The end and new beginnings of Dredd

[mcfonz]

Honestly - from what I have seen, the two main issues with the Mongoose KS if you can call them that were, 1) speed of production process, 2) consistency of quality of the product.

As Matt has already said, they were never going to be huge miniature manufacturers and my belief is they went too big too soon. This meant that money was harder pushed and product was released at a slower rate, and therefore failed to feed the initial impetus gained from the marketing and 'buzz' that a KS gives you and your product. It never progressed really. I also think that some pieces heavily outweighed others in terms of quality of sculpt which meant the range was inconsistent.

My view on all KS's is the same now. If they are offering you the world, and they are not someone that has already delivered before to a similar degree, I'm not backing it. Too many companies try to bite off more than they can chew.

Warlord already have the advantage of having been a miniature driven company for a number of years now - that's their focus. They churn out miniatures frequently and have established a working relationship with Wargames Factory who make the plastic Project Z stuff (which existed prior to that relationship).

Warlord have the ability to do either or in terms of a KS or the traditional method although the GoA KS was ambitious and didn't quite get the result they desired.

[Ulfhednar]

Yes I agree that's a big part of it very succinctly, the Dredd kickstarter was just too big / expansive. And from the point of view of a non kickstarter and late comer, a range so big it was off-putting getting involved once it had landed (and a bit too enthusiast focused, without knowing the game at all or Dredd in great deal I didn't know where & how much I should get on board, whereas with things like Crooked Dice or Project Z it's obvious). But then by being that it was maybe right for enthusiasts, they got more in the range for it. Maybe it was just an enthusiast thing with the commercial / mass market as it's vehicle, rather than the other way around which is probably good. It did feel / look old school, I think it's only benefited the Dredd brand the styling was so right I do think it was something special. It was effectively same on the Mongoose Paranoia stuff and that's worth loads now, it's not a fad it won't ever look wrong.

I agree having seen it all the quality was inconsistent, but imo only really in terms of a few scale issues that undermined otherwise exceptionally good figures. But it's a strange thing, they all work together, I guess it's that style thing (no comment on sculpting of the resin vehicles as I don't personally know). I don't think it was a wasted exercise at all though, I think it's almost fully explored the comic version of Dredd (short of just a few unit builder box sets like Citi-Def, East Meg, zombies in proper numbers), I think there's bigger opportunities in what seems to be the licence for a manufacturer than revisiting most of those characters / types, so the range is of real value (for Warlord to keep selling it or if not, as OOP to collectors). It would be great if they did put some or all back into production, even better if they added / replaced a few figures to make more of it all, but I think commercially for Rebellion, they should go with the styling in the recent film version of Dredd & a focused narrow game with dark atmosphere (like Project Z seems), I think the fact that last Dredd film (imo) got the atmosphere & tone so right demonstrates the World (America) has finally caught up with and is ready for Dredd, they should go with it, dark, gritty, cynical and real.

Back on track, I got some Warmaster Cygnar Black 13th Strike Force. They are like statues, taller than Warlord Dredd and thinner, trying far too hard to be attractive (though that worked I bought them) so although great in photo's in real life they seem false, despite I guess being 'true form' (so I'm returning them, even at cost of paying the postage to). A bit like (imo) modern Infinity (that I do think is a fashion / fad style).



And I fixed my near miss with plastic robo legged Skitari, by falling for some Sisters of Battle. It's that helmet, like the original Citadel FA10 Adventurer, I guess like Dredd. They'll do for the Vatican Judge, Vril Cit, and as Citi-Def for a psychotic Convent Block, they've even got a zombie-robot, and GW have put it (it seems maybe only temporarily) back on sale, so not mental ebay money.

[Diablo Jon]

Might be of interest I think Rebel minis have picked up some of Mongooses metal Dredd miniatures and re-named them

http://www.rebelminis.com/puhucu.html

http://www.rebelminis.com/eafomi1.html

[twrchtrwyth]

Missed this first time it was mentioned here did you? 

[chromedog]

Armoured Gideon. 

Someone else who remembers this story ... yay.

Some of the cygnar steam powered robots from Warmachine sort of resemble Gideon.