Following the rise of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY, the manufacturing company Baktoid Combat Automata was taken over and absorbed into the new Empire. Displeased with their new rulers, a number of Baktoid's leading engineers and executives left to form a new company, Baktoid Industrial Systems.
One of the company's first products was the experimental Versatile-Athletic Walker, an eye-catching walker inspired by the zalaaca species from the planet Naboo. Only a small number of those walkers were ever produced, as the Galactic Empire absorbed the new company as well. Fleeing employees eventually met up with the Alliance to Restore the Republic, who offered them asylum from the Empire. Following these events, rumors began to spread that almost all of the Versatile walkers were donated to the Alliance Military as a sign of appreciation.
Baktoid Industrial Systems was first mentioned in the new Star Wars canon in Forged in Battle, a 2016 sourcebook for the Star Wars: Age of Rebellion roleplaying game published by Fantasy Flight Games. It originated in the Star Wars Legends continuity, where it was first mentioned in the Legacy Era Campaign Guide, a 2009 hardcover supplement for Wizards of the Coast's Star Wars Roleplaying Game, written by Rodney Thompson, Sterling Hershey, and Gary Astleford.
- Forged in Battle