So as I turn my mind to What Next & So What, these are a rambling collection of notes & ideas as they stand a month after arrival. More for me to look back on later and laugh at the many completely unrelated twists and turns I will inevitably take :-)
This Blog will continue but probably with some style adjustment depending on how the below ideas pan out. Also feeling like the while thing is due for a full design refresh. Will see - looking for some inspiration to ignite that.
Gaming
Good news is that I have found a group that play at the FLGS- its all 40k, AoS and Battletech, which I played back in the 80s when it was a FASA game with all the "Unseen" Mechs. They also do a bit of the bigger size "Alpha Strike" games which does interest me, but I'll keep looking for some historical gaming chaps. Hopefully I can find a Bowl Bowl league (I brought my Nurgle team with me, just in case!)
Boardgames - I adore solo narrative style games, probably from falling in love with AH's B17: Queen of the Skies as a teenager. The sort of game where you can go RPGlite, name the crew, earn medals etc. Zeppelin Raider, B-17 Leader, Thunderbolt-Apache Leader, Toe-to-Toe Nu'klr Combat with the Rooskies! There are others I want to get now too (now that I'm paying domestic US postage rate) like Nightfighter Interceptor (Compass games)
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| Zeppelin Raider was recently reprinted as a 2nd Edition! |
Modelling
I know I need to grip a brush as part of my mental health plan so this might be the time to revisit some long procrastinated project plans
I've been wanting to build some Hoplite forces for Mortal Gods for a couple of years now. I really like the system, its speed and nuances of player decisions. I have a lovely Melian force that Alan painted for me (https://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2019/08/august-hobby-update.html) and need to have some others to play when I'm not in Sydney.
Its only usually 40 or so figs per army but I just didnt get around to it with our other club projects and if do some extras I'll have options for other game systems like Men of Bronze (IMHO Mortal Gods has been deprioritised by Footsore Miniatures due to the success of their Baron's War and Gangs of Rome lines. Understandable but frustrating, especially when they keep promising more MG focus but don't get to it. Maybe this year. Rant complete.)
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| Mortal Gods: potential for another KS next year for an updated version |
My "Project Troy" - a long held goal to build some Bronze era forces for the Trojan War. In fact, a Trojan era Mortal Gods expansion would work really well, given the focus on heroes.
Moongrunt (GZG 15mm) has long held my interest but not made my table (painting or playing) due to an absence of clearly applicable rules. I discussed this with GZG Jon at Warfare in late 2023 and it would be an interesting thing to revisit. Maybe even be the first to take his models to a Mars setting (and beat Elon Musk there!)
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| Images from "Space: Above & Beyond" (1995 TV series) |
Minor Projects: small figure count skirmish games will be perfect for my circumstances (and even better if I could find local players)
Silver Bayonet - Keen to build myself a Bavarian crew in their characteristic corn flower blue uniforms. Not yet sure if I should use the French or German lists for them!
Devilry Afoot / Witchfinder - a fun looking Solomon Kane era game of purifying the local counryside of Satan's influence and minions!
MiG Alley (Blood Red Skies or other) - Comrade James and Pete from the Canberra club joy the Korean expansion for BRS and Ive always found this dawn of the jet era rather fascinating (as well as Korean War generically). The idea of putting together some Russian Communist MiG-15s, USN F9 Panthers (Bridges of Toki-Ri style), and F89 Sabres really appeals to me.
I've also had a hankering to make a couple of small HYW skirmish forces for chevauchée style raiding. Some interesting existing and upcoming rules to think about, and with small figure counts the heraldry wont be overwhelming (I hope!)
Game Development?
I will like to do some co-development/assistance with my game designing friend Gregory Smith. Likely starting with some ideas I have for an expansion to our Zeppelin Raider and other games he has in the chute. Greg is a lovely guy and I love being part of the creative process.
Thats enough wool-gathering for now. Will be interesting to revisit this in 6 months and see what happens.
In the meantime I better get focused on starting my Minion duties for AHPC!
