Hey guys. I could use your help with something.
In addition to a fully animated short film (...eventually) I'm working on a video meant to introduce new fans to the Battletech / Mechwarrior universe when the Steam launch hits. Nothing too fancy, just a few nice illustrations with music and narration. Here are some links for art style and format example.
I'm imagining something like that, but setting the stage of the Battletech universe, and providing context for the current conflicts. Currently I am hammering out a script, and I'd like to have some community input on what we think would be the most important, compelling, and relevant information, characters, and events to include.
So what would you like to see? Scripting and editing help is welcome, too.
I would say, give a quick glance first at the history since the invention of the K-F drive to the fall of the Star League (with cool pics to keep interest high), then a more detailed focus on the Succession Wars and their horrors; if you plan to make it with a omniscient narrator's POV, i would like to see a small history of how the SLDF-in-Exile became the Clans and what are their philosophies (warrior-centric society, Warden vs Crusader, honor earned vs given by nobilty, everyone doing his part for the good of their Clan..), hinting that however different views on the Clan society, politics, intrigues, etc. are still present; then, a quote from the Remembrance and their reasons to invade the Sphere. It may be too detailed, but i would like to give a perspective of the Clans too. The noobs of today might be the veterans of tomorrow and with Steam, we will need a LOT of new players (in the Clan factions) or we will be swarmed out of existence.
Then, an introduction to the Clan invasion with some awesome pics by Spooky if possible
TBH I think you're going to need 3 videos to cover all of what Cycloner has outlined; human expansion into the stars, Iner Sphere House history and Clan History.
However an abbreviated version is possible.
The key moments would have to be covered, such as;
1. Interstellar travel - Monologue explaining humankind expanding out into space and discovery of K-F drive, accompanied by imagery of first interetellar ship travelling to its destination (Earth to Titan?)
2. Arisal of the Great Houses, Terran Hegemony and the Star League - Monlogue names each house but doesn't need to go into detail, thats what the website and in-game information is for.The Cameron family should also be mentioned and the imagery could simply float through each House symbol to that of the Star League, perhaps ending on a map of the Inner Sphere burning to reveal a BattleMech.
3. The Exodus, Succession Wars and the creation of the Clans - monologue could outline the betrayal of the Camerons, the downfall of the Star League, exodus of General Kerensky, the 300 years of Succession Wars and the formation of the Clans. Imagery would probably have to cover a fair amount but the ending could be a Trinary of OmniMechs and Elementals emerging from fire and smoke. Something similar to the "MechWarrior: Revival" scene.
That is a lot to cover in 2 to 2.30 minute video but if the monlogue is scripted properly and the imagery covers the vital points, then it is probably achievable.
(Apologies for grammar or spelling mistakes, I am typing quickly on my phone)
Or (and my contemporaries may burn me for my heresy) if you wanna do just one film instead of a detailed series skip a detailed explanation of the Star League and start post 4th Succession War, pre-Invasion.
"In the centuries following the destruction of Mankind's greatest empire the Star League, the Successor States of the Inner Sphere waged war in a futile attempt to reunite the galaxy under one banner"
-Show map of the Inner Sphere divided with some kind of markings for Liao, Steiner, etc.-
"Striding across these war-zones was the most destructive weapon of the 31st century...the BattleMech."
-insert Michael Bayisms here-
"The ones who pilot these avatars of destruction are known as MechWarriors."
-Michael Bayisms just everywhere-
"These destructive conflicts laid waste to the Inner Sphere, devastating entire planets and destroying the technological marvels of the Star League Era."
-Futuristic city transitions to a smoking ruin-
"The year is 3049, 268 years after the fall of the Star League. From out of the Deep Periphery on the edge of Inner Sphere space, a terrible new threat emerges."
-IS Mechs running, dying-
"Calling themselves The Clans, these genetically modified warriors are the descendants of the Star League Defense Force, led into exile by the legendary general Aleksander Kerensky."
-Various Clan flags appear with Warriors in front of them-
"Hidden away in the depths of space, they have perfected the art of war and their Mechs more powerful than anything the Inner Sphere can muster."
-MadCat demolishes an Atlas-
"Alone, the Inner Sphere Houses stands no chance of victory. Ancient rivalries must be put aside..."
-Hanse Davion and Takashi Kurita shake hands-
"...new armies raised..."
-A group of IS mechs runs across a field-
"...and the Clans just might be pushed back."
-MadCat explodes-
"The galaxy stands on the brink of destruction and YOU, MechWarrior are all that stands in the way."
-IS MechWarrior and Clan MechWarrior look at screen, implying both factions think they're the ones stopping the doom of humanity. Fade out, then fast cuts of destruction and awesomeness, then freeze frame of IS and Clan mech mid destruction-
So yeah that was more movie trailer than history lesson, but I hope that conveys what I'm saying as far as where to start/what to discuss. New players are gonna wanna jump right in, so they need the basics: Giant stompy robots, multiple IS factions, Clans are coming, they're initially superior, IS is stepping up to stop them. What I penned above hopefully piques their interest so they'd look for more lore on their own.
Course, if you wanted a more in depth look into BT lore then I'd say multiple vids are probably the way to go, the way SWtOR did
After re-watching "Revival" it covers the basics pretty well, if you are looking to expand on this or perhaps do a pre-sequel you could perhaps focus on the actual BattleMechs and what they are. Then do a follow up for after "Revival" covering the actual Clans.
2
