Harebrained Schemes has launched a Kickstarter for BATTLETECH, a new Windows, OS X, and Linux mech combat game set (obviously enough) in the BattleTech universe (thanks nin). Those hoping this will be a true BattleTech experience will be reassured to know that this is a turn-based game being designed by Jordan Weisman, originator of the series, and it uses the original setting of the year 3025. They indicate they have funded the base game themselves, and the project is already well on its way towards its $250K goal in under an hour. They currently list stretch goals up to $2.5 million, which carries the promise of PvP multiplayer, though oddly, a couple of the intermediate rewards are still TBD. Here's part of their pitch:

With your help! The success of our last few games allows us to fund the Base Skirmish Game - but with your support BATTLETECH can become so much more. Here's how the game will expand as the campaign's funding increases. (For a full summary, see the Game Stages section below).

• STAGE 1 (Already funded by Harebrained Schemes): A turn-based tactical skirmish game - command a Lance of 4 'Mechs & MechWarriors against AI opponents across a variety of battlefields.
• STAGE 2 ($1,000,000): We add a full, single-player story campaign to the game.
• STAGE 3 ($1,850,000): We add side-missions, procedurally-generated missions and the campaign becomes open-ended.
• STAGE 4 ($2,500,000): Introduces PVP multiplayer combat in the famous arenas of Solaris VII.

BATTLETECH is in development for PC, Mac, and Linux in English and will be delivered in standard and DRM-free versions on Steam, GoG, and Humble stores. The game will also be made available in German, French, and Russian (with localized text, and audio subtitles) in a post-launch update. Other platforms and languages may be announced at a later stage. BATTLETECH is expected to launch in early 2017.