ScrapYard Armory

Official Statement from Catalyst

http://catalystgamelabs.com/2010/03/17/catalyst-game-labs-press-release/

Adam Jury Has Left CGL

From JMH

The best way Dumpshockers can help out is to slow down, take a deep breath, and not let rumors get out of control. I have heard the rumors, I know there are problems, but I have also talked to the entire management team at CGL and have not heard plans to shut anything down. There are matters that definitely need to be addressed–specifically, the future of CGL as an organization and the outstanding, long-past-due payments to freelancers. I’ve asked management to address those issues, and they will be meeting tomorrow to discuss their best options.

So in the meantime I’d ask everyone to calm down and not spread rumors. I’m very sad that CGL has recently lost some very good people, but I remain hopeful that we will continue producing great Shadowrun products for you, and that the people who worked on those products will be paid what they are owed.

I’m happy to answer questions in this thread or through PM, but I again ask people to keep speculation on this thread to a minimum.

Jason H.
Shadowrun Line Developer

Wow, this is a story I wish I had done.  Purple Pawn takes an in depth look at Iron Wind Metals with pictures of their base of operations.

A must read for any BattleTech fan!

IWM creates the figures to match new technologies, arms, humans, and vehicles as defined, described, and illustrated by Catalyst Game Labs. In the past, such as when IWM was working alongside FanPro LLC, IWM would have to figure out what was new by looking at the new product catalogs put out by FanPro LLC. Nowadays, CGL gives IWM a heads up over what’s new before their new products hit the public.

Original Article

This year I only had time to visit Dreamation on Saturday.  Even though I was only in attendance for a single day I had a great time mixing it up with fellow BattleTech fans (some new some old) as well as giving some new and interesting games a try.

The dealer room was well stocked with gamer goodness and the usual suspects were in attendance with all the Iron Wind Metal and Catalyst Game Labs product you could want.

Dexposure conventions are known for their diversity.  Every gamer is going to find something to enjoy.  I came for the wargaming room but there were many temptations for those with varied tastes.  Available are video games, board games, war games, anime showings, card games, and plenty of sweet treats for those looking for it.

I was disappointed by the cramped war gaming room.  It was simply not enough space for the many games being played.  The most cramped war gaming venue I have ever attended and that’s a fact.  I would hope that the convention organizers will provide a more spacious room for future cons at that venue.

Enough of the basics, lets see what BattleTech fans had to look forward to.

Recon Cavalry

Two Clan forces faced off in a battle for intelligence on a far away planet.

This was a well balanced fight with a lot of action and eventually a clear winner inside of seven turns.  A great convention game accomplished in three hours and change.  I plan on writing up a full after action report shortly.  Look for the full report here at the ScrapYard.

City Fight

I chose to participate in another game during this time slot so I won’t be able to have a full report.  I did snap some pictures as the game evolved.  Looked like another great game by Demo Agent “ShadHawk”.

The fight was a combined arms battle between the Federated Suns and the Word of Blake.  The Fed Suns put up a good fight but the Word of Blake got ahead of the body count and came away with a decisive win.  The Word of Blake are always hard opponents on the battle field.  Good match by both participants.

All the Rest

There were some great terrain pieces on display during the convention.  Picture are the only thing that do them justice.  Take a look below for pictures of the terrain as well as other games I managed to snap a few pictures of.

Catalyst has released a slew of updated PDFs in the last week.  Here is the short list of the ones I know of.

• Chaos Campaign Rules
• Total Warfare
• TRO: 3075
• A Time of War

If you previously bought these as PDFs you can get the updated downloads NOW from BattleCorps.

I am most anxious to dive into the updated Time of War rules and see what changes made it into the final version.

Also releasing yesterday were Turning Points Galtor and QuickStrike Cards.

Time to get your game on.  Lock and load.

The convention season is almost ready to get started.  Here is the short list of events that I am planing on attending this year.

Dreamation – Feb 18-21

Dreamation will be in Morristown NJ.  The PEL is almost ready to be released, (around Feb 8th).  Dexsposure conventions are known for their diverse lineup of games from historical to sci-fi.  That includes BattleTech where in the past up to four different Commando’s/Gamers host events.

Another great thing about Dexposure Cons is the constant supply of candy, cookies, chips, and carbonated beverages available in the Con Suite, all for free with your registration.

Cold Wars – March 11-14

The first HMGS event of the year will be in Lancaster Pa.  Expect plenty of BattleTech to play and a wealth of other great games.  Lancaster is a tried and true venue and despite it’s faults always puts on a great show.

Historicon – July 8-11

Historicon was on the verge of making a drastic venue change to Baltimore but things fell through and the event will now be held in Valley Forge Pa.  Regardless of the destination, Historicon has a well deserved reputation for one of the largest and best dealer rooms, second only to GenCon.  I would argue though, that the density of wargamer specific sellers make Historicon the better deal.  That and the con food is much more reasonable.

As with all HMGS events, Mark “Speck” Yeungling will be on hand with his crew to bash ‘Mechs all convention long!  Mark does a great show every time I’ve been in attendance.

I don’t have any experience with the Valley Forge location so it will be an exciting trip.

GenCon – August 5-8

The mother of all conventions, GenCon is the place to be every summer!  Expect more good things from the folks at Catalyst who are now a bigger player in the industry.

GenCon is an experience and something every gamer has to do at least once.

And Maybe More?

That leaves quite a gap after GenCon and I’ll be on the look out for a local convention that I could attend easily that is reasonably affordable.  If you know of a convention featuring BattleTech in the NJ, Connecticut, Massachusetts area drop me a line and let me know.

Don’t know exactly when it happened but the BattleTroops styled figures from the box sets of old are available ala-carte at the Iron Wind Metals website.

These miniatures are perfect companions for the RPG rules.  Anyone interested in a tactical infantry game in the 31st century would also find many uses for them.

These figures first appeared as boxed sets in the FASA days.  Having them available for regular purchase on the web store is great news.  Looks like these went online October of last year so I may be behind the ball.  But hey, it’s news to me!  For those out there who may have been looking, they are available at last.

Suggested Accessories

• Pack and Grenade Spur
• SMG Spur
• Assault Weapon Spur

2009 is in the books.  It has been a year filled with ups and downs for BattleTech fans. I’d like to take a moment and look back and recognize my top commentators and tops posts from the year gone by.

Top Commentators (in no particular order)

• Adam Isherwood
• Paint it Pink
• Quigs
• EastwoodDC

This blog would not be nearly as good without the support of the community that visits.  I thank each and every one of you out there who took the time to leave a comment with particular emphasis to those who have provided a consistent presence.  It is your participation that helps keep the community alive and active.  Thank you all.

Top Posts (based on number of visits)

Here are the top 10 ScrapYard posts of 2009.

1. Litko Releases Mecha Token Set
2. GenCon 2009 Day 2
3. Mechwarrior Figures for Classic BattleTech Redux
4. GenCon 2009 Day 3
5. Making the Mini Reseen Warhammer
6. GenCon 2009 Day 1
7. BattleTech Campaign Systems for Dummies
8. GenCon 2009 Day 4 and Wrap-up
9. Fair Dice
10. Chaos Campaign Advanced Unit Costs

Thanks to all of my readers for making 2009 a year to remember.  Cheers to you and yours this New Year!

The ScrapYard wishes everyone out there in the BattleTech community warm holiday wishes.  The Holiday season is time for family and friends, good food and generous spirits.

Catalyst Game labs and Iron Wind Metals are doing their part to make the season bright.

• Limited Edition Combo Deal, DFA Jade Hawk and Hatchetman only $30
• Reduced prices on all core rulebook PDFs
• Experimental TRO: Mercenaries only $5

Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season!

Just to be clear, this is always going to be a BattleTech blog.  While I will likely pick up Leviathans and play a few rounds with friends, BattleTech will always be my wargaming bread and butter.  But, I recognize when a company is shaking off the status quo and trying something new.

Late November Catalyst Game Labs released the Lieutenant’s Manual, the Quick Start rules for their new intellectual property Leviathans.  For a $2.99 price tag you get 32 pages of material that include a novella primer, the basic game rules, a small map, and some well illustrated cut out counters.  Everything you need to host your first skyward battle.

Catalyst has decided to license Leviathans under Creative Commons. Long story short, you are free to download and share the material to your hearts content.  Catalyst has gone so far as offering a free and legal torrent for interested gamers to download the release.

The Lieutenant’s Manual at it’s core is the gaming equivalent of the BattleTech Quick Start rules.  Quick Start rules are always free for every game Catalyst makes.  BattleTech, Shadowrun, Eclipse Phase all have free Quick Start rules for free.

Catalyst is simultaneously generating positive buzz while bringing in money from a product that they would otherwise have given away for free.  It’s brilliant.  The few people who are throwing down three Washingtons are declaring themselves trend-setters and are rewarding what they see as good behavior by a game company they love.  Given the amount of negative publicity generated by other gaming companies recently, the gaming community as a whole really needed a hug.

Do nice guys finish last?  Sometimes yes, but in this case I hope not.  Catalyst should be rewarded for it’s innovative business strategy.  I’m voting with my wallet and I hope that you do too.  Even if you are not a fan of the upcoming Leviathans release, with your $2.99, you can have your voice heard.  Let them know that you appreciate a company willing to take chances.

Catalyst has broken the mold here and I hope that they succeed.

Adam Jury is the “Pant-Rocking” Lead Graphics Designer for Catalyst Game Labs.  His hands play a key role in the look and feel of BattleTech products.

DiceCast recently sat down with Adam and talked about all things Catalyst.  What’s it like working at a game company?  How would you get a foot in the door if you’d like to freelance?

All good stuff.  Give a listen to the podcast if you have a spare 20 min.

Best quote from the cast:

Adam Jury: All of his photographs were of puppies.

Dice Cast: Wasn’t that kind of disturbing in a way?

AJ: It was a bit wierd.  I don’t know if there is a giant market for puppy photographs but it wasn’t where he was spending most of his time.

DC: Puppy pictures.

AJ: Yes and I do mean four legged puppies.

Priceless.