Saturday 29 December 2012

New Year, Projects

Well as 2012 draws shuddering to a close I inevitably start to look to the new year with a view to which wargames projects I should attempt. 2012 as a year was unfocused for me and I don't want to fall into the same pattern next year. I am the first to admit that as a wargamer I get easily side-tracked by new films, novels, rules, and nice shinies! So realistically I know that I will struggle to complete these ideas. It is important for me, at least in my own head (it echos in here BTW), to try to bring the following ideas to life in the next 12 months. OK let's all be realistic I won't manage them all, but here's what I am thinking!

Circus!

OK the picture gives it away. "Circus" of course refers to the Roman Circus. This will be a very short and quick project. For one thing there will be minimal figures and the terrain is pretty straight forward. I want this project completely finished by the end of February. My main concerns at the moment are figure scale and the rules of course. But I have ideas for both of them and I am not panicking just yet.

Monshonga Station

Monshonga Station is the name I have given the WW1 East Africa Game. The name may well change but as this needs to be finished by 1st week of June for the Broadside '13 show you know this will be my early focus for the year. To be honest there's not too much to do. I have one side painted (German Askaris) so only terrain and the other force to do. As I painted all the Askaris in 6 days I realise that painting the figures for the game will not take up too much time. The Terrain will also be an easy fix as this year I will be making all the scenery free standing. So with no terrain boards to make this could all be done quite quickly.


No Peace Without Spain.

For a couple of years I have been thinking that I would like to do a large battle game with ranked figures and in a horse and musket era. My first thoughts were Napoleonic. However as soon as you mention that era at the club you get bombarded by comments about 15mm armies Shako rules and how massively huge their armies are. So Napoleonic battles are passe in the club setting and if I was doing it in any scale OTHER then 15mm my choice of scale would be questions and there would be an implied criticism. If I choose another set of rules other than SHAKO that would also be frowned upon. I would be told that I can do what I want, of course, and Informed that they already have all the armies and literally thousands of figure. I want it to be my project and not a joint one with the club. Therefore I think I would like to do the War of Spanish Succession (WSS). I know that I will need to make all the terrain and build at least two armies, so this will be a year long project. I plan to use the "Beneath the Lily Banners" rules but all in 1/300th scale. Needless to say the units will have more than 18 figures in a them, as I want to keep the base sises the same (or similar). As yet I have not settled on which armies to select as there are so many options. British, French, Dutch and Bavarian all hold appeal I will just have to wait and see.


Zone.

My real introduction to wargaming came in the 80's (that makes me feel old) when me and 2 Friends played modern era micro tanks. So my final game that I want to do is some 1980's era cold war wargaming. This year gone I have been collecting rules and trying to determine not only which set, but also which scale. As I already have two armies in 1/300th (6mm) it makes most sense for me to use that as a starting place. If I was clever (I am not) I would use the terrain from WSS and 1980's and make them compatible. I must admit I will try as it will make my life easier but the "modern" battlefield is different from the 18th Century one, Roads are different, buildings are different, field sizes and agriculture are different. But perhaps from a game point of view mayhap we can get round that.


Here are a few game ideas that did not make the list: 28mm Super-Heroes. King Kong, Aeroball, Gangsters, Samurai. 20mm Mad Max, 15mm Bloody Barons (although this might when Peter Pig re-releases the rules next year), Franco Prussian War. Boxer Rebellion. 10mm Zulus, meta horde Zombies,

Thanks for reading. Let's hope I can finish these project in the next 12 months. One thing is for sure I will get sidetracked but at least I have a plan for next year written down now.

As always comments are very welcome. I shall try to post again on Monday before the year ends If I can't manage it have fun and take care, All the best Clint.


19 comments:

  1. Lots of cool projects, I can't decide which one I like best they all sounds so good. Consider me looking forward to your 2013 projects!

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    1. I had to keep the list short. So many ideas of games I would like to play. I still have loads of other things unfinished like zombies, apaches, battletech, 15mm sci fi etc.... so I will not be 100% devoted to these projects, but I will try to focus on them!

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  2. Clint, of all your projects there is one that had my eyes light up and a wave of nostalgia swept over me. That was The Zone. I read that series by James Rouch in the 1980's and I loved them so much that I ran a short skirmish campaign in 20mm (or 1/72) scale. I actually scratchbuilt the Iron Pig hover APC on the front cover of the book you've shown. Ah, happy memories!

    PS> I have posted you a West Wind biker's arm holding a pistol this morning. Keep an eye on your post for it.

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    1. I still have some of James Rouch's "The Zone" books. Lost at leat one in a move. Have often thought about making the Iron Cow as well.

      Thanks for the Arm. Very Kind of you.

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  3. Some interesting ideas Clint. I know Essex sell 15mm, no pics but here's a link - http://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-racing-chariots-for-the-circus-maximus-game

    I'll be following your WSS closely. Originally I was going to do my NYW in 6mm, but we settled on 15's. As for the bases, you can have however many figures you want on a base, but they'll count as 6 figures per base, so you should be able to fit quite a few figures on a base.

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    1. I think pendraken do some 10mm roman chariots, Maybe Magitum will as well. Essex as you say but maybe 20mm is an option. What I have to do is build the Circus and see what looks best on the terrain. I have a cunning plan to build the circus!

      WSS I thought that would be up your street. BtLB2 I know you use. Hope to get the rules at Cavalier end of Feb, if not sooner. Your blog clearly shows 6 figs per base but they are also clearly representing a greater number of men.
      I did consider 10mm figures, but as I want to do cold war in 6mm it makes sense to minimise the terrain construction.

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    2. opps I forgot WSS star forts were also a consideration for the period!! Gotta be fun to build one!

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  4. ALL good, interesting projects Ray. But I have to say that the Zone project is the one I'm most looking forward too.

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    1. As mentioned above I'll try to use as much scenery from the WSS project and alreay have two forces. (Hermanschultz Kmmando and Soviet Airbourne Desant). Therfore maybe not too much to do really. Another club member already has a Turkish force from the same era so already lining up opponents.

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  5. Christ you'll be busy, looking forward to Zone and Monshonga Station.

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    1. Hallo Fran. Zone, as hinted at above, is an add on extra use for the WSS terrain (ok maybe not the star fort!)

      And you'll see Monshonga Station in the felsh in June. Maybe get you Ray Lee and Poste down for a pre Broadside game as well.

      So yes busy and will need to focus! But achievable and I want to push myself this year as I felt I coasted last year and don't feel good about it!

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  6. Your not a wargamer unless you get sidetracked. Its part of the hobby. Have a great 2013.

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  7. Clint some real nice ideas, I am looking forward to seeing what you do for Circus Maximus ! this is a project I will eventually do aswell, lead the way man.

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    1. Might start on New years day. If weather permits and I can get motivated. Should be an easy straight forward build. Or so I keep telling myself!
      If I can get it done as early in the year as possible It might give me momentum.

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  8. Good ambitions. Circus rules can be found easily on the net. Good luck and a happy New Year.

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    1. Ambition in wargames I have masses of. Getting the out of my head and into reality is my problem. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  9. Some great projects on the horizon there Clint, looking forward to seeing them as they progress.
    Most interesting "Circus" game I ever saw was done with 54mm Timpo Chariots many, many years ago;good luck with your's.
    Monshonga station has to be my favourite of the bunch.

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    1. Thanks Joe. I will probably show the start of Circus tommorrow.

      Monshonga will get a start soon as well. Collecting materials at the moment.

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