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Last night I came across a link to a free skirmish game set in the 40k Universe, In The Emperor's Name.

http://thegamesshed.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/in-the-emperors-name/

I was wondering if anyone here has tried it, and if they have any feedback. It has lists for most of the main armies, but players would only need four to ten models each, and the rules seem a lot simpler. I like skirmish games, and am intrigued by being able to put together a force without requiring a new mortgage, or months of painting time.

I've played ITEN a few times. It's very fast playing and fun. However, it plays so fast (less than an hour for each) that each battle is almost more like an encounter, so you need to play a couple games in a row to get the best out of it. Luckily it also has a really neat campaign system/track as well so you can play out an entire campaign in a couple meetings.

Also, it has a complete unit creation mechanic so you can create your own stats, which makes it good for playing games outside of the 40k universe as well.

Here's the AAR's from our club's experiences
http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2012/11/in-emperors-name-6-games-in-one-night.html
We also tried out the vehicle rules which are limited, but functional.
http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2012/12/photo-dump-from-last-weeks-game-night.html

Also, the rules system was so well received that an expanded/revised/improved version is the basis for the new Victorian/Steampunk game from Osprey "In Her Magesty's Name".
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/store/In-Her-Majesty%E2%80%99s-Name_9781780962894

Thanks Eilif, nice AAR. I first came acrosss this game when reading about In Her Majesty's Name, but I think I'll give this a few goes before deciding whether or not to pick that one up.

...counting days until GW lawyers shut this game down

Lobukia,
No worries about that. The author already commeted elsewhere that GW knows about it.

IIRC, they had him remove a couple pieces of questionable artwork, but were fine with the rest as long as the copyright/trademark disclaimer is added and he doesn't try and sell it. Two years later, it's pretty safe.

Green Army,
No problem. One thing to note, In her Magesty's Name is supposed to be much more expanded and refined, so if ITEN has a few holes or rough spots, don't discount IHMN entirely.

When I first heard mention of this game, I found and immediately downloaded the three main files downloaded (main rules, campaign rules, army lists), and I hope to play a game of it sometime. I initially thought about using my copy of Rogue trader to play games of skirmish 40K (just go low points and no unit cohesion, really), but I think it might be interesting to try something with a rule set that is a little more adventurous that the traditional 40K stats.

I think it is definitely more newbie-friendly that the massive tomes that are 40K rulebooks, so it would be a neat way to introduce someone to the universe if they aren't the type for crunchy rules. Like my wife, for instance.

I see it as something along the lines of "Song of Blades and Heroes". Simple, fast, and fun.

As always, though, I am impressed and happy that GW hasn't been able to ruin it all for us.

 AegisGrimm wrote:
When I first heard mention of this game, I found and immediately downloaded the three main files downloaded (main rules, campaign rules, army lists), and I hope to play a game of it sometime....
...I think it is definitely more newbie-friendly that the massive tomes that are 40K rulebooks, so it would be a neat way to introduce someone to the universe if they aren't the type for crunchy rules. Like my wife, for instance....
...I see it as something along the lines of "Song of Blades and Heroes". Simple, fast, and fun.

I hope you get a chance to try it. It's alot of fun.

It's definitely in the same room with SBH, one of my all-time favorite games. ITEN does streamline alot of things and that may be disturbing to the 40k player who is used to special rules and statlines for everything. However if you enjoy the level of abstraction that SBH uses, you'll be very happy with ITEN.

As you surmise it can indeed indeed be used as an easy introduction to gaming for those not accustomed to stat and rule-heavy games.

 Lobukia wrote:
...counting days until GW lawyers shut this game down

It's been around for quite a while. GW knows about it, and is actually pretty supportive of it.

I like ITEN, it's a nice little rule-set that I introduce my friends into the universe with without intimidating them with the tome and bible that is the 40k rulebook

This is pretty exciting. I've got a few friends that like war-gaming but avoid 40k because of the investment required. This may be another way to help bring myself and my Warmachine playing and anti-GW friends all together! Can't wait to give it an in-depth read. Thanks for posting!

 washout77 wrote:

 Lobukia wrote:
...counting days until GW lawyers shut this game down

It's been around for quite a while. GW knows about it, and is actually pretty supportive of it.

I like ITEN, it's a nice little rule-set that I introduce my friends into the universe with without intimidating them with the tome and bible that is the 40k rulebook

Sweet, well giddy up then [runs off to play instead of doing grad work]

And remember, like the author of the ruleset states, ItEN is like the original Rogue Trader, in which it works best if the players involved can have a "gleeful disregard" for anything that doesn't work quite right.

That's definitely not something that's easily possible with the current feel of 40K, if Dakkadakka is any indication.

 AegisGrimm wrote:
And remember, like the author of the ruleset states, ItEN is like the original Rogue Trader, in which it works best if the players involved can have a "gleeful disregard" for anything that doesn't work quite right.

That's definitely not something that's easily possible with the current feel of 40K, if Dakkadakka is any indication.

That's what I like about it. A few of my friends like the idea of playing the occassional wargame, until they see the size of the rulebook. Then they hear that there are codices as well, and they change the subject.

I am currently printing it out. ItEN seems like a good game for those times where you want to play 40K, but not enough to break out a 2-3 hour game.

Or like I said, with players who aren't huge wargamers. My wife isn't into gaming enough to even play a "Combat Patrol" game of 40K, because even forces of 400-800pts use a significant amount of the full 40K rules. Same thing with games of Necromunda, just a different edition's rules.

But she seemed pretty amenable when I explained to her that a basic game of ItEN only has 5-10 models (or even just 3-4 if Space Marines), with half a dozen stats to deal with, ever. And that the rules are shorter than most boardgames.

*Just read through the rules fully. A caveat: A good deal of current 40K players (especially new recruits from recent years) might die of shock if they try to play this game, especially when they have to fudge something because there's no in-depth rule for it. Be warned!