<Habeas2>: Welcome to the second official BattleChat of February 2012.
<JimDiGriz>: Herb, you posted on Twitter that : "Per request, starting in 3150, all members of House Liao will be afflicted with a hereditary form of syphilis." Shouldn't anyone with Centrella blood have a natural immunity?
<Habeas2>: The usual rules apply here: Keep questions brief, and give me a chance to keep up (and for others to ask questions). I will answer questions in the order received. Be respectful (or I'll boot you). And if you want a log, you should get to it; I don't log these chats.
<Habeas2>: That said.... Welcome again! Due to my crash and other delays, I will extend this chat to a minimum of 1.5 hours, thus ending about....9:45 PM (Eastern)
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - Pure Centrella blood; the Liao bloodline had no such immunity.
<mib_qlkmfx>: what crash?
<nathan18>: So with a FM: Star League, two volume set for Liberation Earth, ERA Report for the Star League time, HBHK, TRO 3067 Reprint, What else can we expect this year?
<TalonSpiritCat>: May I say that I am thrilled to see new fiction appearing on BattleCorps. I downloaded yesterday and will be reading Ice Storm after the chat
<Habeas2>: Nathan18 - All of that isn't enough for you?
<Habeas2>: TalonSpiritCat - Most excellent!
<nathan18>: yes it is , just wondering if there could be more?
<nathan18>: 'Also can you tell us if FM 3085 dead tree version will be coming out soon?
<Euphonium>: I too am thrilled by the Blitzkrieg fic, but I notice that the version on BattleCorps for subscibers is PDF rather than epub. Will epub versions become available, or will they only be for sale?
<Euphonium>: Herb, you and the guys create such awesome stuff that we always want more!
<JimDiGriz>: Was there anything interesting asked in the previous battlechat?
<Orin>: There is a log available on the battletech.com forums of the first chat in the General section
<Habeas2>: Nathan18 - As it happens, yes, there will be more books in 2012, but firstly, I should note that only one volume of the Liberation of Terra Historicals will likely appear this year (the second volume would appear in 2013). We are also hoping to get A Time of War Companion, and Interstellar Operations out this year. (Stress on "hoping")
<Glendower>: Herb: We here on the left coast are feeling a bit lonely. Do you forsee some of the PTB showing up in any official capacity for ComicCon San Diego or SoCal Smackdown?
<Suralin>: Herb, you mentioned in the previous chat that you were "pursuing an option that may resolve resolve the Unseen matter more definitively for the universe." Can you elaborate at this time, or is it way too early to provide details?
<Habeas2>: Nathan18 - As to when FM3065 will come out in print form, I cannot be certain. Sorry.
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - The epub versions are intended for general sale, I believe
<Klep_>: i love FMs, and i REALLY love the 3085 RATs
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - Someone named Beeblebrox asked a question that I answered with 42.
<JimDiGriz>: Ah, the sacred number...
<Tolan>: Mr Jim the WoR sup should be out feb or march per GhostBear
<Habeas2>: Glendower - I am afraid not; I know of no Uncivilized Coast conventions CGL is planning to attend.
<Garydee>: Any Dark Age stuff this year or will it be in 2013?
<Habeas2>: Suralin - While I imagine this will create a firestorm, I am investigating the possibility of retconning the Unseen entirely.
<Habeas2>: (That's images only, by the way; units and stats will remain unchanged.)
<Glendower>: I don't know why we're "uncivilized", we have the best ice cream and pizza here in Bakersfield. We need something to distract us from the bad air...
<JimDiGriz>: Have you made any progress with a replacement for BV, beside using the number of Stingers it can kill?
<Habeas2>: Garydee - Aside from PDF-exclusives, there may be one print product set in what is now known as the Dark Age setting.
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - A number f proposed mechanics have been submitted, which I have yet to begin reviewing. Still, all options--including the complete removal of the BV mechanic--remain on the table.
<JimDiGriz>: I'd prefer we not remove the BV mechanic. It's how we balance our games in the Long Island group.
<Glendower>: My cat would like to know if there's any plans to make a quad that looks cat-like. We have dogs and turtles and spiders and scorpions, but no real cat-like ones.
<Suralin>: Don't forget a fire-breathing horse.
<Glendower>: Oh yeah, two horses. One more horsey than the other.
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - I'm sure many agree, but unless a simpler and more reliable (even if less exacting) system is devised, even wiping out the BV system remains a viable option.
<JimDiGriz>: I second the request for a feline mech.
<PaWeasley>: Hi all. Did I miss when Herb reveals what Berith's up to these day? *I hope it's a summer camp for troubled teen cyborgs.*
<TalonSpiritCat>: Any chance of seeing just the fiction from the sourcebooks (ie the stories in Total Warfare) in pdf/epub form at BC?
<PaWeasley>: One could even call a quad cat mech a Jaguar ...
<Habeas2>: Glendower - Hard to say; not too many cat-friendly factions left in BattleTech these days
<TalonSpiritCat>: We Cats remain a viable Clan
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - Yes, you missed it, and it was shocking
<Glendower>: I nominate the Magistry of Canopus to produce it. You may now speculate why. The speculations will all be wrong.
<Suralin>: I would imagine the Davions' British roots would be conducive to some form of heraldic lion imagery.
<Habeas2>: TalonSpiritCat - Of COURSE you do... *pats TalnSpiritCat on the head*
<TalonSpiritCat>: purrs
<BJones>: So Herb, at this point, what is the one piece of the fiction/fluff/scourcebook you look forward to the most to getting out to the public, this year?
<Habeas2>: BJones - Handbook: Kurita, if only so we can finally end that series.
<JimDiGriz>: Any chance that you'll be attending I-Con this year? It would dramatically improve attendance for the BT crowd.
<mib_83fhui>: What about after that?
<PaWeasley>: Regarding some of the tweets/facebook posts that cropped up earlier in the week, have your pants sufficiently dried to give us any inkling what that was regarding?
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - I'm sorry; I had not planned on attending I-Con this year. Matters on the home front will be keeping me grounded for at least the early half of this year.
<Habeas2>: Mib_83fhui - After that, we're in 2013.
<JimDiGriz>: Oh well. We'll blow something up in your honor.
<PaWeasley>: \Apparently my brain is hung up on "regarding". That's unfortunate.
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - Sorry, not yet. When I am CERTAIN there are no further major hang-ups to the project in question, I will let everyone know (presuming Randall doesn't scoop me first).
<Habeas2>: PaWealey - Regarding that, no problem.
<Habeas2>: (Incidentally, if anyone else would like to note the irony that a known cat-lover is line developer of BattleTech and STILL can't find a solid reason to introduce a cat 'Mech to the line, feel free to join me in that.)
<PaWeasley>: Fair enough. Ya'll did a good job getting a bunch of us fans worked up.
<Orin>: It could be a cunning plot, lull us into a sense of "no cat mechs" and the BANG TRO: Caturday
<BJones>: Jelousy from our feline overlords no doubt Herb.
<Suralin>: Davion lion Mech, with autocannons on a turret. You know you want to.
<Suralin>:
<Habeas2>: O.O
<JimDiGriz>: A turret would look funny on a cat.
Habeas2 scribbles down a note
<Suralin>: ^_^
<BJones>: only as long as it has an AC/2 head mounted
<Glendower>: I still think a Canopian one would be more catty.
<PaWeasley>: I made you a death machine but I eated it.
<Habeas2>: Suralin - Of all factions to get a cat Mech, I would NEVER give it to House Davion
<Orin>: In 3060 Mech designers everywhere went "FK YEAH, CAT MECHS!"
<JimDiGriz>: I'm fine with a Canopian cat mech.
<CharlieTango>: How is the progress on Interstellar Operations going? I'm guessign that's on the schedule for 2013?
<Habeas2>: Glendower/JimDiGriz - A Canopian Cat Mech would almost certainly be a "catgirl" Mech, so humanoid shaped, with books, cat ears, and maybe a tail.
<JimDiGriz>: I'd prefer a quad.
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - IO is SCHEDULED for 2012, actually. WHether we see it by then depends on how much Randall writes, and whether he realizes he's written enough.
<Klep_>: and it would make cray cry
<Glendower>: Cray's had it too easy lately.
<Klep_>: ha
<Habeas2>: Klep_ - Cray will cry enough when we hit the AToW COmpanion, I assure you.
<Klep_>: oh boy
<CharlieTango>: Herb: Which of the various types of products that have been done would you personally like to have seen more of for the line, but just haven't proven to be financially viable?
<Garydee>: Besides the LAM construction rules, will IO have much in the way of new weapons/equipment?
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - Hmmm. Toss-up between handbooks and Adventures
<Glendower>: Yeah, Red Array didn't do well, and it was free from me.
<Dukeroyal>: Will the construction rules for Primitive JumpShips appear in IO or in a future XTRO Primitives Volume?
<Glendower>: I also wish I could find my notes on why the operation was called "Red Array".
<CharlieTango>: Really? I thought you didn't like the Handbooks.
<Habeas2>: Garydee - Oh, most likely. IO is aiming at introducing a number of items that exist/were used only in certain historical periods, such as LAMs, Caspar AIs, and Nuclear weapons
<PaWeasley>: Are their plans to introduce more Blitzkrieg story lines/serials before Ice Storm and Ghost Bear's Lament are completed?
<Habeas2>: DukeRoyal - Primitive tech should also appear in IO
<nathan18>: Since in the last chat you said there is no TRO schedule this year except TRO 3067, can You give us a hint if it will be A TRO for the Star League or for 3150
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - I dislike them only because they have become boondoggles, not because I feel they were bad products per se.
<Habeas2>: PaWealey - Oh yes.
<CharlieTango>: Ah Ok. thanks for the clarification.
<Habeas2>: Nathan18 - Um, it will be TRO 3067, unless you are asking what the first "new" TRO after that will be.
<JimDiGriz>: Will there be a pdf of the aerotech recordsheets?
<Habeas2>: JimDIGriz - Maybe. Someday. Or those units will simply appear in various Unabridged TROs
<Habeas2>: Er, Unabridged RS books
<Garydee>: There was mention of a Tech manual for 3150. Will there be one or will new gadgets go into TRO 3150?
<nathan18>: After 3067
<Euphonium>: How many Unabridged RS are there still to publish?
<Habeas2>: Garydee - Yes
<Euphonium>: Can you tell us anything about MechWarrior Tactics, or are you completely out of the loop on the computer games front?
<Habeas2>: Nathan18 - Depending on timing, the next new TRO after 3067 reprints will be either a Star League themed one, or 3150
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - One per TRO
<nathan18>: thanks
<JimDiGriz>: Why did most of the record sheet pdfs dissapear from the Battleshop?
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - I am willfully out of the loop on the computer games front. WHile the computer games are based on the BT universe, the core IP and the electronic manifestations thereof are not truly beholden to each other
<Dukeroyal>: Are there plans for a TRO 3057 Upgrade?
<Euphonium>: So any new computer games that come along will not be cannon, then?
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - That could be a technical issue (or we pulled them down for errata; I'd have to look into that)
<JimDiGriz>: Thanks.
<Habeas2>: Dukeroyal - Not immediately, no. Really seeing no need for one.
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Few of them were ever canon to begin with. Whenever you see cross-connection, it's generally because we integrated some of the events into the print line after the fact (if we thought they merited such an action).
<CharlieTango>: With the revision or removal of BV, will a new system be developed for determining Battleforce/Quickstrike point values be determined, or will that be dependetnt on what replaces BV?
<nathan18>: Any new PDF only items we soon be looking for?
<mib_83fhui>: Isn't it had to keep the Computer games' Continity with the BT universe without restricting the Computer game publisher ability to do their own thing?
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - ENtirely dependent, since the BF/QS system derives from BV
<JimDiGriz>: What is the order for future releases in the Objectives series?
<Euphonium>: So in the case of any new computer games, you will decide after they are published, if there are any ideas/events worthy of inclusion in the core line?
<Habeas2>: Nathan18 - Well, expect for XTRs, more Turning Points, the (eventual) end of the Objectives series, and more. There's a few more new PDF-exclusive series pending development, but I can't detail those too well just now.
<CharlieTango>: Along that same line of questioning of my previous inquiry, has there been any further consideration (with the growing popularity of QS), of having those rules split out as a product separate from SO, and possibly including rules to run QS as a hexed game as well?
<Habeas2>: Mib_83fhui - That's why we do not consider computer games canonical.
<Dukeroyal>: Is there any update on the beta test of the new Mercenary Unit creation rules?
<Orin>: (I agree on QuickStrike, though we've asked Herb that in numerous previous battle chats
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - The present order planned for the remaining Objectives is FWL, Periphery, and Clans...but that can change pretty rapidly as editing/layout needs may throw them into chaos.
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - I will decide afterward.
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - Yes
<Habeas2>: (Though, honestly, as QS is basically BattleForce, you already have a hex game in there)
<Habeas2>: DUkeroyal - Erm, what Beta Test?
<JimDiGriz>: If you had complete freedom to what you wanted, how would you shape the plotline for the BT universe?
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - You'll see in 2014. }
<JimDiGriz>: Should we be afraid?
<PaWeasley>: IlClan?
<Habeas2>: JimDIGriz - Yes, you probably should.
<JimDiGriz>: For anyone in particular, or pretty much everyone?
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - What about it?
<Orin>: William Gibson says that SF is always a reflection of the time it is written - BattleTech being a very pre-cyberpunk 80's view of the future. Would you ever consider with your great jump moving to a 20-teens view of the future or will BattleTech always be pre-cyberpunk 80's sci-fi?
<PaWeasley>: Sorry, guess regard 2014.
<Habeas2>: JimDiGriz - For anyone who somehow thinks this universe should remain static, and factions shouldn't die.
<Suralin>: Habeas2 - Heresy! Rasalhague Republic forever!
<Suralin>:
<Habeas2>: Orin - There are always other universes and game lines that can do that better; there is no need for BattleTech to become another universe just to update itself to a different image. We spent 25+ years on the aesthetics we're using now.
<Habeas2>: Dukeroyal - At this time, I think any open beta on mercenary creation systems would be a vanishing proposition.
<Euphonium>: Thankyou Herb. I feel my other favourite game ruined itself by following Orin's suggestion, so I'm glad to hear BT won't be doing that!
<Orin>: Euphonium? YM Shadowrun?
<Suralin>: I'm somewhat reminded of the song "Acceptable in the '80s"


== siome lines lost due to dropped connection ===

<Habeas2>: Mib_ku2tqy - We're still looking into mapsheet sets, but have to be careful how we market those versus the Hex Packs
<CharlieTango>: I'd heard both Mountains/Canyons and Woods/Hills were in the pipeline on Hex Packs. Will either come this year?
<Orin>: Euphonium: It's certainly an interesting dilemma - though in SR's case I don't think they had a choice. Cyberpunk got retro really quickly. (repeat cos of drop)
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Definitely, there will be more. The next in the queue, in fact, is the Mountains and Canyons Hex Pack.
<PaWeasley>: Can you comment on Ben's statement about the WoR supplemental in the earlier chat? He mentioned the HW Clans on the cusp of the Invasion in 3090. Is that actually true or another case of him teasing the fans with a mix of truth and fiction like with his earlier blog posts.
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - Both are hoped for a 2012 release.
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - Do you really expect me to ruin Ben's fun like that?
<PaWeasley>: A guy can dream ... and possibly bride.
<PaWeasley>: Bribe
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - No brides for me! I'm done with that mess!
<PaWeasley>: haha
<JimDiGriz>: You could've called it a campaign contribution.
<Suralin>: The Herb/Catalyst Super PAC
<BJones>: Cat PAC?
<JimDiGriz>: I'm calling it a night. Thanks for answering our questions, Herb.
<PaWeasley>: As long as there isn't factional Super PAC. You think the fiat whining is bad now.
<Habeas2>: 15 minutes of chat time remaining
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - This is America! Power flows to those who have the most money. Don't even know why we have elections any more; we should just have the candidates show their tax returns, and give the job to whoever made the most in the previous four years...
<Orin>: I think Randall has been talking on twitter about playing the BT CCG. Is there any chance ever of doing say a non-collectable card game (ala the FFG games Mag Blast / Death Angel)
<Habeas2>: Orin - There is always a chance, but it's hard to say
<Klep_>: hehe, after talking with him about it so much on twitter, i'm gonna have to try and wrangle him for a game at gencon #neverhappen
<PaWeasley>: Sweet, I'm off to organize a Nova Cat bake sale.
<Habeas2>: 9 minutes!
<Orin>: How much freedom do you have in building the new universe? Has anything made Randall go "that may be going too far"
<Habeas2>: Orin - One of the reasons I was chosen to take over from Randall was how much we were in synch about what the core asethetics of BT were. To be honest, there've been many times where I reined HIM in. Granted, my big plans for the post-Dark Age settings did raise some eyebrows, but in general, they fit BattleTech
<Orin>: I'm looking forward to it. I like the idea that not only will you knock over the apple cart, you'll set it on fire and drop a kansas farm house on it
<Euphonium>: Are there any questions you wish we'd though to ask tonight? And what are they? 
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - I'm a blank slate; you can ask anything.
<Habeas2>: For another 5 minutes, anyway
<Suralin>: I can't really think of one, apart from rehashing my old "mixing heat sinks" question
<Suralin>: so here goes
<Euphonium>: Ah, well, it was worth a try
<Suralin>: any plans to add rules for mixing heat sinks into a future book?
<Euphonium>: Any feel for how long it will be to reach a decision on the UnSeen?
<PaWeasley>: How drastically will the map be altered when we "wake up" in 3150?
<Habeas2>: Suralin - Unknown
<Habeas2>: PaWeasley - Pretty drastically
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Could be a while; fan reaction to some upcoming projects will help me decide.
<Euphonium>: Have you ever wanted to give a faction a good kicking, but had to restrain yourself for the sake of the storyline?
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - House Davion still exists, doesn't it?
<Euphonium>: LOL
<CharlieTango>: Has there been any thought of using Kickstarter to try to accomplish some particular project for Catalyst tht wouldn't otherwise be financially possible?
<Habeas2>: I'll give another 15 minutes here. I'm lonely.
<Euphonium>: But House Davion has had a good kicking!
<Suralin>: Kick it more. Resurrect the Hindu Collective and the OAMA.
<Euphonium>: OAMA?
<Suralin>: Ozawa-Addicks Mercantile Alliance
<Habeas2>: CharlieTango - Not really, no
<PaWeasley>: True, but they've only just started having to wear a cup. Others are on their third or fourth.
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - They're still alive, right? So I restrained myself.
<Euphonium>: Why the dislike for House Davion then?
<Orin>: They are the default good guys in a universe without "good"?
<PaWeasley>: autocannon envy?
<Euphonium>: Are we going to see much happening the in Deep Peripheryover the next few years?
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Why not?
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Yes, we will
<Suralin>: actually offhand i can't remember whether the OAMA is canon or not... I *thought* it was, but can't remember
<Suralin>: oh well
<Habeas2>: 6 minutes
<Euphonium>: Are there any plans to explicity confirm or deny any of the stories from the last Interstellar Players book in the near future?
<jymset>: a late hello to you fine gentlemen
<Orin>: is there a chance of any future "Interstellar Players" type sourcebooks?
<Orin>: is there a chance of any future "Interstellar Players" type sourcebooks?
<Suralin>: Out of the new factions added post-3067, do you have a favorite?
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!
<Habeas2>: Jymset - Hi. 4 minutes left
<Euphonium>: Will the Bounty Hunter still be around in the 3150 era?
<Habeas2>: Orin - Definitely!
<Habeas2>: Suralin - Um, ... No, not really.
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - That's a coin toss right now
<Euphonium>: Since it has been said before that there will not be a sequel to Best Ever, the SR/BT crossover, can we get a BT/Leviathans crossover this year, please?
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Who said no sequel? I'll have their ... something
<Habeas2>: 1 minute
<Suralin>: I got nothin'.
<Euphonium>: A couple of BattleChats ago, it was asked, and we were told that since the 1st BT/SR crossover was Best Ever!, there could not be a sequel.
<Suralin>: Except to say that I have an image in my head of a different crossover
<Euphonium>: And even if there is, I'd still love to see a BT/Leviathans one 
<Habeas2>: Euphonium - Never say never; it just means that the next crossover won't be "The Best Ever!"
<TalonSpiritCat>: I thought BT crossed over into RL eventaully
<Habeas2>: TalonSpiritCat - Um, no. Really, why would anyone want that?
<Habeas2>: Thank you for participating in this Catalyst Game Labs BattleTech Line Developer-aided Public Relations Activity.
<Euphonium>: Thankyou for your time, Herb.