Greetings, Gamers!
A huge thank you to all of you who have commented or emailed me (jimsworkshop@fastmail.com) to let me know your thoughts on the newsletter. I’m so glad to hear that you enjoy the Monday newsletter each week. I don’t actually consider it work because I do a lot of browsing during my week and the stuff I find of interest just jumps out at me and goes right into the newsletter. I know that the stuff that interests me doesn’t necessarily interest all of my readers, but I hope with each newsletter that readers find something that grabs them and maybe pulls them into a new hobby or game or something else that brings a bit of fun to their life.
I was hoping to hit 500 subscribers by the start of summer and it’s fast approaching. The newsletter currently sits at 446 subscribers. I’m starting to be approached by gaming companies, and this is going to allow me to start increasing giveaways and having contests. The newsletter will always be free, but I’m hoping at some point to start accepting 1 or 2 small advertisements in each newsletter to help cover my time. I promise to keep them under control and never in-your-face… but if they’re appropriate to the newsletter and its audience, I would love to be able to give companies a chance to share their stuff with my subscribers.
Okay, this week’s newsletter is a bit long, but I hope that’s not a problem for you. Do let me know if you find it TOO much. I may have to find the balance, but I figure at this point my readers probably won’t complain about more gaming news, right?
On to the good stuff!
RPGs
If you’re looking for a new RPG game system, you might be interested in this new one called the FAST System from Art of the Genre. Normally the core rulebook is $65, but right now (and I don’t know for how long this will last), the core rulebook is just $25 (including a GM screen). Similar to the CORE rule system, it allows for different genres of game play. I am not familiar with the FAST System, but I do own a bunch of the fantasy RPG adventures created by Art of the Genre, including its Roslof Keep campaign setting of adventures… good stuff and well written. (I’d be curious to hear from any subscribers who play using the FAST System and what they think about it.)
From the site: the core book features 3 character archetypes with 20 skill categories and 30 character expanding 'fated traits', as well as a fully formed spell system, weapons and equipment chapter, monsters and traps, and an 'advanced rules' section that features rules for cybernetics, super powers, martial arts, and more.
Ben Milton, creator of KNAVE, an OSR RPG has recently posted a video about the incredible growth of OSR games. The video does include an interview with Kelsey Dionne, creator of ShadowDark, as well as some detailed financial info from Kickstarter projects comparing OSR to 5E. It’s a very interesting video that confirms what I already knew… OSR games are not going anywhere and are, in fact, growing in popularity.
WARGAMING (FREEBIE!)
Go RIGHT NOW and download the free rules for Bangarang in the Gutterlands, a simple little kit-bashed robot wargame. Grab the rules right here. I’ll wait.
Okay, got the rules? Now watch this video. If this doesn’t make you want to play this game, I don’t know what will. (Reading the rulebook should do it, though.) I think I may have found my next convention demo to introduce to new wargame players. (I’m so impressed with the game that I ordered a print copy of the rulebook from the UK to support the creator.)
This one actually ends on Monday, April 15 at 11:59pm BST (or 7pm EST in the USA if I’ve done my math right) - Mantic Games is tossing in free rulebooks with purchases of minis and some free shipping, too. From the announcement:
SCI-FI GAMERS: Order any Firefight Strike Force for a free physical copy of Command Protocols - full of all the rules, scenarios, background and lists you need to experience our fast & exciting vision of futuristic warfare.
FANTASY FANS: Order any Kings of War 2-Player Starter Set, Army, Mega Army, or the 3rd Edition Compendium, and get a free physical copy of Clash of Kings 2024 - the very latest supplement book for our flagship game.
AND Double Reward Points this weekend, AND reduced free shipping, AND our event-season Professor Bruttenholm miniature for Hellboy: The Board Game, AND new Dungeon Saga Origins pre-orders...*phew*...enjoy!
MINIATURES
I’m currently preparing to paint up the Relicblade minis needed to run the Catacombs of Kural solo campaign. There are two bosses (Clan Seer and Clan Chieftan) I haven’t primed yet, but here’s a photo of the other 8 minis. I’ll get them painted and share a photo in an upcoming newsletter. Left to right: Augaroth Gorgon, 2x Lizard Hounds, Clan Warrior 1, Clan Iron Wrecker, 2x Eye of Augaroth, and Clan Warrior 2.
Faction Set: The Aug-Suul
Clan Seer & Eyes
Lizard Hounds
Gorgon
CRAFTING
A new crafting channel has appeared and the first video is well done! Crafting castle walls from cardboard, not foam! Subscribe if you like his project!
I got my seven Relicblade wood terrain blocks finished up - they look good painted and they have a nice hefty weight to them — wood bases and 1/4” XPS foam tops protected with Mod Podge. (If you want the laser/SVG files to make your own boxes, you can grab them here.) I’m so pleased with how they turned out, I’m considering making some larger ones for my other games I play — for years, I’ve used foam blocks, but they tend to bump and shift too easily, so a variety of sizes of these would be useful in both RPGs and wargames. The white spots are undried Mod Podge.
My video on how and why I am doing these can be found here.
TERRAIN
While I do like to make my own terrain (see last newsletter, #53), I’m not against 3D printing some terrain when it catches my eye. Right now, I’m on a mission — I want to print as much terrain as I can from the Curse of the Citadel project created by Diorama2Print.com. I backed the Kickstarter because I really like the way the project works — you can use magnets or connectors, and it allow for multi-level layouts. I’m wanting to use it for Frostgrave layouts because it has a number of components to drop in like doors, columns, half-walls, and more. The creator is also at work with another expansion, so more variations will soon be available. I’ll share some images in upcoming newsletters, but it’s going to take me a little bit to print up enough terrain to really do a 3x3 play area justice. More info on the 3D files here.
CUSTOM CONTENT (FREEBIE)
Below is the link for the PDF of my latest Frostgrave solo scenario (that can also be run with multiple players) called Red Snow. It involves a cemetery, a vampire, and a whole bunch of ghouls and wolves. You can also watch my play-through of it below.
CROWDSOURCING
I am very appreciative of creators who offer their 3D files on Kickstarter in a Pay-What-You-Want format, and that’s why I’m happy to promote this one — the SciFi Outpost— some nice looking sci-fi terrain here, and you can set your own price. I try to support these as much as possible, so I’m backing and I hope you will, too… it might encourage this creator and other creators to do more PWYW projects for 3D terrain.
LOVECRAFT MYTHOS
Aconyte Books is FINALLY releasing its Welcome to Arkham book that covers the entire city and all its various nooks and crannies. The book uses a variety of imagery to mimic photos, handwritten letters, newspaper articles and more… and there is an embedded mystery in the book, too - trying to figure out the fate of the book’s owner. I’ll be posting a mini-review in an upcoming newsletter once I get my copy and read over it. Pre-order here.
HALLOWEEN 2024
Work continues on my Q-Pack Ghostbusters proton pack for my Forever-Costume for Halloween. I’ve wanted to do this for YEARS, and now it’s finally coming together. I’ve got the proton pack all printed, and it’s a LOT of parts. But the main structure of the proton pack is all glued together (with JB Weld) and then 3mm screws (this kit) on the insides for a stronger hold. I’ve also started printing the parts for the wand. My name is on the Wait List for the sound kit (more on that in an upcoming newsletter) but I’m supposed to get it sometime in June or July… plenty of time. Up next will be filling in gaps with some putty, sanding it down, and then painting the pack with a textured primer and then black paint. I want the pack to have a metallic look and feel, and I’m not planning on weathering it to make it look old… I want it looking new and pristine. I could change my mind, though… we’ll see. I’d love to know if any of my subscribers are taking the plunge and making their own proton packs… anyone?
Free files here: https://github.com/mr-kiou/q-pack
Instructions here ($11): https://www.etsy.com/listing/1554836449/mk4-3d-printed-q-pack-tacoshell-proton
SHOP TOUR
I’ve actually had MORE than a few people ask for this, so sure… I’ll give you a photo tour of my shop over the next few weeks. It’s not as glamorous (or tidy) as you might hope or imagine. Let’s start with my new 3D printer area — I’ve got a table over in the corner for my new Bambu P1P. I used to run two Ender-3s and they were great 3D printers, but when i saw the P1P demo’d and saw how fast it was AND how smooth the finish on the final prints… I donated my Enders to my boys’ school and got the Bambu. And yes, it IS as fast as I remember, and the print quality is superb. Next week… the worktable. I’ve been saving some cash and am hoping to find the P1P on sale this year and I might grab a second one.
GASLANDS VEHICLE OF THE WEEK
This week’s amazing toy car conversion for Gaslands is from Bryan Munich. Nothing like a Porsche with extra fuel on the roof rack and a 180 degree machine gun on the hood!
YOUTUBE
I don’t know if this will interest a lot of you, but as an engineer this kind of video just gives me the smiles. I’m a big fan of printablescenery.com and I have quite a few of their designs and campaigns, but this new one? It just blows me away. And here’s Concept artist and sculptor Johnny Fraser-Allen talking about the design process with Adam Savage and how they take a basic idea (stackable, modular buildings) and convert them to real sculpts and products. I wish I were skilled in the sculpting and drawing area, and watching artists like this just amazes me, and it all starts here with simple foam board. (By the way, the new range is called Ranshackle & Ruin and is going to be PERFECT for Frostgrave.)
BOOKS
I’m a big reader of sci-fi fiction, and I particularly am always on the lookout for stories that can easily convert to the Mothership or Alien RPG game for when I run them at conventions. Last year, I stumbled upon S. A. Barnes’ novel, Dead Silence, and… it was awesome! It made for an even cooler mini-adventure, and I make no apologies for converting the tale to a Mothership adventure. Today (April 9), I just got my copy of Barnes’ newest sci-fi horror novel, Ghost Station, delivered. I’m already seven chapters in and I’m hooked. I have no idea where this story is going, but I have some ideas. And yes, if it’s as good as Dead Silence, I suspect I’ll do my best to convert to a sci-fi adventure.
Speaking of Alien, if you’re not aware, the original film is returning to the big screen in limited run on April 26, 2024. I have already told my wife that I’m unavailable that day! I only got to see half of Alien in the movie theaters because my friends and I snuck in after finishing some other film I can’t remember… we caught the last 30-40 minutes and I was hooked. Now I can finally see it as it was originally viewed! More info here.
And speaking of Alien, let me mention briefly the new Aliens Expanded documentary that has a dozen plus of the actors and behind-the-scenes folks breaking down key scenes from the movie. You can get your name in the credits, too, if you like. More info here.
LIFE GAMIFICATION
So close! Nine days left to walk 22.5 miles… but completely doable. I had a few days where I was dealing with a sick 13 year old at home and I just couldn’t get out for my walks… and it caught up to me. But I’m gonna finish this Shire challenge and get started on the next one VERY SOON! 11 pounds lost in less than 90 days, so I can say the Lord of the Rings Challenge is definitely inspiring me to keep walking and getting healthier. More info here.
GAME DESIGN
It’s a long video but definitely worth every minute if you’ve ever given thought to creating your own game. I’ve got a bunch of skirmish wargame ideas - IDEAS - running around my head, but only one has clung on and stayed the course, and I’m actually quite close to finishing up the beta rules…
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Look back up at the Wargaming section and make note of Bangarang. I’m HOPING to get you some video playthroughs of it soon between me and my youngest son. I should also note that the creator has plans to add to the rules for multiplayer and extra features. This is a great example of a game that is affordable and easy to play, and it’s perfect IMO for demoing at conventions, and that’s my plan for Mythic Con in November 2024. I alternate the types of games I focus on at Mythic Con (formerly MACE) and this year, it’ll be wargames. (Last year it was boardgames. 2025 will be RPGs.) I’ve got some months to get building some custom robots, and my plan is to document those builds as well. Stay tuned!
See you next week.
Jim, The Tabletop Engineer
Atlanta, GA
TO MY SUBSCRIBERS
If you know of a local and/or independent gaming convention, email me at jimsworkshop@fastmail.com to get it listed.
You can find my zines and laser-cut terrain at thetabletopengineer.bigcartel.com - 10% off to newsletter readers with code RPGWGNEWS.
Digital copies of all my zines can be found on DrivethruRPG.
My game play-through videos can be found here.
The YouTube Channel name is The Tabletop Engineer Plays