IMR Productions to negotiate for BattleTech and Shadowrun

Federated Suns Leftenant Colonel

<a href="http://www.battlecorps.com/BC2/news.html?article=241" target="new">http://www.battlecorps.com/BC2/news.html?article=241</a> INMEDIARES PRODUCTIONS LLC. ENTERS NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE CLASSIC BATTLETECH AND SHADOWRUN LICENSES FROM WIZKIDS INC. Everett, WA, April 20, 2007—InMediaRes Production LLC has entered into negotiations with WizKids, Inc. and FanPro, LLC to explore the acquisition of RPG publishing rights for the Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun Intellectual Properties. IMR is confident in the strength of Shadowrun and Classic BattleTech and the commitment that WizKids, Inc. has shown in supporting these two long-standing properties. About InMediaRes Productions LLC InMediaRes Productions LLC has developed BattleCorps.com as the premiere on-line fiction source for Classic BattleTech. BattleCorps.com actively support the Classic BattleTech community, their BattleShop offers everything from poster maps to PDF sourcebooks, miniatures to software, and is the one-stop-shop for any fan of the BattleTech/MechWarrior universe. Their subscription-based services also take the Classic BattleTech experience to a whole new level, featuring a stable of authors from national best sellers to great new talent, new art, unique product previews, faction specific message boards and moderated chats with authors and developers. About WizKids, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company (TOPP), 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loren Coleman’s Letter to the Community 
Some of you may have heard the rumors beginning to build. Well, the announcements are now getting out there. Negotiations have begun, seeking to move the Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun properties to a new company, InMediaRes Productions. As this moves forward, I'm certain we will hear information of long-time employees moving between companies, as well as dark rumors as to the fate of CBT and Shadowrun. I want not only to strike down such rumors, I can tell you that I see nothing but brighter, better days ahead for both game lines. I have spoken with WizKids, and can assure you that this move is in the best interest of both Classic BattleTechand Shadowrun. I have every confidence in WizKids, in their support for the game lines, and their ability to ensure that the games we enjoy so much will only grow stronger.
I also think we owe a deep debt of gratitude to FanPro and its employees, as well, for bringing the properties this far. They have done an exceedingly hard job, taking over after FASA closed its doors, and the quality of the product we've seen in the last several years is a testament to their hard work and love for the games. I know that I, and all other industry professionals I've spoken to, have re-committed ourselves to the game lines, no matter what. This is not something we would do if we were worried about their future. In fact, we are more excited than ever to have the ability to take both Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun to new and greater heights. 
We look forward to seeing you there, along for the ride! Loren Coleman InMediaRes Productions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rob Boyle’s Letter to the Community I've been the lead Shadowrun line developer for FanPro LLC since the day it started, through good times and bad. Along with the other developers and freelancers, we have all been absolutely committed to continuing and and growing this game line in new and exciting ways. The time has now come to transfer the Shadowrun line into the hands of a new company. We are not saying goodbye, however--we're coming along for the ride as well. Everyone who is part of the core Shadowrun production crew is looking forward to relocating the line to IMR's stewardship and continuing to publish one of the best games out there. Despite the delays we've recently faced, we are excited that things will be getting back on track quite quickly. Rob Boyle Shadowrun Line Developer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Randall Bills' Letter to the Community The last ten years I’ve seen the Classic BattleTech property and community thrive. I’ve been a part of the development of over one hundred products and novels for this universe. I’ve also been the key driving force behind the largest re-branding and revitalization Classic BattleTech has seen in well over a decade, including the creation and launching of the Dawn of Jihad sourcebook and storyline, as well as Total Warfare. FanPro has made the above accomplishments possible. With the expiration of the license and WizKids’ desire to position the Classic BattleTech product to achieve even more, WizKids, Inc. is working with both FanPro LLC and InMediaRes Productions LLC. to transition the Classic BattleTech license to InMediaRes. I have immensely enjoyed the working relationship between myself and WizKids and the other licensees surrounding Classic BattleTech/MechWarrior, such as Iron Wind Metals, InMediaRes Productions and so on. I completely support this move by all involved and look forward to an even stronger relationship between the various licensees that positions Classic BattleTech/MechWarrior to even greater heights. Randall Bills Classic BattleTech Line Developer

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Khan

Interesting deveelopment and one that could bode well for BT and SR. Worth keeping an eye on to see what continues with this.

Clan Blood Spirit Star Captain

Maybe the MWDA will finally become just a sickening memory.

We can only hope for the best.

FanPro Commandos Commando #191

Ravion Hawk wrote:

Maybe the MWDA will finally become just a sickening memory.

We can only hope for the best.

I think regardless of what one may think of MWDA, that history is here to stay.

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Khan

Heimdall wrote:

Ravion Hawk wrote:

Maybe the MWDA will finally become just a sickening memory.

We can only hope for the best.

I think regardless of what one may think of MWDA, that history is here to stay.

Very succinctly and politely put. I agree.

Maybe it would be better to leave the MW rancor out of it from now on. Neutral

Blackhawks Colonel

I think this is great as long as the majority of the current writers and the current 'powers that be' go in the move to InMediaRes. I cant imagine CBT without some of the writers that are in the current staff.

ComStar Primus

Just a quick thread hijack - I have fixed the multiple news items on this topic.

Clan Ghost Bear Point 5

Does this deal Cover the MWDA license? From what I read, I only heard "Classic Battletech" and "Shadow Run" on the list.

I know that MWDA is in a sense part of the "Batltetech" universe, which covers both the Classic line and the MWDA line, but in a legal sence, does the "Classic Battletech" line also include the MWDA line? If so then I hope to see at the very least BETTER minis that are more faithful to their original designs. I'm all for artistic license that puts a bit of the artists personal touch to the mini such as the Centurion or Koshi, but jez. The Crud that they are coming up with now looks like they took a blown up CBT mini made of plastic, and then left it to melt in the sun for a week. *CoughDashiCough...

Needless to say that I am very happy and optimistic about this. Hopefully it means that down the line, we can start seeing some more CBT novels come out. Seeing as how they are the only things from the "good old days" that hasn't been published under FanPro. I would even just be happy with reprinting some of the Stackpole trilogy's together like they did for the Jade Phoenix trilogy.

I'm also hoping that it also includes the rights to let "Fasa interactive" get the green light on making good BT and Shadow run Video games again. MechWarrior 5 anyone? Heck, I would even be thrilled with a Mech Commander 3.

Viceroy

MWDA sales are suffering which is why WizKids is probably pawning them off. If CBT is transfered they will no doubt drop the MWDA product line.

Blackhawks General

I am looking forward to seeing if CBT is able to grow anew on its own instead of the "other child" of the MechWarrior line.

Clan Blood Spirit Star Captain

Lawgiver wrote:

MWDA sales are suffering which is why WizKids is probably pawning them off. If CBT is transfered they will no doubt drop the MWDA product line.

I'm sorry if what I said was a little rude, but I was more or less speaking of the MWDA line of plastic...I'll be quiet on that. Laughing

And I'm all for a "REAL" Mechwarrior 5 with the "REAL" customization instead of the Microsoft customizing. And it had better be for XP not Vista.

Bad enough we got to wait to work the kinks out with how to make a program work with Vista before we can proceed with further Beta Testing on the Project.

Viceroy

Ravion Hawk wrote:

And I'm all for a "REAL" Mechwarrior 5 with the "REAL" customization instead of the Microsoft customizing. .

Good luck with that.

Ravion Hawk wrote:

And it had better be for XP not Vista.

Even better luck with that. Rolling Eyes

Ravion Hawk wrote:

Bad enough we got to wait to work the kinks out with how to make a program work with Vista before we can proceed with further Beta Testing on the Project.

Welcome to the world of software development.

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Point Commander

Hummm have to keep tabs on this see how it goes. Knowing how much they all bleed CBT over there it could be for the better.

Free Rassalhague Republic Astech 1

Actually, Wiz Kids will be keeping MWDA, and for now they plan to go ahead with the scheduled 'Action Pack' releases. Beyond that the game is up for retooling. Whether they stay with the "blind" pack format or go further with the "Action Packs" still has not been decided. There are people at WK who actually love the MW line and are fighting to keep it going. I would suspect that WK will continue it with a mix of "blind' and "Action PACK" releases. Theey will probably use the "Action Pack"s for further Solaris VII releases as they are planning to introduce that rules set later this summer.

Wiz Kids will remain the owner of MechWarrior. CBT will be transferred from FanPro to IMR. Nothing beyond that.

As far as novels, what we would be likely to see is a series covering the time between the FedCom civil war and the Dark Age. Like it or not, the MWDA novels are now part of the canon, and divergent timelines are not in the future. The principals behind IMR have written MWDA novels and I really don't see them invalidating their work. That being said, I don't expect any novels from this deal as ROC still owns the publishing rights to any novels set in the Battletech Universe published here in the United States.

Shadow Slayer wrote:

Does this deal Cover the MWDA license? From what I read, I only heard "Classic Battletech" and "Shadow Run" on the list.

I know that MWDA is in a sense part of the "Batltetech" universe, which covers both the Classic line and the MWDA line, but in a legal sence, does the "Classic Battletech" line also include the MWDA line? If so then I hope to see at the very least BETTER minis that are more faithful to their original designs. I'm all for artistic license that puts a bit of the artists personal touch to the mini such as the Centurion or Koshi, but jez. The Crud that they are coming up with now looks like they took a blown up CBT mini made of plastic, and then left it to melt in the sun for a week. *CoughDashiCough...

Needless to say that I am very happy and optimistic about this. Hopefully it means that down the line, we can start seeing some more CBT novels come out. Seeing as how they are the only things from the "good old days" that hasn't been published under FanPro. I would even just be happy with reprinting some of the Stackpole trilogy's together like they did for the Jade Phoenix trilogy.

I'm also hoping that it also includes the rights to let "Fasa interactive" get the green light on making good BT and Shadow run Video games again. MechWarrior 5 anyone? Heck, I would even be thrilled with a Mech Commander 3.

FanPro Commandos Commando #191

Actually, IMR has the rights for short fiction for CBT. Their first anthology is in the works with plans on several more.