In 2000 Jordan Weisman left Microsoft and founded WizKids to promote his new idea of "clix"-based miniature games.
Despite the legal hiccups, the 1990s was a very successful decade for FASA overall, but it would unfortunately be their last. On April 30th 2001, FASA suddenly and without warning announced they were ceasing all active operations.
I suppose we can only count ourselves lucky that Microsoft didnt end up with the tabletop game as well.
It was the end of an era. The distinct visual design and writing of FASA products was something I'd grown up with. Not just BattleTech, but also Shadowrun, Earthdawn, and Doctor Who. As the D20 glut loomed over the hobby in the coming years, it really seemed like the world had lost something without FASA's presence on the market.