Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs is a top-ten hobby games and fiction publisher that develops, licenses, and distributes tabletop RPGs, miniature wargames, board games, and novels across BattleTech, Shadowrun, Leviathans, and Wizard Riders for hobbyists, retailers, and convention attendees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersLake Stevens, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Catalyst Game Labs does
Catalyst Game Labs is a top-ten hobby games and fiction publisher founded in 2007 by Loren L. Coleman and headquartered in Spokane, Washington, operating as an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC. The company specializes in licensed and original tabletop properties, with core brands including BattleTech (a 30+ year sci-fi mech wargame), Shadowrun (a 35-year cyberpunk-fantasy RPG), Leviathans (a steampunk airship wargame), and Wizard Riders (an original RPG debuting in 2026). It holds licenses with The Topps Company, Hasbro, MGM, Paramount, Wargaming.net, Valiant Entertainment, Frederator Studios, and Crunchyroll, making it the largest licensee of The Topps Company and a publishing partner for My Hero Academia miniatures and Frostpunk: The Roleplaying Game among other properties.
The business generates revenue primarily through one-time unit sales of physical products (boxed games, force packs, miniatures, novels, magazines like Shrapnel) and digital downloads (PDFs, ebooks) via a Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer storefront at store.catalystgamelabs.com, supplemented by retail distribution through hobby stores, digital distribution on DriveThruRPG, and direct sales at conventions including Gen Con. Licensing royalties from managing IP on behalf of licensors represent a secondary revenue stream. In 2023 the company acquired Iron Wind Metals, vertically integrating miniatures manufacturing.
The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led: Catalyst is a leading sponsor of Gen Con and supports nearly a dozen conventions annually, advertises more than any other publisher in the hobby's #1 trade magazine (GTM), and maintains relationships with top industry influencers (Rahdo, The Dice Tower, GeekDad, Polygon). The fiction line publishes over one million words of original content annually across BattleTech and Shadowrun. Disclosed revenue grew from a $200,000 license in 2007 to over $4 million in sales by 2021, and headcount is 51-100 employees.
Catalyst Game Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Catalyst Game Labs
- Legal name
- Catalyst Game Labs
- Website
- https://catalystgamelabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Catalyst Game Labs is a top-ten hobby games and fiction publisher that develops, licenses, and distributes tabletop RPGs, miniature wargames, board games, and novels across BattleTech, Shadowrun, Leviathans, and Wizard Riders for hobbyists, retailers, and convention attendees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Catalyst Game Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tabletop Games
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wargaming Miniatures (Tabletop Armies) (CRALAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Miniatures Games & Tabletop Skirmish Games Retail (CRALALAH), Hobby Games & Miniatures Retail (Tabletop RPGs, Wargaming) (CRALAFAH), Miniature Gaming Accessories (Dice, Mats, Tokens, Measuring Tools) (CRALAKAL), Wargames & Historical Board Games Retail (CRALALAD)
Keywords
Where Catalyst Game Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lake Stevens
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Catalyst Game Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
Revenue model
- Tabletop Games and Miniatures: Sale of tabletop games including BattleTech, Shadowrun, Leviathans, board games, and related miniatures products. Products include boxed sets, force packs, battle mats, and collectible miniatures.
- Roleplaying Games: Publishing roleplaying games using proprietary Dice Core system, including original IPs like Wizard Riders and licensed properties.
- Fiction Publications: Publishing original fiction across their IPs, with over a million words of original fiction published annually for BattleTech and Shadowrun properties.
- Licensed Properties Management: Managing licensed intellectual properties on behalf of The Topps Company, Hasbro, MGM, Wargaming.net, Valiant Entertainment, Frederator Studios, and others.
- Digital Content Sales: Digital products including PDFs, ebooks, and .mobi (Kindle) versions of magazines and rulebooks sold through the online store.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | BattleTech Products - Physical |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fiction Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Magazines and Periodicals |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Board Games |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Catalyst Game Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Catalyst Game Labs is a hobby games and fiction publisher that develops, manufactures, and sells tabletop miniature wargames, roleplaying game (RPG) systems, board games, and original science-fiction/fantasy fiction. Its catalog is built around proprietary lines (BattleTech, Shadowrun, Leviathans, Wizard Riders) plus licensed-IP titles (e.g., My Hero Academia Miniatures Game, Frostpunk RPG). Products are sold direct-to-consumer through its own web store, at conventions such as Gen Con, and through retail/hobby-game store partners and digital distribution channels.
Product overview
Catalyst Game Labs is a top-ten hobby games and fiction publisher operating as a multi-IP portfolio company with several core brands and licensed properties. Their primary products include BattleTech (science-fiction mech wargaming with miniatures, rulebooks, and fiction), Shadowrun (cyberpunk-fantasy RPG), Leviathans (steampunk WWI airship wargame), and various board games. They publish original fiction across their game IPs and hold licenses with Hasbro, MGM, Paramount, Wargaming.net, Valiant Entertainment, and Topps (their largest licensor). The company also publishes licensed products including My Hero Academia miniatures and Frostpunk RPG, plus original IP like Wizard Riders. Sales grew from $200K in 2007 to over $4M in 2021. Products are distributed through their Shopify-powered e-commerce store, retail distribution, DriveThru digital platform, and major conventions including Gen Con and Origins. They acquired Iron Wind Metals to expand miniatures manufacturing capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BattleTech: Licensed property featuring mech warfare tabletop game with miniatures, roleplaying games, and fiction.
- Shadowrun
- Leviathans
- Wizard Riders
Products and services
- BattleTech
Quantifiable outcome
- Publishing over 1 million words of original fiction annually
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Catalyst Game Labs
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Catalyst Game Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Catalyst Game Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Iron Wind MetalscoreCatalyst Game Labs acquired Iron Wind Metals, a significant miniatures company in the hobby games space.
- The Topps CompanycoreLargest licensee of The Topps Company; fully manages two intellectual properties on their behalf. Grew this relationship from a $200,000 license in 2007 to over $4M in sales by 2021.
- HasbrocoreLicensed properties from Hasbro including various gaming and entertainment IPs.
- MGMminorLicensed entertainment properties from MGM.
- Wargaming.netminorLicensed gaming properties from Wargaming.net.
- Valiant EntertainmentcoreLicensed comic book and entertainment properties from Valiant Comics universe.
- Frederator StudiosminorLicensed animation and entertainment properties from Frederator Studios.
- Paradox InteractivecorePartnered with Paradox Interactive for Shadowrun Trilogy console release. The remastered Shadowrun Returns RPGs were updated for console with Catalyst's involvement.
- Harebrained SchemescoreCatalyst aided Harebrained Schemes in developing Shadowrun computer games. Lore advisor on Harebrained Schemes' BattleTech computer game and co-story developer for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform powering the Catalyst Game Labs online store for selling products directly to consumers.
- XP NetworkminorCatalyst Game Labs is a member of XP Network, the unified platform powering fandom and collectible culture. Customers can earn and redeem Catalyst XP points.
- CrunchyrollcoreCatalyst Game Labs partnered with Crunchyroll to publish the My Hero Academia miniatures game.
- The Army PainterminorPartnership to announce BattleTech Paint Starter Set and BattleTech Mercenaries Fanatics Set.
- Petersen GamesminorCatalyst announced a working relationship with Petersen Games for collaborative projects.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Catalyst Game Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Paizo: Independent tabletop RPG publisher behind Pathfinder and Starfinder. Closely comparable as a hobby-games publisher with strong community engagement, convention presence, and direct-to-consumer sales.
- Pinnacle Entertainment Group: Publisher of the Savage Worlds tabletop RPG system and associated miniatures. Comparable independent hobby publisher with multi-format product line (RPGs, miniatures, fiction) targeting enthusiast hobbyists.
- Privateer Press: Independent tabletop wargames publisher behind Warmachine and Hordes, with in-house miniatures production. Directly comparable to Catalyst in scale, business model (miniatures + RPGs), and target hobbyist customer base.
- Cubicle 7: UK-based tabletop RPG and miniatures publisher (Warhammer Fantasy/40K RPGs, Age of Sigmar: Soulbound, Lord of the Rings RPG). Comparable as a licensed-IP tabletop publisher with RPG and miniatures lines.
- Fantasy Flight Games: Board game and RPG publisher (Star Wars, Marvel, Legend of the Five Rings) now under Asmodee. Overlaps with Catalyst in licensed tabletop RPGs and hobby board games aimed at enthusiast consumers.
- Reaper Miniatures: Independent manufacturer of metal and plastic miniatures for tabletop gaming (Bones, Dark Heaven). Direct peer in miniature manufacturing and hobby-game supply after Catalyst's Iron Wind Metals acquisition.
- WizKids: Tabletop miniatures and pre-painted collectibles publisher (HeroClix, Dice Masters) owned by Topps/Asmodee. Directly comparable licensed-IP miniatures model and overlapped licensor relationship with The Topps Company.
Broad incumbents
- Wizards of the Coast: Hasbro-owned publisher of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. A dominant broad incumbent in tabletop RPGs and hobby games; Catalyst shares Hasbro as a licensor and competes for similar hobbyist wallet share.
- Games Workshop: Global leader in tabletop miniatures wargaming (Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar) with proprietary manufacturing and retail stores. A much larger incumbent in the same wargaming category where Catalyst competes with BattleTech and Leviathans.
Emerging players
- Goodman Games: Publisher of Dungeon Crawl Classics and licensed tabletop RPGs (Metamorphosis Alpha, original D&D variants). Comparable as a smaller independent hobby games publisher with original and licensed tabletop RPG products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Catalyst Game Labs social profiles
Digital presenceCatalyst Game Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Catalyst Game Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Catalyst Game Labs subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Catalyst Game Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Catalyst Game Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Catalyst Game Labs
What does Catalyst Game Labs do?
Catalyst Game Labs is a hobby games and fiction publisher that develops, manufactures, and sells tabletop miniature wargames, roleplaying game (RPG) systems, board games, and original science-fiction/fantasy fiction. Its catalog is built around proprietary lines (BattleTech, Shadowrun, Leviathans, Wizard Riders) plus licensed-IP titles (e.g., My Hero Academia Miniatures Game, Frostpunk RPG). Products are sold direct-to-consumer through its own web store, at conventions such as Gen Con, and through retail/hobby-game store partners and digital distribution channels.
Is Catalyst Game Labs a public or private company?
Catalyst Game Labs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Catalyst Game Labs founded?
Catalyst Game Labs was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Catalyst Game Labs based?
Catalyst Game Labs is headquartered in Lake Stevens, United States, in the North America region.
How does Catalyst Game Labs make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tabletop Games and Miniatures are the primary driver. The others are roleplaying Games, fiction Publications, licensed Properties Management and digital Content Sales.
Who are Catalyst Game Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Paizo, Pinnacle Entertainment Group, Privateer Press, Cubicle 7, Fantasy Flight Games, Reaper Miniatures and WizKids. Broad incumbents are Wizards of the Coast and Games Workshop. Goodman Games is listed as an emerging player.
Does Catalyst Game Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Catalyst Game Labs.
What industry is Catalyst Game Labs in?
Catalyst Game Labs's product category is Tabletop Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAKAC, Wargaming Miniatures (Tabletop Armies), with a secondary code of CRALALAH, Miniatures Games & Tabletop Skirmish Games Retail. Its NAICS code is 33993 and its SIC code is 3944.