"BattleBox In Action" Topic

Here is a quick snap of my "BattleBox" in action. By converting from inches to cm I can fit a 4x7 table in a compact box. I can leave the game set up and it slides under a sofa in the den, to be returned to next day or next week.

This is a dummy scenario for a solo play test of "Bitter Angels" which has been taken off the back burner and turned up to "simmer." More at flagshipgames.com/forum

Here I'm using 6mm figs and 3cm square bases for each brigade instead of 3" on a full size table.

Looks good – how big is the actual battlefirld?

Mike

Good, I have been waiting for some shots. I love the idea of getting a full game into a small space.

The box is 53x89cm (21x35") and closes up to half that size.

Admittedly a white board or magnetic board with counters would be more practical, but like Norm I kinda like the idea of games in very small spaces.

Is that a pizza box?

Using magnetic base materials you could easily make this into a travel game.

I know you're playing around with this. I'd suggest painting the inside sides of the box blue and maybe daubing a bit of clouds here and there.

Alternately, you could paint the entire inside of the box blue, then use pieces of green mat over the top. That way, you could leave places open where you wanted a river or stream. You could also use those hills there as islands and play ironclads or Age of Sail games too.

Just thinking "inside of the box" as it were. :)

I'm gonna see what I can come up with along these lines. It's a VERY cool idea.

V/R

I've heard of games similar to this called boardgames. :)

Rabbit

This is a "Holy Grail" kind of project I have seen attempted with many methods. I say "Holy Grail" because I keep flirting with it but haven't said "this is it." Just last week I was at Hobby Lobby looking at this a wooden art box and wondering if figures can be stored inside with magnets and if the out side of the lid could be used as a playing surface.

Crispy, I like the idea you have of converting inches to centimeters….it seems to solve a LOT of problems. I also like that you can leave your's set up. The only issue I have is a personal one: I don't like the flaps. Not your problem, but mine. Maybe I could solve that.

I meet the owner of Rebel Minis at a convention recently and he told me he has 'shelves' in his closet that he stores 2'X 2' battle boards in. I found that thought interesting.

Mark,

Your box looks suspiciously like the archival storage boxes we use in our archives. Did you get it from Hollinger/Metal Edge?

Jim

Neat project. I think painting the inside edges sky blue would be a nice touch.

I've been playing Alpha strike with 10mm Mechwarrior figures, but I've been toying with the idea of painting up some of the battletech 6mm stuff I've got for a set that would fit in a suitcase. Seeing what you've done, I could fit some collapsable buildings and a few foam trays of figs all into a box that size. Interesting….

Here's a detailed how-to on how I made it.

link

@ColCampbell: Yep archival box for artwork, purchase at my local art supply store.

@OrdinaryBass: Go paper buildings they fold flat!

@Tkindred: I'm thinking of adding pictures of fields. But remember some of the flaps "rub" on the others when it closes, so durability must be considered.

@ACW Gamer: You could always flock the outside of the box and play on it upside down. That would work if you used fabric or felt instead of flocking like I did.

ACW Gamer,

I have a set of timber map drawers with a bunch of 2'x 2' flocked board in them. At the moment setup I have 2 15mm ancient games, 1 ww2 6mm game and 1 20mm ww2 skirmish game.

If still interested: the blog post the picture is from has slightly more background, amongst other things in a 100,000 hits retrospective post. Link to blog post is here:

link

Crispy, now there is an idea!!

@Shaun, that is brilliant! Maybe even worth a nomination for the Nobel Prize in miniature gaming!!!

Now I have to find one!!!

Wait….maybe I can have the Amish build me one! A Custom one!!!