PC Kaput!

.

My laptop has gone Pffzzzt!  I have only limited internet/email access in the meantime, so will be a couple of days before I'm up and runing again.

Cheers
Mark
.

Hot Landing...... TOMORROWS WAR pre-release PDF

.

This is a pre-release version of TOMORROW'S WAR and requires Force on Force to play. Shawn at Ambush Alley Games is providing a bundled version of  TOMORROW'S WAR and Force on Force at the very reasonable price of $20.  TOMORROW'S WAR on it's own is $15.

This PDF contains all the rules needed to play gritty, "realistic" science fiction miniatures games and includes sample vehicles, unit organizations, and four original scenarios.

I have the full beta rules - but even so I'm still bloody impressed by this PDF release! 

Cheers

Mark

.

Blue Suns: Mercs for Tom. War

.

Blue, blue, blue, I have blue on the brain at the moment. Been sneaking in an hour or two of MASS EFFECT 2 late at night over the last week. The result: painting a couple of squads of GZG's L-UNSC for Tomorrow's War as Blue Suns Mercs.

In the MASS EFFECT universe the Blue Suns are a "private security organization". They wield a power and influence more in common with an interstellar Yakuza than a pure "credits for guns" mercenary outfit.

Blue Suns (platoon)
Confidence Level: High
Supply Level: Good
Tech Level: 2-3 Networked Command (Grid): Sometimes (TL3)
Body Armor: Armoured +1D/+2D some 'Tech' energy armour +3D(?)
Troop Quality/Morale: D8-D10


Trooper: TL2/ Armour +1D/ Morale D8/ Assault Rifle or Assault Shotgun
Heavy:  TL2/ Armour +1D/ Morale D8/ deployed in a squad support role ML -77 Missile Launchers (MSW+2D)
Pyro: TL2/ Armour +1D/ Morale D8/ M-451 Firestorm Flame Projector

Elites:
Legionnaires: TL3/ Armour +2D/ Morale D10/ M-15 Vindicator Assault Rifle
Centurions: TL3/ Armour +2D/ Morale D10/ M-15 Vindicator Assault Rifle or M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotguns
Commanders: TL3/ Armour +2D/ Morale D10/ M-76 Revenant light machine gun (MSW+1D) or M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotgun.

GZG 15mm Sci Fi

L-UNSC currently being painted as Blue Suns

The Blue Suns also make use of 'Freelancers' as disposable cannon fodder. Freelancers are paid 500 Credits for a mission and expected to supply their own armour and weapons.

Freelancers: TQ D6-8/ Morale D6-8/ Confidence Low-Confident/ TL2/ Armour +1D/ Assault Rifle

Cheers

Mark

.

In the Pipe..... Khurasan 15mm Sci Fi Vornids

.
Jon at Khurasan has brightened my Sunday afternoon with some Sci Fi botanical loveliness. Unfortunately, no, not Poison Ivy (left), but I'm sure she would make stunning addition to Jon's new 15mm Sci Fi range as a 'green' anti-heroine.  I'm talking about the botanicallly evolved and fully sentient Vornids!

The Vornids are 'Botanoids'. A species of flora that has evolved into sentient beings from carnivorous plants.

They "see" by shooting spores out from their single "eyeball". These 'spores' can accurately predict the location of their foes or prey for the Vornids to attack with bud-guns. These bud-guns are genetically bio-engineered weapons which fire vicious poisoned barbs.

The Vornids will come in over a dozen different poses including a chief, unit commander, two heavy weapons Vornids, and around nine different poses.

The mouths are separate, one cast shut, the other open, to increase the number of different poses that are possible.  Each pack will also come with multiple separate leaves, bunches of foliage, and flowers that can be attached to give them an overgrown and lush look.

I am really taken with the photos of these minis Jon shared with me, not least because of my fond memories of both John Wyndham's classic THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS and my small collection of 1970's  Minifigs' (true) 25mm Sci Fi Herbicus Neutron Stunner and Carniverous Fern.

The Vornids are still in developement and a little way off yet, but I'm already looking forward to them. I'll certainly add the Vornids to my wishlist as they'll not only be great for Space Opera Sci Fi but also schlock post holocaust Gamma World / Mutants and Death Ray Guns type games.

Cheers

Mark

.

The Apocalypse is.......well, depressing really

.

Heather 'gets' my love of Zombie movies - especially when the 'Dyce' and 'Laurencekirk' trains arrive at Aberdeen at the same time, one platform apart and close to 500 commuters turn into a seething horde as they shuffle through 5 ticket gates.

She doesn't share my interest in post nuclear apocalypse and after watching THE ROAD (2009),  probably THE most depressing movie ever seen, I don't blame her.

Yup, great for mood, some terrain ideas, but makes THE POSTMAN (1997) or JERICO (TV) as grungy and apocalyptic as PRETTY IN PINK (1986).

Think I'll have to watch THE SHINING now for some light relief!

Cheers

Mark

.

REVIEW: Micropanzer 15mm Sci Fi British SAS

.
Jason at Micropanzer.com has unleashed an ambitious assault on the burgeoning 15mm Sci Fi market.  Project-Slipstream is an idea for a tabletop game with distinct RPG elements. Basically, aliens invade Earth sometime in the 1970's. Now, 30 years post alien apocalypse, the remaining Earth nations are fighting each other to recover alien tech.

Micropanzer 15mm Sci Fi

British SAS

The first 15mm release from Micropanzer are futuristic British SAS. There are 4 packs available. Command Squad (3 figs), Infantry Squad (10 figs), Heavy Squad (5 figs) and Veterans (8 figs) . No Tango baiting 'black kit' here. These are armoured and heavily armed troopers. Laser & Pulse Rifles plus Tesla man portable Cannons - yes, in other words B.F.G.s for those who like to go hunting alien flora and fauna with more than a pop gun.

Micropanzer 15mm Sci Fi

British SAS (rear)

The figures are definitely on a par with Laserburn, ex-MJ Space Troopers and classic GZG Stargrunt 15's and as you can see in the top photo, match Khurasan's new Federal Infantry and Critical Mass Games Arc Fleet Light Recon on the tabletop.

Available now from

Micropanzer.com

Cheers

Mark

.

"as we march through hell, to reach the gates of heaven"

.

Tomorrow's War TOE:
 Holy Order of the Knights of Byzantium

Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum

Inspired by Dr Who double episode: The Time of Angels/ A Time of Stone,  this tabletop force is a work in progress. It represents a secular military order similar to the Knights Hospitaller whose purpose is to protect humanity amongst the stars. And sometimes, they get there in time!

More tinkering needed, maybe add some specialist roles and drones/bots.............. note that whilst I've used a Byzantine theme, I've deliberately steered away from any particular religious order or heirarchy.

NEW BYZANTIUM CONRIS (platoon)
Confidence Level: High
Supply Level: Normal
Tech Level: 2
Networked Command (Grid): Sometimes (TL2)
Body Armor: Light Body Armor (+1D), Brother Friars: Armoured (+2D)
Troop Quality/Morale: D8/D10

CONRIS Tactical Command

1 x Bishop w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIV CR&U/GL (Light Support)
1 x Gonfannonier w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR
1 x Hospitaller w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR
1 x Brother Specialist w/St.Peter of Sebaste MkI SMG (bots/drones/Grid tech)
1 x Brother Sniper w/Saint Theophilus the Penitent Gauss Sniper Rifle

2x Fannons each:

 Fannon command element
1 x Arch-Deacon w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIV CR&U/GL (Light Support)
1 x Deacon w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIV CR&U/GL (Light Support)
1 x Cleric Grenadier w/St. Gregory MK7  MAW (Med. Support/Class 2 AT)
1 x Cleric Riflemen No.2 w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR


Fireteam 1
1 x Father w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR
1 x Cleric Gunner w/St. Gregory of Nyssa SAW (Light. Support)
1 x Cleric Grenadier w/Holy Antioch RPG (Med. Support/Class 1 AT)
1 x Cleric Riflemen w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR

Fireteam 2
1 x Father w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR
1 x Cleric Gunner w/St. Gregory of Nyssa SAW (Light. Support)
1 x Cleric Grenadier w/Holy Antioch RPG (Med. Support/Class 1 AT)
1 x Cleric Riflemen w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR

Fireteam 3
1 x Father w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR
1 x Cleric Gunner w/St. Gregory of Nyssa SAW (Light. Support)
1 x Cleric Grenadier w/Holy Antioch RPG (Med. Support/Class 1 AT)
1 x Cleric Riflemen w/St.Nicholas Cabasilas MkIII CR

Fireteam 4
1 x Brother Abbot  w/St.Constantine MKII PGMP (Heavy Support +3D)
3 x Brother Friar w/St.Constantine MKI PGMP (Heavy Support +3D)

Python fans will note that I couldn't resist the Holy RPG of Antioch!

CR = Combat Rifle
RPG =  Rocket Propelled Grenade
PGMP = Plasma Gun Man Portable
U/GL = Underslung Grenage Launcher

Cheers

Mark

.

Once Upon An Angel......

.

A recent thread on TMP sparked this post.

I can take or leave DR WHO these days, but I really did like some of the imagery in the The Time of Angels episode from the latest DR WHO series. I enjoyed the ALIENS (1986) feel to the epsiode and found that the premise of the soldiers being fighting clerics resonated with me. More so because they were equipped with modern battledress rather than clerical habits or fancy Sci Fi'ish armour with flutes, flanges and flowing cloaks. It was a down to earth "We fight evil. It's a dirty job and someone's got to it" kind of approach.

Father Octavian, Bishop Second Class, and his troops of New Byzantium (my interpretation here) would make a 'different' Sci Fi force for TOMORROW'S WAR, or even ASqL2.0 in the mould of interplanetary Knights Hospitaller.

Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum

Even the motto gives you a sound background and motivation for the force. Scenario ideas are beginning to flood already. Must definitely get those Micropanzer Aliens!

Back to the Weeping Angels...... OK, a scenario for TOMORROW'S WAR or AMBUSH ALLEY, capitalising on the ideas from TMP member Ericassassin who felt the Weeping Angels could be classed as:

"Hostiles with built-in turn-based behaviour. Could make for very interesting games. Watch your lines-of-sight and pray that your characters don't fail their blink-test." 

These two sentences were simply inspirational for creating the vision of a game in my mind. In Tom.War terms we're talking a Quality Test for the 'Blink Test'. If Amy Pond and you know who are not your thing, then leaving behind any reference to DR WHO, a similar game could be achieved using these ideas with Khurasan's Space Demons, the hammerheads especially, in a setting inspired by PITCH BLACK (2000).

Right!.... A pop painting challenge! 3-4 fireteams of New Byzantium Cleric Troopers, a TOE and TomWar stats by end of tomorrow night.

Cheers

Mark

.

September Marches On........

.

This week I picked up a flight deal of GZG's AV-7 'FanVans', giving me four in total now. I like these stylishly boxy fellas which can double as 'dropships' as and when required on my tabletop.

GZG 15mm Sci Fi

V15-80A AV-7 'FanVan; VTOL

In Tom.War they are more than just a flying truck and have real character 'on', or should that be 'over' the tabletop.

To support Jon's new Federal Infantry and as I have a little more security in my job for the next few months or so, next purchase on the cards will be two of Micropanzer's 15mm Warbots. They just look so cool! Plus I want to take advantage of Jason's pre-release offer price of $10 each if purchased before end of September.

Micropanzer 15mm Sci Fi

Warbot

I might just add  the Alien Special Promo deal at the same time. The deal includes 1x Overlord, 4x attack hounds and 36 swam aliens (12x of each pose) for a total of 41 figures. Perfect force in a bag for Tom.War or Alien Squad Leader V0.2! They'll also double up as VSF Martains, Post Apoc mutant nasties and as allies for Khurasan's Lhurggs.

Critical Mass Games are releasing Kamaados APC and Scout car variants on the 20th September. I like the look of the Scout Cars and think they will compliment Rebel Minis new Infiltrator Bike, another JBR masterpiece, but I'm holding back for the main purchase in October - a platoon of Dragamaa Heavy Tanks.

Critical Mass Games 15mm Sci Fi

Dragamaa Heavy Tank

available 18th October 2010

Then in November, Critical Mass Games' Arc Fleet Recon Heavy Weapons & Kamaados Naga Infantry.

I'm expecting the new Heavy Weapons minis will re-energise my Light Recon troops. Might even use these figures in their own right as Commandos with BFGs.

Cheers

Mark

.

Life, Work, The Universe...... Rolled a couple of sixes this week!

.

My goal: "the paperless office"

Monday:  

• Informed that the communications job I applied for (remember that!) no longer exists
• Invited to join newly formed Corporate Communications Group.
• Tasked with writing corporate communications strategy next week. 
• Do a favour for my mate Cate, the City Chaplain

Tuesday: 

• Chair BPM team meeting. Win praise for my diplomacy (it was a one-off, honestly).
• Consultancy company send me a gratis copy of an influential business book.
• Taken to lunch by director of a data management company starting up a new office in Dundee. Exciting future opportunity.

Wednesday:

• Not sleeping well due to breathing difficulties.
• Taken to lunch at Starbucks by Louise.
• Hold workplace meeting about results of pay proposals
• Write strategy for introducing Lean Six Sigma and cascading continuous improvement culture throughout the organisation.

Thursday:

• Still not sleeping well. Lungs slow to start this morning. Go to work on the late train.
• Met our new Head of Service on the train into work. Received encouragement about the job.
• Support colleague at meeting with HR regarding their job evaluation.
• Attended two hour lunch-time seminar on CREATIVITY (money for old rope!).
• Support female worker who is one year from retirement get her dignity back in the workplace.

Friday:

• Great feedback from meeting with HRSC Manager about my Self-Service HR project.
• Met Jacqui over lunch
• Save a colleague's job (best bit of week!)
• Met with with Corporate Director regarding Self-Service HR project. Superb feedback tempered by high expectations of outcomes (Have faith in yourself! "Use the Force Luke!").
• Big glass of wine (or two) when I got home.

 Saturday:

• 9/11. Reality check. I remember standing on the observation deck on a beautiful day and looking out across the Hudson to New Jersey. An image etched in my memory. Some of the ACW books on my bookshelf were bought in the bookstore at the base of one of the towers.
• Another memory. Unreality. Years later, being called into a classroom where the children were watching a school's programme on TV. The female teacher came and asked for my help as "something was wrong with the TV" - the educational programme had somehow been replaced by an 'action film'. In fact we were watching live on TV as the south tower collapsed. 

It's a potent reminder that whether I have a good day or a bad day at work, that every day I wake, I've just rolled a '6'.

Cheers

Mark

.

Tommorrow's War: Release Update

.

An update on the Tomorrow's War pre-release PDF from Shawn:

The Tomorrow's War expansion will sell for $15. USD

Tomorrow's War bundled with the printer friendly version of FoF will be $5 USD more, for a total of $20. USD

This is a pre-release version – it contains the core rules for the stand-alone Tomorrow's War print version that we'll be publishing with Osprey in September of 2011. It doesn't contain all the fluff, photography, or AMAZING art you'll see in the final version, but it does have everything you need to play. There will be a few minor differences in next year's version to reflect the changes we're making in 2nd Edition FoF – but honestly, most of those changes are relatively minor.

TW does contain our re-worked vehicle rules, though, so you'll get a sneak peek at what those will be like in FoF II, albeit in a SciFi setting.

We're putting it out this way as a service to our fans whom we assured would have the game this year – it doesn't seem fair to make them wait till 2011 for something just because we entered into a new business arrangement. We're doing the bundle deal for those new to our games who want to get a jump start on Tomorrow's War.

Release is imminent – a layout draft is with our layout artist. I hope to give you all a solid release date Monday.

Cheers
Mark
.

INCOMING....... TOMORROW'S WAR Pre-Release PDF

.

 

TOMORROW'S WAR Pre-Release PDF from Ambush Alley Games is about to make a planetary assault!

This Pre-Release edition of TOMORROW'S WAR is an expansion for FORCE ON FORCE, first edition. TOMORROW'S WAR will be available later this month to download with the full colour printed edition due from Osprey next year.

It's good! Oh boy, it's good!

Cheers

Mark

.

REVIEW: Khurasan 15mm Sci Fi Federal Army

.

My week has been stolen by the arrival of samples from Khurasan Miniatures forthcoming 15mm Sci Fi Federal Army range. Not only have I been playing around with the miniatures, working out different organisations and fireteam basing options, but using my 'Google-Fu' to get inspiration for a suitable camo scheme.

The figures are 18mm sole to eye, and all of comparable heights and proportions to newer figure ranges on the market The soldiers all wear closed helmets, chest, shoulder, knee and lower leg armour. Overall the figures have the right 'feel' to them of being soldiers in miniature. This is particularly demonstrated by the way the weapons are carried. You can feel the weapons have a weight and balance in their hands.

No apologies, I'm going to begin with my favourites from the Support Weapons pack. This pack contains a Team Leader, Grenadier, SAW, MAW Gunner MAW No.2.

Khurasan 15mm Sci Fi Federal Army

L-R: Team Leader, Grenadier, SAW

Khurasan 15mm Sci Fi Federal Army

L-R: MAW No.2, MAW Gunner

• The Team Leader is in the middle of communicating and will make a good alternative squad or platoon  leader.  
• The Grenadier is poised at the ready, looking like he's stacked and ready to breach a room.
• The SAW gunner is a gem. Kneeling, his SAW has a large capacity drum and at his feet there's a satchel with further drms. He would easily make a heavy sniper if you chose.
• The MAW No.2, possibly my favourite figure from this pack, he is kneeling at the ready with three rockets hanging from his right hip.
• The MAW gunner is a tasty heavy duty tank or VTOL killer. Whilst some of you might not like this style of 'cumbersome' rocket launcher in a Sci Fi setting, I see it as being a multi-purpose weapon system, perhaps firing thermobaric rounds or 'beehive' canister-like drone killers.

There are five different castings in the Fire Team pack. A Grenadier and four Riflemen. My photo does not do these figures justice, particularly the two advancing figures on the left.

 

Khurasan 15mm Sci Fi 
Federal Army Fire Team

The figure holding his rifle in his left hand can be used as an alternative fire team or squad leader. The Grenadier is not just some johnny standing bolt upright firing his weapon. You can see that he has it braced and firing slightly hgh to compensate for the trajectory of the lower velocity grenade.

Finally, there's a Command Pack which contains a Squad Leader and armed Medic.

Khurasan 15mm Sci Fi

Federal Army Command Team

• The Squad/Platoon Leader is standing pointing forwards. Less dynamic than I would prefer, but a decent figure nevertheless.
• The 'Medic' is IMO, one of the nicest miniatures in the range. He is only identifiable as a 'medic' by a large rucksack with side pockets, so can easily join his mates as a rifleman or demo specialist. I really like his no-nonsense advancing into combat pose. And if that was the only rifle armed pose Jon produced, I'd be happy with dozens of him alone.

As you can see, the Federal Army range are suitable as Near Future transitional troops or Sci Fi planetary forces. If you are searching for an opposing force for Eureka's Sci Fi Germans, the Federal Army miniatures would make great Neo-Sovs in an AT-43 style Red Blok camo scheme. I can also certainly see these in the role of Ghost Recon Future Warriors, HALO Marines or even ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) proxies. To an old Sci Fi grognard like me, there's just that something about them that cries 'classic' Traveller: Mercenary. And of course, they will be right at home in Ambush Alley Games' forthcoming Tomorrow's War.

Jon envisions his Federal Army troops to have smallarms that are equivalent in firepower to today's SAWs, Grenadiers deploy underslung grenade launchers capable of firing powerful, programmable RAM Grenades. 

Due to a little slippage in the casting schedule, it's likely to be a few weeks yet before the Federal Army packs are available, but it's well worth the wait.

All in all, a versatile, well thought-out and designed set of miniatures, allowing you to build a platoon or two with enough variation to prevent becoming stale. Armour is on the way and Jon has plans to augment the range some time in the future with more command, snipers and at least one heavy weapon. If you have any thoughts on additional troops or the type of heavy weapons you'd like to see, share your ideas in the comments section below.

Now off  to paint them!

Cheers

Mark

.

In the Pipe..... Khurasan 15mm Spacers

.

Coming dirtside near you soon is Khurasan Miniatures upcoming 15mm, yes 15mm, Sci Fi Spaceship Crew, tooled up and ready for adventure aboard ship or planetside.

Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi

Spaceship Crew  greens

Jon had this crew of characters sculpted a a companieon set to his beautiful Dropship/Spacecraft. These characters what I would have expected had Kev at Hasslefree turned his hand to 15mm. What can I say? I'll leave you supply the adjectives!

I love the Space Opera matinee look of our heroic space jockey. The early model Android matches my mental image of Marvin from the original 1978 radio series of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy. But most of all, this is a must have set of miniatures for the cheeky mechanic with baseball cap turned backwards, ready to fix that troublesome Gurtsler engine or trade for spares in the dirtside Tech-hive markets!

Cheers

Mark

.

Battle: Los Angeles

.

Hitting the cinema screens in March 2011 is a Michael Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan sci fi blockbuster billed as "very intense, like Black Hawk Down but with aliens in it".

 "Drive-by: Los Angeles style"

Battle: Los Angeles: Coming 2011

This pic made me thinkof GZG's AV-7 VTOL 'Fan Vans'

Inspired by footage of soldiers in Iraq, the movie focuses on one particular marine battalion fighting right in the thick of an alien invasion of Los Angeles.

The team behind the movie wanted to present a 'realistic' a picture as possible of an alien invasion, and worked hard to ensure the aliens, their machinery, how they arrive all had a purpose. The aliens have tactics. How they work together and everything they do was designed to feel functional and very real.

Looking forward to it!

Cheers

Mark

.

We are ODST: Making of Live Action Trailer

.

Thought you might like to see this short vid about the making of the HALO: ODST trailer. Watch out for 30 seconds additional CQB footage at 4:00.

Cheers

Mark

.

INCOMING....... Khurasan 15mm Federal Army

.

Making an orbital drop through my letterbox this week courtesy of Jon at Khurasan Miniatures the first of his all new 15mm Sci Fi Federal Army range.

These are 'hard' Sci Fi miniatures. Equally useful as Mid-tech Sci Fi or 'Transisitional' Near Future forces - and believe me, they are beauts! Jon first shared the original photos several months ago and I can tell you that the miniatures lived up to my expectation 110%.



Listening to gamer's feedback, Jon had the Federal Army figures sculpted from photos of Modern troops in action in a current combat zone - and it shows. these are not 15mm dollies dressed up and positioned. They are soldiers in miniature.

 Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi

Federal Army

Jon sent me three packs of these cracking figures:

No.1 Squad Leader & Medic (armed)
No.2  Assault Team: Riflemen & Grenadiers (underslung g/l)
No.3 Weapons Team: Team Leader, MAW, MAW No.2, SAW, Grenadier (underslung g/l)

Further packs are planned to follow including additional command figures, sniper, heavy weapon with crew and more

 If you want to know more.... photos with a full review of the Federal Army miniatures will follow this weekend.

Cheers

Mark 

.