BattleTech is a long-running American wargaming militaryscience fiction and mecha franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2000, and owned since 2003 by Topps company.
The game was heavily influenced by real robot anime like Gundam and Macross. It is set predominantly in the 31st Century, where humanity has colonized numerous star systems, but is divided among a number of feudal "Great Houses" and various minor states after its ruling government, the Star League, collapsed several centuries prior. War is a frequent occurrence and is often waged with BattleMechs at the forefront, giant robots that are treated more akin to walking tanks than the ultimate weapon.
The series began with FASA's debut of the mid-80s board gameBattleTech (originally named BattleDroids) by Jordan Weisman and L. Ross Babcock III.
It has since grown to include numerous expansions to the original game, several computer and home consolevideo games, a collectible card game, a series of more than 100 novels, an animated television series and more.
