J Womack 94 | 04 Feb 2013 4:38 p.m. PST |
I may be late to the party on this one, but I think it is worth repeating. link Osprey is releasing a set of Steampunk (I know John, you hate the term. They used it, so I used it. Now go back to your sedan chair. Muffin and Bunny are getting cold and your beer is getting warm.) rules, and North Star is producing figures to go along with it. I blogged about them, and have pictures there, too. link |
CommanderCarnage | 04 Feb 2013 5:51 p.m. PST |
I like the look of most of those minis. I'm very happy they aren't a mix pirates, vampires, and steam engines like a great number of "steam punk minis". |
jpattern2 | 04 Feb 2013 5:57 p.m. PST |
What the Commander said. Very nice. |
Parzival | 04 Feb 2013 6:06 p.m. PST |
Those are very nice figures, with uses outside of Steampunk. Many would work just fine with pulp settings. |
little o | 04 Feb 2013 6:14 p.m. PST |
Very cool figures. I like them all. Will buy them certainly. M |
ordinarybass | 04 Feb 2013 6:24 p.m. PST |
Interesting, I had no idea there were official figures released for the game. They do look very nice and seem perfect for a "League of Extraordinary Gentleman" type of setting. As for the rules, I really like "In The Emperor's Name", the free Sci-Fi Skirmish ruleset by the same author. link Set in the 40k universe, but with completely different game mechanics, it's actually a great fast-play generic sci-fi/sci-fantasy system with complete unit creation mechanics. If IHMN is like ITEN then that's a very good thing and I'll definitely be picking it up even though I don't play steam punk. |
SECURITY MINISTER CRITTER | 04 Feb 2013 8:14 p.m. PST |
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John the OFM | 04 Feb 2013 8:54 p.m. PST |
Nice figures, but I reserve the right to say "Harrumph!" |
J Womack 94 | 04 Feb 2013 11:05 p.m. PST |
John, when do you not reserve the right to harrumph? I thought it was assumed under the OFM title. |
IUsedToBeSomeone | 05 Feb 2013 2:36 a.m. PST |
I thought looking at these that the Pax Limpopo range from Eureka would be a good fit for these rules as well
Mike |
AndrewGPaul | 05 Feb 2013 2:43 a.m. PST |
I reserve the right to say "Harrumph!" Excellent! Every good steampunk game needs a harrumphing old fart. :) |
DLIinVSF | 05 Feb 2013 3:26 a.m. PST |
Yummy eye candy :) Please!Please!Please! stop making such nice things,I'll have no money left to feed my chidren! ;) Any idea of scale?Are they like alot of North Star figs on the bigger end of 28mm? |
DLIinVSF | 05 Feb 2013 3:53 a.m. PST |
Oh no just checked the rest of the site they aren't in singles :( While nice the bulk of the sets are standard stuff.I'd be keener if they had character/command packs.The really good ones have 3-4 figs in each pack. |
Huscarle | 05 Feb 2013 5:18 a.m. PST |
Oh damn me eyes, looks like I will have to get the multi-bundle, <sobs> and released at the same time as Salute. How to send me to the poorhouse in one easy lesson
|
Cadian 7th | 05 Feb 2013 5:53 a.m. PST |
I really like these figs! I can also see uses in pulp gaming as well. When I hear Steampunk, I think of the movie Steamboy. That has just the right mix of science and historical fantasy. Of course just like chili, sometimes a dash of supernatural,a pinch of cthulu, and a sprig of magic to spice things up a bit! Seasoned to taste mind you. |
TheBeast | 05 Feb 2013 6:46 a.m. PST |
The piccies I'm waiting on are cross-manufacture size comparisons. I realize many folk have metric b**tload of North Star, but I'm in a minority there. I found the LXG comment interesting, as I thought the Yeti had a rather Mr. Hyde look to him, toning down the fangs a bit. Glad I found this thread; I assume Bill will be springing some on our group at any time. Lastly, I'm with John, but Frank Chadwick considers us narrow-minded jades
Doug |
CPBelt | 05 Feb 2013 7:25 a.m. PST |
Any idea what the rules are like? |
Dr Mathias | 05 Feb 2013 7:58 a.m. PST |
These are new to me, thanks for posting. |
TodCreasey | 05 Feb 2013 8:16 a.m. PST |
The main issue for most people is going to be scenery – hopefully this brings about something that allows for some great skirmish gaming. Very tempted by the British and the Egyptian cultists. |
NickNorthStar | 05 Feb 2013 9:24 a.m. PST |
Hi TodCreasey, I hope to be working with 4Ground on this for some very useful MDF kits. Nick |
Sumo Boy | 05 Feb 2013 10:10 a.m. PST |
Very nice looking figures! I'm curious to see what the rules are like. |
Craig Cartmell | 05 Feb 2013 11:22 a.m. PST |
Gentlemen, These rules are an interesting diversion for an evening's gentlemanly entertainment. They are designed to be learned within a single game, yet contain sufficient tactical depth to take many games to master. The four companies for which the chaps at Northstar have provided figurines of most excellent quality, are just four of the ten companies in the rules. The other companies are: A British Rifle company, featuring the Prince of Wales Extraordinary Company, and including rules for various famous British and Imperial regiments. The Explorer's Club, from whence Lord Curr's company comes. Scotland Yard, featuring a certain Consulting Detective and his Doctor companion. Constables with All Electric English Truncheons anybody? Wild Bill Hickock's Wild West Show. A European cover for the activities of the US Secret Service featuring those reformed outlaws, the Dooleys. The Légion Étrangère – 4me Battalion, Les Zouaves de Kreiss. Including the infamous Professor Moebius and his enchanting daughter Amelie. The US Marine Corps. Rocketing in from the Halls of Montezuma. The Brick Lane Commune. As deranged a bunch of anarchists and incendiaries as you are likely to find. The rules include a complete points system that allows players to create their own troops and companies, weapons and other equipment. So you are not bound to the ten listed in the book. There is plenty of historical and VSF-inspired armour, weapons and other common and strange equipment for you to use in your games. There are also steam-powered walkers
We have included a large section on scenarios, scenario complications, terrain and typical late 19th century landscapes. We feel that skirmish games often suffer from a lack of attention in these areas, well not here good people. As authors and lifelong gamers, Charles and I have tried to create a game that feels right for the period. The forces all have historical bases, but have been taken a step forwards (and perhaps stranger) utilising all the imagination of the Victorian Scientific Romances. We intend to set up a blog/site soon to allow us to promote and support the rules. A lot more material shall be published there to support the game. Please feel free to ask questions or comment on this, and I shall endeavour to answer all I can without letting the entire tiger out of the tent. We are both intending to attend Salute 2013, where Northstar shall be demonstrating the game with their lovely figures. If you are coming please drop by and have a chat. Cheers, Craig. |
ordinarybass | 05 Feb 2013 12:13 p.m. PST |
Thanks for that overview Craig, The rules just jumped from probably, to definitely buy. |
J Womack 94 | 05 Feb 2013 11:04 p.m. PST |
Yep. Definite Historicon purchase, if anyone has them for sale. |
sasoriuk | 06 Feb 2013 8:11 a.m. PST |
I like the idea of the rifle company. I'll be keeping an eye on these rules and minis. |
NickNorthStar | 06 Feb 2013 10:13 a.m. PST |
I can imagine Lon at Brigade Games will have them at Historicon. |
Craig Cartmell | 06 Feb 2013 10:34 a.m. PST |
The British Rifle Company consists not only of the usual Captain, Sergeant and Riflemen, but can also include a Field Surgeon, Royal Engineers (with Congreve Rocket guns), Ghurkhas, Highlanders, Royal Welsh, Sepoys, Sikhs, Guardsmen, the Blues & Royals and even Royal Marines. Each of these have their own options and abilities. They are capable, brave and well-led. And there's more
;) |
ordinarybass | 06 Feb 2013 10:47 a.m. PST |
Craig, Do you have a hard date for actual release? |
NickNorthStar | 06 Feb 2013 12:15 p.m. PST |
Lon will have the figures at Historicon. What we haven't mentioned anywhere yet is we (or I should say Kev) has provided lots of the photos for the book, featuring our new figures and a mix of North Star and Artizan 19th Century figures. Some examples are on our gallery link Nick |
DLIinVSF | 06 Feb 2013 12:44 p.m. PST |
HaHa :) I've got an idea of the scale, now the Artizen Legionnaires are there :) Thank you Nick :) |
Craig Cartmell | 06 Feb 2013 1:11 p.m. PST |
I don't have a hard date no. I am a mere scribbler after all. It will be after Salute in May sometime. Perhaps Nick has a better idea? |
NickNorthStar | 06 Feb 2013 1:49 p.m. PST |
I think May 20th, but as with all Osprey books, they'll probably be with us around the 5th to 10th. Nick |
Craig Cartmell | 06 Feb 2013 2:28 p.m. PST |
The photo's are lush as we say in wales :) They also led to some last minute adjustments to the rules – we had to make Ophelia possible Nick. |
Capt Flash | 07 Feb 2013 3:46 p.m. PST |
Woo hoo! Finally! Congrats Craig. Hopefully I'll be able to utilize my platoon of Dwarf Brittania Dwarves and a variety if minis I've been gathering for VSF. -Edgar |
Capt Flash | 07 Feb 2013 3:46 p.m. PST |
Woo hoo! Finally! Congrats Craig. Hopefully I'll be able to utilize my platoon of Dwarf Brittania Dwarves and a variety of minis I've been gathering for VSF. -Edgar |
Craig Cartmell | 09 Feb 2013 6:04 a.m. PST |
Strangely Capt. Flash we seem to have overlooked Dwarf Britannia ;) However, there is a fully-featured points system to assist you in developing your own companies. |
snodipous | 09 Feb 2013 6:18 p.m. PST |
Craig, can you say how the rules play with a larger number of players? In a convention setting, for instance, it would be nice to be able to do a 6-player game, either 3 vs. 3 or a free-for-all. |
Craig Cartmell | 10 Feb 2013 2:36 a.m. PST |
The games is perfectly scaleable to include three or four companies without unduly slowing play because of its rotating actions system. I move a figure, you move a figure, Capt. Flash moves a figure etc. Thus there isn't the long tedious wait to act. I must admit I have not seen it played with more than that. However, if you do have a large table, you could divide it into sectors and let people play off against each other separately from others until its gets more mingled as the game progresses. I'm really looking forwards to seeing Northstar's demonstation game at Salute this year to see how other's play it. It is one thing playtesting rules yourself, but quite different watching people that you have never met use them :) |
TheBeast | 10 Feb 2013 11:17 a.m. PST |
"However, there is a fully-featured points system to assist you in developing your own companies." Oh, we noticed that. As I, myself, have some redcoated dwarfs, and some Death-in-the-Dark dwarfs for transition to pseudo-Prussian dwarfs, I shall be watching such developments keenly. Oh, I've looked and looked for the lads in red in binding after binding of The Monthly Army List, but no indications have I found. However, but for their unrecorded travails in far off Ruritania, and the unknown monsters-of-iron their fiendishly clever hands have created, things should be much perturbed upon this sceptered isle, methinks. I've already said too much. Doug |
Craig Cartmell | 11 Feb 2013 11:03 a.m. PST |
We shall look forwards to your company listing once the rules emerge from Castle Osprey then :) |
Craig Cartmell | 11 Feb 2013 11:11 a.m. PST |
Someone asked what will be the availability of these rules outside the UK
so here is the answer from Phil at Osprey: Amazon stores (US, Canada, France etc.) will all carry it, so that's an easy one. Likewise equivalent internet retailers (e.g. Book Depository etc.). Barnes & Nobles, Waterstones and other ‘large' booksellers will have the possibility of stocking it. They will certainly be able to order it, whether or not they have it in stock depends on the buyers – some may have loads, others just one (or none!). With an ISBN, any store should be able to get it! As for gaming stores – they'll receive information on it, either from our mailings, or from our listings in trade magazines. Again, whether they stock it or not is up to the owner/buyer. If in doubt, they should ask the owner! We don't preclude any country from acquiring our books (apart from China, and then only when the book mentions Tibet – and that's more their choice than ours), so pretty much anywhere you can buy books will be able to acquire the rules. Cheers, Craig |
TheBeast | 13 Feb 2013 2:32 p.m. PST |
As for gaming stores – That answer, in turn, depends on if you've got any distributors accepting same. Osprey partners usually fair well there, but
Doug |
Craig Cartmell | 17 Feb 2013 9:31 a.m. PST |
Hi All, Kevin Dallimore has done a painting guide for Lord Curr, the roguish hero who appears on the cover of the rules. link |
Craig Cartmell | 19 Feb 2013 4:57 a.m. PST |
Nick has confirmed over on Lead Adventure that the Scotland Yard Company starter set will include figures that resemble a certain Inspector and Sergeant from Ripper Street
Soon you will be able to field H Division in all its gory glory. |
J Womack 94 | 19 Feb 2013 11:32 a.m. PST |
And it has been confirmed that the Scotland Yard Set has been made as a reach goal! |
Craig Cartmell | 24 Feb 2013 3:22 a.m. PST |
One of the things that made this project 'real' for Charles and I was the arrival from Osprey of the internal illustrations. First as sketches and then a glorious full colour plates. One of these illustrations even led to an entirely new section being added to the rules. So I'd like to direct you to the website of the talented Canadian illustrator Jesse McGibney: mcgibs.iseenothing.com/port I know that Steve Saleh at Northstar used some of Jesse's work as the inspiration for such figures as Mohan Singh of Lord Curr's Incorrigibles. The vision of this huge man, barechested and firing a maxim gun from the hip is one of my favourites. |
J Womack 94 | 24 Feb 2013 8:46 a.m. PST |
Do the rules include walkers / steam tanks? |
Craig Cartmell | 24 Feb 2013 8:59 a.m. PST |
There are eight types of steam-powered walker listed in the rules. From the humble civilian Johnson MkVII Industrial Walker all the way up to the terrifying Prussian Kaiser Wilhelm Krieg-walker. There are also armoured steam carriages and hansoms, and the Cody Steam Horse. |
J Womack 94 | 25 Feb 2013 10:37 p.m. PST |
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Craig Cartmell | 26 Feb 2013 10:42 a.m. PST |
We knew people would want walkers, however, these are not the heavily armoured monstrosities your see in many steampunk rules – steam mecha if you will. They are based on a logical extension of the engineering the period. So they are clunky and covered in brass and rivets but great fun to use :) |