The Culture: Fork And Replace Comes For BattleTech

This was an inevitable development.

POINTS OF DEPARTURE FOR #BATTLETECHREDACTION:

* Initial divergence during SLDF Gunslinger Program
* New timeline end: 3060 (after Battle of Huntress)
* ELH/ComStar Alliance Kickstarts Star League early
* No Jihad/Dark Age
* FRR does not submit

— Pointed Commentary (@RoyCalbeck) January 27, 2025

And not just because Catalyst had to inject their Death Cult dogma into the game.

No, this was already necessary due to FASA and Wizkids doing their own dumb shit while they controlled the property. There's a reason that the bigger BattleTech channels don't go past the 3060; that's the end of it being something worth playing.

More said:

Creative freedom (excepting continuity corrections)

• Development philosophy is "Build Deep, Not Wide"
• Emphasis on "Nook & Cranny" writing
• New gaming materials & coherent rulesets
• Open Source License, no license fees of any kind

What is "Nook & Cranny" Writing?

• Respect published lore, write within the gaps
• Respect your fellow authors
• Do not advance/alter the timeline, OG does this
• Overwatch Group maintains overall continuity
• OG not allowed to micromanage

What does "Deep, Not Wide" mean?

• Expand and improve upon existing Eras
• Do not create new Eras just to sell more sourcebooks
• All existing Eras from Star League to 3060 are open
• Use what there is, there's plenty of it

s This Even Legal?

• Topps disowned BTRA's root Timeline in 2005
• BTRA's Timeline was official canon from 2001-2005
• BTRA's Licensor is the Timeline's sole copyright owner
• BTRA's Licensor accepts legal liability for related actions

We'll see what happens next, but this is looking promising.