"The future of 6mm sci-fi" Topic

ORLY?

Well maybe not quite but…

Attack! this weekend just gone was the first ever show in my 6 years of attending shows, where I sold only what I make myself.
Over the years I have stocked 2mm, 3mm, 6mm, dice, paints, boardgames, trees, glue, all sorts of things from other companies.
Despite me always selling small scale stuff, there have always been things that are not scale specific to lure people to my stand to make money.
In fact the paints normally account for about 30% or more of my takings at a show.

So going to a show with only 6mm sci-fi was a bit nervous for me.

My fears were unfounded!

In terms of actual takings it was my 2nd best show so far this year.
In terms of actual profit it was the best.
Looking back over 2013's shows and comparing the average takings to what I did this weekend with only 6mm sci-fi, I beat the average!

Also there were no snarky comments about sci-fi or about the size.
Well, no one made any to my face anyway, so that was also a pleasant change.

Maybe the world is warming to 6mm sci-fi, maybe they are even warming to 6mm sci-fi skirmish!

This has pleased me and is hopefully a positive sign for those that are into 6mm sci-fi that the future is even brighter for small scale teeny weeny fun!

Michael.
angelbarracks.co.uk

Congratulations on a successful show!

I'm really liking 6mm now, and I've purchased a lot more 6mm than 15mm lately. There seems to be quite a lot of high quality 6mm stuff out there now (and continuing to grow, too).

Glad it went well for you. I had intended to go on Sunday but was (a) a bit tired after running our game on Saturday (b) packing to come up to Lancaster for work this morning and (c) I got roped into dog sitting, so I missed out.

What has tempted you sharkbait?
Choice, cost, quality, space… ?

No worries Martin!

AB – all of the above. Cost is pretty big since I'm a cheap ba$tard.

The quality of 6mm, combined with the lower cost, makes it appeal to me. Being able to play skirmish games as well as larger unit games with the same minis is also quite cool.

Congratulations, Michael, some very well deserved success – now roll on Blast-Tastic! – if only I could attend….. :-( – oh well, maybe next year!

6mm Sci-fi RULES !!!!!! It's God's Scale !!!!!!!

Great news, particularly about your own ranges doing all the selling – but you do make some pretty cool and unique stuff, so I'm not really surprised.

If 6mm wants to grow it needs a full court media blitz of AARs on great terrain like GW does with White Dwarf. I don't consider 6mm skirmish scale its big battles and big battles sell multiples of the same items.

AB Congratulations on this, I was hoping to cath up with you at the show as you do some wicked stuff but in the end coudn't make it (don't you hate it when real life gets in the way) but I'm coming to Bast-tastic so will catch you there. Congratulations again.

Maybe some of us 6mm enthusiasts should get get together and start a 6mm version of Dropship Horizon or at least something like it.
There's some great stuff over on the Angel Barracks forum and on Tactical Command and such,but there's a lot of it to plow through sometimes. A blog that has news about all the great new stuff coming out from various manufacturers, hobby articles on 6mm painting and terrain and AAR of both skirmish and big battles would be an awesome gateway to draw in new people.
I know the Dropship played a big part in getting me into 15mm.
Just my 2 cents, what do you think?

I like 6mm scale to use with large operational level games. Planetary invasion forces what not and all!

Maybe some of us 6mm enthusiasts should get get together and start a 6mm version of Dropship Horizon or at least something like it.

I like this idea and will gladly become a contributor.

I would also be willing to contribute some content to such an endeavor. I am new to 6mm and no one around me plays it unless I drag them to the store with me.

Currently I supply all the models and the rules and the set-up. I can see people getting more into if more resources were available.

I could certainly contribute.

Me too !

You can book me now for an interview, fees are very reasonable!

:D

The future of 6mm Sci Fi? Why, my good man, 6mm Sci Fi IS the future!

The casting and detail are getting better and better, and it's becoming the most versatile of any gaming scale. You can do anything from skirmishes up to full set piece battles without having to buy a whole new set of figures for one or the other. Now, personally, my preference is for 3mm scale when you get up to battalion and regiment level, but then, I'm a very special kind of crazy.

Maybe some of us 6mm enthusiasts should get get together and start a 6mm version of Dropship Horizon or at least something like it.

Dropship Horizon was definitely my gateway into 15mm sci-fi, so such a site for 6mm sci-fi would probably work on me, at least. ;)

-Will

Now, personally, my preference is for 3mm scale when you get up to battalion and regiment level, but then, I'm a very special kind of crazy.

But we love you for it.

Hmmmmm 3mm individually based skirmish you say?

o_0

I don't believe I did say that. But since you mention it…

O8 are pretty tidy tbh.

Hmmmmm 3mm individually based skirmish you say?

Beware, for that way lies madness!

Madness isn't all I've cracked up to be. Umm… wait…

I think if the content of such a blog remains focused and consistent, then it'll be worth the effort, and be a good resource for introducing new players into the use of miniatures rendered in the One True Scale.

Anyone dredged a blog name out of their cranial matter yet? :p

I've been tempted by 6mm skirmish just for the craziness of it all, but I guess 3 tanks and 12 foot soldiers won't make me a great customer :)

On the main topic, what 6mm scifi needs is the "burst" that happened with 15mm scifi. A few sets of rules that cater to it, and a sudden surge in interest that allows a number of companies with diverse ranges to establish themselves.

Hmmmmm 3mm individually based skirmish you say?

Beware, for that way lies madness!

Madness?!?

THIS. IS. GAMING!!!!

But seriously, if y'all put something together I will read. I just don't expect too much 6mm or 3mm scifi gaming on my end.

A new blog dedicated to 6mm sci-fi wargaming patterned after Dropship Horizon?

I have an old blog that could provide an existing framework that can be modified into a suitable platform to showcase 6mm sci-fi wargaming. I would be willing to open it up to a group of co-administrators (that's what the core of Dropship Horizon is, I was one of the original seven). The core writing staff of the Dropship has 2 editors, selected by mutual consent.)
The blog I would be happy to let a group of interested parties use is PLANET ARES VI

It can be redesigned to better serve in a new capacity. It's there for a new group of admins/contributors to use if you'd like. Just let me know.

Maj. Diz Aster

Ok, if we're going to do this thing, how do we start?
The way I see it we are going to need a group of, say five to ten, people willing to contribute on a more or less regular basis. We all have jobs/family/other interests so if we want to start something that will keep going it might be best to spread the load.

We need to decide on a platform, I have never done any blogging so someone else will have to come up with that, otherwise I'd just pick something random like say Blogger or something.

We need to agree on what the content will be. New 6mm releases, rules reviews, AAR's, hobby articles…

And of course a name:
- Dimension VI
- Six Mil Scifi
- Nanoship Troopers
…

I am open to sugestions.

Damn! Ninja'd by the Major!

PLANET ARES VI might be a good place to start, I always hoped it would take of and become more or less the 6mm Dropship Horizon.
What do the rest of you think, start a new blog or reboot PLANET ARES the way they did the Dropship?

I think things are ok the rule front – Dirtside, Strike Legion, Quadrant 13, Future War Commander, Epic, KR 16, Hammers' Slammers – The Crucible, and more that I'm sure I'm forgetting.

I'd suggest "tiny space marines" for a blog title but maybe it'd cause legal troubles.

or riffing on the idea above "Microship troopers". After all, it's Micro-armour right? :)

What about a private forum so that people interested can discuss and plan and once the plan is done they can start work on the blog?

You can get a free forum or I can make a hidden section on mine and only let certain people see it?

Public forums may get diluted and a big e-mail chain will just get ugly..
The team of editors need a private work space to set the framework even before the blog is done.
Once you have a team in place you can put the news on the blog but still have the forum as your office, where you discuss stuff behind the scenes?

?

Private forum is a good idea Angel Barracks, but What we did with Dropship Horizon, was create a closed parallel blog to hash things out among us until we got the Dropship up and running back in 2010. The closed blog is still there, but originally we used it like a forum for the original seven contributors, it kept things from getting cluttered. I could build a new version of it for use with PLANET ARES VI. Just give me a day or two. Drophip Horizon's parallel blog is called Horizon Base.

Are there any 6mm big battle rules out there?

Dirtside II and Future War Commander come to mind. Not sure how many other big scale ones are out there, other than Epic, which I know very little about.

Future War Commander
Dirtside II
Strike Legion
Epic and variants

Struggling to think of any others right now.

Ed – Battalion Commander! I know it wasn't "designed" for 6mm, but I think it's a great game for 6mm. Won't break the bank to field some larger armies in 6mm.

Thanks, I mean big battles with each stand a unit and maybe 20-30 stands per side.

I'll add these other rules sets in general, don't remember a lot but they are on my future play list :
Iron Cow
Prophecy Of War

I'll be writing an AAR for the Mini Mech game I ran at Historicon soon.. Lots of great pics.

Another rule set is free from DRM on their site is their Seeds Of War … very nice … As far as gaming size, we'd usually game with Epic[and other rule systems add ons] were 2 or more Company level units or more on each side. Sometimes approaching a Bn minus to Bn levels … Too many units on a table, reminds me of the silly GW SM2 iteration. You deployed so many troops instead on looking like a modern battle of fire & manuever, it looked more like the ACW or with high tech weapons !

Quadrant 13 by Too Fat Lardies can be used with 6mm minis for company level engagements.

link

All of you who are interested in developing a 6mm sci-fi wargaming equivalent to Dropship Horizon, please contact me:

maj.dizaster AT gmail DOT com

Since the vast majority of us live in different time zones, this can possibly take a little time to get going(the DH staff are all over the globe), so there will be an inevitable time lag, but with some patience we can make this a reality.
Let's see if we can get the ball rolling on this

Message sent.
You can count me in.

Come on guys 6mm needs you!
Will you answer the call?
;-)

So what all will the site involve? Mini's reviews ?

I don't think I have anything to contribute, but I'll be watching with interest!

@Weasel
Well, it would be similar to what Dropship Horizon does;
New release info, miniature reviews, interviews with manufacturers/publishers, how-to articles, AARs, event news, articles by guest contributors, etc. It just needs to have a group of individuals to come together and make it happen, just like the Dropship Horizon crew did. It's definitely a labor of love for all involved with Dropship Horizon. The new 6mm blog will need individuals with the same kind of passion the guys Dropship Horizon have, and I know there's a lot of passion for 6mm sci-fi out there, so if you're interested, the invitation is open.

I very well might, but I don't want to commit to any promises I can't keep right at the moment :)

No problem, Weasel. Whether you become a core staff member or just a guest contributor, you're always welcome to join at any time.

That's the same for anyone else who might be interested. This is a community endeavor, it's our resource. Whether you are able to contribute or not, you're welcome to be a part of the new blog.