Kiss My Axe

Just a bit of art work

Post Gary Con

This was my first Gary Con and I had a blast!  I've been meaning to go for years and I only live about an hour and a half from Lake Geneva but I just am now getting the chance to go.  It's been a while since I've really played any games outside of Dungeon! so that was really nice.

I pretty spent the whole time war gaming instead of role playing but I walked around and looked in on a lot of the rpgs.  Next time I go I'll get some role-playing in,

I was signed up to play Classical Warfare but I guess nobody else signed up for it so I played in the Tractics vs. Dungeons and Dragons game.  Mike Reese one of the original co-authors of Tractics ran the scenario so it was nice getting to talk to him during and after the game. That was interesting, the two competing rule systems on top of fantasy vs. WWII Germans was interesting.  I'll post more later with pictures.

I also played a regular Tractics game, Chainmail Joust, and Fletcher Pratt's Naval Rules.  They were all a lot of fun, it took a bit to understand the rules but became more smooth as the gaming progressed.

It was also really nice to get to meet some of the artists and game designers who were with TSR at the beginning.  I met Tim Kask, Frank Mentzer, and Jeff Easley.  I had a nice conversations with Bruce Heard and also with Jeff Perren.   When talking to Jeff Perren about wargaming I found out he at one time owned Royal Hobby in Rockford, IL which is pretty much where I got into the hobby in the first place.  It didn't dawn on me at the time but I do remember him from his days at the store.  What a small world.  I was able to get all of their autographs on my copy of the D&D Rules Cyclopedia which I'll keep forever!

I also met Jeffrey Talanian of Astonishing Swords and Swordsmen  fame,  Alan Grohe (aka Grodog is his handle on his Lake Geneva Original RPG blog) Jon Hershberger who owns Black Blade Publishing and Robert Bledsaw III of Judges Guild.  All three nice guys and it was nice to meet people face to face after having corresponded over the internet.


On top of the gaming I took time out to take my kids swimming at the hotel pool and go explore Lake Geneva.  I found a great pizza place called Mama Cimino's that really knows how to do Chicago style pizza.  And a beautiful chrome plated 1950's diner called Joni's that has the best breakfast in town.

Overall it was a great weekend and I met a lot of nice people and got to share a gaming table with a lot of them.  It doesn't get any better that that!

Judge Dredd Kickstarter!

Mongoose Games announced a kickstarter for a supplement to be used in the Judge Dredd miniatures game!  I've been a JD fan since the mid 80's when I discovered 2000 AD, and this is just what I need to rekindle my interest in the series.  Okay, maybe the movie too but from what I've seen it doesn't seem very much like the comic.

If you haven't checked it out before Mongoose has a free download of the game!

GZG Neu Swabian League Test Paint Job

I picked up a bag of the old Star Grunt 25mm models at my local FLGS.  15mm is my go to scale but I just couldn't pass up a good deal.   I just finished a test paint today and am pretty happy with the results.  I based the paint job on the German "Pea Dot" camouflage style.   I also got a few more stands of  Splintered Light miniatures Dwarves finished, so as soon as I take some pics I'll get them posted.

In The Emperor's Name

I may be a Johnny-Come-Lately, but I've been perusing the rules "In The Emperor's Name" and I'm really impressed! It's a skirmish gamed set in the Warhammer 40k universe but it could be adapted for other wargames as well.

I've been on the outs with GW for a few years but this may rekindle some interest in the 40k universe. After all I've got quite a few figs sitting around collecting dust. Who knows, maybe I'll give 40k in 15mm a shot as well!

If you're interested you can download the rules for free here!

Comics Are No Fun Anymore (A Rant)

Super Heros are super lame! At least when it comes the the big two, Marvel and DC. Recent events with the death of Peter Parker the death of Batman, the axed plot that would have Superman renounce his American citizenship, and Captain America fighting against free speech have made me realize that comics are just not fun anymore. I went through this phaze when DC killed off Superman and when the whole Onslaught debacle happened with the Marvel universe. But after a couple of years I gave comics a chance again, but it seems that the editors and writers seemed hellbent on killing the fun in comics.

Whether it's about the writer's wanting to be gritty and controversial, dark or perverse (see the Dark Age of Comics) or whether it's about inserting political propaganda or pandering.

Comics aren't an escape anymore but are reflecting the most loathsome and dishonorable sides of our culture. The lines between good and evil are blurred and battles between heroes and villains look more like gang warfare.

I wish a new comic company would emerge that makes basic Super Hero/Super Villain stories that I wouldn't be afraid to let my kids read. I realize that I could buy trades and graphic novels and there are plenty of online comics but it would be nice to see a throwback to the Golden or Silver age make it's way back onto the shelf.

On a lighter note, you should check out Mystery Men! rpg. It's a very impressive super hero rpg that uses the same mechanics as OD&D. Plus the Land of Nod blog has tons of ideas for heroes and campaigns for Mystery Men! This could rekindle my love for classic super hero action!

Starfire re-released!

Okay, I'll admit that I just found this out, but this is great news! I've been wanting to get a copy of this but the older rules are scarce and if you do find them you'll pay through the nose.

If you're not familiar with the game, this was one of those awesome Microgames released by Task Force Games (Now called Amarillo Design Bureau). A spaceship battle game based on the sci-fi writings of James White and David Weber. I was more interested in Starfleet Battles than Starfire, so I didn't pay as much attention to this when I was a kid. But it looks like a great game in it's own right and I hope to try it out. Read all the info here!

Gutshot goes Cthulhu!

AAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Okay, now I know what I'll be playing this summer! Hawgleg Games of Gutshot! fame have put out a Cthulhu based western skirmish game. Unless you are offended by Full Frontal Nerdity, you're going to get this game! I'm not a fan of goth or anime style steam punk, but I can't wait to throw in some gibbering horrors against The Dirty Underwear Gang!

Or maybe Abdul Alhazred will jump out and say "April Fools!"

Battlestations

I'm not sure how I missed this, thanks to Tiny Solitary Soldiers for posting about this!

Battlestations is an on-board skirmish game (in 15mm no less!) that depicts boarding actions in outerspace and also ship to ship combat. The back drop is more of a space opera setting rather than hard sci-fi, but that's a plus in my book. The miniatures are decent, but the human figures are a bit too cartoony for my taste. This would probably be a decent system to use with Star Frontiers or Space Opera. Plus there's a scenario book for you Lovecraft fans called Deep Ones In Deep Space!

Iron Winds of War

Looking for an easy fantasy wargame rule set, look no further! Iron Wind Metals has had Iron Winds of War available for download for years. It's only 3 pages long but covers everything you need to play a fantasy skirmish or all out war!

Not to mention, Iron Wind Metals (Formerly Ral Partha) has some great minis!

Free Viking Wargaming Rules!

Viking wargaming rules called Battle Troll by Howard Whitehouse, are available on the Wargames Factory website!

I've skimmed through the rules, and so far they look really cool!

Based on the Icelandic Sagas, these rules aren't aimed at being historically realistic but they capture the feel of stories like Hrolf Kraki, Egil's Saga, Völsunga Saga and others.

I can't wait to play test this!