28mm WWII Late War German Grenadiers

  I have finished my next 2010 goal "G01 - DH&C7B German Platoon". Doc M. painted them and I based them. I think they turned out pretty nice.

Command Section

Rifle Squad 1, Rifle Section

Rifle Squad 1, LMG Section

Rifle Squad 2, Rifle Section

Rifle Squad 2, LMG Section

Company Support: Panzerschrek Team x 2

Company Support: HMG Section and Heavy Mortar Team

Ultimate Computer Based Gaming Table or I gotta Have One Of These

  Some ingenious role players took computer based game play aids like I have mentioned in recent posts and built an awesome gaming table. I gotta get one of these. Check out the video ....

There are other examples of similar setups on the internet. There is a portable version that is very nice if you need portability. Check out the video for this version ...

BTR

RPTools MapTool

   MapTool is part of the RPTools suite of game play aids. This software allows gamers to share a game session over a network (including the internet). The possibilities are immense. With a little preparation on the GM's side, any map and encounter graphics can be used in the software with fog of war and line of sight built in. Whether the players live on opposite sides of the world or one player can't make it because it is their turn to watch the kids tonight, this software or something like it may play a role in the future of gaming. I have missed out on many gaming sessions because of long term work assignments and would have appreciated a setup like this so I could have participated.

  It is interesting to note that it appears most people who use the software are roleplaying. I would like to experiment with miniature gaming as well. With some modifications I think a setup like this could work with games like Where Heroes Dare! and Battletech.

MapTool with Temple of Fire Map

  It was easy enough to import my Temple of Fire map into the sofware. Any graphics software can be used to make maps or tokens, but there are several editors purpose built for making maps of this nature and many of them are free on the internet.

  One person hosts the session and the other players join the session on their computers or a two computer setup could be used for  regular gaming session where the the GM has the 'Master' computer and the other players use the 'Player' computer. Typically in this last example a projector is used so all players can see the game board on the playing surface instead of all crowding around one computer monitor.

  I look forward to seeing what role programs like this will play in the future of our hobby.

BTR

15mm DBA Camps

DBA is one of my favorite games and accessorizing the armies with camps is part of the fun. Baueda Wargames makes some very nice camp kits. A few months ago I finished two of the camps I had gotten at some previous HMGS convention and decided to show them off here. I am also including a camp of my own design that was made from the Hirst Arts small brick mold.

Baueda DBA3 Roman Marching Camp

Baueda DBA4 Egyptian Camp

Stone Wall Camp - My design using Hirst Arts Small Brick mold

BTR

PyMapper

Temple of Fire

I recently discovered the PyMapper program on the internet. When the tile packs for D&D were released several years ago, a fan created a Java based mapping program that was posted on the WotC web site. I really liked the program because I could tell it how many sets I own and it would keep track of the tiles I used to make the maps and then I could print the tile manifest for game preparation. Support for the program fell off and when new tile sets were released they weren't made available for the mapping program. PyMapper is another fan supported mapping program and a Yahoo group was created to distribute the files and provide a mechanism for feedback. The group can be found here: PyMapper Group.

 

PyMapper Interface

 

Pymapper can do all the things I like about the other program and then some. The interface is easy to use and fairly intuitive. Best of all the tile sets are up to date and now match what I currently own. If you have a need for this type of program you can't beat it, especially since it is FREE!

BTR

 

Posted with Blogsy

Pulp Figures Re-Based

  My first completed goal of 2010 is G14 Re-Base Pulp Figs. The last few months have been full of life's little surprises and the coming months are expected to be the same, so gaming and goal progress have been left behind a little, but not completely. With Doc Merkury's help and a little midnight oil I have managed to make significant progress on some of the bigger goals for this year. I comissioned Doc Merkury to paint my late war German platoon and he has already returned them to me painted and I have mounted them all on bases. All that is left to do is finish the bases and apply a dull coat and that goal will be completed as well. To be honest that was the one goal I was worried about the most. Several other goals have seen limited progress and I expect to finish the year with everything at 100%.

  Between now and the end of the year I have a major home renovation planned which includes dismantling my current gaming and work space, but if everything goes as planned I will gain a purpose built gaming space that should never have to be moved for any reason barring disaster or work relocation.

  I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to reading everyone's blogs when I get a few minutes in the evening. Take care and happy gaming :-)

BTR