Help get VOR 2.0 Published with Kickstarter!

I just pledged to help get VOR 2.0 published. The original VOR was one of my favorite miniature games of all time, and I'm happy to hace the chance to help bring it back.

Thoughts on All Things Zombie: Better Dead then Zed from 2 Hour Wargames

I'm not quite finished with ATZ. The large number of spelling and editing errors are making the read take a bit longer then I would have hoped.

While the game my be very fun, I am insulted that they had the nerve to charge 20 dollars for the PDF.

I felt the same way when I read through 5010.

If you like their games, good for you. If you think their PDF's are worth $20... you need to take a better look at what you are paying for...

Regardless I won't be wasting any more of my money on any more 'products' from 2 Hour Wargames.

Doc

Zombie Holocaust - Rebel Minis and 2HW

I finally took the plunge and ordered a bunch of Zombie and Zombie hunter figs from Rebel Minis.  I realized that all of the 15mm post apocalyptic HO scale terrain I'm working on will be able to serve double duty on a Zombie board.

I also ordered the PDF of 2 Hour Wargames 'All things Zombie 'Better Dead than Zed'. I made the decision almost solely based on the reviews, as personally I'm not a fan of 2HW. It's not that I think they make bad games, it's that I think they made odd layout and editing choices.  (I still don't see why in the world they use a concept of 'passing on zero dice'... THATS CALLED FAILING! Anyhoo I do want a solid system to use, so we'll see if it cuts the mustard.

Got some new terrain pieces coming over from ebay, some of which I know are going to blow your mind once I get them painted up.

Tell me these figs aren't awesome!

Getting ready for Tomorrows War

Now that I've been gainfully employed for a few months, I feel like I can devote more time and money to my hobbies.

I dragged my portable painting kit with me to my girlfriends over the Halloween weekend and got started on some of my ARC Fleet figures from Critical Mass Games. They just need to be removed from the painting stick and based.

Next I'll be starting up on a set of their Grav Tanks. and some more of my 'Red Planet' terrain.

If you haven't picked up the PDF of Tomorrows War btw you really should. It's pretty much what gave me the inspiration to blow the dust off the old figs and get to gaming again.

I'm sorry about the low quality picture. My cameras are at the GFs so I had to use my phone for this one.

Game on!

-R

THE DOCTOR IS IN!

I'll keep this one short and sweet.

As of yesterday I'm gainfully employed again.

It's a great feeling knowing I can get back to my miniature projects now... not to mention keep paying my rent.

-Doc Simian

[Photo courtesy of thetruthabout]

Sand Diego Comic-Con 2010

I've been covering Comicon for Geek Girl on the Street, and I gotta say it has been a blast so far.

Already we have interviewed Kari Byron, and Charlene Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels which are the basis for the HBO hit series True Blood.  As much as I was looking forward to meeting Kari btw, I have to say, Charlene was a true delight.  I can't remember the last time I met someone so charming.

We still have another day and a half to cover, but I'll keep you posted.

We also had a story picked up by another site.
Geek Girls Invade Comicon

What's up with the Doc?

I've been plunging into my new job search full time, but have managed to do some painting as well. At Kublacon I ran into a buddy of mine who used to be with Armorcast.  We had played in some awesome VOR events ages ago at a convention, and those games are still some of my fondest gaming memories.

Anyhoo,  David sent me a box of VOR figs, Most painted, some still in blisters.  Now when I say a box, I  mean a box FULL of figs.  50 or so metal figs, including a GIGANTIC resin beastie I've never seen before.

I've started repainting them already, and plan on using them as my 'house army' for 28mm skirmish games (right now I have No Limits in mind).

I Survived another Kublacon!

This was with out a doubt the best Kublacon I've worked in years. It was also the busiest, for me anyway. Due to unforeseeable events I had to step into a different role, and well it kept me VERY busy.

Anyhoo, on to the good stuff!

I didn't get to take as many pictures as I would have liked, but I did get a few that I think are worth sharing.

One of the highlights for me this year was This Qwar's War, from Zombiesmith. WW1 as fought by these colorful anteater looking things. The sculpts are wonderful... and they are even making them in 15mm!

There was a huge Halo Clix deathmatch that looked pretty awesome as well. I'm not a fan of collectible games as a rule... but you have to admit, that this looks fun.

Not to worry though, there were plenty of the wargames we all know and love being played

If you are interested in seeing the rest of the pictures, including a GIANT Settlers of Catan board, the rest of the pics are up on Flickr.

I managed to leave the convention with a few goodies myself. I picked up a copies of Incursion, "Red Sand, Blue Sky", and "Gladiator Wars". I read through the rules for Incursion, and it seems like it will be TONS of fun. Sort of Space Hulk in an underground Nazi base.  As for the other two games... well I want to run a Gladiator game at Kublacon next year, and still need to find a ruleset I like (or kitbash my own).

For more extensive coverage of Kublacon, Check out the Giant Fire Breathing Robot podcast!

Laid off...

I was laid off yesterday. Not much to say about it really. It was unexpected to say the least, but I'll survive.  On the plus side I'll have time to get some lead painted next week LOL.

Right now I'm not going to worry, and I'm getting Kublacon setup, but the job hunt will begin in full next week!

KUBLA!!!!!!!!!

-Ray aka 'Doc'

KUBLACON - KUBLAAAAAA!

Update. My figs have arrived. Been crazy at work the past few weeks, and I haven't had much time to paint (save for another Greaser for Atomic Cafe 1957). Oh yeah, I've also been sick for two weeks LOL.
Kublacon starts up Friday, but my duties require me to get started Thursday, so this is going to be another slow week, but after the con is over things should be back to normal.

If you are on the west coast, and are looking for a great convention this Memorial Day, come visit me at KUBLA!

Just ask anyone in a vest to find Ray.


-Doc

Rulset Roundup: Flying Lead... and new figs.

Well I couldn't resist any longer, and ordered some of the Sepulvedan Resistance Fighters and Road Outlaws from Khurasan.  I just gotta do some sort of crazy Post Apoc/Zombie/Terminator game... I just gotta!


I also ordred Flying Lead from Ganesha Games (via RPGNOW.COM).


I'll give it a crack tonight and let you know what I think.


-R

The Postman (And the FEDEX man) love me!

Today my GZG order arrived, as well as a bunch of stuff for my Atomic Cafe 1957 stuff. Both from Brigade and some of the terrain items I ordered over the past week. Woohoo!

#iwannabeathome!

-R

Ordered more ARC Fleet

Today I ordered some more ARC Fleet Infantry, and a Grav Tank Platoon from Critical Mass.

I also ordered a bunch of 28mm stuff from Brigade Games in their 'Atomic Cafe 1957' line. I ordered four gangs, The Greasers (with mutant), The Roller Girls, President for life Nixon and his guards, and the Bowlers.

ARC Fleet Grav APC - Painted and first bits of Red Planet terrain

I was up with a crazy round of insomnia the other day, and it finally gave me a chance to slap some paint on the awesome ARC Fleet Grav APC from Critical Mass Games.

I also thought I'd sneak in a couple of the 'Red Planet' terrain pieces I was working on too.  I still have a few squads of infantry to work on, but I think they will be waiting until next week.

Anyhoo, here are the shots, let me know what you think!

-R

Happy Birthday to me!

Short post.

Yesterday marks the 34th anniversary of my screaming into the world.  Didn't do much, stayed in with the lady friend, and made some Mordheim cardstock/foamcore terrain... oh and watched Doctor Who.

Today my Critical Mass and Khurasan orders arrived (I'll have unboxing pics up tomorrow).  I'm really looking forward to getting to know these figs a bit better!


-R

Getting ready for Tomorrows War...

As soon as I heard Ambush Alley Games was working on a Sci-fi title I was sold.  I've been scouring the interwhebs looking for 15mm scifi figs, and inspiration for terrain.

I'll be mounting 1" Pink foam sheets mounted on 1/2" MDF, which will be textured and sealed with Kel-Seal. I'll be using a technique similar to that Black Primer Paint used on his Scrapyard table.

Separately I also ordered a Sponk, and some Parasachnid's along with a Burrow and Lair from Khurasan, some 15mm Sci-fi Buildings and accessories from GZG

The Parasachnid's are going to do double duty in a 'Startship Troopers' style project I have in mind, as well as being denizens of the "Red Planet". The Sponk however... he is going to be a giant crab monster, living on the Red Planet.  My roomie gave me the idea of making him a 'tunneler', so I'm going to model a big crater to represent the pit he leaves behind when he lands on the table.  He's going to be tons of fun!

Can't wait to get out of work and run over to Home Depot and D&J Hobbies for the last of my supplies so I can get cranking tonight.

 

Woodland Scenics Ballast Update: This stuff is FINE

My bags of Woodland Scenics Ballast arrived today, and it looks like I'm going to need to order a bag of 'Coarse' as well, as the Medium Ballast is a bit finer then I expected.

Even so I'm really excited about getting home and gluing some of this stuff down to some bases and getting started.

Not satisfied with my bases...

In an effort to change the way I'm basing my figs, I just ordered some Woodland Scenics Ballast from our friends over at Hobbylinc to use. I ordered both Fine, and Medium bags of their Dark Brown and Iron Ore Ballast. I'm thinking about using the Dark Brown on my WW2 figs, and the Iron or on my Sci-fi figs.

Dark Brown Ballast


Iron Ore Ballast

Did you talk to Jonathan Ross this weekend? ... I did!

That's right ladies and germs. While the gals from Geek Girl on the Street and I didn't get to interview Kevin Smith, due to his being a flakey stoner, we DID get an exclusive interview with the one and only Jonathan Ross. We had also hoped to catch his lovely wife Jane, but she was busy doing 'Kick Ass' related promotions.

Another highlight was interviewing the Creators of 'Kill Shakespeare', and Marc Andreyko, who is the writer, with Michael Chiklis for 'Pantheon' Of which my signed limited edition copy I am quite grateful for.

Wondercon was a blast, can't wait for comicon though.

...and now back to wargaming posts

-R

Below are some of my favorites, the rest can be seen here

Wondercon...

I'll be a bit slow on the updates over the next few days. I'm going to Wondercon this weekend as part of the staff of Geek Girl on the Street, a site run by a friend of mine. The highlight of the event for me will be our interviewing Kevin Smith, yes THAT Kevin Smith.

JR Miniatures #1524, "1/2 Timbered Thatch House" painted.

One step closer in the completion of my 'Watching Jerry' board. JR Miniatures #1524

I'm too tired to write more about it, but it came out fantastically!

Below are a couple shots I took on top of one of the new Cellfoam hills I made.

-R

Cellfoam 88

Today one of the chaps at another of my FLGS, D&J Hobbies turned me onto a white foam product from Midwest Product Co called Cellfoam 88.



Cellfoam is stiffer then the white ball Styrofoam, and while not quite as stiff as pink foam, it's good enough to get the job done. It comes in various thicknesses (3mm, 5mm, and 10mm) and in convenient sizes as well. Seeing as how I was about to buy 5 feet of pink foam that was really too thick for the 15mm hills I wanted to make, this stuff was a godsend.

The first hills I'm making are are in between steps, but when the PVA Sealer dries and I slap some paint on them I'll take more pix, and be sure to get the finished ones up here as well!

-R

Flea market gold!

This afternoon after breakfast I took my new lady friend over to my FLGS, Game Kastle and as it turned out, there was a flea market going on.

I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, but I managed to snag a pristine copy of Dirtside, with un-punched chits even! I also scored a copy of the Morrow Project, which has been on my RPG wishlist for years. I'm going to take this as a sign that I SHOULD do a post apoc 15mm game...

I'm stoked, I was just on the hunt for a 6mm scifi rule set to use, and was planning on picking up Future War Commander this weekend.

Gotta go, I have a lot of reading to do!

JR Miniatures #1531, "Walled Estate in Ruins" painted for 'Watching Jerry'

Last night I put my nose to the grindstone and cranked out JR Miniatures #1531, "Walled Estate in Ruins" for my 'Watching Jerry' table. While I'm sure I could have put a bit more time into it I'm not disappointed in the way it came out. P3 paints over black primer, a Games Workshop Devlin mud wash, and another drybrush, glue some sand down, add flock... PRESTO!

If I'm lucky I'll be able to finish the other two buildings, and enough Germans by Sunday to use for a practice game!

15mm 'Spiders' from Pole Pitwy

Just got an email from Piotr over at Pole Pitwy. I was asking about the awesome 15mm 'Spiders' they are working on.

What I heard back was that we should hope for an update by the end of the week, but he's 'thinking' sometime in April they should be available.

These would be a perfect fit for the "Bug Invasion" project I'm working on.

You can see more of their works in progress HERE.

More British Commandos

Just about finished with my platoon. I need to paint the edges of my bases and as soon as the Silflor Buffalo Grass arrive, slap them down and I'm done. Then it's on to the Germans!

Small update... spending money, and waiting to spend more.

Today I went over to Gator Games on my lunch break, and picked up some more stuff for my 'Watching Jerry' table. I picked up a German Grenadier Platoon, and one of the Battlefield in a Box: Small Pine Wood sets.

Still waiting on a paypal invoice from the folks over at TerrainMat.com I'd like to get that order placed, as I expect it to take a few weeks to make it across the pond.

More to follow!

Ordering my WW2 game mat.

I just finished shooting off an email over to the blokes at Terrain Mat since I know exactly what I want, and well quite frankly my paycheck got deposited earlier then I expected.

To my dismay however I found that they didn't have one of their Terrain Set deals for the 4x4 mats. Hoping it was just an oversight I asked if they would be able to put together such a deal for me... With what shipping overseas is going to cost me, anything I can do to shave a few dollars off the price will help.

Here's what I'm looking for. The Green Steppe game mat, size 4X4. a 15mm Road set with tank tracks. A Blue river set and 2 Rough Ground sections.

If you haven't had the good fortune of seeing one of these mats up close, run over and take a look. They are BEAUTIFUL!

No painting tonight...

I had originally planned to do a bunch of painting tonight, but as luck would have it I met a groovy gal the other day, and we are going to go catch a Rockabilly show tonight at one of my favorite venues.

I'm sure I'll be painting all day Saturday though, so be ready for a big weekend update!

-R

JR Minitures, the Unboxing

Well my order from JR Miniatures arrived today. I tried to wait until I got home to open it up, I really did... however I failed :)

Everything arrived well packaged and other then the trees (not pictured) which I didn't particularly care fore, everything looks great. Great value too!

Normandy Farm House #1521
1/2 Timbered Thatch House #1524
Walled Estate in Ruins #1531