Catalyst Game Labs bring Classic BattleTech, Shadowrun, and MechWarrior novels back to bookstores

Shadowrun Classic BattleTech

Lake Stevens, Washington (June 24, 2008) - Catalyst Game Labs (An InMediaRes Productions, LLC company) announces the return of novels for Classic BattleTech, MechWarrior, and Shadowrun. The re-launch of these perennial lines will include an amazing selection of authors—including New York Times’ Bestselling Author Michael A. Stackpole.

"The triumphant return of three of the most seminal adventure gaming book lines heralds a great next step for all the brands," David M. Stansel-Garner, Operations Manager for Catalyst Game Labs said. "We're really excited to bring these novels back to thousands of eager fans who have been waiting patiently for their return."

"An estimated 25 million people having played a game or read a novel set in the BattleTech Universe since its inception almost 25 years ago," Stansel-Garner continued. "Throughout that time BattleTech alone has inspired over a dozen video games, a cartoon, a collectible card game, a collectible miniatures game and several toy lines. Additionally, it has amassed one of the largest fictional universes in the sci-fi genre, with over 170 gaming products and almost 100 full-length novels (with much of that translated into over a dozen languages world-wide). Tie that together with the hundreds of thousands of copies of Shadowrun's 120 game sourcebooks, video games, and 50 novels (also translated into numerous foreign markets)… we have a lot of eager fans chomping at the bit for these new books."

Bestselling author and owner of InMediaRes Loren Coleman will return to pen more novels in the Classic BattleTech line. "In 1994 I read through the Warrior trilogy in a single weekend. I've been a devoted fan ever since. I expect to feel much the same way as I pick up the new storyline installments. Working with top writers on a compelling storyline is one of my greatest joys as a writer. Coming back to it now—and with Mike back on board as well—it's like our favorite park has just been reopened. I'll bring the green army men. He'll supply the fireworks."

Look for the first MechWarrior novel, A Bonfire of Worlds by Steven Mohan, Jr. in November 2008, followed by the first Classic BattleTech novel, Shadows of Faith by Loren L. Coleman in December. The first of the all-new Shadowrun novels will appear in January, 2009.

About Catalyst Game Labs Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high quality gaming products that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes, presented in a form that allows both beginning players and long-time veterans to easily pick up our games. Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC, which specializes in electronic publishing of professional fiction. This allows Catalyst to participate in a synergy that melds printed gaming product with all the benefits of an electronic interface and community, creating a whole-package experience for any type of player. For additional information, visit www.catalystgamelabs.com.

About WizKids, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company, WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Its HeroClix® and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over one hundred million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

 

Classic BattleTech: Strategic Operations

Classic BattleTech

Catalyst Game Labs Announces Classic
BattleTech: Strategic Operations 
 

Lake Stevens, Washington (May 23, 2008) - Catalyst Game Labs (An InMediaRes Productions, LLC company) is pleased to announce the latest title in the Core Rule book series for Classic BattleTech: Strategic Operations

Randall Bills, Managing Developer for Catalyst Games Labs said, "This newest title will bring a level of detail and depth of play the fan base has been demanding for ages. In fact, when we originally scheduled Classic BattleTech Tactical Operations, we had envisioned it being a single book. As we began to compile the information and rules, we quickly realized that we had written enough for two volumes! With Strategic Operations, players will now have the ability to create on-going campaigns using the rules for combat across an entire solar system, link-scenarios and repair, maintenance, salvage, and customization of individual ’Mechs and other units. Heck, that barely just scratches the surface of everything that is in this beefy new rules book! For even more added value, we’ve included a series of rules that will allow you to use the miniatures you already have to represent large-scale actions such as planetary invasions, in the same amount of time as you would play a regular game! We’ve really pulled out all the stops on this one."

David Stansel-Garner, Operations Manager for Catalyst Games Labs said, "Veteran and new players alike will love these companion volumes we are adding to our Core Rules line-up. Fans have already enjoyed Classic BattleTech Total Warfare (our main rules book) and Classic BattleTech TechManual (our "gear" book). With Classic BattleTech Tactical Operations releasing this summer, and the announcement of Classic BattleTech Strategic Operations, I am really excited about how well rounded the game will be. The newest books are going to be incredibly well received amongst the ever-growing Classic BattleTech player community.”

Classic BattleTech Strategic Operations will be released in Q4 of 2008, with a MSRP of $49.99. You will be able to find it at your favorite Game Store, or through http://www.battlecorps.com 

About Catalyst Game Labs Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high quality gaming products that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes, presented in a form that allows both beginning players and long-time veterans to easily pick up our games. Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC, which specializes in electronic publishing of professional fiction. This allows Catalyst to participate in a synergy that melds printed gaming product with all the benefits of an electronic interface and community, creating a whole-package experience for any type of player. For additional information, visit www.catalystgamelabs.com

About WizKids, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company, WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Its HeroClix® and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over one hundred million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

 

InMediaRes Productions signs Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun license agreement with Wizkids, Inc. for an additional two years

Shadowrun Classic BattleTech

Lake Stevens, Washington (May 16, 2008) - InMediaRes Productions, under its Catalyst Game Labs imprint finalized a contract for the full rights to publish Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun gaming products for an additional two years today. “We are absolutely ecstatic,” said Owner Loren Coleman. “By securing these rights for the next several years, it allows Catalyst the chance we have been waiting for, to grow and foster the Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun brand in the way they have deserved all along.

“Since taking the helm of both these acclaimed properties, we have not only satisfied the huge base of existing players, but have brought a whole new crowd of players into the fold. With such titles like The Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set, and new and exciting ways to expand the play in our best selling Shadowrun, Fourth Edition. It’s a great time to be a part of both of these wonderful games.”

David Stansel-Garner, Operations Manager with Catalyst Games Labs, added: “With the establishment of the license, this will allow Catalyst to move forward with projects we have have been raring to go for months now. We can get foreign editions of our games into the international marketplace in countries such as Germany, Japan, and France. These folks have been chomping at the bit to work with us, and now we can let them get to it! Along with the re-introduction of these brands into the international marketplace, this multi-year agreement allows us to begin working on many of the initiatives we had only dreamed of bringing back. First and foremost there is getting BattleTech and Shadowrun fiction back in book stores. With well over 100 novels in the past, we look forward to getting new books in people’s hands once again. Those initiatives have only been enhanced with the media attention we have received in places like Wired and Penny Arcade. We are really primed for something big!”

Coleman summed it all up by saying, “This is an exciting time for our two core brands. We have been given the opportunity to share our work on BattleTech and Shadowrun with everyone for the next several years. This includes shepherding both lines into their 25th and 20th anniversaries, respectively, in 2009. We have a fantastic team of people. And, as you can see, a wonderful relationship with WizKids, Inc. This is going to be a great time for games we really love!”

About Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high quality gaming products that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes, presented in a form that allows both beginning players and long-time veterans to easily pick up our games. Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC, which specializes in electronic publishing of professional fiction. This allows Catalyst to participate in a synergy that melds printed gaming product with all the benefits of an electronic interface and community, creating a whole-package experience for any type of player. For additional information, visit www.catalystgamelabs.com.

About WizKids, Inc.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company, WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Its HeroClix® and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over one hundred million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

 

Catalyst Game Labs

Catalyst Game Labs is the publisher of the Classic BattleTech wargame and Shadowrun fantasy-cyberpunk roleplaying game. Their first major product is the Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set. In 2008 they will release at least two brand new games: Paparazzi!, the game of Trash-Celebrity Culture; and Eclipse Phase, the Roleplaying game of Transhuman Conspiracy and Horror.

A division of InMediaRes Productions, creators of the BattleCorps Classic BattleTech subscription site, Catalyst Game Labs employs a modest staff of game industry veterans. Learn more about our company, or a little about who we are.


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