tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post2364145610186077740..comments2024-03-24T00:19:48.310-07:00Comments on Delta Vector: Game Design #29: Vietnam in Space (Hard Sci-fi Overdose)evilleMonkeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-9950839019631794862023-08-20T10:32:34.056-07:002023-08-20T10:32:34.056-07:00It is a boardgame. no skirmish. just tactical and ...It is a boardgame. no skirmish. just tactical and geoscape.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-74473229791306215882015-08-12T04:49:29.207-07:002015-08-12T04:49:29.207-07:00"I am wondering why no one "modded"..."I am wondering why no one "modded" Warmahordes for a Sci-Fi Setting.<br />The basic rules are great and Focus and Fury are ideal mechanics for Psiionics, Big (alien) creatures and maybe mechs/vehicles."<br /><br />Wonder no more. Someone thought of it already -a few years back actually. May I direct you to Gruntz.<br /><br />http://deltavector.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/gruntz-15mm-rules-review.htmlevilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-19553255247796282482015-08-12T00:56:45.628-07:002015-08-12T00:56:45.628-07:00I am wondering why no one "modded" Warma...I am wondering why no one "modded" Warmahordes for a Sci-Fi Setting.<br />The basic rules are great and Focus and Fury are ideal mechanics for Psiionics, Big (alien) creatures and maybe mechs/vehicles.<br /><br />Warmahordes has very! low ranges on the missile weapons. About 8"(Pistol) to 20"(heavy mortar). This could be easily fixed by extending the range but making cover much better. Lets say a Space Marine can shoot his bolter at an enemy 48" away but wont do much against an enemy in cover (range modifier?, maybe even "dug in" and "gone to ground"). So he has to get close and use his chainsword.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-69456999914106681312015-03-02T13:26:28.860-08:002015-03-02T13:26:28.860-08:00Who'd play?
Wargamers (who aren't into bo...Who'd play?<br /><br />Wargamers (who aren't into boardgames? or prefer wargames to boardgames)<br /><br />The 15mm sci fi crowd? <br /><br />I'd have to agree to disagree on that one - I still reckon it would be very popular and would fill a completely different niche (and a different audience). <br /><br />I dunno about hard copy, but as pdf I reckon it'd be #1 on wargames vault within a week or your money back. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-85440642134742156492015-03-02T13:19:45.406-08:002015-03-02T13:19:45.406-08:00Nah - Warmahordes, while it has interesting fluff...Nah - Warmahordes, while it has interesting fluff, is still fantasy. Or steampunk fantasy. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-32950506511308356822015-03-02T13:00:51.730-08:002015-03-02T13:00:51.730-08:00"Whilst I enjoy realistic games, sometimes I ..."Whilst I enjoy realistic games, sometimes I don't want my sci-fi to be simply a modern game where guns, suppression and good use of cover reign supreme. Lightsabres, space magic, lots of melee, weird and wonderful monsters and creatures that defy physics."<br /><br />So, Warmachine/Hordes?Jeremynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-66769256835437483222015-03-02T12:52:04.707-08:002015-03-02T12:52:04.707-08:00The game also has miniatures of the soldiers and t...The game also has miniatures of the soldiers and there is some skirmish resolution I think.<br />I asked Ed and he said we better forget it, so I did. Not for the IP issue but because there was going to be an official game so who was going to play a non-offcial?blacksmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11131707654108494186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-51965067862865460142015-03-01T12:12:18.685-08:002015-03-01T12:12:18.685-08:00I'd argue that's because the rules are der...I'd argue that's because the rules are derived from the miniatures, not the other way around.<br />"generic scifi" gaming is very much driven by the toys we have available, I think.<br /><br />So nobody is writing settings.Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-63775175225681173592015-03-01T12:09:46.091-08:002015-03-01T12:09:46.091-08:00I think the problem is that while 40k has captured...I think the problem is that while 40k has captured the "Generic Space Opera" feeling of so many of its sources, nobody really has an idea about what sort of game they want to play besides Not-Moderns. <br /><br />I think the thing is that people haven't really given much thought as to what might happen to make a future conflict happen, and how it could be resolved. Heavy Gear and Infinity both make gestures at electronic warfare, but nobody's gone through the hard sci-fi to say "What if everyone had Holdtzmann Fields?" in the wargaming sense. Nurglitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03333941626425462180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-54337613082955144922015-03-01T10:13:45.432-08:002015-03-01T10:13:45.432-08:00Yeah, for a game that doesn't get played that ...Yeah, for a game that doesn't get played that much anymore, Stargrunt has been extremely influential. <br /><br />I never actually played Tomorrow's War, but a lot of players have told me NSIS is very similar. Given that TW is more popular than grilled cheese, that's probably not a bad thing :)Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-12231062951492944402015-03-01T02:36:47.330-08:002015-03-01T02:36:47.330-08:00I feel many have Stargrunt as a common ancestor/in...I feel many have Stargrunt as a common ancestor/inspiration. Gruntz is different though - it's a straight copy of Warmahordes. I did think NSiS (which I've only briefly fiddled with) reminded me of Tomorrow's War - not the same, but a similar vibe. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-75782886089737375662015-03-01T02:12:25.473-08:002015-03-01T02:12:25.473-08:00You could adapt as you see fit they do have a nice...You could adapt as you see fit they do have a nice set of sci fi ish weapons too<br />under the experimental weapons<br />http://strange-aeons.ca/sa/?page_id=23Jthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05926697264806086812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-91667074335104950712015-03-01T01:17:14.246-08:002015-03-01T01:17:14.246-08:00Isn't it a board game? And one that deals with...Isn't it a board game? And one that deals with the strategic level (i.e. research, UFO interceptions, etc) at that? <br /><br />I think there's still plenty of room for a tactical, semi-RPG skirmish war-game with tactical combat like the PC games. 2HW are so different I can hardly see it being an IP issue unless it was unwisely named. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-10483704159280525952015-03-01T00:56:05.086-08:002015-03-01T00:56:05.086-08:00An X-Com game has already been released by Fantasy...An X-Com game has already been released by Fantasy Flight. Actually, I started to work on an X-Com game using 5150 mechanics and races from its universe when that happened and then I abandoned it. <br />I think THW mechanics are perfect for an X-Com game with their specific reaction charts for every alien race and the Possible Enemy Force (PEF) system, playing solo the side of humans against aliens.blacksmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11131707654108494186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-89396648321388033962015-02-28T23:05:56.773-08:002015-02-28T23:05:56.773-08:00I did a test a while back where I played through r...I did a test a while back where I played through roughly the same scenario with different sets of WW2 rules and saw how different the results were.<br /><br />In the end, the results weren't terribly different and if I had written AAR's, I doubt anyone could have figured out which system was which.<br /><br />I have a feeling if you did the same with Grunts, 5150, Stargrunt and NSIS (to hang myself out there a bit), it probably wouldn't end up looking that different either :-)<br /><br />Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-47770698043453187872015-02-28T23:02:12.673-08:002015-02-28T23:02:12.673-08:00Finish it up, and post a link up on your blog so w...Finish it up, and post a link up on your blog so we can test it out!<br /><br />evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-74017152327579091682015-02-28T23:00:35.104-08:002015-02-28T23:00:35.104-08:00Yeah - 15mm was the "cool emo crowd" - k...Yeah - 15mm was the "cool emo crowd" - kinda like the kids who discovered the hip new band before everyone else. Hard sci fi was a 'hip' rebellion to gothic grimdark space fantasy.<br /><br />Then - about 5 years ago - 15mm exploded - there are now so many manufacturers offering fantastic minis at great prices. At the same time, we got dozens of new rules to go with these minis. Don't get me wrong - all the rules are streets ahead of 40K and its ilk and there are some amazing creative rules designers coming up with cool mechanics.<br /><br />It's just I've come to realise they're all (through choice or necessity) making THE SAME GAME. And I've now got four unpainted 15mm armies which I have little enthusiasm to complete, as they'll play exactly like the other four I have. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-21261389055573097712015-02-28T21:43:17.290-08:002015-02-28T21:43:17.290-08:00Good post- there is a sameness to a lot of the new...Good post- there is a sameness to a lot of the new gritty rules. I saw the emergence of hard-scifi as a backlash against space opera and grimdark. Further, it allows you to proxy modern conflicts without the emotional hangups.<br /><br />It seems as though you're looking for asymmetrical battles where one side has monsters/ super weapons/ psychic powers etc. and the other is more traditional. Superhero genres, with a bit of tweaking, could be useful in representing these fights.Barkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04389368754759452544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-11299492169268642102015-02-28T16:43:57.527-08:002015-02-28T16:43:57.527-08:00THere's been a few shots at "not Mass Eff...THere's been a few shots at "not Mass Effect". I'd buy a LOT of Geth and Turians. Heck, half the races in No Stars in Sight are from Mass Effect :-)<br />(I was devastated when I put "Hacking Goo" as an artifact in Five Parsecs and noone picked up on it :) )<br /><br />I've done a few things with Armies Army (with more coming up) but I haven't spent a whole lot of time on it. I probably should though.Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-37730978870147911712015-02-28T16:40:01.297-08:002015-02-28T16:40:01.297-08:00I also think the shadow of GW looms large, blockin...I also think the shadow of GW looms large, blocking some space fantasy. All the 15mm developers are careful to avoid any (even potentially) IP-infringing stuff as they are usually small operations. <br /><br />And GW have covered a lot of ground - terminators, space elves, space orcs etc, even space ogres - that would tend to be a natural path of space fantasy. I bet 15mm "not spacemarines" would sell like hotcakes. <br /><br />I also think a line of "not-Mass Effect" minis (although that is more hard sci fi) would sell well in 15mm. That's a well-made universe people would enjoy gaming in. <br /><br />That said, some established mini manufacturers are working with indie devs now - North Star and to a lesser extent GZG spring to mind. I reckon Eureka would be pretty flexible. <br /><br />Actually, you've been pretty successful with your 5Core series - have you considered "reaching out" to smaller mini producers?evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-78971612329086637212015-02-28T15:52:45.202-08:002015-02-28T15:52:45.202-08:00I wonder how much of this is due to Ground Zero Ga...I wonder how much of this is due to Ground Zero Games to be honest. For a long time, they were the face of 15mm scifi and they had picked the "vietnam in space" route for Stargrunt back when there were very few games of that style.<br /><br />So when 15mm scifi exploded, people mostly followed along that line, because that's what people had already been playing and it was a way to differentiate from the 28mm space fantasy types.Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-41892648650853431282015-02-28T15:51:04.912-08:002015-02-28T15:51:04.912-08:00I'd kill for that. The Xenonauts guys did an X...I'd kill for that. The Xenonauts guys did an XCOM remake on the pc set in the cold war but they never actually did anything with the setting.Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-36882298014841881232015-02-28T13:53:21.806-08:002015-02-28T13:53:21.806-08:00Pulp is well represented with models - I wanted to...Pulp is well represented with models - I wanted to make a alien vs humans game but ended up using pulp minis due to lack of moderns. <br /><br />Maybe X-COM 1949?evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-66628535995182884722015-02-28T13:48:36.541-08:002015-02-28T13:48:36.541-08:00I'm also aware it's unfair to blame game d...I'm also aware it's unfair to blame game designers when the minis dictate the rules. <br /><br />I was recently looking for some angels/vampires/modern guys in business suits for an Infinity adaption. I tried Heresy, Hasselfree, Reaper, Copplestone and Artizan - and came up with 5-6 minis between them. Certainly not enough to support a game with more than 2 sides, and the hassle (and postage) of ordering from 5 different manufacturers was prohibitive. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-21915110530748039522015-02-28T13:44:44.851-08:002015-02-28T13:44:44.851-08:00Sounds a little like Infinity to be honest - no ve...Sounds a little like Infinity to be honest - no vehicles/light vehicles only, stealth, small squads.<br /><br />It's interesting that of so many possible futures, we've gone in one specific direction in our hard sci fi. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.com