Photo: Charlie Hall / Catalyst Game LabsAlice Jovanée (she/her) is a commerce writer, and she has been writing about gaming and tech since 2005. Prior to Polygon, she worked at publications such as The Verge.With a lore that spans roughly a millennium of human history, Catalyst Game Labs’ tabletop game Battletech can be very daunting to get into. Fear not, however, if you don’t have 8-plus hours to watch a deep dive into the history of the Inner Sphere. Catalyst Game Labs has published a 280-page hardcover guide to the world of Battletech, ideal for any novice MechWarrior attempting to get up to speed on the finer points of the franchise.Dubbed Battletech Universe, this comprehensive tome details the factions, equipment, and tactics from the various eras of Battletech, from the formation of the Star League to the fall of ComStar and the Dark Age. Previously available only to Kickstarter backers, anyone who wants to add Battletech Universe to their coffee table can now purchase a copy from either Amazon, or the Catalyst Game Labs store for $49.99. However, if you’re saving some space on your shelf for your next Technical Readout, a $19.99 PDF is also available.Battletech Universe$20$20$50 at Amazon$20 at Catalyst Game Labs (PDF)$50 at Catalyst Game Labs (Hardcover)PreviousNext1/5Photo: Charlie Hall / Catalyst Game LabsUnlike Warhammer 40K The Ultimate Guide, Battletech Universe doesn’t include detailed photography of its miniatures, nor is it intended as a reference for the tabletop game, but you won’t find a more detailed, beginner-friendly chronicle of the broad history of Battletech.