[Kickstarter] Laser-cut Pirate ships and terrain

[Timbor]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/renaissanceminiature/ships-pirates-and-wildwest-terrain-for-28mm-gamers?ref=nav_search

I have been waiting to see how this project would look, and it just launched today.  I am pretty impressed, these folk seem to be steadily improving in their offerings for mdf terrain.  Could be an easy way to start a pirate village, especially with the new Osprey game coming out.

[OSHIROmodels]

I'm afraid I'm going to be brutely honest now and say they are awful, especially the ships 

And this statement...

 There are Norman Churches all over the English-speaking world - and there are many of them in the Caribbean.

Really made me puzzled, I never knew the Normans were so well travelled 

I'm sure there is a market for these but an awful lot of it just seems to be using the laser because they can; I mean, a laser cut treasure chest...

cheers

James

[Mason]

It is the 'joins' that really bug me.
It makes the whole set-up look like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Not for me.

[Dewbakuk]

Not impressed, there are a couple of nice bits but the ships aren't good and the small boats look awful. The native huts...... *shakes head*

[Malamute]

It is the 'joins' that really bug me.
It makes the whole set-up look like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Not for me.

Yep, Jigsaw puzzle sums up MDF kits for me.

[Too Bo Coo]

There are clear limits to the utility of MDF and a laser cutter

[Elbows]

I think the company has products which have charm, but in a kind of disney/lego fashion.  I wouldn't hesitate to play on the table they have set up there.  I see very little historical accuracy but I'm okay with that.  However, for the money it would appear better products are available.

I do think one of their main problems regarding the joins is that most of their stuff is modular.  This is great, but you'll definitely be suffering when it comes to the overall look.  As much as I don't particularly love any of the specific kits I think I'd enjoy playing on their table.  I suppose as a gamer who sees miserable awful terrain at every convention I go to, I'd gladly see this stuff in place of some of that.

My personal money will end up somewhere else though.

[Dewbakuk]

As much as I don't particularly love any of the specific kits I think I'd enjoy playing on their table.  I suppose as a gamer who sees miserable awful terrain at every convention I go to, I'd gladly see this stuff in place of some of that.

Totally agree. They're unlikely to get my money but if someone had them I wouldn't walk away in disgust, flat felt tables I'm looking at you!

[Cherno]

I agree with the statement that these MDF kits are not cheap enough to make them the better alternative vs. resin or platic kits.

[Elbows]

There was entire Warmachine tournament run that way at a convention I attended (with, of course, unpainted models galore).  Seriously just squares of felt "this is a bunker...this is a pond...this is a trench..."...

While the idea of a Pirate table swims in my head occasionally I have considered going rather absurd (ie. a crazy table) so some of this stuff aaaalmost appeals to me.  Almost. 

[Captain Blood]

These models sum up for me the problem with MDF... The 'jigsaw' joints, the flat planes failing to convincingly represent curved surfaces, the essential lack of surface relief.

One or two items look really good - the crane for instance, looks perfect, because its mini 'timber' construction represents a life sized timber construction really well. What's not to like?

But for the ships and buildings... 

Some of the designs of the buildings are great. I like the shapes and the graphics. I just dislike the medium and the result it gives. They are representations, yes, but they look about as much like 'real' buildings as Meccano or Lego constructions look like real cars, trains or aeroplanes. The limitations of the media completely overwhelm the message.

But then I feel the same way about almost all the MDF buildings that have emerged over the last couple of years. This batch just seems to exhibit the frailties of the form in quite an extreme way... 

[northtroll]

For the price, I'll stick to foamcore buildings, and scratch built ships. Easier on the pocketbook.

[The Dozing Dragon]

Nice pieces but not for me overall. The square finish of the MDF sometimes scares me off although there are a few pieces I would look at....it did remind me I need a fountain for my build though..........

[Cubs]

If I had them I'd be glueing them, then sanding down the joins and painting the whole thing. If someone just wanted them as gaming pieces and weren't too bothered about the aesthetics, I can see the appeal of having them useable 'straight from the box'. Maybe that's why they chose pirate themed stuff instead of more 'historical' (if you get my drift) stuff.

[6milPhil]

It is the 'joins' that really bug me.
It makes the whole set-up look like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Not for me.

Quite, it's what kept me off laser cut for ages. More joints and tabs than Glastonbury.