The Daishō Thread - update 05/07/2014

[carlos13th]

The Tengu I imagine to be skilled swords men with fast movement and the ability to ignore or at least be less effected by difficult terrain or other obstacles.

[Craig]

The Tengu I imagine to be skilled swords men with fast movement and the ability to ignore or at least be less effected by difficult terrain or other obstacles.

Sounds very much like what we are working up 

[Craig]

Our latest article in the Design Notes series addresses one of the unique aspects of this rules series - The Landscapes.
http://daishogame.wordpress.com/2014/09/27/design-notes-landscapes/

[Craig]

In this week's design notes we cover the creation of scenarios and scenario complications in the rules:
http://daishogame.wordpress.com/2014/10/12/design-notes-scenarios-and-complications/

In other news the Playtest Beta rules are now out with out reviewers and playtesters. Hopefully we should soon have  some battle reports to share.

[Dhark]

I really look forward for your project, guys. Since I found your blog you even made it to one of my favorite bookmarks. 

I like the idea of On in special scenarios and in special landscapes. It gives the game a certain Japanese style. Recently I started a new Samurai project and I look forward on fielding them together with Onis and other Fantasy-creatures.

Will there be the possibility to build your own creatures? For example i want to use the Shisa from Bushido with my Sōhei.

[Craig]

The latest update in Daisho is now on the blog, in which we provide news on the progress of the rules, publication and Salute 2015.
http://daishogame.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/daisho-update-2/

[Craig]

I really look forward for your project, guys. Since I found your blog you even made it to one of my favorite bookmarks. 

I like the idea of On in special scenarios and in special landscapes. It gives the game a certain Japanese style. Recently I started a new Samurai project and I look forward on fielding them together with Onis and other Fantasy-creatures.

Will there be the possibility to build your own creatures? For example i want to use the Shisa from Bushido with my Sōhei.

A full points system will be available for you to use to build your own unique buntai and creatures. This was a very popular feature in our previous game - In Her Majesty's Name, and one we shall be reproducing here.

As it happens the Shishi Lion Dogs already feature in the Daisho bestiary, if that is what you are after?

[frogimus]

I posted a reply on your blog, but thought I'd put something here also.

For anyone that has the computer game GuildWars (the original, not GW2), the Factions expansion has a lot of areas that would inspire the terrain scratchbuilders. Rural monasteries, Imperial City, shrines, villages, etc.

Not "historical" but introducing fantasy elements into a game like Daisho gives some artistic license to mishmash the terrain a bit, IMHO.

[Craig]

Our next instalment of the series of design notes is now up on the blog. This one covers the development of the Campaign rules.
http://daishogame.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/design-notes-campaigns/

[Craig]

Time for a quick update…

The manuscript of the rules, all 45,000 words of it, is now in Norway with our Viking layout artist. He is spending the next two weeks laying it out for us with the clear mandate to be clean and clear. At this time, it’s looking like it shall be A4 and 90-100 pages of oriental goodness.

Meanwhile, we are wading through hundreds of photographs provided by our good friends Guy Bowers and Nick Eyre (courtesy of Kev Dallimore).

Once the layout is done it will be off to Lithuania to be printed, bound and then back to blighty in time for Salute 2015 (fingers crossed).

Speaking of which we have had notification of our stand location – GF16. This puts our three participation games next door to Oshiro Model Terrain’s Japanese demo game, which is a lovely coincidence. If you are going be sure to drop in and see us.

[SotF]

Any timeline for ordering a copy for those who can't go?

[Craig]

Any timeline for ordering a copy for those who can't go?

We have quite a tight schedule on printing so our distributor, North Star Miniatures, will not receive the first print run until a week before Salute. So I expect it will be around the end of April.

[Craig]

So here’s the thing, and it’s a good thing;
– the rules are finished,
– they are being laid out as I write this by my artistic little brother,
– we have all the photos we need (thanks Nick & Guy),
– we have a name for our own imprint, just sorting out the logo,
– I’m well into building two of demo boards for Salute and Hong Kong Bill is beavering away on the other,
– Buntai are being painted,
– the printer is all ready to go and just needs the laid-out copy,
– North Star are waiting patiently for the books to arrive.
It’s all happening!

The name of our imprint for this and future games is The Ministry of Gentlemanly Warfare. We think this neatly sums up our approach to gaming and is pretty cool too

Easter weekend is a marathon village and monastery building session, so watch this space for regular updates.

[carlos13th]

Will you be offering a digital version? I can't remember if I have asked this yet.

[Craig]

Will you be offering a digital version? I can't remember if I have asked this yet.

Hi Carlos,

At this time, we have no plans for a digital version.

Unlike the In Her Majesty's Name series, where Osprey made all the investment, we are funding this book ourselves. We are also organising the editing, layout and printing ourselves, so we have concentrated on one format for the time being.

If it takes off then we shall revisit the idea of a digital version.

If you are worried about availability outside the UK we can assure you that our distributor, North Star, has both global partners and an excellent track record in its postal service.