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Miniatures Adventure => Pulp => Topic started by: d phipps on January 09, 2019, 03:56:14 PM

Title: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: d phipps on January 09, 2019, 03:56:14 PM
For 2019 we will be basing our Scenarios of the Month around China Station. We plan to release 12 episodes/scenarios throughout 2019 -- one per month. These scenarios may be played as stand-alone games or as part of a China Station campaign.

China Station is a fictional port developed by Bob Murch (Pulp Figures) and each scenario will feature some of his fine miniatures.

You can pre-order the entire collection and save -- https://store.pulpalley.com

(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o665/pulpalley/SCENARIO%20of%20the%20MONTH/19-01/SCENARIO%20COLLECTION%20copy_zpsldrtb4at.jpg)

(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o665/pulpalley/SCENARIO%20of%20the%20MONTH/19-01/test%20SotM%202019_01%20copy_zpsl07uwnqo.jpg)

(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o665/pulpalley/SCENARIO%20of%20the%20MONTH/19-01/test%20SotM%202019_03%20-%20Copy%20copy_zpsrandurcn.jpg)

(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o665/pulpalley/SCENARIO%20of%20the%20MONTH/19-01/SotM%202019_03%20copy_zps0xhtrebg.jpg)

HAVE FUN
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Marine0846 on January 09, 2019, 10:15:05 PM
Damn Dave. ;)
Just when I think I have most of the stuff I want to buy from you,
you come up with China Station.
I am all in for this.
Maybe now I will use my US gunboat.
Now to send off my order. :)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Sinewgrab on January 10, 2019, 02:45:19 AM
Oh yeah - next paycheck, baby.


Wait, you have a gunboat?  Where did you steal that from?
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Marine0846 on January 10, 2019, 03:43:48 AM
Sinewgrab,

I have US, British and German gunboats.
Also a couple of river steamers. :)
Of course all of them are buried in my garage. :-[
You know how packed with stuff that is.

PS
 I ordered the whole China Station set from Dave today. ;D
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: d phipps on January 10, 2019, 07:43:26 PM
THANKS for the support!  :-*

These are some really fun scenarios.  :D
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: lethallee61 on January 11, 2019, 02:14:31 AM
As someone who lives over the other side of the world, can I just offer that I'm not the biggest fan of the Scenario of the Month. While it hasn't been so much of an issue in the past (as I don't play the Vice Alley version), this time around it is particularly upsetting as I am personally planning to base the majority of my own Pulp Alley games in China (having already invested a lot of time in creating and/or purchasing Chinese style buildings etc).

If I can explain further - unlike something like the "Perilous Island" book, for example, where I know exactly which type and how many of each particular miniature and/or terrain piece will be required to play the entire campaign, getting this information supplied piecemeal each month potentially makes it economically too expensive for me to invest in.

If, for example, I genuinely wanted the appropriate miniatures (assuming I didn't already have them) and/or character cards (assuming I wanted the professionally printed versions to match the other Pulp Alley cards I already have) I would have to either wait the entire 12 months to then order in bulk and save excessive postage costs, or order the items month by month (which becomes incredibly expensive on postage alone).

It's only an issue because the cards, scenarios and miniatures are simply not available locally - I have no choice other than to order them from overseas. Postage costs have increased almost exponentially in the last couple of years - in many ways this has become the greatest single factor limiting my gaming purchases.

As it is, I will probably at least order Scenario 1 separately when it becomes available to give me an idea of the potential requirements as the year progresses. I genuinely want Pulp Alley to be my contribution to my gang of gaming buddies, and China Station looks like it will be the perfect setting to start them on the Pulp Alley journey. I personally just wish I could get it all in one go.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Codsticker on January 11, 2019, 05:23:01 AM
If I am reading the Pulp Alley websote correctly, it looks like the China Station scenarios are only available as downloads so you don't have to pay for a shipped document every month (China Station is listed in the Downloads section but not in the Books section).
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: lethallee61 on January 11, 2019, 05:44:15 AM
Codsticker - it’s not so much about the scenarios (I have all the other Pulp Alley books as PDFs), it’s the miniatures, cards, little terrain items etc that you need to fully recreate the scenario that becomes more difficult with monthly releases.

If you have it all upfront in one book (such as “Tomb of the Serpent”), it’s much easier (and cheaper) for me to source purchases. That’s all I was trying to say.  :)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: d phipps on January 11, 2019, 10:57:44 AM
Codsticker - it’s not so much about the scenarios (I have all the other Pulp Alley books as PDFs), it’s the miniatures, cards, little terrain items etc that you need to fully recreate the scenario that becomes more difficult with monthly releases.

If you have it all upfront in one book (such as “Tomb of the Serpent”), it’s much easier (and cheaper) for me to source purchases. That’s all I was trying to say.  :)

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely see your point. Yes, shipping costs are a huge concern of ours as well.

I do try to keep most of the terrain/figures fairly common. So I hope that most players will normally have suitable terrain/figures on hand. In addition, I try to make sure that the figures/terrain may be used in multiple scenarios. Also, we normally provide multiple options and suggestions for the terrain.

For China Station, here's what we're planning so far --

Episode #1 -- Can be located along a beach, jungle, small coastal village, and so on. We're using a handful of Japanese soldiers (PJE 05 & PJE 02) to represent the enemy patrols. The Search areas are marked by a truck, small shrine, small hut, small camp -- but can easily be other items.

Episode #2 -- Occurs at a temporary military camp. Maybe scattered tents, vehicles, supplies, a few re-purposed or temporary buildings, and so on. For this scenario, we're using the same Japanese figures from Episode #1.

Episode #3 -- This one is intended to be in and around the finest bar/brothel/casino in China Station. It could take place entirely inside a large building, or outside courtyards, gardens, and so on. This scenario features miniatures from these packs -- PCS 01, PCS 02, & PSS 02

Episode #4 -- Currently planned to be a waterfront scenario. Buildings such as warehouses, shops, and so on. Figures will include sailor types (PSS 02 & PSS 01).


Basically -- China Station is mostly be set in and around a seedy port. I would like to include a scenario with river pirates/smugglers and maybe a couple small boats. Also, I'd like to do an underground scenario in some caves. But we'll just have to see how it goes.



Anyhoo, I hope that helps a little.


HAVE FUN
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: lethallee61 on January 11, 2019, 12:28:59 PM
Dave - Thanks for the quick response and for also understanding my concerns. That sort of information really helps as it definitely gives me some idea of where I need to focus my upcoming purchases. In the meantime, my Japanese soldiers will have to make do with a slightly “Russian” look to them.  ;)

I’d love to live around the corner from you - then I could pick everything in its professionally printed format. Such is the tyranny of distance these days (and no local supplier).

Keep up the great work - genuinely looking forward to picking up Version 2 of the rules later this year, Kickstarter or otherwise.  :D
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: AzSteven on January 11, 2019, 07:47:05 PM
Hmmm, this may need to become mine
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: NickNascati on January 11, 2019, 10:57:39 PM
The only problem, is that the China Station figures have been oop for quite some time.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Marine0846 on January 12, 2019, 12:05:49 AM
Nick,

If you go on Bob's site,
he has come out with new figures.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: warrenpeace on January 12, 2019, 05:13:06 AM
Nick, you can still get some of the Pulp Figures Chinese packs from Crucible Crush. Slightly more expensive, and no free packs, but at least you can still get them.

One problem with scenario #3 is that Bob never sculpted the couple of packs that would be needed to recreate the bar scenes in the Sand Pebbles. Need a bartender, some bar girls, a mamasan, a pimp, and some sailors fighting. Have to pull these figures from elsewhere.

I think Pulp Figures packs PSS03, PSS04, & PSS07, could be useful here for the civilian sailors. Maybe the 3 Tsuba Chinese packs from Empress could be put to use in these scenarios. Might need to look elsewhere for more Chinese. Also, if one wants to alter the first couple of scenarios a bit, could use Chinese soldiers from Copplestone instead of Japanese.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Panama on January 12, 2019, 09:33:07 AM
I think there are a couple of ways of looking at this, sure a book lets you know everything you need in one go & then depending on how close you want it to be to how Dave see it you can go about requiring all you need & it will save you on postage most likely.
However if your starting everything you need from point 0 it can be a lot of work to do before you're ready to go.

If on the other hand your only get it bit by bit you can work on it piece meal, the down side is postage, or you can wait until the end of the year & then work on it as if you'd just gotten the book, at the end of the day PA is very lose unlike some other games which means China Station could just as easily be set somewhere else, we all look for different things & Dave try's hard to give us a game that can be used in many different ways :)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Codsticker on January 13, 2019, 01:44:10 AM
BTW, I was sniffing around Bob's site and I can't find any background to the China Station setting. Did he have a blog or some such where he published his material or was it just a range of figures he produced?
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: warrenpeace on January 13, 2019, 04:21:45 AM
Codsticker, have you ever played in one of Bob Murch's games? ...perhaps at a local convention in Vancouver, BC?  I notice you are in his area.

I played in one of his China Station games using Rugged Adventures in Olympia, Washington a few years ago. Don't remember the setting being very detailed in terms of the explanation for what we were doing. But Bob's terrain was fantastic, and his figure painting is really excellent.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Marine0846 on January 13, 2019, 06:34:59 PM
warrenpeace is spot on about Bob's game.
I was lucky to play in a game at Enfilade in 2009.
Excellent terrain and figures.
Lots of fun had by all.
I know Bob has a Facebook page.
I don't do F-book so can't tell you what is on it.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Codsticker on January 14, 2019, 07:27:04 AM
No, never had a chance to play in one of his games. I went to the Vancouver convention for the first time last year and he wasn't there. Maybe this year... :)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: lethallee61 on January 14, 2019, 07:39:08 AM
Given that I’ve just put in an order today for some appropriately “China Station” themed miniatures from both Pulp Figures and Copplestone, it looks I’ll definitely be picking up this series after all, regardless of my earlier comments.

Just as well my birthday is coming up next month - I can put all the purchases down to that (“Just give me money everyone, then I can get what I really want...).  :D
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Arundel on January 14, 2019, 01:34:20 PM
I've never had the pleasure of playing in one of Mr Murch's games (you lucky devils), but I've spent a good deal of time looking at photos of them. I remember quite a few seem to features the players wearing silly headgear, which is certainly a good sign.

Not to deflect this from Pulp Alley, but what did you think of the Rugged Adventure rules? I remember they used to be available on his website but not sure I ever took a look at them...
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: warrenpeace on January 15, 2019, 02:11:42 AM
7 packs of Chinese, OLD sculpts but NEW molds(!!!), are now available again @ Pulp Figures!!!

Rugged Adventures seemed a bit vague and unfocused, per the copy I downloaded years ago. The game Bob ran was the same. A lot of us milling about with some objectives, some fighting, and some creative moves. But overall not the tight thoroughly playtested experience that is Pulp Alley. (Back then .45 Adventures was the most popular set of Pulp rules here on LAF.)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: nandrin on January 15, 2019, 08:24:09 AM
I agree to warrenpeace, Rugged Adventures has some good ideas, but all in all it does not run so smooth compared to PA. I played A LOT of skirmish rules in my hobby experience and for me PA just is it. Well balanced, versatile, fast and fun, endless options for leagues and scenarios.

nandrin
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Arundel on January 15, 2019, 01:39:05 PM
Yes, doesn't surprise me, really. Pulp Alley is a tough one to beat in this category!  :)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Chris Abbey on January 18, 2019, 11:16:14 AM
Here at Sally 4th, we are very much looking forward to playing China Station scenarios, through out the year.

(https://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/WebRoot/Namesco/Shops/950003459/5C3F/1353/7DF9/7FAE/23CF/C0A8/190D/74F6/2019-01B-2T_ml.jpg)

We have the first set of China Station cards available for pre order in our Pulp Alley Section: http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Pulp-Alley-Gaming-Accessories (http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Pulp-Alley-Gaming-Accessories)

We also have the Pulp Figures China Station range in stock http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Pulp-Figures/Pulp-Figures-China-Station (http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Pulp-Figures/Pulp-Figures-China-Station)

(https://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/WebRoot/Namesco/Shops/950003459/5C06/9B58/B17F/CD7D/4DC4/C0A8/190D/0BF4/China_Town_m.jpg)

We also stock the complete range of Copplestone and Artizan Pulp miniatures including 'Back of Beyond' that has many miniatures suitable for this sort of campaign. http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Copplestone-Castings/Back-of-Beyond (http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Copplestone-Castings/Back-of-Beyond)

(https://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/WebRoot/Namesco/Shops/950003459/59E6/1C53/F41D/6C2C/3579/C0A8/1911/A2AC/BC03_-_Chinese_Officers_ml.jpg)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: d phipps on January 20, 2019, 06:54:35 PM
THANKS so much for all the encouraging comments. There's a very selfish reason why we try so hard to make sure Pulp Alley is fun to play. It is because we actually play Pulp Alley.   ;)  :D


If you subscribed to the CHINA STATION SUPER COMBO, then your Scenario Packs for episode #1 and #2 will be delivered together. Also, you can download the files for Episode #1 now, but we'll email Episode #2 directly to you in February.


HAVE FUN
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: warrenpeace on January 20, 2019, 10:13:08 PM
This is Bob Murch's China Station set up. Yes, we all wore funny hats depending on the faction we played in the game. That is some of the best terrain I've ever seen in a miniatures game. There was a Chinese junk, an American gunboat, and I can't remember what else on the water. The buildings and rocks and trees were fabulous. The streets in the town were hand painted by Bob! He's not just a great sculptor and figure painter. His terrain is world class (this image from his own Pulp Figures website):

(https://pulpfigures.com/files/rugged.demo.1.jpg)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: d phipps on January 24, 2019, 01:45:04 PM
FYI -- If you subscribed to the China Station Super Combo for 2019 then your January package will include Scenario Pack #01 and Scenario Pack #02 -- just because we happened to have both ready to ship at the same time.

Note, the file for Episode #02 will be sent in February.

(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o665/pulpalley/SCENARIO%20of%20the%20MONTH/19-01/SUPER%20COMBO%20copy_zpst1iz5e6e.jpg)


Dave
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on March 26, 2019, 09:10:21 AM
So can I just confirm something before I buy?

I buy the China Station Scenario Collection pdf from your site Dave? I then receive monthly downloads of each scenario.

I'm in the UK, so it would be best to buy the cards associated with each scenario from Chris at Sally 4th?


This all looks great, I just wanted to check before I buy.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Chris Abbey on March 26, 2019, 11:01:07 AM
We (Sally 4th) have all the cards for Scenarios of the month so that gamers in the UK and Europe can get hold off them without incurring customs problems or Transatlantic postage.

We don't sell the PDF downloads, you get those from Dave at Pulp Alley as they are digital products so can be emailed to the furthest corners of the globe at the click of a mouse button.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on March 26, 2019, 11:40:56 AM
We (Sally 4th) have all the cards for Scenarios of the month so that gamers in the UK and Europe can get hold off them without incurring customs problems or Transatlantic postage.

We don't sell the PDF downloads, you get those from Dave at Pulp Alley as they are digital products so can be emailed to the furthest corners of the globe at the click of a mouse button.

Many thanks for the info, Chris. You'll be seeing my order for the cards very shortly.   :)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Alcide Nikopol on March 28, 2019, 01:52:39 AM
Many thanks for the info, Chris. You'll be seeing my order for the cards very shortly.   :)

If you're in the States Dave has all 12 scenario packs for one price. It is a really good deal if you dont have them all already. I think it is call the Scenario Pack Collection or something like that.
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: d phipps on March 28, 2019, 04:11:46 PM
If you're in the States Dave has all 12 scenario packs for one price. It is a really good deal if you dont have them all already. I think it is call the Scenario Pack Collection or something like that.

Here's the link to our Scenario Pack Collection #1 ---  https://store.pulpalley.com/product-p/2018-spc1.htm

It is simply a combo deal for all 12 of the Scenario Packs from 2018.

(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o665/pulpalley/2ND%20EDITION/row%20PA2%20pages_zps5en3iojg.jpg)
Title: Re: China Station -- Pulp Alley
Post by: Alcide Nikopol on March 31, 2019, 11:11:20 AM
Is there going to be a book for the China Station campaign?