Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: MBS Podcast Episode 45

« on: September 25, 2020, 05:35:57 pm »

I just listened to 44 and 45 in succession, so, I'm not 100% clear on whether the discussion about Comixology was in 44 or 45. So, posting here: What was the name of the comic Landlubber mentioned about Victorian-ish space stuff? Ether-something?

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Space Naval Games / Re: What games have.....

« on: July 10, 2019, 05:08:39 pm »

The only accurate stealth mechanic is to have the stealthed opponent map their movement separately where the opponent cannot see. But this is wildly impractical for many reasons, and I think I've only seen it used once, though I can't recall the game (hexes were involved) …

I have a vague recollection of cloaking device movement in some generation of Star Fleet Battles at least having off map, plotted, motion as an option.

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #33: Halo Fleet Battles

« on: February 19, 2019, 10:57:46 am »

Never had any interest in the Halo franchise. My interests lie more in the directions of historical minis, see for example Seekrieg, or hex and counter space games like Star Fleet Battles (waning) or Starfire.

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General Discussion / Re: Your Favorite Warship and Why

« on: May 10, 2018, 11:56:41 pm »

Historical: Tough to pick just one. Scahrnhorst was a very good looking ship. I have a fondness for the USS Washington, both for being named for my home state and the righteous can of whoop-as it opened on the Kirishima.

But, there will always be a fondness for the Lexington. Probably due to reading a very good book by a reporter who was on her at Coral Sea.


Modern-ish would probably have to go to the Missouri. Yeah, modern-ish...

Fiction: no contest, space battleship Yamato:

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #24: To hex or not to hex?

« on: May 10, 2018, 11:39:26 pm »

Now if the addition of a hex grid could make a proper 3D Newtonian space combat game work in three dimensions AND still be fast and fun, I'm all for it. Haven't seen that nut cracked yet.

Take a look at Squadron Strike from Ad Astra Games. You get to design ships and choose the level of physics you want to use.

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #24: To hex or not to hex?

« on: May 10, 2018, 11:36:47 pm »

The biggest utility of a hex map is space. You don’t get the visual impact of minis with counters on a map, but a map is quite often much easier to find the space for.

I may be biased that way by starting wargaming with Victory in the Pacific a long time ago. I had never played a minis game until encountering Seekrieg IV in college.

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #22: Sci-fi Books Turned into TV Shows

« on: March 07, 2018, 09:25:50 pm »

Does seem to be a bit of an early consensus here. 

The bigger question is: what actress to cast as Honor?

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #20

« on: January 31, 2018, 06:59:05 pm »

Scarif for Star Wars. Endor probably second. I likes me some big ship battles...

B5 has lots of good ones.

Starblazers is full of awesome. What's not to like about battleships in space?

Wrath of Khan. That movie got me into Star Fleet Battles.

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #19

« on: December 13, 2017, 11:35:54 pm »

I would like to get some Seekrieg played. Maybe some Starblazers Fleet Battles or Star Fleet Battles.

No need to get into the odds of pulling it off... 

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #18

« on: November 15, 2017, 12:02:11 am »

Getting hold of several of the Victory Games Fleet series games. No, I haven't played much...

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17

« on: October 22, 2017, 09:47:53 pm »

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.

Definitely agree with this. The minis market just doesn't have the volume to drive serious development. Alas.

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

Interesting links. I think it's a bit much to compare to complaining about mold lines in the 80s, though. I painted some minis back then and there may have been an occasional mold line, they didn't require anything like the effort one would have to put forth from the first link. Sanding and epoxying pretty much the entire surface of the model is quite a bit of work.

At least it doesn't involve acetone, though. I was quite happy to discover acrylic paints back in the day. No more nasty chemical paint thinners...

Not saying the tech can't get there, but it isn't there yet.

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17

« on: October 17, 2017, 10:57:02 pm »

Ryjak, I checked out the articles you linked. Impressive stuff, but, ah, they ain't free. Someday. Heck, I still remember thinking eInk sounded so nifty and far off...

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #17

« on: October 14, 2017, 02:52:52 pm »

Ryjak, I'll have to check out your articles.

My reason for saying it's not there yet is the quality of the prints. I come at this from the perspective of being more a painter than a miniature wargamer. The problem I have with most current 3D prints is that the finish typically isn't there. The print lines show too much.

I've looked at some of the nicer quality options from shapeways, but $50 for a D7 for Star Fleet Battles is a bit much.

As the technology stands, I could see it more useful, at a home level, for things like terrain or accessories.

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Space Naval Games / Re: What Makes Good Space Navy Game?

« on: September 14, 2017, 10:53:10 pm »

1) Research/tech development.
2) Ship design.
3) Economic/strategic/campaign rules.

In other words, Imperial Starfire. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/2893/imperial-starfire

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General Discussion / Re: MBS Monthly Poll #16

« on: September 11, 2017, 10:54:11 pm »

I'm in the maybe camp. Mostly as the naval games I like are more in the historical realm and the ship models I have will, generally, work with any rule set. I would view a card set as just another play aid.