Odds and Ends from Dropzone Commander

There have been a number of threads on the DzC forums that have gotten attention from Hawk Wargames, and I think anyone interested in this game should know about them.

3 Days left in Deadzone ...WTF ZOMBIES!

     As the Deadzone Kickstarter heads into its last few days, there's still a lot of life left in this one.  There are also now Zombies!

New Releases and Sneak Peaks from Dark Age

So, LXG goes on holiday, and Mr. Black over at Dark Age goes on a wild rampage of sneak peaks and announcements.  There were a significant amount of new cards released, including some spells, and there are new models (yay!).  So without further ado, I will showcase the models and cards with some commentary.

The Sunday News

So we have a new weekly feature that we are unveiling this week.  The Sunday News.  This weekly feature is a compilation of the newsworthy events of the week for our "stable" of games and companies we support, plus anything else we think you might be interested in.  So of this we will have already covered in full articles, but a lot of it might be stuff that just wasn't big enough to write an entire article about.  So with out further ado, here is the ...

It's a Madhouse: A Spinespur Institution Agenda Review

     The Institution is, to me, one of the most fundamental aspects of Spinespur, and a quintessential collection of horror genre tropes. Let's take a good hard look at the strengths and weaknesses of this Agenda.

Getting Loud about "All Quiet"

     All Quiet on the Martian Front is a new miniature wargame currently in Kickstarter status, en route from Alien Dungeon.  This game brings back together the colossal dream team think tank of Ernie Baker, Alessio Cavatore, and Rick Priestly- who collectively are responsible for more productions in wargaming than I can reasonably list.  Here comes a new game, in (for some) a new scale, with some new twists on an old idea.

Lighting up Deadlines- PoweredPlay Games in Firebucket Defenses

Here's the first in what will be an incredibly enjoyable series of builds- applying Poweredplay light kits to a few choice models I'm working on.  First up today:  the "Deadline" defensive fortification from Firebucket Games.

Spikey Sale of the Week

     Good evening Readers!  Just wanted to make sure you all new about this week's sale at Spikey Bits.  Their Weekly Sale Program continues with a little game called Dystopian Legions.

Sneak Peaks from Prodos!

      So, in case you're brand new to this blog, there's this thing called Warzone.  It's a little game based on a tried and true IP that has a devoted fanbase.  They had a kickstarter, and nailed it.  So what could be so interesting right now?  Oh sweet Jervis, we know what the book looks like, and it is sexy.

Dark Age: Times, they are a-changing...

Today Mr. Black gave us all a sneak peak at what's in store for the new version of Dark Age.  I have to say that I did not expect this level of revamp when they announced a new rule book later this year.

Has Kickstarter Ushered in a "New Age" for Wargaming?

     Much faster than anyone truly expected crowdfunding has become a staple of the wargaming industry.  Projects and properties from unknowns that never would have seen the light of day even three years ago are now able to find $50,000-$100,000 in backing or more, and better known companies are able to rake in ten times that.  Is crowdfunding the way of the future for wargaming?  Well... maybe- but not entirely for the reasons you might think.

Mother's Day Massacre!

     In the city of Spinespur, holidays are a great excuse to murderface your friends. Mordin56, TokenGamerChic, Belgarath97, and I your friendly neighborhood Second Class Elitist, sat down for an evening of good old fashion violence, LXG Holiday Style. Time to massacre some Muthas!

Deadzone clears the $500K Mark!

     The Deadzone Kickstarter from Mantic continues to slam through benchmark after benchmark.

D.U.S.T in the NYC

The Second Class Elitist made me aware of a DUST Tactics tournament occurring in New York City!  Not only is this an excellent opportunity for veteran DUST Tactics players to show their stuff, the tournament organizer says many of the players will be relatively new, so even inexperienced players are welcome.

Psyche of a Gamer: The Social Contract

2nd Class Elitist and I have spent a lot of time talking about the culture of gamers.  To both of us the psychology of people, the why? to their actions, is something we both like to examine.  Time and again, we have discussed the social contract of gaming.  I thought I'd spend some time discussing this topic because all too often gamers forget that without the person on the other side of the table, we can't play.

Spikey Sales: Malifaux Week!

  

     Spikey Bits has announced their sale for this week.... 30% off of Malifaux models from Wyrd Games!

A Bucket full of Awesome

     So, I recently became aware of a company called Firebucket Games.  They produce resin bases, terrain options, and are working on production for an MDF table.  What makes that so special, you ask?  Quality... a level of quality that I've never seen out of an independent before.  Don't believe me?  Take a closer look. Step into my parlor... you might want to leave your credit card at home though.

Painting Oaths: Why this is such a great idea.

For those of you who know me, it will come as no surprise when I say I hate painting.  This is not a generic dislike, but an active displeasure.  This really isn't a problem for some gamers, as the grey soldier syndrome sets in and they happily play their games without them painted.  But for me it is.  The spectacle of a game played on a painted table, with painted terrain, and two fully painted forces is why I got into this hobby.  So not painting my models is also something I dislike.  So this is a no win situation right?  No, not since 2CE made me join Painting Oaths.

This week is "Paint your Models" week!

Good day, readers.  I am happy to announce that this week on LXG will be a Themed Week entitled "Paint your Army Week."  We will have many articles focusing around this one aspect of the hobby, from painting techniques to painting services to prepainted figures.

This is our first ever Themed Week, and we did not choose the subject lightly. It is one aspect of the hobby that truly transcends genre and play style, and one aspect that everyone- even trophy winners- can always improve upon.

Whatever your level of interest in the hobby, and whatever game you play, and whatever your level of interest in painting, I can guarantee you that we will have something for you this week!

New Doomtrooper Radio this Sunday, new Renders from Prodos!

     You know, it's a wonderful thing when you can't go a week without mentioning something positive about a game or game company.  I could probably snip these apart and do 3-5 little blurbs a week, but I hate two paragraph articles, so I wait until there's a few of them.  Even more refreshing is the general lack of negative that would otherwise spoil all this good news coming from Warzone: Resurrection!

Licensed Property Gaming: The "new wave" for Miniature Wargaming?

     The conventional thinking in miniature wargaming for that past decade or more has been that licensed products and games are doomed to fail, and you needed to release your own Intellectual Property to be successful.  There's a lot of really successful challenges to that idea coming on the market now.

Tablescapes unlocks Ruined Temple Display- 40 hours and counting!!!

    The Tablescapes Kickstarter from Secret Weapon keeps humming along, and is just about to enter the last day and a half.  Having just unlocked the "Ruined Temple" Display board, does it have enough steam left to unlock the entire table?

Less then 2 days left on Tablescapes...

Secret Weapon's Tablescapes is in the final 48 hours.  And as of this writing they had less then $3,000 dollars to go to unlock the "Ruined Temple" display board.  Today they released the concept art for the display board, and I really hope they make it.

You can't Stop the Signal! 100th Article, and Firefly on the Table!

     ("Find a blog. Find some writers.  Keep playing.")
 Okay, so I know this is almost impossible to believe, but our little corner of the interwebs is already at 100 articles!  I know, crazy, right?  So that's where all my spare time has gone....  Anyway, we wanted to do a couple things here to celebrate.

Dark Age: Kukulkani overview video

Yesterday Mr. Black (The Guy) over at Dark Age posted a video giving an overview of the newest faction for the game.  There are a lot of tidbits of information in the video.  From history of the race, to why they came to Sumaria, special abilities unique to the faction, and finally a hint (maybe) to the next release.  Having watched the video here are my thoughts...

Tablescapes makes a Run for the Temple!

     No, Secret Weapon is not involved in a new Indian Jones movie. (Which is a shame, because the sets would most definitely look better!)  What we have is a ruined temple, a ticking clock, and some fantastic artists renders. Come take a look before it's too late!

Spikey Sales: A new Tactic?

     If you're in wargaming, you probably know of Spikey Bits.  If you know of Spikey Bits, you've  probably followed their recent "Imperial entanglements."  Either way, you should have read MadBobby's article on Infinity.  Want another excuse to try it out?  How about 30% off from Spikey Bits?  

The Martians have Invaded! Finally!

Okay ladies and gents, this is one I've been waiting to talk about for a while.  Why, you ask?  Because it's unique, it's a little campy, it's about as classic scifi as you can get, and it's the brainchild of some old friends of ours.  

The Lights went out.... and they're back on!!!

Undeterred by their first poorly organized Kickstarter, PoweredPlay Games is right back in it, and already funded IN ONE DAY!!!

Tablescapes just keep "rolling" along, passes 200K

Secret Weapon's modular table Kickstarter, Tablescapes, has passed the 200k mark.  What does that mean?  Well it means that the latest themed board has been unlocked and it's the first one that is truly setting neutral.  But there is more, so read on for the details.

Wyrd Announces Malifaux 2nd Edition & Free Open Beta

     Wyrd Games has announced a long awaited, much anticipated, and much needed update for Malifaux.  Here's the details on what's in store for a truly Wyrd Game!

Lack of Specialists got ya down?

    Upset that a mega-corporation is killing off your favorite micro-games?  We'd like to offer you some in-print alternatives, from companies who will actually appreciate your business.

Tablescapes and Deadzone: A Match Made in TTG

Yesterday Secret Weapon announced a partnership with Mantic Games to release a display board specifically for Mantic's new game, Deadzone.

The Institution vs... Three Martin Greyguns???

In yet another example of why Spinespur is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite games of all time, I squared off against Mordin56 for a little scrum in the slums of the city.

Goblin Aid Update (VERY pic heavy!)

     The "Gamers to rightfully support Kevin Adams Organization", more correctly known as "Goblin Aid," continues to march ever onward with support.  Here's a post- Salute, up to the minute on where this process is- be warned, this article is Incredibly picture heavy with awesome Goblin sculpts!

Kickwatcher: Laser Cut MDF Terrain

So in recent days 2CE and I have backed a number of Kickstarters.  Some of them have been about miniatures and games, and a few have been about terrain.  This Kickstarter by T.J.H. Models is in the same vein, but I have to admit when I saw the picture my first thought was:

BATTLEFRONT MINIATURES TO TAKE OVER DISTRIBUTION OF DUST TACTICS AND DUST WARFARE

 Breaking news on this one, guys! The DUST universe will no longer be distributed by FFG.  Instead, coming to you in 2013, it will be from Battlefront (Flames of War, Gale Force Nine).  Big changes are on the horizon!

Step into the Deadzone

     Not even letting the grass grow after their successful Dreadball kickstarter, Mantic Games returns with yet another offering- a scifi skirmish game also set in their popular Warpath universe.  On the frontiers of Corporate space, prepare for... The Deadzone.

New Kickstarter, and New European Correspondent!

As a regular feature we plan to offer Guest Writer Wednesdays- an opportunity to read something from one of our many fans, blogger friends, and fellow gamers.  Sometimes this feature will be about their local game meta, sometimes their own hobby or hobby techniques, sometimes tactica, and sometimes upcoming product- really anything that they want to tell us about.  LXG is about sharing our hobby, and Guest Writer Wednesdays is a great way to share.  If you are interested in submitting something for GWW, just send us an email.

Today's Guest Writer is Panzerphillou, our first European Correspondent!  This is his article on a current Kickstarter for a product named "By Fire and Sword," a historical tactical game.  It's good stuff, give it a read!