Hello Everyone.

Hopefully I'm not spoiling anything, but I have it on relatively good authority that Mr. Hussey will not be available to run his annual Battletech game this year at Gen Con. Given that unfortunate news, I am offering to step up and run a Battletech Event for 'booters at Gen Con if enough people are interested. (Arlie, I'm looking at you....)

To provide my gaming resume in regards to Battletech, I've played Battletech (My first game) since 1991 (When I was 12.) With the 3rd edition boxed set. Since then I've played innumerable campaigns, individual games, collected a large number of books, miniatures and paraphenalia as well as serving as a FASA Marauder (Their Demo team when FASA was still in business) and currently as a Catalyst Demo Team Agent (Catalyst game labs are the current developers of Battletech)

Basically I'm trying to determine if I'm an acceptable candidate to fill Mr. Hussey's shoes this year. Would the community be interested in playing a game of Battletech at Gen Con if I ran one?

If so, I'll be busy for much of the con with my official duties, so I need to know what night to ask off so I can run the event. What night would be most convenient for everyone?

A few responses is all it will take for me to get an idea one way or the other. If acceptable, I'd also like to take input as to what sort of game you folks would like to see.

Sincerely,

Christopher Ings

Well, his name is even Chris. He's not wizened and ancient, but he's got the dossier.

I could do nothing BUT endorse Mr. Ings.

Not only does his last name help to create verbs, but his knowledge of BattleTech is vast, vaster than mine, that's for sure.

Plus he loves chaos and destruction, so yee-haw!

Go ye forth and enjoy!

I have played a fair number of games with both Chris's. They both know their BT very well and both put on great games. Trust me when I say that he is being modest about his resume of BT. I'll be playing a game with Chris Ings at Michicon in just a couple of weeks and at Gen Con also. If you want to get your Battletech fix at Gen Con, this will be the game to do it. Count me in Chris, as well as a friend of mine.

Is this the sort of thing where players need to be knowledgeable about BT? I'm interested in giving it a shot but know almost nothing about it - primarily by reference from the FtB hosts. Also, would this be the table top minis game or the RPG? I know the RPG used to be called Mechwarrior but seem like it is, in the current production/licensing, just an addition to the wargame.

It's going to be the Wargame. Haven't determined whether or not it's going to be on hexes or played miniatures style. (Probably the former). I have a good working idea in my head for the scenario (Solaris VII during the Jihad) in a three way battle between the Word of Blake, The forces of the local government, and a team of misfit Arena fighters who are looking to use the battle to make a name for themselves. (With the suitable chance for grandstanding)


Details will be firmed up after a little playtesting between Origins and Gen Con. Also have to get some minis painted.

The MVP of the winning side _may_ be inducted into the roster of the unofficial Fear the Battlemech Merc Unit that I'm curating. Which would entail receiving a 'mech of their choice (from the currently available catalog) painted in FtB livery. Joining the ranks of Dan and Chris who already have FtB compliant 'mechs.

This has yet to be finalized however. Still, expect lots of fun and some wacky prize support.

To address concerns about rules knowlege. There will be several CDT agents on hand to aid new players in rules knowledge. Also, if you're curious, feel free to stop by the Catalyst Booth in the Dealer's hall, and the Catalyst Games area in the Miniatures Hall to get in on a round of Bootcamp (Where all the basic rules are taught) And feel free to jump into the Grinder event (lots more practice) as well as asking questions of the rest of the Demo Team. (all the guys walking around in black Catalyst Game Lab shirts)

I only live about a mile and a half from a great game store, there are a few people there that play BT. I just haven't ever jumped in on a game with them. I was mostly wondering if I should try to or if I need to play with them before this event. I'm interested in trying the game but if there are other people who are bigger BT fans, let them play before me.

Pkalata, you have expressed interest and therefore must play.
That is what happened to me a couple of years ago when I first met Chris H. You will have a blast, especially playing with the other booters. Don't make me have to try to find you at the con.

I agree PK. Play! It's a fun game. Unfortunately, of all the local game stores around here, only one plays B-Tech and only once every month (If I'm lucky.) So, go for it man!


Also, FoxFire, you can't be a Maurader anymore for two reasons:
1) FASA went down...
2) They're officially under Robotech's Intellectual Property. So,

Ok, ok, I give. I'll play your awesome game. Just gimme the time & location and I'll be there.

Also, my question stands: do I need to know anything about BT before I play? Right now I know there are giant mechs and it takes place in the future. I haven't even played any of the Mechwarrior computer games.