Category Archives: News

Because of my role as Creative Manager of Alternative Armies and 15mm.co.uk I have access to material, news and information that will not be made public on the company websites for days or even weeks to come. I share it here in this category of posts.

Flintloque Character Calculator v2 by Craig Andrews

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I like to fill out my Section Rosters for Flintloque by hand but then I did in large part create the 3rd edition of the game and have been playing since the early days of the mid nineteen nineties when pencil and paper were all that was to be had.  However these days many players of the game want to fill rosters digitally or virtually on the screen before printing them out or using them as PDF on a mobile device.  So how do you do that then….

Well wonder no more since web guru and general boss level handy man Craig Andrews (he of Orcs in the Webbe and Barking Irons Online fame) has created something awesome with that very purpose in mind.  A spreadsheet programme that allows rosters to be filled on the screen and then used in play.

The virtual roster covers all you will need in a game of Flintloque that must be filled out and shown from experience levels, weapons, modifiers, names down to notes and player name too.

Go along to the article on Barking Irons Online and download it.  I have given it a go and its spot on!

GBS

p.s. Yes, I know this happen a while back but I just got around to it!

Re-Releasing classic Space Marines

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Way back and I mean way back when a company called Asgard released some excellent miniatures in their science fiction range.  That was around about 1980 and for many years these miniatures have not been on general release but that is about to change!  I have been working towards this re-release onto Alternative Armies website for some time and now it has all come together for Friday 15th June 2012.

SM3 Space Marine in full battle armour

SM3a Space Marine flying

HA5 Adventurer with Laser Pistol

As you can see these 25mm scale white metal miniatures are classics and very striking.  Quite unlike anything made now they have a rather Robert Heinlein look to them according to artist Sam Croes.

Here is a listing of the miniatures which includes all of the Space Marines and also the Adventurers too.  While 25mm scale these match up well in height terms with todays 28mm designs especially the SM3, SM9 codes which are actually bloody big even for today.

25mm Classic Science Fiction.

ASGARD SPACE MARINES
SM1 Space Marine in full armour £1.50
SM2 Space Marine in light space armour £1.50
SM3 Space Marine in full battle armour £2.00
SM3a Space Marine in full battle armour flying £4.00
SM4 Psionic Marine with Psionic blaster £1.50
SM5 Space Trooper with Force Axe in Battle Armour £1.50
SM6 Space Trooper advancing with A.P.Rifle £1.50
SM7 Space Trooper kneeling Firing Energy Mortar £1.50
SM8 Space Trooper Captain £1.50
SM9 Large Battle Droid £2.50

SM11 Heavy Mortar + 2 Trooper Crew £4.00
SM12 Loader (included in SM11)
SM13 Officer (included in SM11)

HUMAN ADVENTURERS
HA2 Pirate with assault Rifle £1.50
HA3 Pirate with Laser Pistol £1.50
HA4 Pirate with Force Blade £1.50
HA5 Adventurer with Laser Pistol £1.50
HA6 Adventuress with Laser Pistol £1.50
HA7 Female Bounty Hunter £1.50
HA8 Male Bounty Hunter with Rifle £1.50
TSF6 Szithk Reptilian with laser pistol £1.50

I fancy writing some missions for MOTH with these in them.  Perhaps a rogue world with its own technology on the edge of Prydian Space.  I can see it now Retained Knights against Asgard Space Marines.  Bliss!

GBS

Mail Chimp for 15mm.co.uk

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Mail Chimp Logo

After some thought and consideration in the last few weeks I have decided that it is time to move 15mm.co.uk across to the use of an Email Marketing and Email List Manager service.  Due to the increase in legislation and also the sophistication of ‘spam’ as well a situation has arisen where we can no longer get out all of the email that our customers want.  With thousands of wargamers to contact about new releases, new games, special events and offers and so on I needed something more.   Why 15mm.co.uk and not Alternative Armies.  Well it is smaller and smaller is better with new ventures in my book!

The internet is a great place for reviews and Mail Chimp came up trumps over and over with extra features and great pricing but what sealed the deal was my best buddy Jim Brittain saying it was the service to choose.  He is an expert in ‘netjitzu’ and I greatly value his opinion on these matters.  While this upgrade will go pretty much unnoticed by most of the wargamers it reaches the change to Mail Chimp will mean more and higher quality HTML email being delivered along with new pages on the 15mm.co.uk website for opting in to the service.

Plus I really liked the company’s cute approach to the subject and the wealth of support material they offered.  Gives me more to read this weekend 🙂

GBS

Cultists, Ashigaru and Arid World Warriors – Concept to Completion

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A while ago I discussed with Elton Waters some idea for expanding the HOF 15mm Science Fiction range at 15mm.co.uk.  We went over many ideas, keeping some, discarding others and also paying a lot of heed to the hundreds of requests that customers had made in responce to being asked ‘what next?’ in miniature designs and releases.  While I cannot discuss everything we worked out (that would spoil the surprises to come this year!) the time has come for the first three of the agreed sculpting sets to be set loose on the world!

Starting last week and over the next few weeks three new packs will be added to the 15mm.co.uk website.  I have included some of my thoughts on each of them under the pictures. They are:

HOF76 Corporate Ashigaru

This pack is one of my personal favourites of the year so far.  The Corporate Ashigaru went up on the 15mm.co.uk website Friday last.  Full of character these three came about from an ideas session about who would be perfect for troops in a ‘Cyberpunk’ setting.  While the HOF range already had cyborgs and so on one area not covered was Japan.  The Japanese feature heavily in vintage Cyberpunk writings and wargames so what better than some near future hired guns in armour that mimics that of the Tokagawa period of Japan’s history.  Great for skirmish gaming and as bodyguards to your leaders. So look out for HOF76!

HOF77 Cultist Command

It would be no mistake to tell you just how popular the current HOF Cultists are.  Infantry and Heavy Weapons packs go out all over the world to wargamers and many of those happy customers come back and ask for expansions to that part of the range.  Highest ranking among the requests were ones for a Command set featuring characters who would be fit to lead their fanatics on their missions.  So Elton and I agreed on a theme, that of robes and bare feet, then we thought about poses.  I knew we needed a ‘grand pooba’ a head honcho (far left) and a second in command (one in on left) to get the Cultists properly instructed.  But on top of that Elton came up with the idea of the ‘propagandatron’ (middle) upon which the cult can broadcast its views to the world while in battle.  Added to this someone to wave the flag and a general runner rounded out the concept and then the sculpts.  HOF77 is bound to please many.

HOF78 Arid World Warriors

I like to introduce new ideas and new sections into the ever growing HOF range and on that note we either pick an idea from the ‘suggestions’ pile (like we did with the HOF Rim Mercenaries) or I let the designer make a suggestion.  In the case of the Arid World Warriors it was the latter and Elton suggested some Human warriors from a very dry environment.  Lots of science fiction settings take place in deserts and other dry places so when you need an enigmatic tribe or some plain old raiders to take on your regular forces these are your fellows for the job.  HOF78 is a first in the range.

So get along to 15mm.co.uk and check them all out.

GBS

Ray Bradbury a master of Science Fiction dies at 91

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Normally I do not comment on the news but I just learned that Ray Bradbury author of more books than you could carry has died at the age of 91.  He had been ill for a long time, that I knew, but in a career that lasted seventy years I came across his work again and again.  From the classic Fahrenheit 451 to lesser known works he always impressed me with the skill and touch of his writing not to mention his boundless imagination.  My personal favourite has to be the collected tales in The Illustrated Man.

If you have never heard of Mr Bradbury then get out from under the rock where you live and get informed.  An excellent author who will be greatly missed.

GBS

Slorm reviews UM013 Eldritch Horror rules

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UM013 An Eldritch Horror

My friend the wargamer known as Slorm has kindly reviewed UM013 An Eldritch Horror on his great Spanish/English blog called El Rincon de Slorm.

It is a nice little and honest review of the pocket sized rules so have a wee read if the fancy takes you.  Remember you can get a free scenario for these rules from Barking Irons Online too.

GBS

Flintloque special scenarios for the big UK summer 2012 events

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Sharke Rides!

This summer the UK has two big events on the go for 2012.  These are the Olympics and the Queens Diamond Jubilee which take place on the 27th July to 12th August and the 2nd to 5th June with the Jubilee coming first.

I would like to do my part to celebrate these two fantastic events (as I watch them from all the way up here in Scotland) so there will be three brand new free Flintloque scenarios put up on Barking Irons Online.  These will be put up on or around the big days for each event and will be themed to those events.  Here is a little sneak peek at what to expect:

Diamonde Jubliees – The Goblin Queen is celebrating her ascension to the throne of Al-Garvey and her guest Kyng Gorge of Albion, upon visiting her, has given her a gift of diamonds. Now those diamonds are in danger. Can the Blacke Watchit protect two monarchs and the jewels?  A bonkers scenario for two players for Flintloque 3rd edition.

Visting a Kyng – Obidiah Hogswill is a nasty piece of work but sometimes he aids the Army of Albion indirectly by his actions.  The deserter general and his minions have found out that a deposed Elvish princess has become the lover of a Dark Elf noble allied to the Elves of Armorica who is promising to seduce Kyng Gorge III!  This princess is rumoured to have a sizable fortune in jewels among her baggage and Obidiah means to have them…after all Muvver says they is rightfully his!  A trecherous scenario for two players for Flintloque 3rd edition.

Sharke’s Olympnik – Captain Sharke has stolen the box of medals that Marshal Sault plans to give out to his best officers.  Now Sharke and his fellow Orcs must ride like the wind to escape not only a chasing squadron of Elf Lancers but also scattered troops from the Army of Armorica who bar their way.  An exciting two player ‘steeple chase’ moving table scenario for Flintloque 3rd edition.

Each scenario will be a full length and is designed for two players and or solo play too.

GBS

Article for Irregular Magazine

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After my look at the great free Wargame title Irregular Magazine I struck up a conversation with Dave Barker from the mag and after a chat I offered to write an article for the summer edition (yes, I talk myself into all kinds of things!).  But to my credit when I learned the theme of the issue was to be ‘Mysteries of the East’ it gave me a chance to make use of my knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture.  So I put forward an idea and it was accepted!

More on this when its time but my good friend Sam Croes has agreed to create a piece of art for use with the article.  And what is the article…well did you know that in the 23rd century all disputes in Japan are settled by the use of giant robotic sumo?  I shall say no more.

GBS

The Catalogue Project!

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I have been given a mammoth task.  A mighty and all consuming task the likes of which has not been seen in a decade….to update the Alternative Armies commercial catalogue!

Now I am not talking about websites or articles or partial listings.  I mean the whole deal.  A total catalogue of all the miniatures, books, bases, dice and other items that the company can offer to the public.  This includes everything now in the hands of 15mm.co.uk and the former TTG ranges like Laserburn.  The company has not issued a complete document like this in nearly ten years.  So as you can imagine it will be a lot of work.  I intend to focus on it intently for one week at the expense of everything else to just to get it done.  I will most likely emerge bleary eyed blinking into the light once it’s done.

Essentially a complete catalogue now seems needed as we have had a large increase in requests for it from customers and traders alike.  Catalogues fell out of favour years ago but they seem to be in again.

While at university I did a brief course on being a librarian which involved catalogues and such.  I did not think it would ever come in useful….

GBS

Villiam Bedsforc the Bombardier – ‘Bange Off!’

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Villiam Bedsforc. Ladies and Ale...its his bag baby!

It is now May and since Tony Harwood unintentionally released VLE12 Bombardier Bedsforc on his excellent blog back in early April you could say he caught me napping!  What with me not intending to release the miniature until the middle of May.  You can see a picture of the laddy above as rendered by Edward Jackson, resident Valonian artist.  What with Salute and the much higher than expect level of orders pre and post the event it has taken me about two weeks longer than expected to get around to the insert and scenario for this character but now the time is at hand!  So I am on time, ahead of time and behind of time depending on how you look at it.

The scenario is called ‘Bange Off’ and concerns the Bombardier, his ale and his glory  for Albion and the family brewery.

During the  week beginning 7th May the Alternative Armies website will be updated to include full details for VLE12 and the scenario will appear on Barking Irons Online in due course!

GBS