Comments on: InMediaRes extends BattleTech agreement with WizKids

By: Concrete

Concrete — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:43:55 +0000

@PMMJ: Can you give any examples of what exactly would you like to see? CGL has released a fair share of Shadowrun 4th ed. RPG books over the past year, and are on track with this year’s release schedule (6 books to be released in 2008).

By: penn42

penn42 — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:39:29 +0000

“WizKids is making money so while I don’t understand the term limit I can’t see them not continuing to extend it as long as Catalyst keeps putting out the goods”

It’s very common for Intellectual Property holders to limit licensees to short term contracts (2 or 3 years.) It allows them an out should they run afoul of a company who signs the contract, and then ‘doesn’t support said contract with actual product.’ Most of the time when a licensee is supporting the IP as promised, the extensions are almost formality…but a necessary one. So I wouldn’t think on this one too hard…

By: evernevermore (John)

evernevermore (John) — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:39:13 +0000

I think the term limit has a little bit to do with a discussion my boss had with me today, contracts and how the terms keep you from getting screwed in court.

I agree with you Zac about Catalysts interest - the owner is Loren Coleman, and while Im not a fan of his writing he is one of the biggest names from the founding of Battletech

By: Zac

Zac — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:27:15 +0000

I know that renewals come, but I believe this limits Catalyst’s commitment to the brand as they are unable to invest in the franchise in the long term since renewals might not happen

I doubt that anything will limit Catalyst’s interest in these titles since they are the entire reason for the company existing :-)

WizKids is making money so while I don’t understand the term limit I can’t see them not continuing to extend it as long as Catalyst keeps putting out the goods

By: PMMJ

PMMJ — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:14:12 +0000

Fingers crossed we get something new and cool for Shadowrun one of these days. It was one of my first loves, when it first came out, and will always have a special place in my heart.

By: kaiserx

kaiserx — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:01:55 +0000

Is it just me or isn’t it kinda sad that your favourite franchise has a two-year lifespan? I know that renewals come, but I believe this limits Catalyst’s commitment to the brand as they are unable to invest in the franchise in the long term since renewals might not happen.
I still don’t know what happened with Fanpro - I think they did a good job with 4th - but having two year renewals doesn’t sound to me like a good way to make your developers really commit to your franchise.
Anyway, I just read SR Emergence and its great; I hope Catalyst comes with great new material for SR and hopefully we also get great new novels.

By: Zac

Zac — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:34:38 +0000

An arrangement that I think everyone is already happy with :-)

By: evernevermore (John)

evernevermore (John) — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:11:16 +0000

jsut so long as Wizkids stays in thier end of the proverbial game pool and I’ll stay in my end playing with my little guys using Catalysts rules

By: Zac

Zac — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:43:37 +0000

WizKids is definitely not targeting the average TGN reader though :-)

By: evernevermore (John)

evernevermore (John) — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:04:05 +0000

Having tried playing Mechwarrior: Dark Age I trust Wizkids to tell whats good and what should be done about as far as I can throw my car.

By: penn42

penn42 — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:01:32 +0000

“SWEET!! Keep the goodies coming InMediaRes - now we just have to pray WizKids realizes that they really do know what they are doing”

Considering WK extended the contract, I kinda think they already do….

By: Zac

Zac — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:03:48 +0000

I’m looking forward to the Wolf and Blake book and this just means that we’ll see more things like that

By: evernevermore (John)

evernevermore (John) — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:59:50 +0000

SWEET!! Keep the goodies coming InMediaRes - now we just have to pray WizKids realizes that they really do know what they are doing