Weasel | 15 Dec 2015 11:44 p.m. PST |
We did this a year or so ago, but I figured it might be fun to do again, Reddit style (but with less pedo's and neo-nazi's than that site) As most of you probably know by now, I'm the Nordic Weasel guy, responsible for FAD, Fivecore, Laserstorm, Clash on the Fringe, No end in sight and a few other bits. In the interest of fostering more people to write games or get involved in the "industry", ask me any question at all about self-publishing, writing, game design, whether I am actually crazy or not etc. I'm not a very exciting person outside of what I write, but if you have non-hobby questions you are burning about, shoot as well. |
Mark RedLinePS | 16 Dec 2015 12:06 a.m. PST |
What's your favourite colour? |
Doctor X | 16 Dec 2015 12:30 a.m. PST |
What number am I thinking of? |
Jemima Fawr | 16 Dec 2015 12:32 a.m. PST |
Why don't they make mouse-flavoured cat food? |
Weasel | 16 Dec 2015 12:52 a.m. PST |
Favourite colour – Black. Number – 42, but you just changed it, just to prove me wrong. Cat food – My cat says mice don't actually taste good. The cat food you buy was probably focus tested. |
gavandjosh02 | 16 Dec 2015 2:09 a.m. PST |
Which of those games should I buy to play a company sized game? |
Bashytubits | 16 Dec 2015 2:31 a.m. PST |
Do you paint houses ????
That's a loaded question. Do you mean the house you live in or wargaming terrain? Oh, what's the best question I could ask you Weasel? |
Whirlwind | 16 Dec 2015 3:13 a.m. PST |
What did you read/study to design your games? How did you decide that weapons should have "this" effect or that morale should be calibrated at "that" level? |
Whirlwind | 16 Dec 2015 3:13 a.m. PST |
Why don't they make mouse-flavoured cat food? Because mouse-farming and budgie-farming isn't economical? |
KTravlos | 16 Dec 2015 3:34 a.m. PST |
I have been looking for a grand tactical sci fi game, like the 19th century set Bloody Big Battle but with a sci-fi theme.Laserstorm really sounds interesting but does not seem to cover that. Is that the case? If not are you contemplating such a set for the future? |
The G Dog | 16 Dec 2015 5:26 a.m. PST |
Are you related to the Mongoose? |
Cosmic Reset | 16 Dec 2015 5:35 a.m. PST |
How many chickens do you need to make a herd? |
vtsaogames | 16 Dec 2015 7:13 a.m. PST |
My brother in law has at least that many at his place in Maine. |
Norman D Landings | 16 Dec 2015 8:25 a.m. PST |
Do you get offended if people confuse you with a Stoat? |
Weasel | 16 Dec 2015 9:05 a.m. PST |
Which of those games should I buy to play a company sized game? FiveCore Company Command. It's basically the size of Crossfire (a smaller Crossfire game in any event). Each stand is a squad, single vehicle or heavy weapon. Do you paint houses ???? I have, but it's not something I'd recommend anyone pay for :) Oh, what's the best question I could ask you Weasel? Probably something really obscure?
What did you read/study to design your games? How did you decide that weapons should have "this" effect or that morale should be calibrated at "that" level? I am going to make a lot of people uncomfortable probably, but a mixture of military history books, a lot of time watching movies and a lot of time talking to people who spent various amounts of time in the military. I think, to an extent, we play games based on how they "feel". A machine gun should "feel" distinct from a mortar from a grenade launcher, even if realistically, they are aren't all that distinct. KTravlos – Laserstorm aims very specifically at being a new "Epic/Space Marine" so its single vehicle stands and 5 man teams. I've thought about some sort of "grand" scifi game before, but nothing concrete. It might be worth doing though,since there's basically nothing out there. Are you related to the Mongoose? Distant but we only see each other at thanksgiving. How many chickens do you need to make a herd? I kinda feel that it takes 4. Do you get offended if people confuse you with a Stoat? I'm not hurt… sniff. |
rmaker | 16 Dec 2015 10:39 a.m. PST |
Anything? OK. Why is a raven like a writing desk? |
Chris Rance | 16 Dec 2015 11:00 a.m. PST |
Come on, Norman; everyone knows that a weasel's a weasel and a stoat is stoatally different (apologies, I'll just get my coat). |
zippyfusenet | 16 Dec 2015 11:02 a.m. PST |
What are you wearing, right now? |
15th Hussar | 16 Dec 2015 11:14 a.m. PST |
This isn't a private 3AM in the morning phone call is it, Zippy? |
Raynman | 16 Dec 2015 12:28 p.m. PST |
Does this mole look funny? |
John Leahy | 16 Dec 2015 1:13 p.m. PST |
What is the airspeed of a swallow? |
Weasel | 16 Dec 2015 1:55 p.m. PST |
OK. Why is a raven like a writing desk? Because if you put hot dogs all over both, you get weird looks and asked to leave the exhibit. What are you wearing, right now? For you? Anything you like. For everyone else, a Cattle Decapitation shirt and some generic basketball style shorts. Does this mole look funny? I'd get a medical professional to look at it, but it didn't make me laugh. What is the airspeed of a swallow? Faster than one might suspect, not as fast as one might wish. |
javelin98 | 16 Dec 2015 2:56 p.m. PST |
Dear Nordic Weasel, Lately, I've been spending a lot of time with a junior coworker who is very attractive and (oddly) seems really into me. We've gone out a few times but not on official "dates". I'd like to ask her out for something more romantic, but I don't want to make things awkward in the office. Plus, there is the very real possibility that I might end up as her boss in the next few years. What should I do? ~ Conflicted in the Conflict Resolution Office |
Umpapa | 16 Dec 2015 3:11 p.m. PST |
What's the most unexpected thing you've learned along the way? What is the best piece of advice you have been given? What is the best question anyone has ever asked you? …and how did you answer? What is the question You would love to be asked? How many cats had You in Your life (as we all know we are just mere slaves to our catlords)? (Feel free to choose at least 2 of those) |
Norman D Landings | 16 Dec 2015 3:32 p.m. PST |
Would you be prepared to publicly reassure the TMP membership that the world is not, in fact, secretly ruled by reptoids from another dimension and a cabal of human/alien hybrid bloodlines? |
sumerandakkad | 16 Dec 2015 4:51 p.m. PST |
Should we do self editing or get someone else to do it? Who is the cheapest publisher you currently use and what do they charge? Is pdf the best way to go in this small market? |
Weasel | 16 Dec 2015 8:19 p.m. PST |
Javelins relationship worries – If you work closely with someone, dating them is a recipe for potential drama. Proceed with caution. If you have spacing, go for it. Ask for something casual and cautious like lunch or a movie date. Just be ready to handle potential issues when they might arise in the future. Also, if both boning and dinner are in the plans, bone before dinner, never in reverse. What's the most unexpected thing you've learned along the way? Probably an appreciation for market opinions and gauging niche interest and marketability. Hardly fitting for a dyed-in-the-wool Red :) What is the best piece of advice you have been given? Always write what you feel passionate about. Some parts of a project will suck, and you won't get through those, if you don't burn for the rest of it. What is the best question anyone has ever asked you? …and how did you answer? I'll be cheesy and say any variation on "how did you get started?" because I hope I help more people to do it. Honestly, you just have to get in there and do it. Even if it's just 2 pages of hand written notes for you and your mates. The feeling of having done it is great. What is the question You would love to be asked?
Probably any question about pop culture references and inspirations. Nobody ever notices :-) How many cats had You in Your life (as we all know we are just mere slaves to our catlords)? Just two that are ours. We had dogs growing up. Today we have two (former) strays who are fat and happy. Mittens and Scruffy. Would you be prepared to publicly reassure the TMP membership that the world is not, in fact, secretly ruled by reptoids from another dimension and a cabal of human/alien hybrid bloodlines? Yes. It is not. It is also not ruled by robots. I am a meat person just like you. Beep. Should we do self editing or get someone else to do it? Honestly, and I might make some people mad, but as long as you can make it readable and presentable, most people will be fine. Obviously in print, the expectations ar ehigher, but a few basic rules of thumb will serve you great. My designs aren't overly handsome, but I do get good feedback on readability. Break up paragraphs longer than 4-5 lines, be careful with what flows unto the next page, and don't be afraid to use a bit of colour. You're better off with a proper editor but that costs money. Measure your cost vs expected sales. Who is the cheapest publisher you currently use and what do they charge?
I currently only do PDF self-publishing. Wargame vault takes a 30% cut (if you publish exclusive) and is well worth it for their services and exposure. I can't help on print though I hope to explore that soon. Is pdf the best way to go in this small market?
If its a choice between PDF and print, I'd say yes. Go PDF. Wider reach, and you can keep control yourself. You can also update instantly. Want to fix a mistake? Want to add a brand new rule or even a whole chapter? It's a few clicks away and every customer now has the correct version. Obviously doing PDF only will cut off some people who prefer print, but it's a good starting place. |
Norman D Landings | 17 Dec 2015 5:03 a.m. PST |
Is it okay that I'm mildly confused by the 5core range? (I know, right? An actual question!) Any chance of a quick rundown of which 5C games are skirmish/company/what-have-you, which supplements are game-specific, and which are multi-system? |
Gunfreak | 17 Dec 2015 8:49 a.m. PST |
Are you related to the Mongoose? He is only distantly related, the Mongoose is most closly related to the Foosa. Both the Mongoose and Foosa is in the sub order of Feliforma(cat like) While the Weasel is a muselid in the sub order of Caniforma(dog like) Feli and caniforma make up the order of Carnivora. So they are more closly related to each other then say they are to cows. But are more dinstantly related to each other then say we are to the Lemur. |
KTravlos | 17 Dec 2015 8:57 a.m. PST |
"It might be worth doing though,since there's basically nothing out there." Very true. Keep me posted. |
Weasel | 19 Dec 2015 12:48 p.m. PST |
Norman – For 5core? The 2nd edition rules is squad-level skirmish. Company Command is 1 stand=1 squad or vehicle. A company (or so) at the table. Brigade Commander is 1 stand = 1 company (with platoon sized attachments). A brigade or equivalent on the table. Supplements are generally geared towards the skirmish rules but can be adapted. THe recent Field Guide is for every level of play. |
Norman D Landings | 19 Dec 2015 1:25 p.m. PST |
That's…. a lot easier than I was making it in my head, thanks! |
Weasel | 19 Dec 2015 2:17 p.m. PST |
No problem :-) No worries either. "Company Level" can mean an awful lot depending on the person you ask. |