Happy Mech Day!

[SBMiniaturesGuy]

Happy Mech Day!!

Unbelievable, but a year ago today Brent Dietrich (Company B) and I connected here at Lead Adventure forum to get Gears & Guts going, and take Gear Krieg into 28mm.



When DP9 created Gear Krieg it was intended to be the WW2 back-story for Heavy Gear, and all the mech designs "feel" very much like that period. I loved them! I started trying to game it in 15mm, but my game group doesn't play 15's -- so I embarked on a multi-year quest to get 28mm Gears going. Luckily, some others here at Lead Adventure had the same interest!

First I tried kit-bashing. Honestly? I sucked. Then I contacted DP9 -- they had no plans to go beyond 15mm. Ok, how about getting something going?? I hooked up with Brent Dietrich at Company B (who's also a  big fan of Gear Krieg) and we did some experimental sculpts a few years back (Here at Lead Adventure!) … but then I lost my job and the 28mm Gear Krieg project went sideways. Well, a few years later I dragged out the prototype hulls and decided to finish them off. Once again, I failed my kit-bashing skill test (trying to copy master modeler Agis Neugebauer's designs) -- so I went 3D, art that is.

I connected with a Shane at Sandman Designs, a great artist at Shapeways, and he did the legs for me. Then Brent and I reconnected after I posted here at Lead Adventure, and we formed a team with Agis (who had the DP9 rights to Gear Krieg for Battlefield Evolution) and John Bell, a Gear Krieg concept artist. Together with Shane at Sandman Designs we got it going. Brent and I formed "Gears & Guts" as a sub to Company B, and for the last year this hobby business effort has been chugging along until we at last have our first kits for sale!!

So it's been a long haul, definitely a labor of love, but the great thing about 3D art/design and 3D printing is that creating great models is now within reach of many average gamers. I've financed my end of it mostly by hobby collection sales and game writing, so that keeps the "Oh my God, HOW MUCH ARE YOU SPENDING!?!?!" factor down (a bit   )on the home front!

Anyways, it's exciting to finally see the first kits in the market, the US M11 General Early combat walker. Next up is the Valkyrie, then the Japanese ShiKi, and sales willing we've got British, Italian and Soviet walkers in prototype. So thanks to the team, thanks to the fans here at Lead Adventure Forum -- and of course, thanks to LA for being a fantastic game resource and creative catalyst!!

Happy Mech Day!
Best,
-John-

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gears-Guts/229252220422916

[Weird WWII]

I'm glad your labor of love finally came to fruition and hope it sees you in the green for many years to come.

Congrats my friend,
Brian

[SBMiniaturesGuy]

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the kind wishes, you've been a great help as well with your ideas and encouragement.

I'm keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers with all my fingers, eyes and toes crossed.

Yours,
-John-