Editing 2023 Mercenaries Crowdfunding Campaign

{{AnnouncedProduct}}
[[File:2022 Mercenaries Kickstarter.jpg|thumb|right|Promotional Image for the 2023 Mercenaries Kickstarter]]

==Summary== 
The 2023 Mercenaries Crowdfunding Campaign is a Kickstarter campaign that took place from {{ISOdate|2023-03-23 22:00 EDT}} to {{ISOdate|2023-04-20 22:00 EDT}}. Originally slated for launch in the Fall of 2022, the campaign was pushed back by CGL to coincide with the first day of the Adepticon 2023 wargaming convention.

==News Release==
{{quote|Across the BattleTech universe, mercenary warriors are an undeniable presence on the battlefield. Whether they fight for pay, personal glory, the thrill of combat, or just the hope of keeping their unit together a little longer, mercenaries have played a decisive role in conflicts around the Inner Sphere for centuries. Building on the wild success of the [[2019 Clan Invasion Crowdfunding Campaign|Clan Invasion Kickstarter]], the new campaign from [[Catalyst Game Labs]] will bring more than 50 new [[Miniatures - Catalyst Game Labs|plastic miniatures]] to your battlefields, including [[BattleMechs]], and for the first time ever, plastic [[combat vehicle]]s to augment your 'Mech forces. Among the miniatures in production are the ''[[Firestarter]]'', ''[[Griffin IIC]]'', ''[[Ostroc]]'', and ''[[Kraken]]'' ’Mechs, as well as the [[Galleon|Galleon Light Tank]], [[SRM Carrier|SRM]]/[[LRM Carrier]], and [[Demolisher|Demolisher Heavy Tank]]. A variety of mercenary-themed stretch goals will also be included.<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/news/restocks-of-core-products-major-update-of-coming-releases BattleTech Mercenaries Kickstarter News Release]</ref>}}

==Before the Campaign==
To build interest ahead of the campaign a number of [https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech?page=1&rb_product_type=Crowdfunding%20Support PDF previews] were released along with a [https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/8fd3639a-e1cd-44b9-8f15-5279077ad7f8/landing?__s=mtong2wlkcnxq68kfugm pre-launch backerkit page] on {{ISOdate|2023-01-13}}. They also released a dropbox link to the open Beta playtest docs for [[BattleTech: Aces]].

==AdeptiCon 2023==
When CGL launched the campaign, it was during ''Adepticon''  that they were attending in Schaumburg, IL. They also live streamed some of the events of the first 48 hours on [https://www.youtube.com/@catalystgamelabs9349 CGL's official Youtube channel], [https://www.youtube.com/@SixSidesofGaming SixSidesofGaming's Youtube channel] and [https://www.twitch.tv/sixsidesofgaming SixSidesofGaming's Twitch channel]. Videos of these events and pre-recorded segments were uploaded later and were available on SixSidesofGaming's Youtube channel:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLJhpiE0MNY Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon Launch Video Part 1]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIV9Fj6ENc0 Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon Launch Video Part 2]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3lhTgANA9s Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon Interview with Randall Bills]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKgoOxJlr4o Fiction Panel - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHVgSxB8_p8 Line Developer Ray Arrastia - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6JVrnKBhOU Art Direction - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVKC6EBRPjI Battletech Encounters - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj0cj96NRsE Fiction Round Table- Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiW-BV1ZDV8 Miniatures Design - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7upppEX4Bg Interview with Loren Coleman - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYMo82dEmQ Interview with John Helfers - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOfSxaZfdZo Interview with Michael Ciaravella - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5giKbemR2kk Mech Design Process - Battletech LIVE at AdeptiCon]


==During the Campaign==
{{stub}}
===24 hour Live Stream===
During the last 24 hours of the Kickstarter Campaign, CGL did a live stream event that included interviews with many of the influencers, artists, developers involved with BattleTech. It was streamed on [https://www.youtube.com/@catalystgamelabs9349 CGL's official Youtube channel], [https://www.youtube.com/@SixSidesofGaming SixSidesofGaming's Youtube channel] and [https://www.twitch.tv/sixsidesofgaming SixSidesofGaming's Twitch channel]. People featured were:

Development: 
* [[Loren Coleman]] (Catalyst CEO and BattleTech writer)
* [[Randall Bills]] (Catalyst's Lead Developer and BattleTech writer)
* [[Ray Arrastia]] (BattleTech Line Developer)
* [[Aaron Cahall]] (BattleTech Assistant Line Developer)
* [[Talon Coleman]] (Online Operations Director)
* [[Rem Alternis]] (Community and Marketing Director)

Art:
* [[Brent Evans]] (Catalyst Art Director)
* [[Anthony Scroggins]] (BattleTech Art Director)
* [[Marco Mazzoni]] (BattleTech Artist)
* [[Ben Myers|Bishop Steiner]] (BattleTech Artist)
* [[Eldon Cowgur|Elden Cowgur]] (BattleTech Artist)

Fiction:
* [[John Helfers]] (Catalyst's Fiction Director)
* [[Michael Stackpole]] (BattleTech writer)
* [[Michael Ciaravella]] (BattleTech writer)
* [[Phillip Lee]] (BattleTech writer)
* [[Bryan Young]] (BattleTech writer)
* [[Joshua Franklin]] (BattleTech Sourcebook writer)

Influencers:
* [[Jordan Weisman]] (co-founder of BattleTech)
* [[Ross Babcock]] (co-founder of BattleTech)
* [[George Ledoux]] (Voice Actor)
* Mike Tuñez (Game developer)

==Rewards==
The following products were announced as part of the upcoming crowdfunding campaign, either as core items, stretch goals, or add-ons:

{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! scope="col" width="350" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="200" style="background: #dedede;" | Item Type
! scope="col" width="200" style="background: #dedede;" | Status
|-
| [[BattleTech: Mercenaries|''Mercenaries'']] || Box Set || New
|-
| ''Mercenaries'' with exclusive box || Box Set || New and exclusive
|-
| ''[[BattleTech: Aces]]'' || Game Aid || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Universe (sourcebook)|''BattleTech Universe'']] || Sourcebook || New
|-
| ''BattleTech Universe'' Precentor Martial Edition || Sourcebook || New and exclusive
|-
| ''[[Double Blind]]'' || Novel (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[Poisoned Honor]]'' || Novel (digital) || New
|-
| ''[[Corrupted Honor]]'' || Novel (digital) || New
|-
| ''[[Shattered Honor]]'' || Novel (digital) || New
|-
| ''[[A Night at the Lake]]'' || Short Story (digital) || New
|-
| ''[[Fortunes of War]]'' || Novella Series (digital) || New
|-
| ''[[Not the Way the Smart Money Bets]]'' || Novella (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[A Tiny Spot of Rebellion]]'' || Novella (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[A Clever Bit of Fiction]]'' || Novella (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot...]]'' || Novella (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[Tales of the Bounty Hunter]]'' || Anthology (digital) || New
|-
| ''[[The Mercenary Life]]'' || Anthology (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[No Greater Honor]]'' || Anthology (digital) || Pre-existing
|-
| ''[[A Splinter of Hope]]'' || Audiobook || New
|-
| ''[[A Rock and a Hard Place]]'' || Audiobook || New
|-
| ''[[Close Quarters]]'' || Audiobook || New
|-
| ''[[Eclipse]]'' || Audiobook || New
|-
| ''[[BattleTech: Legends II]]'' || Art Book (digital) || New
|-
| ''BattleTech: Legends II'' || Art Book || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Cracked Canopy Cookbook|''Cracked Canopy Cookbook: Recipes from the Inner Sphere'']] || Art Book (digital) || New
|-
| Eridani Light Horse Wallpaper || Digital Wallpaper || New and exclusive
|-
| Eridani Light Horse/BattleMech & Vehicle Recognition || Poster || New and exclusive
|-
| Lexington Combat Group Wallpaper || Digital Wallpaper || New and exclusive
|-
| McCarron's Armored Cavalry/Lexington Combat Group || Poster || New and exclusive
|-
| Northwind Highlanders/21st Centuari Lancers || Poster || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Timber Wolf (Model)|4" ''Timber Wolf (Mad Cat)'' Model]] || Model || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Beginner Box, Second Edition]] || Box Set || Pre-existing
|-
| [[BattleTech Salvage Box: Visigoth|Visigoth Salvage Box]] || Miniature Set || New and exclusive
|-
| [[BattleTech Salvage Box: Mercenary|Mercenary Salvage Box]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Salvage Box: Vehicle|Vehicle Salvage Box]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Salvage Box: Legendary II & III|Legendary II & III Salvage Box]] || Miniature Set || New and exclusive
|-
| [[BattleTech Salvage Box: Blood Asp|''Blood Asp'' Salvage Box]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[Mercenary Retaliation]] || Miniature Set || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Alpha Strike Retaliation]] || Miniature Set || New and exclusive
|-
| [[BattleTech: Inner Sphere Recon Lance|Inner Sphere Recon Lance]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Inner Sphere Pursuit Lance|Inner Sphere Pursuit Lance]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Battlefield Support: Recon & Hunter|Battlefield Support: Recon & Hunter]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Inner Sphere Security Lance|Inner Sphere Security Lance]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Clan Cavalry Star|Clan Cavalry Star]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Battlefield Support: Assault & Cavalry|Battlefield Support: Assault & Cavalry]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Inner Sphere Assault Lance|Inner Sphere Assault Lance]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Inner Sphere Heavy Recon Lance|Inner Sphere Heavy Recon Lance]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Battlefield Support: Battle & Fire|Battlefield Support: Battle & Fire]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Clan Direct Fire Star|Clan Direct Fire Star]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Inner Sphere Battle Armor Platoon|Inner Sphere Battle Armor Platoon]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Battlefield Support: Objectives|Battlefield Support: Objectives]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Battlefield Support: Heavy Battle & Sweep Lance|Battlefield Support: Heavy Battle & Sweep Lance]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Legendary MechWarriors II Pack|Legendary MechWarriors II Pack]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Legendary MechWarriors III Pack|Legendary MechWarriors III Pack]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Battlefield Support: Rifle & Command|Battlefield Support: Rifle & Command]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[BattleTech: Somerset Strikers ForcePack|''Somerset Strikers'' ForcePack]] || Miniature Set || New
|-
| [[Sun Tzu's The Art of War|''Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Translated (& Annotated by Jamie Wolf'')]] || Sourcebook || New
|-
| [[Shrapnel (magazine)/Issue 15|Double Sized Mercenary Themed ''Shrapnel'' issue]] || Magazine || New
|-
| [[Shrapnel (magazine)/Year One (Omnibus)|''Shrapnel'' Year One Compilation]] || Magazine || Pre-existing
|-
| ''BattleTech'' || Graphic Novel || New
|-
| [[Encounters: BattleTech]] || Game || New
|-
| Mercenaries Premium Record Sheets || Sourcebook || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Novels: Hardback Collection|BattleTech Mercenary Novels: Hardback Collection]] || Novels || New
|-
| [[BattleTech Novels: Leathersoft Collection|BattleTech Mercenary Novels: Leathersoft Collection]] || Novels || New
|-
| ''[[Map Pack: City]]'' || Map Pack || New
|-
| ''[[Map Pack: Savannahs]]'' || Map Pack || New
|-
| ''[[BattleMat: City]]'' || BattleMat || New
|-
| ''[[BattleMat: Savannahs]]'' || BattleMat || New
|-
| ''[[Army Painter BattleTech Paint Starter]]'' || Accessory|| New
|-
| ''[[CountersPack: Alpha Strike]]'' || Accessory || New
|-
| ''[[CountersPack: BattleForce]]'' || Accessory || Pre-existing
|-
| [[Challenge Coins]] || Accessory || New and partially exclusive
|-
| [[Challenge Coins#Availability|Challenge Coins Collector Set]] || Accessory || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Lapel Pin]] || Accessory || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Lapel Pin#Availability|Lapel Pin Collector Set]] || Accessory || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Faction Patch]] || Accessory || New
|-
| [[Faction Patch#Availability|Patch Collector Set]] || Accessory || New and exclusive
|-
| [[Faction Dice|LosTech Faction Dice (with diameter case)]] || Accessory || Pre-existing, New, and exclusive
|-
| [[Faction Dice#Laser-effect|Laser-effect Faction Dice]] || Accessory || New, and exclusive
|-
| [[Chevron Dice#Liquid Core|Liquid Core "Chevron" Dice]] || Accessory || New, and exclusive
|-
| [[Chevron Dice#Laser-effect|Laser-effect "Chevron" Dice]] || Accessory || New, and exclusive
|-
| [[BattleTech: PlushyTech|More BattleMech Plushies]] || Accessory || New
|-
| [[KerenskyCon|KerenskyCon Invite]] || Event || Exclusive
|}

==Community Launch Parties==
{{main|Catalyst Demo Team#Community Launch Parties for the launch of 2023 Mercenaries Crowdfunding Campaign}}
In recognition that ''BattleTech'' is a global game, and to coincide with the Adepticon launch party, CGL organized and supported ''Community Launch Parties'' worldwide as companion events. 

==Notes==
* The email that was sent out for ''Update #39'' was accidently titled ''More Dics Photos'' instead of ''More Dice Photos''
* During the BattleTech AMA at the start of the 24 hour stream, Loren Coleman was seen as a black screen with the text ''iPhone (206)''. This lead the stream chat to joke that this was a reference to a new unit ''206th iPhone Rangers''.
* During Ross Babcock's segment, it showed Unseen BattleTech art (assumed to be accidental).
* During many of the live stream intermissions, the video never cuts and Randell Bills (among others) was still seen on camera. During these times he seen passionately discussing things to whom can only be assumed as the live team.
* During the Fiction segment, it was mentioned that they (assumed to be CGL) are seeking a new German licensee.

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
*[https://bg.battletech.com/forums/general-discussion/mercenaries-on-the-move!/ 2023 Project Date Announcement]
*[https://bg.battletech.com/forums/general-discussion/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-launching-at-adepticon!/ Adepticon Launch Announcement]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech/products/mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-01 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #1]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-02 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #2]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-03 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #3]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-04 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #4]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-05 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #5]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-06 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #6]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-07 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #7]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-08 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #8]
*[https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-mercenaries-kickstarter-preview-09 BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter Preview #9]
*[https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/8fd3639a-e1cd-44b9-8f15-5279077ad7f8/landing Pre-launch sign-up page]

[[Category:Crowdfunding projects|Mercenaries]]