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2018/03/21 15:28:10
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
Azazelx wrote: Oh, it's restic? For some reason I thought it was going to be real plastic. Damn, I got two.
I was thinking the same thing, so I went back and looked at the Vanguard KS, and it clearly states "PVC Plastic Giant" in the update where the stretchgoal was unlocked, so I guess my memory is going too
Still, I'm ok with restic for larger stuff, especially the newer restic I got in Deadzone 2 and already received for Warpath, ie the Hultr Halftracks.
As far as I know, Mantic haven't made anything in that original 'hated' restic for at least 2 years now, probably longer.
The material they use for wargaming models has been very different. Near resin like for the Deadzone 2 models that weren't hard plastic.
The Walking Dead models seemed pretty close to being hard plastic without actually being hard plastic.
Except for a few TWD miscasts, the only stuff they've released of late that I've been disappointed with was the lousy Star Saga models. It seemed a lot softer than TWD models, much closer to what CMON's Zombicide were like.
I for one still find it strange to see the hatred of the material Mantic use, then some of the same people gush over the images of the forthcoming zombicide game. I know all the zombicide minis I have are nothing like as good as the stuff Mantic put out - with the exception of Star Saga which seemed like it was the same stuff.
My Painting Blog: http://gimgamgoo.com/ Currently most played: Silent Death, Xenos Rampant, Mars Code Aurora and Battletech.
I tried dabbling with 40k9/10 again and tried AoS3 - Nice models, naff games, but I'm enjoying HH2 and loving Battletech Classic and Alpha Strike.
2018/03/21 17:35:05
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
I for one still find it strange to see the hatred of the material Mantic use, then some of the same people gush over the images of the forthcoming zombicide game. I know all the zombicide minis I have are nothing like as good as the stuff Mantic put out - with the exception of Star Saga which seemed like it was the same stuff.
It's fine for boardgames where miniatures are usually already built and you don't really care about them (most of the players don't paint them). It's annoying for wargames where you have to build the models yourself and quite a lot of them in a row. Usually Mantic uses it for cost issues, but in the end, you end up having the feeling of buying really cheap stuff - and that's not a compliment here.
The material isn't fun at all to work with, that's all. I can enjoy building GW plastic kits. That's never the case with Mantic restic miniatures.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2018/03/21 17:39:28
2018/03/21 19:53:45
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
Well Star Saga is first and foremost a boardgame, meant to appeal to people who play dungeon crawler boardgames, so it's probably fair for the game pieces to be made out of the cheaper material, using simpler and repetitive poses or factory assembly.
They learned that lesson about the different expectations of boardgamers with the original Dreadball release.
Spring Open Day
There were three drafts of this text. I was going to lead you into this gently, then it struck me: come out swinging!
After discussion here at the Mantic Bunker we unanimously decided that we want to lead with a big hitter for our Open Days. We would resurrect the 3-Ups which our long-term friends will remember fondly – and add some verve!
So we commissioned a 3-Up print of the rather epic Sgt. Howlett model from our Warpath Universe and, what they heck, we’ll be placing this gently into your goodie bag for attending! Yes, that’s right: your attendance secures you a 3-Up as a thank-you from us for joining us on the day.
Hang on, I can’t make it – How Can I Get The 3-Up?
We’ll be sad that you cannot join us on the day. Whether you were too slow getting your ticket, were unable to attend due to Real Life getting in the way, or if you simply live too far away.
The 3-Ups will be available to pre-order online on 5th May.
I’ll say that again: you will have the chance to buy one of each on 5th May (time slot to be confirmed). These will also be made available at other Mantic Events during 2018 – at which time they will again be made available online.
2018/03/23 22:15:24
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
The Hornets never made it to Adepticon attendees got $40 Adepticon store credit instead or can wait for it to be shipped out. They left China last Tuesday.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/03/26 11:45:27
2018/03/27 16:50:52
Subject: Re:Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
After its discovery five years ago, XH8-211 (called Starfall by its inhabitants) has retained its initial low appraisal. Besides the ‘squatters’ occupying the planet’s barren surface, the world has been ignored by the GCPS at large, seemingly having no resources or indigenous population worthy of corporate exploitation. Until the world-quakes began.
Alongside the release of the GCPS at the end of the month (on pre-order now!) we’ll be trying something new. Available on the website to pre-order, for the low, low price of FREE! (well, you’ll need to cover shipping if you want it on its own), we have brand new mini-supplement, featuring a campaign that pits the Veer-Myn against the GCPS. While stocks last, the Starfall campaign booklet can be added to orders at no extra cost and if you’re already ordering some of those sweet new GCPS miniatures, that means it’s totally FREE. Again, did we mention it’s FREE! FREEEEEEEEEEE.
This supplement brings some new background to the fore, as you’re introduced to the oft-overlooked planet of Starfall. Until recently, this world barely registered on GCPS records and was a hotbed of mercenary activity. Once valuable resources were unearthed by unusual tectonic activity, the planet was brought by the Damrod Mining Corporation, who swiftly dispatched their private military to stake their claim. However, it isn’t only the GCPS who have a stake on this world. The Veer-Myn have risen, conquering the world by force and now stand ready to repel the would-be invaders. The scene is set for a desperate battle between two ruthless powers. Whose side will you choose?
The campaign is based around the Starter Forces for the Veer-Myn and GCPS and even includes suggested army lists for these box set in Firefight. There are three simple scenarios to play through for the planet’s fate, with rules for linking them together into a short campaign. We also take a look at each force individually, with a miniatures showcase of the Mantic Studio range. This all ties into the coverage on Warpath: Firefight we’ll be sharing over the next few months so you can start playing the game with ease. We might even be recording a game ourselves in the not-too distant future!
Mantic now have their GCPS preorders up - shipping date 23rd of April
Question: Does anybody know when Veer-myn Tunnel Runners will be available outside of the big army boxes? I feel like I've been waiting for years now, very much want to throw credits at a freighterload of rats in monowheels
Salute - when the internet is subjected to a barrage of blurry, out-of-focus pictures taken at incompetent angles on shaky camera phones of models behind smeared perspex glass which will ruin public opinion of sculpts for months until the companies can be bothered to release official promo shots
"...and special thanks to Judgedoug!" - Alessio Cavatore "Now you've gone too far Doug! ... Too far... " - Rick Priestley "I've decided that I'd rather not have you as a member of TMP." - Editor, The Miniatures Page "I'd rather put my testicles through a mangle than spend any time gaming with you." - Richard, TooFatLardies "We need a Doug Craig in every store." - Warlord Games "Thank you for being here, Judge Doug!" - Adam Troke
2018/04/20 08:13:19
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
mattjgilbert wrote: Warpath update is planned for Monday I think. Vehicles are in transit and almost here so the KS should then also get planned and start shipping soon too (all three remaining vehicles).
2018/04/23 09:56:45
Subject: Re:Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
The Warpath vehicles (Hornet, Mule and Chira) are due to arrive in the warehouse tomorrow (Tuesday). We wanted to give you the date only once we were sure it was accurate, rather than provide inaccurate information. We are aiming to start the shipping process before the end of the week, to be complete shortly afterwards.
As we’ve run into the retail launch date for the GCPS vehicles, these will be shipping to stores before backers, mainly because the Kickstarter shipping is a more complex operation to set up than the retail shipping. We’re very sorry about this, but they will be with you soon and they’re definitely worth the wait. However, the Asterian and Plague vehicles will be shipping out several months (or more) before they launch to retail!
If you need you update your shipping address, it is vital that you get in touch now through support@manticgames.com. In a couple of days, we will start shipping so it will be too late to change your details. We have processed any changes that we have received, so it is only if you haven’t contacted us with a new address that you need to get in touch.
What is being shipped?
Just as a reminder, these are the outstanding products to ship.
The GCPS Mule will have only the components to build the GCPS Mule. The Plague Mule can be used to build either the Plague or GCPS Mule. This was originally planned differently in the Kickstarter (when the Mules were due to be resin), so it wasn’t until we had finalised the production that we were clear on the make up of the kits.
Why did this take so long?
You might remember that the initial shipping time for the Kickstarter was 12 months from the end of the funding period. This is because that is roughly how long it takes to tool a hard plastic kit, especially something as complex as the vehicles.
However, following the Kickstarter we had some issues with the manufacturer we had planned to use for the tooling. This meant we basically had to start the process from scratch and find an entirely different manufacturer. We initially got them to only produce the Veer-myn Tunneller and once we were happy with that, we gave them the green light to make the remaining vehicles.
So, 12 months later we’re now looking at the final production models arriving imminently. We know that it hasn’t been an ideal nor easy wait, but we are very thankful for your patience (and for supporting the project originally) and couldn’t apologise more for the delay. The rewards for you patience will soon be in your hands!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/04/23 09:58:09
2018/04/23 10:05:29
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
They have addressed this in the comments as there are some compliants that backers are not gettting what they paid for with the Mules. What is being delivered is what was originally offered during the KS, 2 separate kits originally both to be in resin with different parts depending on the variant ordered. Each sold as separate kits. With the change to HIPS for the base model only upgrade parts are necessary for the plague version the GCPS set doesn’t need or come with them and only builds a GCPS mule. The plague version is effectively a dual kit as it builds either but that is as a result of using the same base kit and wasn’t the original plan. I suspect will retail at a higher price. If you ordered the GCPS variant you are getting what you paid for the fact that the plague variant can build both is neither here nor there I get that people would have ordered the plague version had they known it would build both but they aren’t getting anything less than they pledged for.
Hi Guys,
So regarding the mules. I've spent a while trawling through updates and such, and although we have changed from the original plan in the kickstarter, it's not in the way everyone seem to be suggesting.
The original plan was that there would be two separate kits. The GCPS Mule would build the GCPS Mule and the Plague Mule would build the Plague Mule. this was then they were to be made in resin.
Once we made the switch to hard plastic, the plan was that there would be resin upgrade components for the Plague Mule, as we didn't know if we'd hit numbers to make both out of plastic.
The final kits, wherein both versions are plastic features a plague upgrade kit for the Plague variant is what we will be supplying. The GCPS Mule was never promised to build both variants, and the pledge manager listed these as completely separate products.
This message was edited 8 times. Last update was at 2018/04/24 11:25:42
2018/04/24 11:21:35
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 131
"Restic" isn't a hybrid of anything. It has no resin in it. It's PVC grade 110. It's just very hard PVC. Same factory and material as Privateer Press were using at the time for Warmachine. It's not been used by Mantic for years. No idea where the whole "restic is resin and plastic" thing came from, or the name. It's not a thing.
Dungeon Saga minis, Mars attacks minis, TWD minis, Star Saga minis are ALL all grade 95 PVC. What make some appear harder than others is purely the thickness of the sculpt (and therefore the amount of material in any given weapon, arms, torso etc.). There haven't been any experiments in different plastics.
All new sculpting briefs for models destined for PVC are to go thicker.
Thanks for this, that was very interesting. If you have a moment, I'd like to ask two further questions regarding Mantic's plastics.
Was the PVC used for Deadzone minis like the Veer-myn progenitors and the Piper also grade 95 PVC? Those seem to me to be better quality than the Star Saga minis (which, don't get me wrong, aren't bad), but it's interesting to think that the difference may just be down to relative sculpt thickness.
Yes I believe so. That's the default for that factory.
Vermonter wrote: Also, with Mars Attacks in particular it seemed like certain colors of plastic (the Red martian figures) came out less crisply than others (like the Beige Star Wars Alien / Human good guy resistance guys, whatever they were called.) Does the color added to the plastic actually impact the quality of the casting, or is it just that some colors make it harder to read detail but the casting quality is actually the same?
I guess there's a possibility the colourant may alter the physical characteristics of the plastic but it's not something I'm aware is a cause. Mars Attacks was before my time working for Mantic but I suspect different models in the range were done by different sculptors so that can account for some differences. One big factor is the one you mention - colour. The colour of a model has a big influence on the perception of the detail (and what the eye can see). Compare a bare metal model to one sprayed grey. The grey one will be much easier to see. I remember when the second round of Deadzone models came out and they were darker than the first, lots of people (me included) said well done to Mantic for changing the material as it looked and felt much better. In fact it was grade 110 pvc just like the first wave, but a slightly darker colour.
We experimented with the colour mix for our in-house resin too for this very reason. Too light or dark and you can't see the details as well. Make it black or white and it can look cheap. Mid-grey is what you want.
2018/04/25 13:19:48
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 131
If anybody gets one of the new Giants, and they have Gomagg from Mierce, could you do a comparison between the two?
I have a bunch of lower body bits for Gomagg (legs and waist) from Mierce from their grab bags, so if anyone wanted to do a swap if they're compatible, that would be really great!
Also, kind of kicking myself for not backing to get some of those flyers. They're pretty great!
2018/04/27 18:09:52
Subject: Mantic Games - Sci-Fi N&R thread - Warpath vehicles production update pg 130 (shipping in April)
Boss Salvage wrote: Question: Does anybody know when Veer-myn Tunnel Runners will be available outside of the big army boxes? I feel like I've been waiting for years now, very much want to throw credits at a freighterload of rats in monowheels
They will also be available at the open day next weekend along with the following prerelease, limited release or unreleased minis
As far as Limited/Unreleased Stock goes, we’re opening the future archives and unleashing Plague and Veer-myn items in strictly limited numbers. Deadzone and Warpath players have been calling out for these items previously available to Kickstarter Backers and we would like to help even up the playing field!
" - Rick Priestley "I've decided that I'd rather not have you as a member of TMP." - Editor, The Miniatures Page "I'd rather put my testicles through a mangle than spend any time gaming with you." - Richard, TooFatLardies "We need a Doug Craig in every store." - Warlord Games "Thank you for being here, Judge Doug!" - Adam Troke 
