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General Discussion / Re: MBS Podcast Episode 27
« on: February 11, 2018, 01:47:50 pm »
It’s about time! I mean, thanks for all the hard, unpaid work behind this Episode.
Have model ships, will game.
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #21
« on: February 11, 2018, 01:45:08 pm »
Since I am not familiar with all the systems, I cannot say which is best. For example, Dropfleet Commander is built around their sensor-detection system, which is a great concept, but I can’t say how well it is implemented.
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General Discussion / Re: The Last Jedi
« on: January 09, 2018, 11:34:12 pm »You mean "A Chosen One" narrative, or it doesn't count? Where the Force chooses Noble Bloodlines only, and peasants are just there to serve one side or the other?Nope. The Good vs Evil narrative, where what you choose to do with “power” is all that really matters.
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Mark Hamill disagrees. .... Luke was always complaining about what he wanted versus what IS.
Huh, everything I’ve seen from Mark Hamill indicates he did not agree with this direction, but he’s a professional actor, so he delivered a good performance. And Luke didn’t seem very whiny at the end of “Return of the Jedi”.
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As if the series hasn't been rife with this before?
Not sure what you’re referring to here off-hand, but two of those broke my suspension of disbelief, and the last literally breaks EVERY space battle ever.
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Firestorm Armada / Re: Third Edition of Firestorm Armada
« on: January 09, 2018, 06:40:07 am »
For those that missed it, Alex Mann recently interviewed Stuart from Warcradle, and he answers a lot of the above speculation:
Episode 23: http://mannmomo.blogspot.com/p/the-hub-systems-podcast.html?m=1
Basically, there doing a true new version of the game, rebuilding everything from the ground up, and in this case, the foundation is the setting, and Warcradle is consulting a couple well-known, yeti disclosed, Sci-Fi authors to do it. I’m excited for the direction they’re taking, but disappointed it will be at least a year, if not more, before anything is released.
Episode 23: http://mannmomo.blogspot.com/p/the-hub-systems-podcast.html?m=1
Basically, there doing a true new version of the game, rebuilding everything from the ground up, and in this case, the foundation is the setting, and Warcradle is consulting a couple well-known, yeti disclosed, Sci-Fi authors to do it. I’m excited for the direction they’re taking, but disappointed it will be at least a year, if not more, before anything is released.
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General Discussion / Re: The Last Jedi
« on: January 09, 2018, 06:30:34 am »
For those that are huge Star Wars fans that were very disappointed, here’s my general summary for why:
This was a film set in the Star Wars setting, but wasn’t a Star Wars film (which is about theme)
That isn’t how the character Luke Skywalker would behave
This breaks the laws of physics (bombs in space, arcing lasers) and the entire combat premise of Star Wars (they just invented Death Star destroying Hyperspace Missiles)
Also, as films go, there were a ton of plot holes, and little in the way of character development. At least Rae wasn’t the penultimate Marry Sue this time, which basically ruined The Force Awakens.
This was a film set in the Star Wars setting, but wasn’t a Star Wars film (which is about theme)
That isn’t how the character Luke Skywalker would behave
This breaks the laws of physics (bombs in space, arcing lasers) and the entire combat premise of Star Wars (they just invented Death Star destroying Hyperspace Missiles)
Also, as films go, there were a ton of plot holes, and little in the way of character development. At least Rae wasn’t the penultimate Marry Sue this time, which basically ruined The Force Awakens.
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #19
« on: January 08, 2018, 06:07:03 pm »
I’d really like to play Firestorm Armada, but since the closest FLGS where someone might play is over an hour away, and I have no idea if anyone is still playing, that’s probably not going to happen.
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Dystopian Wars / Re: DWars fluff is dead, long live Warcradle
« on: December 03, 2017, 11:54:20 pm »
Rebranding the game makes it their own thing while distancing them from what was there with SG. While it’s generally superficial, it can be a good marketing technique.
Warcradle is clearly not trying to please everyone that played DW, but that’s a good thing, because it’s impossible. They’re instead taking the stuff they liked, trashing what they didn’t, and making something new in the process. New models, new background, and most importantly, a vision for how to develop the game long term.
What they didn’t show is also telling; nothing about what really matters: gameplay. However, having tried developing new mechanics and tweaking existing ones, this process is much harder than you might think... particularly if you want to make something new and good. So wait and see what happens.
Warcradle is clearly not trying to please everyone that played DW, but that’s a good thing, because it’s impossible. They’re instead taking the stuff they liked, trashing what they didn’t, and making something new in the process. New models, new background, and most importantly, a vision for how to develop the game long term.
What they didn’t show is also telling; nothing about what really matters: gameplay. However, having tried developing new mechanics and tweaking existing ones, this process is much harder than you might think... particularly if you want to make something new and good. So wait and see what happens.
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #18
« on: November 18, 2017, 09:44:29 pm »
Since I haven’t played any tabletop games since January... does setting up a crushing win against Ruckdog playing the Cardassians, but calling it for time, count?
It’s not my fault the Klingons built a huge Empire with all the Production nodes
It’s not my fault the Klingons built a huge Empire with all the Production nodes
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17
« on: November 08, 2017, 03:15:21 am »
Here’s an example of what can be done with 3D printing, which is completely infeasible with traditional casting:
https://www.heroforge.com
This is only limited by how many 3D models they have on file.
https://www.heroforge.com
This is only limited by how many 3D models they have on file.
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17
« on: October 27, 2017, 10:33:15 pm »
Mold lines on those pewter models could be pretty bad back in the day... one mini took a lot of time to decently clean and smooth. I’m not saying that was a good thing; just that it’s an option today.
Wish I could figure out which machines do the “ultra fine” detail on Shapeways
Wish I could figure out which machines do the “ultra fine” detail on Shapeways
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17
« on: October 22, 2017, 09:17:42 am »
Oh, my future war prediction. Naval ships will replace much of their expensive flight operation facilities with 3D Printers making drones. While combat drones are far in the future, sensor drones are here already. How easy is ASW when you can build all the sensors you need on the fly for the exact operations you need? A networked array of crappy sensors beats a single high-end sensor. And so what if you lose 50-100% when you can just make more?
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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17
« on: October 22, 2017, 09:03:03 am »
Ljevid makes an excellent point; game manufactures are terrible at producing appropriate gaming terrain; 3D printing can easily fill this gap. That’s a great looking piece he had made.
All I’m trying to say is it is a matter of time before the traditional business model of making models is replaced by these kinds of technologies. I think X-wing Miniatures has shown what the standard is for an off-the-shelf quality for a painted model to price ratio. Right now, 3D printing is at least one magnitude removed from this point, but someday this will no longer be the case. How soon is the question.
The real factor is how much commercial demand is there for this kind of production outside of miniatures gaming? If the answer is very little, then the time horizon is pretty far off.
Also, if the 3D printing “print lines” are your only issue with a printed model, there are a few techniques out there to smooth them out. Complaining about this is like complaining about mould lines in the 80’s.
https://www.fictiv.com/hwg/fabricate/ultimate-guide-to-finishing-3d-printed-parts
http://www.3dprinterworld.com/article/smooth-like-butter-mass-finishing-for-abs-and-pla-prints-magicbox
All I’m trying to say is it is a matter of time before the traditional business model of making models is replaced by these kinds of technologies. I think X-wing Miniatures has shown what the standard is for an off-the-shelf quality for a painted model to price ratio. Right now, 3D printing is at least one magnitude removed from this point, but someday this will no longer be the case. How soon is the question.
The real factor is how much commercial demand is there for this kind of production outside of miniatures gaming? If the answer is very little, then the time horizon is pretty far off.
Also, if the 3D printing “print lines” are your only issue with a printed model, there are a few techniques out there to smooth them out. Complaining about this is like complaining about mould lines in the 80’s.
https://www.fictiv.com/hwg/fabricate/ultimate-guide-to-finishing-3d-printed-parts
http://www.3dprinterworld.com/article/smooth-like-butter-mass-finishing-for-abs-and-pla-prints-magicbox
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Firestorm Armada / Re: Rules for Freighters in FSA
« on: October 22, 2017, 08:40:16 am »
If it’s any consolation, those tactics don’t work in the aircraft/guided missile age either. In fact, it looks like the primary concern today is anti-submarine warfare, as it’s assumed any Task Force/Battle Group would easily overwhelm a convoy and it’s escorts.
In other words, in any game which is designed to represent a force on force engagement where both sides have the same combat potential, it doesn’t make sense to give one side some extra ships they need to protect. I’d suggest as a starting point is for the convoy defender to have twice as many points as the attacker, and have a fairly small point limit for the defender (800 in FSA). Also, big ships aren’t allowed for Defense, as logistically you can’t afford to put them on escort duty. If the attacker wants a lone Battleship roaming enemy shipping lanes, go for it.
In other words, in any game which is designed to represent a force on force engagement where both sides have the same combat potential, it doesn’t make sense to give one side some extra ships they need to protect. I’d suggest as a starting point is for the convoy defender to have twice as many points as the attacker, and have a fairly small point limit for the defender (800 in FSA). Also, big ships aren’t allowed for Defense, as logistically you can’t afford to put them on escort duty. If the attacker wants a lone Battleship roaming enemy shipping lanes, go for it.
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Firestorm Armada / Re: Firestorm Armada Resources
« on: October 22, 2017, 08:18:34 am »
Considering how long I’ve had these up before someone pointed this out, I guess people understood what it meant. I appreciate the heads up.
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Firestorm Armada / Re: Relthoza tactica
« on: October 22, 2017, 08:13:59 am »
While I’m not sure if your Destroyers are maneuvering within the spirit of the rules, I can’t see anything wrong with your logic. However, I also fail to understand the advantage of doing so... I suppose it gives you more options on where to shunt to and still line up the forward-fixed Weapons, which makes Vulnerable Arc shots easier to pull off.