Beyond the Gates of Antares: The Ongoing News & Rumors Thread

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**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

I don't know if a dogs muzzle came with a dogs sense of smell it might be something to consider in the right circumstances

**Kilkrazy**

Also having an Os Penis. Look it up.

**BrookM**

judgedoug wrote:
I'm expecting a refined Bolt Action rules set (a good thing) and at least one, if not several, plastic kits. Ever since Warlord dropped Renedra and bought/invested in their new plastics company, their plastics output has been really high- one kit every two months or so, right?

Doesn't mean that producing their own plastics is cheap all of the sudden. As I've mentioned before, I'd rather not see them waste their own resources on this until it's certain that it will sell.

**AlexHolker**

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
I don't know if a dogs muzzle came with a dogs sense of smell it might be something to consider in the right circumstances

A dog's sense of smell, taken in isolation? Sure, I can see how that might seem like a good idea at the time. But I don't think you'd want to disfigure your face - and your children's faces - to do it.

**judgedoug**

BrookM wrote:
judgedoug wrote:
I'm expecting a refined Bolt Action rules set (a good thing) and at least one, if not several, plastic kits. Ever since Warlord dropped Renedra and bought/invested in their new plastics company, their plastics output has been really high- one kit every two months or so, right?
Doesn't mean that producing their own plastics is cheap all of the sudden. As I've mentioned before, I'd rather not see them waste their own resources on this until it's certain that it will sell.

A good generic sci fi plastic kit should sell well. With Warlord's prices I'd buy several, personally.

**BobtheInquisitor**

I would love it if they bought some designs from Thon or Total Extinction and made those into plastic.

**Guildsman**

AlexHolker wrote:
The reason that is a crap idea is that they are not simply a race that appeals to furries, they are furries. First generation Panhumans are literally humans who are such donkey-caves that they deliberately doom their children to look like freaks.

If they weren't going out of their way to look like animals, it wouldn't be stupid. This sort of body modification makes more sense if it's limited to things that are either genuinely useful (like catlike eyes to grant night vision) or cosmetic changes meant to make you look more than human, rather than less. An angel's wings are far more palatable than a dog's snout, for example.

This is a problem with the entirety of the background, and it'll be really interesting to see if/how it's ever addressed. Even the figures we've seen so far beg the question: who in the hell thought it would be good to curse their descendents to look like palette-swapped versions of the Thing for all time? "Hey guys, let's turn ourselves and all of our offspring forever into rock monsters!"

Now, exploring this idea of the cultural issues resultant from your ancestors fiddling with your genetics could be brilliant if executed correctly. Maybe the Boromites have no desire for tradition or history because they hate what their ancestors did to them. Maybe another race feels themselves to be superior to all others, because they feel that they were altered "correctly." You could get light years of story mileage out of it, while exploring real-world issues.

Not that any of this is likely to happen, but still, it's nice to dream.

**AlexHolker**

judgedoug wrote:
A good generic sci fi plastic kit should sell well. With Warlord's prices I'd buy several, personally.

I don't think generic sci-fi even exists - you're always going to be working with some subset of sci-fi or another. Depending on the feel of the setting and the faction, a hover tank could be anything from Hammer's Slammers' air cushion tanks to Dreamzone's hover-MBT to Games Workshop's Falcon to Supreme Commander's Blaze.

For me, there are four broad categories of things they could make:

Things I want, and would buy for their own sake. Examples: women in armoured bodygloves ala Mass Effect.
Things I want, to supplement things from the first category. Examples: vehicles, drones.
Things I don't want, but would be happy to see across the table. Examples: that guy in the bioengineered armour.
Things I think suck. Examples: space-faring gorillas.

**edlowe**

As far as I can gather Rick is still hoping to forge ahead with the plastic robot drones that make up the majority of the pan human forces. I'll ask on their forum and see what answer I get. I know the work was started on them during the ks but was put on hold due to its failure.

edit, looks like someone beat me to it, a semi offical reply?

by Paul @ Warlord Games » Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:02 pm

Key didn't really get that far with his Wardrone so there's not really anything to show off or make available

**BobtheInquisitor**

Maybe they should make an egg-shaped mecha hardsuit. Seems there's a market for it...

**edlowe**

Some more bits of info from the GoA forum from Rick.

Yes - as Paul says we didn't get very far with our initial design and we'll have to start again on that one. Beyond the Gates of Antares (which I always refer to as Antares but I notice it gets calls Gates, GoA and all sorts) is being developed at a good pace consistent with getting the models and game play right - there are lots of things we wanted to do originally which are just going to have to wait until the game is established. The WarDrones are one of those things - our first priority to to get playable forces out for the Boromites and Algoryn we've already started to show you - and then the Isorians and Concord. It's not exactly a slow burn - 'cos there is load of stuff in preparation! - but the concept is so big there is no limit to what we could do. So - there is no 'everything' to get done -if you see what I mean - we could go on forever

One of the things I've had to give up on for now are all the ideas for an on-line real-time participation - because that would require an IT team that we simply can't afford. So, my ambitions for the game are a little more conventional that when we started out, but quite honestly that's not a bad thing in many ways - our team has some experience in that field! The WarDrones are on the list - just not right at the top!

**AlexHolker**

...our first priority to to get playable forces out for the Boromites and Algoryn we've already started to show you...

For reference, the guy in the bioengineered armour isn't an Algoryn.

So in other words, their first two races are ugly men with a skin condition, and short, ugly men with a skin condition. Was anyone asking for either of those?

**Cruentus**

So... They still have very little if any models done or near done, they've dropped the community input due to cost, and the 'didn't get far with the initial design'. Wow. I'm surprised they even tried to kickstarter this. Or maybe I'm not.

**Compel**

What amazes me, is not that they tried to kickstart it. But it's they tried to kickstart it a year ago.

If they were that interested in relaunching this, I can't help but thing they would have got a whole lot more done.

Have the wardrones changed concept? From my understanding they were the main unit for almost all the factions. - It'd be the equivalent of GW doing a Horus Heresy game without working on a space marine with a bolter.

**Azazelx**

judgedoug wrote:
Azazelx wrote:
I'm not sold on the background or the models, unfortunately. It'd take a lot for something to beat 40k for me, sadly.

Come now, I know you don't play games because of background or models. You and I are Warhammer background and model fans... that play Kings of War.

I'm very excited about the possibility of a GOOD sci fi ruleset that I can use 40k models and background with.

Well, I'm clearly talking about the background and models there, rather than specific rulesets.

**privateer4hire**

I really wish that Warlord and Mantic would team up here. Priestly and Cavatore already have been working on similar core rules for the past several years.

It would take very little IMHO for them to make a common rulebook for sci-f that allowed a merged universe. Make up some dimensional access mumbo jumbo to allow cross-over btw model lines IF the players wanted it.

That lets one rulebook (and most of the rules these gents make is both awesome AND stylistically consistent) do double duty. It unites players and expands both companies potential purchases by a common player base --- that was likely going to be split on this any way.

Just a thought.

**Azazelx**

AlexHolker wrote:
...our first priority to to get playable forces out for the Boromites and Algoryn we've already started to show you...

For reference, the guy in the bioengineered armour isn't an Algoryn.

So in other words, their first two races are ugly men with a skin condition, and short, ugly men with a skin condition. Was anyone asking for either of those?

If they want to sell models, they need humans in both light and heavy space armour as one of their opening factions. This doesn't just mean not-Space Marines and not-Colonial Marines- it means something that fits the sci-fi tropes that have been in existence for decades. If the models look good, they'll also be bought by the bucketful with an IG Codex right around the corner...

**Yodhrin**

BrookM wrote:
If it's like Bolt Action, making a unit react means they're giving up their own action for that turn.

It was specifically noted that units can do multiple ambushes in a turn. Combine that with the fact any unit you shoot can immediately shoot back(and resolves simultaneously) and any unit you assault can just run away when you try to engage them, and you have a system in which moving around and attacking the enemy are actively discouraged.

**AlexHolker**

Azazelx wrote:
If they want to sell models, they need humans in both light and heavy space armour as one of their opening factions. This doesn't just mean not-Space Marines and not-Colonial Marines- it means something that fits the sci-fi tropes that have been in existence for decades. If the models look good, they'll also be bought by the bucketful with an IG Codex right around the corner...

If it was me, this is what I'd do to start things off:

- Come up with a single stylish form of "rubber forehead alien" (i.e. something not human that can wear human armour, like Asari do in Mass Effect).
- Come up with a single stylish form of human body armour.
- Make a multipart plastic kit with heads for both humans and the other race.

You'd still get your not-Imperial Guard in a material appropriate for massed infantry, but would also already have an OPFOR race even before you make a second kit.

**Rolt**

@Alex

That's actually a pretty good idea (I think I'll "borrow" it (

), considering that most basic troops in just about any sci-fi game boil down to avenge sized humanoid solider in armor with a gun/combat weapon (regardless if human or alien)
its not hard to believe a degree of standardization in their design couldn't work. You could even take it one step further and create add-on armor parts/baggage similar to both what DFG and KD are doing with their plastics.
Combine this with a versatile plastic drone kit and you could have the "core" options for 3 or 4 armies with the barest amount of kits.

Ya'know I really don't want to sound like a GoA hater, but its really hard to believe they still have so little to show after a years of work, I thought this was meant to be their "dream project" they've been planning for years, I really
hope we see something amazing soon, the boramites are OK, I just don't see myself ever rushing to buy them. I'd love to believe their just holding back the big ground-breaking surprise for last.

**Kilkrazy**

They haven't started a new Kickstarter yet. Perhaps they are saving their new stuff to put on that.

**Barzam**

I think they could do "furry" type characters without having to make them actual furries. Just make them like the Beastmen from Phantasy Star Online or the Wulvers from Infinity.

Come to think of it, just make a Phantasy Star Online miniature game. That'd be much cooler.

**skrulnik**

Rolt wrote:
@Alex

That's actually a pretty good idea (I think I'll "borrow" it (), considering that most basic troops in just about any sci-fi game boil down to avenge sized humanoid solider in armor with a gun/combat weapon (regardless if human or alien)
its not hard to believe a degree of standardization in their design couldn't work. You could even take it one step further and create add-on armor parts/baggage similar to both what DFG and KD are doing with their plastics.
Combine this with a versatile plastic drone kit and you could have the "core" options for 3 or 4 armies with the barest amount of kits.

Ya'know I really don't want to sound like a GoA hater, but its really hard to believe they still have so little to show after a years of work, I thought this was meant to be their "dream project" they've been planning for years, I really
hope we see something amazing soon, the boramites are OK, I just don't see myself ever rushing to buy them. I'd love to believe their just holding back the big ground-breaking surprise for last.

Why should they have anything more to show?
If they are doing work on it on the side, minis would be the last thing to work on.

From the GoA KS page

Dark Space Corp is a new company, founded by ex- Games Workshop stalwarts Rick Priestley & John Stallard, and a video games guy called Rik Alexander.

We've formed a partnership with the brilliant Warlord Games who will handle all the production and operational side so that DSC can focus on the game development, miniature design and community.

They still need to do their day jobs to cover all the things like rules development and paying sculptors.
That was the point of the KS. So they could afford to focus on making just this game.
You can plan the gak out of anything, but if you don't have the time to implement it, it doesn't move on its own.
That's what we are seeing here more than anything, imo.
They've been concentrating on the rules part.
These sculpts are probably all they've been able to afford on their own.

Also, they are not part of Warlord Games.
Dark Space Corp, who are creating GoA, are affiliated with Warlord in the respect that once they have a product ready, Warlord will help them sell it. Maybe they have agreements in place to help them produce it as well, but who knows?
Similar to Mantic and Allessio Cavatore's various games.

**Gallahad**

AlexHolker wrote:
Azazelx wrote:
If they want to sell models, they need humans in both light and heavy space armour as one of their opening factions. This doesn't just mean not-Space Marines and not-Colonial Marines- it means something that fits the sci-fi tropes that have been in existence for decades. If the models look good, they'll also be bought by the bucketful with an IG Codex right around the corner...

If it was me, this is what I'd do to start things off:

- Come up with a single stylish form of "rubber forehead alien" (i.e. something not human that can wear human armour, like Asari do in Mass Effect).
- Come up with a single stylish form of human body armour.
- Make a multipart plastic kit with heads for both humans and the other race.

You'd still get your not-Imperial Guard in a material appropriate for massed infantry, but would also already have an OPFOR race even before you make a second kit.

Good idea! Unfortunately, I fear we will only be getting the mutant rejects from 80's sci-fi in metal.

I mean, somebody has to be looking at what Mark has done with the Dreamforge Games Eisenkern, and saying "Hey! There is a market for alternative sci-fi miniatures in injection plastic!" It has always puzzled me that the historical market is packet with true plastic kits from a variety of manufacturers (Fireforge, Perry, Conquest, Gripping Beast, Victrix, etc.) but sci-fi has largely been neglected. The sci-fi market for miniatures gaming has to be 10X the size of the market for historicals.

As others have said, the current showing for Gates of Antares is pretty poor.

**frozenwastes**

AlexHolker wrote:
...our first priority to to get playable forces out for the Boromites and Algoryn we've already started to show you...

For reference, the guy in the bioengineered armour isn't an Algoryn.

So in other words, their first two races are ugly men with a skin condition, and short, ugly men with a skin condition. Was anyone asking for either of those?

Why is it that when ex-GW people decide to get into making their own sci-fi game, they seem to always think Space Dwarves are a good idea for their initial ranges? First Mantic with their Forge Fathers and now this. Short guys that tunnel underground but with ray guns.

Ugh.

**Agamemnon2**

Because they've all been left shellshocked by the fate of the Squats?

**ChaoticMind**

frozenwastes wrote:
AlexHolker wrote:
...our first priority to to get playable forces out for the Boromites and Algoryn we've already started to show you...

For reference, the guy in the bioengineered armour isn't an Algoryn.

So in other words, their first two races are ugly men with a skin condition, and short, ugly men with a skin condition. Was anyone asking for either of those?

Why is it that when ex-GW people decide to get into making their own sci-fi game, they seem to always think Space Dwarves are a good idea for their initial ranges? First Mantic with their Forge Fathers and now this. Short guys that tunnel underground but with ray guns.

Ugh.

They want to de-retcon the squats. Problem is you need a slightly silly game to do that and GoA, Warpath, and Deadzone are serious settings. They work in Dreadball because it is fantasy football where every team has a shtick.

**AlexHolker**

frozenwastes wrote:
Why is it that when ex-GW people decide to get into making their own sci-fi game, they seem to always think Space Dwarves are a good idea for their initial ranges? First Mantic with their Forge Fathers and now this. Short guys that tunnel underground but with ray guns.

Ugh.

You remember how every Games Day we'd get a bunch of berks asking when the Squats would be coming back?

I blame those guys.

**Palindrome**

frozenwastes wrote:
they seem to always think Space Dwarves are a good idea for their initial ranges?

At least its not space elves.

**legoburner**

How close is Rick to retirement? I remember the GoA outline stating that he wanted something that would fund him through retirement but if retirement is close and it has been a year already, is there a chance this could end up as a bit of a pump and dump from a rules and background perspective?