Hi folks. Just posting a heads up that my Starscapes Terrain Kickstarter is live.
The Kickstarter is aimed at X wing players, but you may find the mats useful for other games too. I appreciate that there are already a lot of mat makers out there, but I believe that mine are unique in that I've been granted permission to use Hubble Images. Anyway, some of you may be interested, so I've put a link below, along with some product images.
10% of any profit made from the mats will be donated to the Earth and Space Foundation.
Those are some stunning images, and the 10% going to the ESF is a nice touch. Do you have any plans to sell the mats after the kickstarter or are they going to be kickstarter exclusive?
Thanks for the kind words. I'm waiting to see how the kickstarter goes to see if it might be worthwhile creating a small webstore. If it goes well, then I have some ideas for future products (which will not be worked on until all pledges are fulfilled!), so I'll probably develop something.
They look quite good! Could you show the edge of a mat? My issue with the star mat I have from DeepCut is it is thin, and so when stored (rolled up) the edges curl badly. Do you personally do anything to mitigate this with yours?
Looks good, and is a step up from past "asteroid" kickstarters.
Just an FYI though, you dont need permission to use NASA imagery (including Hubble and other telescopes). They are a free gift from tax payers. The only time you need to seek permission is when you use NASA, the Meatball or other specific logos or terms which may imply official support by NASA.
I looked into it Sean. You can use them for personal use, but not commercial (without permission anyway). The commercial use of NASA images is administrated by the Space Telescope Science Institute.
Eggs wrote: I looked into it Sean. You can use them for personal use, but not commercial (without permission anyway). The commercial use of NASA images is administrated by the Space Telescope Science Institute.
You were told wrong:
Material credited to STScI on this site was created, authored, and/or prepared for NASA under Contract NAS5-26555. Unless otherwise specifically stated, no claim to copyright is being asserted by STScI and it may be freely used as in the public domain in accordance with NASA's contract. However, it is requested that in any subsequent use of this work NASA and STScI be given appropriate acknowledgement. STScI further requests voluntary reporting of all use, derivative creation, and other alteration of this work. Such reporting should be sent to copyright@stsci.edu.
All imagery created by the US government (NASA in this case) or for the US government (the contract mentioned above) puts the images in the public domain. One of the few things they have done right in the last 50 years for IP law. We already paid for it...it should belong to the public. They can not restrict the public domain to non commercial use, since corporations are people too (and helped buy it as well).
Dont want to side track off your work though too much. Hopefully it does well.
RiTides wrote: They look quite good! Could you show the edge of a mat? My issue with the star mat I have from DeepCut is it is thin, and so when stored (rolled up) the edges curl badly. Do you personally do anything to mitigate this with yours?
RiTides, I haven't done anything to prevent this, but have found that if you store the mats rolled up 'image side out', then there are no problems with curling - the edges want to curl back into the table, so it sits flat. The mat is about the thickness of a bank/credit card. I'll try and get some pics of the edges tonight for you.
Eggs - you should put the details of the donation in your 1st post.
Unfortunately I don't play any games where I could use these items.
Great looking product at a very competitive price.
Good luck!
Eggs wrote: RiTides, I haven't done anything to prevent this, but have found that if you store the mats rolled up 'image side out', then there are no problems with curling - the edges want to curl back into the table, so it sits flat. The mat is about the thickness of a bank/credit card. I'll try and get some pics of the edges tonight for you.
Ah, glad to hear that! I just tried it last night hoping it would correct the issue on mine, but wasn't sure if it would work. Thanks for the tip
Eggs wrote: I looked into it Sean. You can use them for personal use, but not commercial (without permission anyway). The commercial use of NASA images is administrated by the Space Telescope Science Institute.
You were told wrong:
Material credited to STScI on this site was created, authored, and/or prepared for NASA under Contract NAS5-26555. Unless otherwise specifically stated, no claim to copyright is being asserted by STScI and it may be freely used as in the public domain in accordance with NASA's contract. However, it is requested that in any subsequent use of this work NASA and STScI be given appropriate acknowledgement. STScI further requests voluntary reporting of all use, derivative creation, and other alteration of this work. Such reporting should be sent to copyright@stsci.edu.
All imagery created by the US government (NASA in this case) or for the US government (the contract mentioned above) puts the images in the public domain. One of the few things they have done right in the last 50 years for IP law. We already paid for it...it should belong to the public. They can not restrict the public domain to non commercial use, since corporations are people too (and helped buy it as well).
Dont want to side track off your work though too much. Hopefully it does well.
A little caveat to that Sean, works created by government employees within the scope of their employment are inherently public domain. The same is not necessarily true for works created for the US government by contractors.
Also, Egg, I assume that the bases for these asteroids conform to the dimensions of the asteroid tokens in the X-Wing starter box. Is that correct?
The only use I could see is to cover a complete 4x8 gaming table. While it might be nice I think the 3x3 and 3x6 table sizes are perfect and just use a regular table cloth to cover the rest so I can set my cards off the edge of the map.
Theophony wrote: The only use I could see is to cover a complete 4x8 gaming table. While it might be nice I think the 3x3 and 3x6 table sizes are perfect and just use a regular table cloth to cover the rest so I can set my cards off the edge of the map.
I too like having an area for everyone to collect their reference materials away from the gaming surface.
Eggs wrote: It looks like there are asteroid tokens in the promo pics, but they look like different shapes. The 6'x3' mats should work though.
I suppose with the scale changes that was to be expected. Though alternate bases for the asteroids might be something to look into once we have the tokens in hand.
Eldarain - I've thought about debris markers, but I would want them to look like destroyed ships, and they are copyrighted. Don't want to anger the mouse. I could do them with 'generic sci-fi debris, but I don't think they'd have the same appeal.
Theophony - I'll be honest, I know nothing about attack wing other than it uses the flight path system. Do they use planets instead of asteroids?
Lorek - welcome to the kickstarter! Thanks for your support! Hubble produces some tasty images huh?
Eggs, just backed. These mats look impressive. Just asked this question in the comments section, but thought I'd post here aswell, see what others think.
I wonder if you might consider producing them at 3'x4' also?
I don't know if this would be a huge hassle, perhaps it would, but it would still give you a nice, small manageable mat, but it'd also make it easy to nicely fill up a 6'x4' table/board.
6'x3' just always seems a little narrow to me. I would probably also support the 4'x4' idea put forward above.
Alan - I can certainly look at it. There seems to be a market for it, so I'll sit down with photoshop the next chance I get and see if the resolution holds up when scaled up to 4 foot across.
Asperon - I'm afraid the bases just wouldn't be cost effective on their own. They are pretty expensive to have made really, and are the single biggest cost with a batch of asteroids. This is offset by the fact that I'm able to cast the asteroids relatively cheaply. Sorry I can't be more helpful there, but there are plenty businesses out there that can make them to order for you.
I hope to buy a laser cutter of my own mid 2015, in which case I would certainly offer them.
Zond, the standard size is about the size of the picture on the token, though the bases are the size of the whole token. The xl size is the size of the whole token.
The picture is surrounded by a black border on the tokens themselves.
I would like a 4x8 for playing battle fleet gothic… I doubt 2 4x4s would match up nicely. I think I'll see if some local gamers will go in on a set of star wars stuff though.
Hi folks. Just wanted to let you know that the kickstarter has funded in the first week. I'm over the moon, and can't wait to get these products out to you.
The support from dakka alone has been awesome.
Better get mucking out the garage and setting up my casting stuff!
Eggs, I think you could make ship debris so banged up and blasted that you could have a few little evocative bits mixed in without violating copyright.
There are some bits, like the tip of an X-wing laser cannon, that aren't really anything copyrightable on their own. It's just a generic little satellite dish-looking shape. If you put in a little piece like that mixed in with generic paneling, wires, venting plasma, etc., it would provide a little touchstone for players to fill in more salient details with their imaginations.
If you sculpted little bits like that yourself, I think you'd probably be okay. IANAL though, obviously, and this is not in any way, shape, or form legal advice.
After a bit of kickstarter burn out due to the hated restic (yes you mantic with your shiny models but damnable material) I have pledged in with you so i can have a cool starfield for my FA games with my sons.
Only a mat at the moment but I am getting more and more tempted to add an asteroid pack. Is the material easy enough to model with? Could I add on the Spartan Scenery stuff to make mining colonies?
Looking forward to some laser Pew Pew over the Hubble imagery.
Hi folks. Eldrain beat me to it! First stretch goal was passed, while I was writing an update, so the update was out of date before I posted it!
Some new mats available, and a couple of 6'x4's added as requested. I've decided to hold off on 3' x 4's for now. They may be added as a future stretch goal if folks want them though.
To answer a couple of questions;
Fraggle: I'm not sure of the feasibility of having a pledge manager for a small kickstarter of this size. I'm just a one-man band, with fairly limited computer skills, which are generally limited to photoshop. The KS has been such a success that I'll be selling the products afterwards, though whether that will be a dedicated online store, or through Ebay or similar, I haven't decided yet. They'll probably be a few quid more expensive outwith the Kickstarter too.
Cygnnus: I have added a couple of 6'x4' mats now, but to be honest, the increase in size of postage tube and international postage for the bigger parcel probably makes it cost prohibitive outside of the UK. The exchange rate doesn't help either, so I fully understand if international folks don't back due to price. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of international backers however, so some may be interested in it. I wish I didn't have to add an international postage supplement, but it is what it is I'm afraid.
Mooks: The resin is a two part polyurethane resin, and is fully 'machinable', so you can cut it, sand it etc without any problems. Not sure how well they would scale with the Spartan stuff, as I've not come across it before, but the image you posted looks pretty interesting, so I may have to acquire a pack for myself and find out!
Think that covers all the questions. If I've missed anyone, just holler.
Thanks for the update Eggs and well done on the milestone.
No pledge manager means I had better up my pledge then to include the asteroids. I will add on an XL pack when I get back from work.
The resin seems fine and nothing a dremel cant handle.
Any problems sending a package to a BFPO address? Some couriers hate it. Parcel force do a BFPO FAQ and calculater if you need to check? I can add any increase to the postage now instead of making it awkward for you later.
Again, congrats and i am looking forward to your mats.
Eggs wrote: Hi folks. Eldrain beat me to it! First stretch goal was passed, while I was writing an update, so the update was out of date before I posted it!
Some new mats available, and a couple of 6'x4's added as requested. I've decided to hold off on 3' x 4's for now. They may be added as a future stretch goal if folks want them though.
To answer a couple of questions;
Fraggle: I'm not sure of the feasibility of having a pledge manager for a small kickstarter of this size. I'm just a one-man band, with fairly limited computer skills, which are generally limited to photoshop. The KS has been such a success that I'll be selling the products afterwards, though whether that will be a dedicated online store, or through Ebay or similar, I haven't decided yet. They'll probably be a few quid more expensive outwith the Kickstarter too.
Cygnnus: I have added a couple of 6'x4' mats now, but to be honest, the increase in size of postage tube and international postage for the bigger parcel probably makes it cost prohibitive outside of the UK. The exchange rate doesn't help either, so I fully understand if international folks don't back due to price. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of international backers however, so some may be interested in it. I wish I didn't have to add an international postage supplement, but it is what it is I'm afraid.
Mooks: The resin is a two part polyurethane resin, and is fully 'machinable', so you can cut it, sand it etc without any problems. Not sure how well they would scale with the Spartan stuff, as I've not come across it before, but the image you posted looks pretty interesting, so I may have to acquire a pack for myself and find out!
Think that covers all the questions. If I've missed anyone, just holler.
Thanks for the support folks.
Eggs,
Thanks for putting up the 6x4 option. I hate to push for it and then not back it, but I think you'r right. With the shipping and exchange rate, that's getting pretty dear. I think that hits ~$90USD if Google didn't lie about the conversion to me. That is a bit more than I can swing right now. But hopefully you can get some folks from your side of The Pond who are Spartan Games fans....
Not on this kickstarter BrookM, but if the ks continues in the same vein as it has been, it should enable me to develop some new ideas once all the pledges have been fulfilled.
I do have a fair few Ideas Eldarain, but I'm not going to develop any of them until all pledges for this one have been delivered. I got annoyed myself at Kickstarters I've bcaked, and the folk running it are talking about new products before I had my shinies.
I may have to! I have stretch goals to £4k and it's sitting at the 3.5k mark now. I think I'll work up a couple more images, but I'm away to look into maybe doing tokens after that. It's just rising and rising, so I'll have to come up with a freebie of some sort as a thank you to all the backers.
I'm wondering about the possibility of having a 6x4 matt with the 6x3 marked out?
So that the cards etcetera can be placed on the mat but not on the game area.
I'm wondering about the possibility of having a 6x4 matt with the 6x3 marked out?
So that the cards etcetera can be placed on the mat but not on the game area.
Even as an x-wing player I'd say no to it. If people need a line then but cheap laser levels and mark the boundaries. Then you can use the map any size you want to play on without the ships "tripping" on the border line.
Interesting comments peeps. As you can see, I don't think I can win with this one. I can't offer each individual a custom mat tailored to their design - it's just not cost effective.
It is easier not to have it marked with lines and the backer adds their own mark, than having the mat with lines in it you do not want and being stuck with them.
Yeah, that's pretty much the conclusion I've come to as well -
It wouldn't take much to just sharpie on the lines or use pencil or whatever if required.
yeah,
Your standard star field mat looks great, I'm starting to get tired by of all the nova explosions and nebula I see during x-wing dog fights!
I'll be happy to have it with or without the box
And I understand the non x-wing comments.
The problem with doing sharpie Lines is messing up and having inaccurate or smudged lines.
If the boxed 6x4 isn't available, I'll stick with a 6x3 and throw it down on a 6x4 felt for the cards and templates
For reference this is the kinda thing I'm talking about
Spoiler:
I have a 4x4 matt with the 3x3 marked out and I've used it as both a 3x3 and a 4x4 it's great to have the options.
I think alot of people looking at buying the 6x3 will upgrade to 6x4 if they can have the marked out 6x3 box.
It's a cool feature to have space for the clutter that x-wing requires!
Panic wrote: yeah,
I'll be happy to have it with or without the box
And I understand the non x-wing comments.
The problem with doing sharpie Lines is messing up and having inaccurate or smudged lines.
If the boxed 6x4 isn't available, I'll stick with a 6x3 and throw it down on a 6x4 felt for the cards and templates
Panic...
Yep. I'm still hyped to use the 6x3 with another full size mat under it. Just would have been nice to have the marked 6x4. But I understand why it might not be feasible at this time.
Don't think I can justify the expense, but I've gotta say, these are some really nice mats. if funding were no issue, I'd totally snap up just a bunch of these.
Panic wrote: yeah,
I think your asteroids are the best on the market, you should stick more eye candy up here!
Panic...
A solid point. More images along with a title edit to reflect that you are fully funded and there is 10 days left would both help here in the stretch I think.
Eggs wrote: We're into the last 12 hours now folks. If you were considering getting in, then now is the time.
Id like to thank dakka for all the support. It's been an amazing experience. Now the hard work starts!
Well, I stuck my toe in . I'd like to track your fulfilling this, even though I can't afford another mat right now. Very glad to see a Dakkanaut with a successful project! Hopefully fulfillment goes smoothly and you can tackle it in a timely fashion
Darn just saw this an it looks pretty awesome! You should definitely open up a little web store and keep people updated through various forums and social media.
I think these mats look wonderful and it would be awesome if you do open up a little web store.
Congrats on the successful venture tho! To bad I missed it (saw it with 72 seconds left so didn't have enough time to consider lol)
Unfortunate that you missed it chief bigredman. I have plans for a wee webstore, but only after I've delivered on this.
Hopefully you'll be in for a wee treat RiTides - I'll be doing a wee blog of sorts for the backers, with hopefully a bit of insight into the casting process etc for the backers.
, every time I see your posts my mouth waters 
