| Yet more gaming stuff... |
[13 Jul 2009|02:14pm] |
Last Friday I attempted to create the characters for the first faction in the campaign I will be running. The basic idea is that each player will create six characters using the rpg rules. The first three characters represent the players primary character (the commander of his force) and their top two aides/sub commanders. The second group of three characters represents a special forces team that the player has at his disposal for operations that require a certain subtlety.
My original intent was to use the first edition 'Twilight 2000' rules for creating the characters as they have some neat mechanics (coolness under fire) and have game statistics to cover the majority of equipment the characters would be using. On Friday I discovered two things which have made me change my mind. The first is that my copy of Twilight 2000 is lacking the chart which lists all the skills. It seems that in the infinite wisdom of GDW, many important charts were not included as part of the two main books, rather they were included in the boxed set as separate pieces of paper. Pieces of paper lacking from my boxed set in Wellington.
The second is that the 'Twilight 2000' 2.2 edition of the game has all of the skills listed on both the template character sheet, and as it was based on GDW's house rpg rules is completely compatible with the 'Traveler: The New Era' rpg put out by GDW. This also means that characters and equipment can be integrated into the 'Striker II' rules which are the mass combat/ skirmish system for 'Traveler: The New Era'. 'Striker II' is basically a rewrite of 'Command Decision' produced to quickly create a sci-fi skirmish game so the basic mechanics are very similar, and as such are very compatible. This makes creating supply and repair rules so much easier!
So instead of having to make major rules rewrites all I have to do is tweak a few things here and there and can concentrate on creating a more detailed setting.
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| More Gaming Geekery |
[20 Jun 2009|12:23am] |
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As some of you may already be aware, I have been trying for awhile to get a new wargames campaign up and running. At this stage it looks like the systems which will be used are Command Decision (CD 3 with tweaks from CD 2 and Combined Arms), Harpoon, Stargrunt II (with mods from Striker II, and other sources), and Twilight 2000. In many ways, this is the result of the musings involved with my Police Action game
The campaign rules are likely to be a blend of some of Richard's homebrew rules, stuff from The Perfect Captain, and possibly even Mighty Empires. The setting will be the bastardised Command and Conquer setting that Frank, Kirk, and I have been using for a while now. The idea is that players will be put in one of three main sides (GDI, Nod, or Neutral) and will then take control of a factor or group of assets in that side. I also want to factor in many of the ideas in the famous Wong rant - politics, the media, France.
Through the usage of modern communications it is even hoped to run the game in both Christchurch and Wellington. So far I have about 5 other people keen in Wellington to bounce ideas about, and two in Christchurch - but I am keen to add more.
Moving North, sans the bulk of my armies, has been very productive in terms of making and painting new toys. Currently I am making technicals from various toy vehicles - ranging from nice 1/72 scale jeeps and 4x4s to dodgy hong kong plastic jeeps with 40k bolters and assorted stowage attached. Naturally given the amount of effort required to make the technical, combined with its incredibly low combat power on the table top, each of these technicals has the life expectancy of a snowball during a hot day in Hell.
My DVD collection of historical films, snuffumentaries, and documentaries, has however made its way north. Hopefully soon I shall post the updated list of titles on this journal.
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| Breaking Radio Silence |
[18 Jun 2009|06:46pm] |
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As some folk many have already determined, I have moved to Wellington. So far I have found the move to be a positive one.
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| A Random Query or Two |
[17 Jan 2009|05:27am] |
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Has anyone seen in NZ the either of the two Star Wars Risk games? Or knows of someone wanting to dispose of any of the Star Wars Micro Machines?
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| Breaking Radio Silence |
[16 Jan 2009|03:25pm] |
I thought I should actually post something here in order to prove to folk That i can still remember the password! Things have been going extremely well and I have been adding to my hode of history books and DVDs. I have also been enjoying the fast internet speeds of the US to download public domain history materials. I now have lots of pdf copies of difficult to get books on the ACW and even on the NZ Land Wars (Such as Vol. 1 of Cowan!!).
Not long until I have to begin phase three of Operation 'Stop Working Retail', and begin serious searching for a serious job. Remember, tell all your friends that Uncle Brian needs a job and 'No headcount too high, and no paycheck too large'[1].
[1] I wish I remember where I stole that phrase from!
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| Stuff |
[14 Nov 2008|06:57pm] |
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Went to a craft store called Michaels and acquired stuff for making chain link fences. Visited my first Walmart. Some interesting stuff there, esp. some of toys they had on offer. Didn't buy anything as it won't be the last Walmart I go to, and I didn't want to spend money just for the sake of it. I did take nice pictures of the razorwire on top of the Walmart sign and security cameras on top of the building.
As I did that I discovered pictures I had on my camera for turning into propaganda posters etc for Mog Eisley in Dirkadirkastan. One I have turned into a lj icon. It will eventually be used for 'El Suliman - The Lion of Dirkadirkastan'. Until then enjoy.
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| Book Purchases |
[14 Nov 2008|03:28am] |
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Have purchased shiney books at Borders, including a beautiful military atlas which reproduces period maps and actually cites the source. It contains a lot of Seven Years War battle and campaign maps which are simply beautiful. Other purchases include a reproduction of the US War Department's German Army Handbook (A very nice reference), two nice books on the ACW, two Oxford companions (one on American military history, the other on WW2), a book on coastwatchers during the Pacific War, a book on post Saddam Iraq, and the Osprey histories of the Iran-Iraq War, and the collapse of Yugoslavia. Books are a great deal cheaper here, and the selection is vastly superior to what I'm used to seeing. Hopefully the weight of these books will still keep me within weight allowances for the nice planes....
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| Sitrep |
[13 Nov 2008|11:43am] |
Had very nice flight from Christchurch to Auckland. Arrived at Auckland and walked to International Terminal. Wandered around International Terminal for four hours waiting for flight. Heard multiple announcements for folk missing from their flights to get to them asap as 'all the other passengers have boarded and are waiting'. Flight to LA was good as 747 was not full. Food was better than expected, movies were ok, and I got some sleep.
Was met at airport by Mr Cohen, and driven back to Caltech. The freeways are awesome, as is Ernies Mexican food. I was given a free meal as I was a kiwi who had never had real Mexican food. Was phoned by my darling Kat, and discussed important stuff(tm) with the Cohens. Slept, awoke, and off to Borders...
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| Aircraft carriers, Ospreys, LCACs, and the gentle art of wargaming |
[04 Jan 2008|08:21pm] |
The Boxing Day sales were for me a wonderful thing. Firstly, because I did not have to work. Secondly, because I was able to purchase many cheap toys for conversion into wargaming stuff(tm). Large items (eg; ships, transport aircraft, etc) are often best represented with items which are not to the same scale as the figures. Two approaches are traditional. The first is to use subscale items, such as 1/144 scale aircraft in 1/72 scale games. The second is to cartoon scale the item, in which no real scale is used, but the item is represented by something that looks right. this is the curent approach that I am taking with my naval force of six aircraft carriers. They are toys ranging in length from 76cm through to 120odd cm. The acquisition of the last four was actually least than the individual cost of either of the first two. Other capital ships to follow.
Some new items for the Brotherhood of Nod were gained and await completion. Rumour has it that 2008 will see Dunedin become a hotbed of GDI activity. I might just need to travel south to stamp that out.
Caught up with folk at New Years. Quite good actually overall. Kirk had a good time.
Thesis work proceeds. The eight week countdown of fun begins...
The Farm is still employing me. I am still learning stuff and largely having fun. More updates to follow. Although they may take some time.
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unclebrian's journal