Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: manatic on 16 November 2012, 08:10:40 PM

Title: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/12: terrain pg. 4]
Post by: manatic on 16 November 2012, 08:10:40 PM
http://dawnofthelead.com/2012/11/16/project-utopia-1-the-start/

This is something of blog post pimpage, but I just wrote up a long long story about my new warpg project and it left me exhausted :D Long story short, it's a mashup of a lot of cool things (Alien, Predator, Terminator, Blade Runner and the like) and provides me with a good reason to really dig into the lead pile and get stuff painted and onto the table.

Here are some pics from the first game of the project, the after action report is on the blog:

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/utopia_1_11.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/utopia_1_21.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/utopia_1_71.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/utopia_1_81.jpg)

On a related note, does anyone know of a model of a crashed spaceship or shuttle? I know of the GW plastic Macragge box one, and the Ainsty one. Any others?
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: fastolfrus on 16 November 2012, 08:20:14 PM
Not in model form, but I saw a really neat scratchbuild based on the innards of a Dyson vacuum cleaner.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: Warren Abox on 16 November 2012, 11:39:26 PM
Nice effects with that paper terrain.  I always think it'll look too flat on the table, but it never does in teh pictures.

Also, Dawn of the Lead is a brilliant name for a blog.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: zizi666 on 17 November 2012, 12:23:41 AM
Nice effects with that paper terrain.  I always think it'll look too flat on the table, but it never does in teh pictures.

Nah, I've got those Germy buildings to and they make for some really cool scenery.
Those storage tanks, those are übercool. A friend has 'em. lovely stiff to put on the table.
Said Friend and I managed to purchase several types of models they made before they quit.

Excellent stuff and a shame it was discontinued.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: Warren Abox on 17 November 2012, 09:21:57 AM
Nah, I've got those Germy buildings to and they make for some really cool scenery.
Those storage tanks, those are übercool. A friend has 'em. lovely stiff to put on the table.

That's the problem I see at the local club - the guys use flimsy paper so all their buildings look warped and bendy like some they're gaming in some sort of Dali painting.  Which doesn't sound all that bad, if you do that on purpose, come to think of it.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: manatic on 17 November 2012, 04:08:41 PM
Thanks for the comments guys! Completely agree about the storage tanks, they're awesome. Very durable too, I've had them for years and there's really not much wear and tear on them. I also like the Germy stuff a lot, and I really should download and print out the new texture versions (http://germy.co.uk/paper25mmnew.html).

I wish there was more ready-printed terrain available. While there are wonderful pdf's out there, it's usually too much of a hassle for me to either get them printed or print them and mount the paper print on a thicker material. Printing them out on regular paper does leave them very, very flimsy.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: manatic on 23 November 2012, 08:10:03 PM
One of my players wrote a post on the game:

http://dustygamer.mcmuumio.net/2012/actual-play-flying-lead/

As a gamemaster it's so, so nice to hear something like this said about a game you're running. Our next game is next Tuesday, so I'm already pretty hyped about it!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project
Post by: manatic on 28 November 2012, 07:13:21 PM
Here's the report from the second game of this campaign. We had a lot of fun with the squad escorting a Weyland-Yutani science team and facing off against Predators and their pet dogs.

http://dawnofthelead.com/2012/11/28/utopia-2-triton-revisited/

The pics:

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/science_team.jpg)
A scientist and his three synthetic assistants

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/pred_jungle.jpg)
A decloaking Predator

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/table_overview.jpg)
The jungle setup
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 28/11]
Post by: Cherno on 28 November 2012, 07:19:45 PM
Very cool concept and great terrain and models. The jungle terrain looks awesome!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 28/11]
Post by: manatic on 01 December 2012, 07:59:36 PM
Thanks Cherno! Doing my best :)

Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 28/11]
Post by: manatic on 29 December 2012, 12:05:18 AM
Another game played! This one saw the squad tasked with a mission to capture a Predator alive. As you can guess, it wasn't too easy...

Some pics:

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/utopia_3_2.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/utopia_3_4.jpg)

And here's the link to the full game report:

http://dawnofthelead.com/2012/12/29/utopia-3-the-hunters-hunted/

Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 29/12 w/ new game report]
Post by: manatic on 14 January 2013, 07:44:39 PM
I scratch built this Predator ship from an old PC mouse. Really happy with how it turned out!

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/ship_front_unpainted.jpg?w=360&h=331)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/ship_side_painted.jpg?w=360&h=331)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/predator_ship.jpg?w=360&h=265)

Related blog post with some more pics: http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/01/14/from-scratch/
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: Warren Abox on 14 January 2013, 07:49:46 PM
Love these "kitbashes" with found items.  That looks stellar.  That wire holding up the ship looks really thin - how fragile is that?
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: manatic on 14 January 2013, 07:56:45 PM
Love these "kitbashes" with found items.  That looks stellar.  That wire holding up the ship looks really thin - how fragile is that?

It's surprisingly sturdy - only a small part is exposed and it's actually 1mm thick steel wire. I need a sturdy pair of clippers to go through it. The ship itself weighs next to nothing, luckily. Thanks for the kind words!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: dijit on 14 January 2013, 09:01:34 PM
I think pitching the mouse at an angle really breaks up it's form as being an old mouse to allows the viewer to see more what's it's meant to be instead. Nice work.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: cheetor on 14 January 2013, 09:49:01 PM

Isnt there a small Predator scout ship in one of the movies? Before the credits maybe? Or does the ship design remind me of something from one of the comics?

Its a cool kitbash regardless, great work  8) 
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: manatic on 14 January 2013, 10:30:45 PM
I think pitching the mouse at an angle really breaks up it's form as being an old mouse to allows the viewer to see more what's it's meant to be instead. Nice work.

Thanks dijit! I did a lot of experimenting with the position of the ship. Just like you said, it really helps shake the mouse look.

Isnt there a small Predator scout ship in one of the movies? Before the credits maybe? Or does the ship design remind me of something from one of the comics?

Its a cool kitbash regardless, great work  8) 

Thanks cheetor! There is a Predator ship seen in the opening scene of the first film. Doesn't look like this one, though :D
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: Elbows on 15 January 2013, 05:48:35 AM
Now that is pretty genius.  Very cool.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: Grimmnar on 15 January 2013, 06:32:06 AM
Isnt there a small Predator scout ship in one of the movies? Before the credits maybe? Or does the ship design remind me of something from one of the comics?

Its a cool kitbash regardless, great work  8)
Now that you ask i cant recall. BUT with that said, i know there have been many many "Predator" type movies, mostly B rated, over the years. There is one i am thinking of the ship like this. Wonder if we are thinking of the same movie. :-)

Grimm
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: cheetor on 15 January 2013, 11:49:56 AM

Wonder if we are thinking of the same movie. :-)


Could be :)

Below is the ship from "Predators".  The layout of the elements conforms with Manatics ship, but I dont think that the "Predators" ship is the one that I am thinking of.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BoG1u1Eagi0/TJKIg0xj1QI/AAAAAAAAAJk/5i35MO6vbPM/s1600/Pred_Ship_ModelAT_Detl.jpg)

This one is the ship from the first AvP movie I think.  Again, it has a similar look and pattern to Manatics ship, but again I dont think that its the ship that I am thinking of.

(http://www.evolutionarygrafix.com/files/images/predator-ship.jpg)

Its possible that the Action Fleet ship below is what I was thinking of, but the lines of that ship are less familiar.  I prefer the scratch build:

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/ALIENS/P1040870-1.jpg)


Anyway, none of that stuff really maters.  The scratchbuild rocks  8)

Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/1 w/ scratch built Predator ship]
Post by: manatic on 25 January 2013, 07:26:42 PM
The latest game was played on Tuesday. This one featured Terminators!

As usual, some pictures:

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/utopia_4_1.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/utopia_4_6.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/utopia_4_7.jpg)

Full game report here (http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/01/25/utopia-4-blood-and-chrome/).
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 25/1 w/ new game report]
Post by: manatic on 23 February 2013, 10:34:20 AM
The campaign continues with a new game report here (http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/02/21/utopia-5-disaster/).

This picture pretty much sums it up:

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/utopia_5_6.jpg)
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 22/2 w/ game report #5]
Post by: Elk101 on 23 February 2013, 12:23:11 PM
Nicely written AAR, I was willing Trill to get out of there by the end!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 22/2 w/ game report #5]
Post by: pocoloco on 23 February 2013, 12:52:43 PM
Lovely stuff! Those pics of the jungle set-up are especially great  :-*
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 22/2 w/ game report #5]
Post by: manatic on 27 March 2013, 07:14:06 PM
A new planet and some all new challenges as I combine my two favourites: military SF and zombies!

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/privalov.jpg)

See the game report here (http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/03/27/utopia-6-something-rotten-on-311-krugman/)!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 22/2 w/ game report #5]
Post by: doctor_ocks on 28 March 2013, 04:20:36 AM
This has been really entertaining! I normally glance through batreps, but these I've read word for word! You've got a great outlook on how friendly non-competitive games should be played. I'm not a role player but I want some purpose and narrative to the games I'm playing and it seems like you're providing this for your players.
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 27/3 w/ game report #6]
Post by: manatic on 28 March 2013, 06:17:52 AM
Thanks Doc! That's what I'm definitely trying to do. After years of playing WHFB I got really tired of the "playing only for winning" mentality, and have been on this road ever since. Also, I'm too lazy to run an actual RPG campaign, so this is a nice alternative :D
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 27/3 w/ game report #6]
Post by: Elk101 on 28 March 2013, 07:23:22 AM
I really enjoyed that, as always, and look forward to the next installment. Nice to see the team all get out alive this time!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 27/3 w/ game report #6]
Post by: Predatorpt on 28 March 2013, 01:16:13 PM
Thanks Doc! That's what I'm definitely trying to do. After years of playing WHFB I got really tired of the "playing only for winning" mentality, and have been on this road ever since. Also, I'm too lazy to run an actual RPG campaign, so this is a nice alternative :D

Do you have some sort of "bible" with all the background for your "universe"? I like the way you drop little tidbits of information on the biographies of the characters  ;)
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 27/3 w/ game report #6]
Post by: manatic on 28 March 2013, 02:18:39 PM
Do you have some sort of "bible" with all the background for your "universe"? I like the way you drop little tidbits of information on the biographies of the characters  ;)
No, not really. A lot of the "relevant" information tends to get written down on the character sheets or the after action reports. We have intentionally left the universe undefined - that makes it easier to cram whatever we like into it. So far there have been references to Alien, Predator, Terminator, Blade Runner, Resident Evil and Neuromancer at least, as well as probably a fair few others that I've forgotten. It can be amazingly fun at times, as you can just build the world on the fly. If you think it would be cool to have something in the world, you can just mention it as a part of a character's history: "my character's parents died in the infamous robot assault on the maiden voyage of the New Titanic." You don't need any more details, as your imagination does the rest :D

I really enjoyed that, as always, and look forward to the next installment. Nice to see the team all get out alive this time!

Thanks! I'm happy to see them survive for a change...and so are the players!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 27/3 w/ game report #6]
Post by: manatic on 14 April 2013, 08:52:38 PM
Some miniatures, see the full write-up here (http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/04/14/from-the-painting-desk-21-more-utopia/):

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/hellhound.jpg)

A Predator hunting beast (Heresy Hellhound)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/cyborgjane1.jpg)

A cyborg (Pig Iron warbot with resin bits)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/troopers.jpg)

Utopia troopers (Hasslefree, Foundry, em4)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/hyun1.jpg)

General (Copplestone Castings)
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/4 w/ new minis, pg.3]
Post by: Earther on 14 April 2013, 09:21:18 PM
Very cool! :-*
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 14/4 w/ new minis, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 26 April 2013, 07:00:30 PM
Here's a new game report (http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/04/26/utopia-7-the-generals-speech/)! Rebellion is brewing, can the 16th stop general Hyun from making his propaganda speech to the citizens of the Outer colonies?

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/utopia7_fender.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/utopia7_tower.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/utopia7_synth.jpg)
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 26/4 w/ AAR#7, pg.3]
Post by: Machinegunkelly on 26 April 2013, 08:37:29 PM
I read through a lot from your site. There are some very nice stuff. i especially liked The Utopia vision. A small wargaming rpg.

I just have to ask. is there some kind of improvment of the survivors between the scenarios?
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 26/4 w/ AAR#7, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 26 April 2013, 08:43:36 PM
I just have to ask. is there some kind of improvment of the survivors between the scenarios?
Thanks for the kind words! The survivors do get experience points depending on how well they complete the missions, and they get new skills and better stats :)
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 26/4 w/ AAR#7, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 26 June 2013, 06:08:58 PM
I added some Time Lift Security by Crooked Dice to the fold. They've already served their role as generic security forces in a game of Utopia - AAR forthcoming!

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/timelift1.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/timelift2.jpg)

C&C welcome!

Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 26/6 w/ Time Lift Security, pg.3]
Post by: uti long smile on 26 June 2013, 08:29:39 PM
Love the colour scheme!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 26/6 w/ Time Lift Security, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 07 July 2013, 09:07:08 PM
Time for a new AAR, in which the troopers assault a research facility:

http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/07/07/utopia-8-assault-on-research-center-13/

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/utopia8_21.jpg)

We used a bunch of Space Hulk tiles with Flying Lead rules, and it worked a treat!
Title: Re: Utopia - my new scifi gaming project [upd. 7/7 w/ AAR#8, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 07 September 2013, 03:54:59 PM
After two months of silence, I'm happy to report this project is still alive. For a while I just lost interest in painting - I guess that happens to every one every once in a while! Anyway, here are two newly painted minis, both Heavy infantry from Pig Iron.

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/heavyinfantry.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/heavyinfantry_casualty1.jpg)

I used the casualty miniature to test the colour scheme. I wanted something very down to earth, so used a combination of browns and grays. In order to keep them from not looking too monotonous, I added a simple vertical stripe camouflage. Another reason for the simple camo choice was that I wanted to keep these guys quick to paint. A lot of both models is painted using drybrushing and washes, with scratches in the armour and the camo adding extra detail. The casualty won’t be based, I just put him on a base to ease photography.

A special mention must go to the flag patches. To go with the typical “opposing force is always red” mentality, I was about the make the flag red as well. Luckily I decided to ask a non-gamer friend what she thought would look cool. “Maybe try green, with some yellow?” she said, and that I did. I love how it turned out, as the green really pops from the muted overall look.

C&C welcome!
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [upd. 7/9 w/ PI Heavy inf., pg.3]
Post by: Miniman on 07 September 2013, 04:25:54 PM
Ohhh I like this. The Time lift security mini's are interesting indeed.
Do you have a link?
Nice job painting all this stuff. I have been a fan of the Dawn of Lead for some time now and visit often.
The Predator jungle table you set up is pretty cool as well.
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [upd. 7/9 w/ PI Heavy inf., pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 07 September 2013, 04:28:59 PM
Ohhh I like this. The Time lift security mini's are interesting indeed.
Do you have a link?
Nice job painting all this stuff. I have been a fan of the Dawn of Lead for some time now and visit often.
The Predator jungle table you set up is pretty cool as well.

Thanks for the kind words! The Time Lift security can be found at http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product-category/02-heroes-and-allies/page/2/
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [upd. 7/9 w/ PI Heavy inf., pg.3]
Post by: Michka on 08 September 2013, 05:18:44 AM
Ohhh I like this. The Time lift security mini's are interesting indeed.
Do you have a link?

Since you're in the states, (and in fact in the Midwest) try looking at Noble Knight Games for Crooked Dice. That's where I picked up my Time Lift Security.
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [upd. 7/9 w/ PI Heavy inf., pg.3]
Post by: dodge on 08 September 2013, 06:05:05 AM
excellent miniatures and gaming, very versatile.

keeps it all very interesting

dodge
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [upd. 7/9 w/ PI Heavy inf., pg.3]
Post by: Blackwolf on 08 September 2013, 07:04:34 AM
New to this thread and I must say it's 8) Great painting and scenery :-*
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [upd. 7/9 w/ PI Heavy inf., pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 22 September 2013, 07:26:23 PM
Three more troopers for the Outer Colony Heavy infantry. Like the previous ones, they're Pig Iron miniatures. Still a pleasure to paint!

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/heavy_infantry.jpg)

Four more to go and I'll have a full squad of eight.
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: mcfonz on 23 September 2013, 09:58:51 AM
I really like the way you have managed to bring several different ranges together with a really neat and clean paint job. I salute you sir! 8)
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: Argonor on 23 September 2013, 10:27:04 AM
The Germy link doesn't seem to work anymore? Has the company folded?

EDIT: Sorry, found it now with Google...
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: Argonor on 23 September 2013, 11:04:59 AM
OK, question 2: Where do I find those storage tanks, please??
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 25 September 2013, 06:55:54 AM
I really like the way you have managed to bring several different ranges together with a really neat and clean paint job. I salute you sir! 8)

Thanks Fonz!

OK, question 2: Where do I find those storage tanks, please??

As far as I know, it's a company that sadly went under years ago. I bought them maybe ten years ago at a local gaming store sale.
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: Argonor on 26 September 2013, 09:01:02 AM
As far as I know, it's a company that sadly went under years ago. I bought them maybe ten years ago at a local gaming store sale.

Ah, OK. Thanks.
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 02 November 2013, 08:03:00 PM
To all that have been following the progress of this campaign...so far 14 members of the UTOPIA squad have died or gone missing. I thought it would be fun to make a post to commemorate these troopers, so:

http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/11/02/the-faithful-departed/
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [22/9: more Heavy infantry, pg.3]
Post by: manatic on 16 November 2013, 03:26:16 PM
We finally got another game played, here's the AAR: http://dawnofthelead.com/2013/11/16/utopia-9-old-friends/

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/poordastevan.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/smoke.jpg)
Title: Re: Utopia - scifi gaming project [16/11: new AAR, pg. 4]
Post by: manatic on 21 December 2013, 10:48:53 PM
Painting up some new terrain for this one, namely the GW crashed Aquila lander which I got off Anpu. Only painted one piece so far, but I think it turned out quite nice. Comments welcome!

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lander1.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lander2.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lander3.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lander4.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lander5.jpg)

(http://dawnofthelead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lander6.jpg)