GenCon : If you are planning at being at GenCon I will be working with Cryptozoic Entertainment running their tournament area. If you want to arrange some time to take a look at what we have done so far and demo the game, let me know.
Interstellar Conflict (previously Event Horizon) is an intense tactical miniatures skirmish game set in an expansive science fiction universe, where empires compete for control. Players utilize a unique movement card system to simulate actual starship combat in space, rather than a naval or airplane movement style. Movement and combat are simultaneously done allowing for faster gameplay while maintaining that feeling of actual combat.
What makes Interstellar Crisis different than other games? Ship Physics / Vector Movement : Ships flying in space do not have to move like a fighter plane or warship. They aren't required to only move in the direction they are facing or fly like they do in the movies. Ships generate momentum which will continue to carry the ship the direction it is going, unless the engines apply thrust a different direction.
Card Movement System : Unique card movement system letting you create unique combinations of movement and plot out orders without your opponent knowing your plans until they unfold.
Sensors : You can't simply look out the window to see the fleet in front is a group of destroyers. Sensors play a role by identifying what ship classes you are facing as well as determining real ships from decoys or drones.
Damage Arcs : Similar to fire arcs but instead of determining the direction that weapons fire, damage arcs determine where damage is applied from enemy ships. Instead of a single hit point track ships utilize four damage arcs representing different parts of the ship. How you approach ships and where they take damage is important.
Scenario and Objective Encounters : Combat is more than just one army vs another one on different sides of the board. You might be fighting in a nebula that causes interference with laser batteries or maybe a nearby black hole affecting the use of fighters. You won't know the scenario and objective until after you've chosen and created your fleets.
Simultaneous Combat and Movement : Initiative is important but it isn't so damaging that a bad decision or roll means you can't respond to an attack. No worrying about failing an initiative roll and then watching helplessly as your fleet gets destroyed without a response from you.
Campaign System : Make your battle with your friends count for something as they play a greater role in a campaign system. You may have lost a battle but you could still win the war.
Modular Miniatures : Using modular connector design, we can create a system to allow players to customize, create their own variations using the base components with this unique system. If a player likes the engines of one ship but preferred the front of another, they would now be able to combine them to create their own custom design.
The original idea was to utilize ship designs that didn't require a lot of cutting but could maintain high quality detail and still be appealing. The designs were created with the ability to be cast as one piece or split into 1-3 smaller pieces. As we continue to look for new methods to keep this appealing to vast audiences, the goal is to make sure they still stay high quality miniatures. Although we can keep it high quality as 1-3 pieces, we eventually made the decision to change how we cut up and separated the miniatures. This actually lets us get a higher quality and detailed miniature while providing some interesting options for players.
Here is an example of a miniature that would have normally been cast as a single piece:
The new modular design will break up the miniature into more than 3 pieces but it gives players a lot more options. You can see an example of the same ship cut up into its individual pieces:
Here you can see a few ship designs utilizing the modular system. This is just a small example of what is possible:
United Republic
Europa Confederation
Shingen Empire
Federated Commonwealth
Anazi Dynasty
Outer Rim Pact
Frequently Asked Questions Why did you change the name of the game?Our original name Event Horizon: Fleet Battles, although seemed to fit at the time, confused quite a few people. Someone new to the game would immediately link it to an old sci-fi movie name, and having to explain the title just doesn't work.
What comes in the game box?
There will be six different Fleet Starter sets, one for each faction, so backers will be able to choose their faction. Each box will contain four miniatures from that faction. Each Fleet Starter set will contain:
- 4 Starship Miniatures from that faction
- 4 Movement Decks (96 cards)
- 4 Ship Status Cards
- 4 Ship Signature Tokens
- 4 Fighter Tokens
- 4 Missile Tokens
- 2 Freighter Transport Tokens
- 2 Asteroid Tokens
What Add-Ons do you have planned for your Kickstarter?
- There will be at minimum 2 space themed playmats 4'x6' and 4'x'4. (waiting on the sample to arrive)
- Space Terrain: Space dock, space station, communication satellite, weapon platforms, asteroids and space debris.
- Laser Cut Items: Acrylic tokens and templates, special laser cut ruler for fire arcs and movement
- Dice
- Card Sleeves
What sizes are the miniatures?
There is more information on our website. The sizes are going to be comparable to most of the miniatures out there. We want the miniatures to be be compatible with other games so if someone just likes the miniatures, they have an option. For those that just like the rules but want to use their own miniatures, there will be an option for that as well. Then there will also be the starter set that has both. Before we actually launch the Kickstarter I plan to do better size comparison pictures but initially this should give you an idea.
What are the future plans for Garage Gaming?
The main purpose of our initial Kicsktarter will be to finalize creation and publish Intersteller Crisis. We obviously want to do more than just Interstellar Crisis and we wanted to share the directions we planning to go. These plans may or may not become part of the initial Kickstarter but that is always a possibility. For now that portion will simply be focusing on succeeding and delivering. Here is a into what else we would like to work on and accomplish.
- Eminent Domain: Interstellar Crisis is the first part of a larger full campaign game that also includes planetary control and combat. Interstellar Crisis deals with the space battles and Eminent Domain will be the 32mm fast pace skirmish combat game set in the same universe. There will be rules for larger campaigns that integrate and mingle elements, allowing someone to turn an interplanetary raid into a full planetary invasion.
- Updated Galaxy Map: We wanted the games and battles in Interstellar Crisis and Eminent Domain to mean something, or at least portray the ongoing struggle happening in that universe. We also wanted to provide a means for players to gain access to more dynamic campaigns and games depending on what is happening around them. Players will be able to register their games and choose to upload their results which then updates a global galaxy map. Interstellar Crisis wins can change the borders for empires and available resources for those playing campaigns. Eminent Domain can change the control of planets, increase or decrease resources for both Interstellar Crisis players and Eminent Domain players. For example, subsequent wins for a faction on a planet would eventually lead to that planet becoming under control of that faction. Some wins/losses may cut off resources to certain parts, limiting what ships that a particular faction could bring to their games.
- Games that Matter and Player Created Universe: We also want to work on an expansion for Interstellar Crisis and Eminent Domain. This takes the conflict to other galaxies, and introduces new factions and aliens. Some of the mysteries behind what happened to Terra are also revealed. Along with the Updated Galaxy Map, player reported games will help shape the direction and new shape of this universe. It is possible that some factions may end up completely eliminated, lose access to troops or ships, planets, etc… in the expansions depending on the ongoing results of the battle reports. This lets players directly have a hand in shaping and contributing to this new universe.
- Maids vs Butlers: Card Battle Go!: It is a card and dice battle game unrelated to Interstellar Crisis. Create your Battle Deck using your favorite maids and butlers, and compete against other players. You can design your deck with only butlers, only maids, or a combination of both. Will you focus your deck on maximizing combos, or will you collect your favorite characters – harem style? Maids vs Butlers: Card Battle GO! uses a game system designed to also interact with future Card Battle GO! games – Pirates vs Ninjas, Demons vs Angels, Elves vs Dwarves, etc.
- Maids vs Butlers: Manor Mayem: Maids vs Butlers: Manor Mayhem is a PvP adventure board game. Characters from the card game come alive as miniatures trying to win the praise of the the Master of the Manor, while working to get the rest of the staff fired. Maids vs Butlers: Manor Mayhem can also be played as an optional cooperative, story-driven adventure. There are unique victory conditions that ensure a versatile and highly replayable experience. Maids vs Butlers: Manor Mayhem is also be designed to connect the manor gameboard to future gameboard sets to create games such as Maids and Butlers vs. Pirates, or Maid and Butlers vs. Magical Girls to name a few options.
- 1/6 and 1/8 Resin Garage Kits: We are working with some talented sculptors to begin plans on creating 1/6 and 1/8 scale resin models of some of creations from Eminent Domain to Maids vs Butlers. Some will be hand-painted resin figures series while others will be unpainted, unassembled pieces for collectors and artists to collect.
takes a gamble on a blurry image in an auction.
