The Shadowrun tables were packed all weekend. We ran over 200 players through 35 tables of events. Plus, we introduced dozens of new players to the game world and rules system at our demos in the dealer hall.

Shadowrun Missions players got a sneak peak at the New York City campaign. These events were consistently overfilled, and we appreciate the the enthusiasm on everyone’s part. The first adventure – SRM03-00 Everyone’s Your Friend will be broadly available later this month.

This year’s Origins Shadowrun tournament – Death of a Samurai – gave players a look into the underworld turmoil that the upcoming Ghost Cartels book introduces. The competition between teams was fierce. The winning team barely eked out their victory.

We tried a new handout this year – NERPS Cards. These gave players some extra tricks to influence the games as they played through them, and everyone seemed to enjoy the added flexibility. These seemed to be trading pretty hotly on the black market, so we’ll have more of them at GenCon.

GenCon Indianapolis is just a few weeks away. If you’re planning on attending, make sure to look up the Catalyst Game Labs Shadowrun events. We’ll have the same great gamemaster team, more Shadowrun Missions Scenarios, and this year’s tournament – Bad Moon Rising – also ties in to Ghost Cartels. Of course, we’ll have game demos available in our dealer’s hall booth to introduce new players to the system.

"The triumphant return of three of the most seminal adventure gaming book lines heralds a great next step for all the brands," David M. Stansel-Garner, Operations Manager for Catalyst Game Labs said. "We're really excited to bring these novels back to thousands of eager fans who have been waiting patiently for their return."

"An estimated 25 million people having played a game or read a novel set in the BattleTech Universe since its inception almost 25 years ago," Stansel-Garner continued. "Throughout that time BattleTech alone has inspired over a dozen video games, a cartoon, a collectible card game, a collectible miniatures game and several toy lines. Additionally, it has amassed one of the largest fictional universes in the sci-fi genre, with over 170 gaming products and almost 100 full-length novels (with much of that translated into over a dozen languages world-wide). Tie that together with the hundreds of thousands of copies of Shadowrun's 120 game sourcebooks, video games, and 50 novels (also translated into numerous foreign markets)… we have a lot of eager fans chomping at the bit for these new books."

Bestselling author and owner of InMediaRes Loren Coleman will return to pen more novels in the Classic BattleTech line. "In 1994 I read through the Warrior trilogy in a single weekend. I've been a devoted fan ever since. I expect to feel much the same way as I pick up the new storyline installments. Working with top writers on a compelling storyline is one of my greatest joys as a writer. Coming back to it now—and with Mike back on board as well—it's like our favorite park has just been reopened. I'll bring the green army men. He'll supply the fireworks."

Look for the first MechWarrior novel, A Bonfire of Worlds by Steven Mohan, Jr. in November 2008, followed by the first Classic BattleTech novel, Shadows of Faith by Loren L. Coleman in December. The first of the all-new Shadowrun novels will appear in January, 2009.

About Catalyst Game Labs Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high quality gaming products that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes, presented in a form that allows both beginning players and long-time veterans to easily pick up our games. Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC, which specializes in electronic publishing of professional fiction. This allows Catalyst to participate in a synergy that melds printed gaming product with all the benefits of an electronic interface and community, creating a whole-package experience for any type of player. For additional information, visit www.catalystgamelabs.com.

About WizKids, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company, 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.

Unwired PDF [$25]
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Unwired cover by Klaus Scherwinski (Click for larger version)

The Hacker’s Handbook
We’re buffing up system defenses and tactics in the System Security chapter, so we had to have a chapter devoted to all the guys who will be exploiting and breaking their way into those systems. Everything you need to know as an elite hacker in a single chapter: the Hacker’s Handbook.
Common hacker and rigger tactics, malware, agents, botnets, forgery, and advanced spoofing are just the highlights; this chapter is chock full of exploits and tricks for the daring hacker or technomancer to crack those glacial secure nodes or simply spoof a lifestyle.

Matrix Phenomena
The Matrix Phenomena chapter addresses the unexplained mysteries and enigmas of the Matrix 2.0. Some fans will be expecting, some they won’t: AIs, Ghosts in the Machine, Resonance Realms, the Dissonants, and Entropic Sprites…

Contagion Sprite by Mariusz Gandzel.

Remember to check out our June Shadowrun Chat!

Technomancers
The offspring of the Crash 2.0 get a long-awaited expansion, exploring their abilities and their mysterious connection to the Resonance Realms. Beginning with a look at the biological PAN and how this is different from normal hardware and software, the Technomancer chapter then unveils the nascent Resonance Streams (the virtual paradigms virtuakinetics develop) and expanded Submersion rules. It also introduces a host of cool new Echoes and the Paragons (the virtual ideals some technomancers dedicate themselves to.)

Sprites
Sprites get their own chapter spotlighting new sprites and new sprite powers, as well as Free and Wild Sprites.

Technoshamanism by Chad Sergesketter, Code Sprite by Mariusz Gandzel.

Matrix Topology Chapter
This chapter dissects and exposes the functioning of the Matrix and connectivity in the wireless Sixth World. In easy to understand sections, it breaks down the basics of Matrix Topology. It expands on the types of nodes available—introducing nexi and peripheral nodes—and revisits the inner workings of commcodes, PANs, Operating Systems, accounts, and data access rights: everything you need to know about how the Matrix comes together. If that wasn’t enough it delves into network/mesh organization and practical considerations such as sculpting and metaphor, explaining their role and function.

System Security Chapter
The next chapter addresses Matrix security protocols beyond the intrusion countermeasures, network configurations, and security hackers you might be expecting. System Security spotlights all the new and advanced rules involved in keeping data secure in the Sixth World; these include advanced encryption, access logs, and physical authentication technologies among others. It offers more details on rigging building security systems and spiders the specialists that do so. There’s even space for the low-down on the tricks and tactics Matrix security employ and system security examples.

AR Security by Philip Hilliker, Spider by Tony Shasteen

Matrix Overview Chapter
The opening chapter of Unwired brings you everything you need to know about the impact of the wireless Matrix and computer technologies on the Sixth World and their pervasive role in everyday life. It explores the role of Augmented and Virtual Realities in all aspects of daily life, from the home and workplace to corporate research labs and the deepest darkest shadows.

By 2070 there are few places in the Sixth World untouched by Matrix technology and this chapter delves into exactly what that means; exploring the myriad applications of Matrix tech to business, education, social networking, and a variety of different fields—easing Shadowrun newcomers and veterans alike into the obvious and more subtle realities of life in an Augmented world.

But this world where knowledge is at your fingertips is not without its dangers and menaces—and Matrix Overview also provides insight into Matrix crimes, the warez scene, the looming threat of a surveillance society, and the virtues and flaws of a balkanized total information society.

The chapter wraps with a brief look at those talented souls who specialize in using and exploiting the Matrix: hackers, riggers, spiders, technomancers and AIs.

Media and Rigger artwork by Eric Williams.