18 replies to this topic

[Cyprius]

This may have been answered and I'm tending from what I'm reading seeing that this is the "Battletech Classic" universe, but does anyone know which IP the game will use?

[Brixx]

_7237, on 01 November 2011 - 09:07 AM, said:

This may have been answered and I'm tending from what I'm reading seeing that this is the "Battletech Classic" universe, but does anyone know which IP the game will use?

Sorry for asking... but what is "IP" supposed to mean?

[Paladin1]

I think you may be a little confused here. There is only one Battletech Universe. All the preceding games have, to one extent or another, touched upon a portion of the BTech Universe but that doesn't mean they were different universes.

If you want to brush up on the Universe history, which would be advisable as we're following the canon timeline, check out www.battletech.com

[Animal]

I think the question he's meaning to ask is, "Where along the timeline will this game be placed?" The classic universe is considered to be around 3060s, where as the newer Dark Age setting is 3130. While I have a strong connection to the 3060s and earlier setting, I wouldn't mind either one. Can't wait to play this game!

[Paladin1]

According to the interviews, we're set in 3048 right now. The Classic timeline is now in 3085 or thereabouts and the Dark Age is 3130, as you noted.

[Cyprius]

Animal, on 01 November 2011 - 09:17 AM, said:

I think the question he's meaning to ask is, "Where along the timeline will this game be placed?" The classic universe is considered to be around 3060s, where as the newer Dark Age setting is 3130. While I have a strong connection to the 3060s and earlier setting, I wouldn't mind either one. Can't wait to play this game!

This is indeed my question. 'Which timeline?' as the two timelines are in fact separate intellectual properties (IP). Thanks for the clarification Animal as I couldn't remember the Dark Age setting's name. I'm very familiar with the 3060 era, but I've been out of Battletech and MW for a looong time. Thrilled to see an MMO on the horizon!

[SquareSphere]

This is the Mechwarrior IP that's is owned by Microsoft. Should not be confused with the Battletech IP that's still being used by Catalyst games and or any number of confusing toy/game manufacturers like Whiz Kids.

[CobraFive]

_7237, on 01 November 2011 - 09:22 AM, said:

This is indeed my question. 'Which timeline?' as the two timelines are in fact separate intellectual properties (IP). Thanks for the clarification Animal as I couldn't remember the Dark Age setting's name. I'm very familiar with the 3060 era, but I've been out of Battletech and MW for a looong time. Thrilled to see an MMO on the horizon!

Its in the FAQ. The game starts in 3049. Every day in real time means one day in game time too. So August 2012 in real life, is August 3049 in the game, which is looking like about when the game is going to launch.

[CoffiNail]

What is this Classic Battletech you speak of, I believe the term now is Battletech: The Board Game.

[Cyprius]

Very cool...thanks for the replies

[Paladin1]

_7237, on 01 November 2011 - 09:22 AM, said:

This is indeed my question. 'Which timeline?' as the two timelines are in fact separate intellectual properties (IP). Thanks for the clarification Animal as I couldn't remember the Dark Age setting's name. I'm very familiar with the 3060 era, but I've been out of Battletech and MW for a looong time. Thrilled to see an MMO on the horizon!

Actually, these are not separate IPs. Both the DA timeline as well as the CBT timeline are owned by the same parent company, Topps.

[Paladin1]

CoffiNail, on 01 November 2011 - 09:28 AM, said:

What is this Classic Battletech you speak of, I believe the term now is Battletech: The Board Game.

Ahem.

That's "Battletech: A Game of Armored Combat" to you newbs.

[Cyprius]

paladin1, on 01 November 2011 - 09:31 AM, said:

Actually, these are not separate IPs. Both the DA timeline as well as the CBT timeline are owned by the same parent company, Topps.

But they do have separate licenses. I listened to a D6 Generation interview with Randall Bills who described the two timelines as separate IPs with separate licensing agreements.

http://www.thed6gene...ronghold-review

Great interview for those interested in hearing his take on the history of the game.

[Paladin1]

That's close, but not entirely accurate. The two timelines are not separate IPs at this time, as the timelines have officially merged now. At the time of the article this may have been true, but it's no longer true at this point.

[Cyprius]

That's good to hear. I had this terrible fear from the interview that these two timelines were going to create weird divergent universes. Thanks for the clarification...still recommend the interview whole heartedly. Randall Bills has a great story to tell.

[Paladin1]

Trust me, I've known Randall for years. We're in good hands.

[Rodney28021]

SquareSphere, on 01 November 2011 - 09:25 AM, said:

This is the Mechwarrior IP that's is owned by Microsoft. Should not be confused with the Battletech IP that's still being used by Catalyst games and or any number of confusing toy/game manufacturers like Whiz Kids.

Microsoft did NOT invent Battletech and Mechwarrior, they just later licensed the video game part of the Battletech Universe. Activision did the original Battletech and Mechwarrior PC games. FASA was the originator of Battletech.

[Athena Hart]

Paladin1, on 01 November 2011 - 09:32 AM, said:

Ahem.

That's "Battletech: A Game of Armored Combat" to you newbs.

You beat me to that one, "The Board Game"?!? Really?!?.. Silly newbs. We didn't have "Boards" We had fold-out map sheets, they were made of Paper, not Cardboard (2) to form a basic map. I had used as many as 16 of them at once, yes I said 16, we played Battalion vs Battalion.

[Snib]

Rodney28021, on 10 June 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

Microsoft did NOT invent Battletech and Mechwarrior, they just later licensed the video game part of the Battletech Universe.

No, Microsoft aquired FASA Interactive and that part of the IP with it. They are the owners, not licensees.

Edited by Snib, 10 June 2012 - 09:27 AM.