11 replies to this topic

[Hex Pallett]

Admittedly I still don't know much about BattleTech universe, but the more I get to know, the more I find it...how should I put it, "makes sense".

Like, how ComStar's monopoly in interstellar communication made itself basically the most powerful entity within the Inner Sphere; how ancient BattleMechs were produced across centuries and are passed on generations after generations (just like how we're still using Kalashnikov and AR15 based firearms after half a century); like, I dunno, the whole idea of technological dark age that has indeed happened in our existing history, only that the technology then would more advanced and spread across the stars, meaning if there's any sort of disruptive events cutting off the connections between worlds it would easily lead to hi-tech savagery, with bits and pieces of technology here and there that we once depended on so much that they're regarded as somewhat holy.

It surely makes more sense than the bilateral Star Wars, and Star Treks with all its Space Russians and Space AI Cyborgs and all its philosophical majig.

Edited by Helmstif, 20 June 2014 - 09:41 AM.

[Exilyth]

Helmstif, on 20 June 2014 - 09:41 AM, said:

meaning if there's any sort of disruptive events cutting off the connections between worlds it would easily lead to hi-tech savagery, with bits and pieces of technology here and there that we once depended on so much that they're regarded as somewhat holy.

Six words:

Spoiler

Word of Blake Jihad - HPG Blackout

[Hex Pallett]

Exilyth, on 20 June 2014 - 03:25 PM, said:

Six words:

Spoiler

Word of Blake Jihad - HPG Blackout

Yup, when I first heard about what Comstar was, I was like "they're definitely gonna stir up some major trouble".

Speaking of which, what was the end of BattleTech saga?

[Anjian]

End of the Battletech canon or lore. That goes far forward into the future at the end of the Republic of the Sphere, where the RoTS consolidated the inner planets, including Earth, into the 'Fortress Republic' and cut off the Fortress from the rest of the universe --- the Houses, the Clans all nibbling away with invasions and incursions. The grand dream of reestablishing the Star League via the Republic of the Sphere came into a complete collapse, as the com grid collapsed, Houses went Machiavellian, some of the Clans went Neo-Crusaders like the Jade Falcons, the Paladins of the Republic betrayed like Victor Steiner Davion died of assasination. Liao seizing back many of its old territories (instead of agreeing to unilaterial disarmament, they kept lots of mechs hidden for the right time.

Kind of like Game of Thrones with Battlemechs.

Edited by Anjian, 29 June 2014 - 11:30 PM.

[SnagaDance]

Anjian, on 29 June 2014 - 11:29 PM, said:

Kind of like Game of Thrones with Battlemechs.

But a lot less nudity!

[Anjian]

Keep in mind though, the Fortress Republic managed to cut off all the inner planets including Earth, making space travel impossible to these planets. The technology they use isn't clear on this one, most probably found a way to block off navigation systems.

The lockout forced many Sphere militias left outside of the inclusion zone to fend for themselves, Jade Falcons coming in one direction led by Malvina Hazen, Liao forces in another with Danai Liao on her Yen Lo Wang. The other Houses are taking chunks in between

That and the com grid is gone, making communication impossible, so it looks like the universe was fast collapsing.

The RoTS not giving up without a fight, and fielded monsters like the Peacemaker. Think of it like a 100 ton Jagermech.




At this point in time, the Clans have evolved differently. Some of their mechs started to look like their animal namesakes like the Shrikes and Gyrfalcons of Jade Falcon.

[Chronic Rune]

Anjian, on 30 June 2014 - 07:20 PM, said:

The RoTS not giving up without a fight, and fielded monsters like the Peacemaker. Think of it like a 100 ton Jagermech.

I'm pretty sure that's the Malice, but any way the Republic of the sphere also fields monsters like the ares super heavy tripod omnimech.

[Kalimaster]

I hope AT&T never finds out about ComStar. It might give them ideas. lol.

[Hex Pallett]

Kalimaster, on 01 July 2014 - 09:34 AM, said:

I hope AT&T never finds out about ComStar. It might give them ideas. lol.

Have you heard about the whole "net neutrality" thing? Feels like Comcast's first step toward ComStar.

OMG...Comcast in the stars = ComStar IT ALL MAKES SENSE

[Dalton Dakota]

Marack Drock, on 30 June 2014 - 07:12 AM, said:

You forget Clan Wolf taking Terra and becoming ilClan.

And don't forget...the Manei Domini still exist and many from the Shadow Divisions escaped the final days of the Jihad to....@#$#$@#$@#$@#$)@#$U@#$ (coms interrupted by an outside source).

[Alreech]

Helmstif, on 20 June 2014 - 09:41 AM, said:

Admittedly I still don't know much about BattleTech universe, but the more I get to know, the more I find it...how should I put it, "makes sense".

Like, how ComStar's monopoly in interstellar communication made itself basically the most powerful entity within the Inner Sphere; how ancient BattleMechs were produced across centuries and are passed on generations after generations (just like how we're still using Kalashnikov and AR15 based firearms after half a century); like, I dunno, the whole idea of technological dark age that has indeed happened in our existing history, only that the technology then would more advanced and spread across the stars, meaning if there's any sort of disruptive events cutting off the connections between worlds it would easily lead to hi-tech savagery, with bits and pieces of technology here and there that we once depended on so much that they're regarded as somewhat holy.

It surely makes more sense than the bilateral Star Wars, and Star Treks with all its Space Russians and Space AI Cyborgs and all its philosophical majig.

Isaac Asimov, Foundation ?

Many Ideas like a technological Dark Age after the fall of a stellar empire and a religious sect preserving knowledge and technology are very inspired from the original Foundation books.
That is unique to Battletech is the richness of details in the background. Asimov never bothers how the first Foundation does business, FASA was smart enough to understand that Comstar has to give out his own currency to work.
The old House Books are really amazing, with lot of fictive first hand source material (like an extract from a book about the unhappy marriage of a Liao Chancellor - his reason to spend more time in the office, becoming a good ruler to his state).

Edited by Alreech, 08 July 2014 - 01:37 PM.