present to you a short sneak-peek at a super, super, pre-alpha build of the game. And as our Backers, we wanted to make sure that you all would be the very first people to see it - so this is a private update for Backers only.

Before you watch the video - please be aware that there’s bugs and missing features a-plenty here! We’re showing off where we’re at with combat gameplay here, warts and all. Some specific combat features that are part of the game but didn’t make it into this demo include: stability/falling, MechWarrior special abilities, reverse movement, better damage reporting, and melee. (We all really wanted to show off some of the awesome melee attacks the team’s been working on, but it’s still just not quite ready for primetime.) Note that this also doesn’t showcase any elements of the game’s campaign or story - this is an example of a single mission that you might embark on during your Mercenary career.

Anyway - with that said, here is your first look at BATTLETECH. Jordan and Mitch and I are incredibly proud of the work the team has already done on this project, and look forward to showing you more of the game later this year - and if you happen to be in Indianapolis this weekend for GenCon, stop by Booth 2329 to say hi and try the demo out for yourself!

Until next time,

Mike

...and here's a few screenshots!

Come See Us at GenCon 2016!
Gonna be in Indianapolis Indiana this weekend (August 4-7) and want to put your hands on our Super-Pre-Alpha First Look at BATTLETECH? Want to meet BattleTech, Shadowrun, and Crimson Skies (plus a lot more) creator Jordan Weisman? How about the crew who brought you the Shadowrun Returns series including Lead Writer Andrew McIntosh?

Well you can do it all at GenCon 2016! Harebrained Schemes will be in Booth 2329 and we can’t wait to meet you and show you what we’re up to. Use this handy map tool to find us!

Reinforcement Opportunity For Late Backers!
One of the most common questions we get (besides, “Which ‘Mechs will be in the game?”) is “Can I still back the project?” Up until today the answer has been, “No.”

Now that all the design, production, manufacturing, and shipping for physical rewards is behind us, we feel comfortable opening up a limited number of DIGITAL-ONLY Backer levels, so that folks who missed our Kickstarter can become Late Backers and reinforce the mission.

We’re still working hard on a license from Topps that would allow us to create new BT merch for everyone to enjoy. If that deal comes together we will let you know! For now, let your friends know that they can still get in on the action and support the project by choosing from one of the following Late Reinforcement Backer Levels:

RECRUIT REINFORCEMENT - $25 or more

• A DIGITAL copy of the BATTLETECH game for Windows, Mac, or Linux through your choice of Steam, GOG or Humble. (DRM-free versions available, too!).
• A GREAT HOUSE WALLPAPER PACK. Proudly proclaim your House allegiance on your PC, tablet, phone, and social media pages.

MECHJOCK REINFORCEMENT - $35 or more

All of the above, PLUS:

• A digital download of the BATTLETECH ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK.
• THE ART OF BATTLETECH in PDF format! See behind-the-scenes concept art and how we go from concept art to the final look and feel of the game.

MECHWARRIOR REINFORCEMENT - $50 or more

All of the above, PLUS:

• Access to the SKIRMISH and MULTIPLAYER GAME BETAs. Get in early to learn the ropes of ’Mech combat and help us make the game better.
• A BACKER-ONLY VARIANT of the Atlas Assault 'Mech with an exclusive model and paint job.
• A brand-new four part ORIGINAL FULL-LENGTH BATTLETECH E-NOVEL by legendary author Michael A. Stackpole.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Our system is not set up to allow current Backers to easily upgrade to a higher level. If you are currently a Backer at the $25 or $35 reward tier and want to upgrade to the $35 or $50 reward tier, please contact us on our web site and we’ll help you make that change.
• We did not re-open the INITIATE OF THE ORDER digital reward level because we felt that entry into the Order of Valhalla should remain exclusive to our original Kickstarter Backers.

Please share our Late Backer and Add-Ons link with your friends and followers on social media so that they can become reinforcements and join the mission!

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Apparently torso twisting isn't in game.

 

[ArchAngel]

I hope full game will have some glory animations of hits and criticals, nuXcom style. Those are fun on first play (later I turn it off) and casuals also love them.

 

[Endlösung]

Concept art tanks looks banal shit boring considering they dont seem to cling to BT fluff. Could have been funner.

Reserving a turn and getting that turn back is a horrible gameplay decision without timelimits on maps. Campers dream. And the first 2 rules of fighting against AI is camping/kiting and concentrating firepower. Now load onto it their supposed interest in scouting mechanics and this game is already broken before release...

A good thing I noticed is that the mechs are beefier. Combat is grindier. Cant usually kill the shooter in his turn. Cept for that crit, cept for the rear armor...

Also, whats the point of differentiating between front/rear if running behind a mech is so easy, always take the back. Needs a slowdown-boyo counter.

I did look good visually. Planning the pathing reminded me of Shadowrun... and that camper game turned out not particularly impressive...

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Ohhh so melee is in! I thought they were scrapping melee combat.

This will be glorious!

Melee is in, melee weapons aren't, if memory serves.

 

[Jimmious]

Oh boy that looked glorious even for "super pre-alpha" footage.

 

[LizardWizard]

Enjoyed the pre-alpha teaser video combat more than all three of the actual shadow run combats combined.

 

[circ]

Masturbating to the footage. But is this Unity again?

 

[Fry]

Masturbating to the footage. But is this Unity again?

Unity 5, yes.

 

[ArchAngel]

Fps looked good through the mission.

 

[Destroid]

Concept art tanks looks banal shit boring considering they dont seem to cling to BT fluff. Could have been funner.

Reserving a turn and getting that turn back is a horrible gameplay decision without timelimits on maps. Campers dream. And the first 2 rules of fighting against AI is camping/kiting and concentrating firepower. Now load onto it their supposed interest in scouting mechanics and this game is already broken before release...

A good thing I noticed is that the mechs are beefier. Combat is grindier. Cant usually kill the shooter in his turn. Cept for that crit, cept for the rear armor...

Also, whats the point of differentiating between front/rear if running behind a mech is so easy, always take the back. Needs a slowdown-boyo counter.

I did look good visually. Planning the pathing reminded me of Shadowrun... and that camper game turned out not particularly impressive...

Most of the issues you raise are mitigated on the tabletop by mechanics that are their absent or modified in this computer version. Specifically changes to the sequencing of actions and chances to hit.