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Made in us
Hollerin' Herda with Squighound Pack






I've been toying with the idea of making my own amateur wargame rules for some time, on and off. For a little bit now I've been super into the idea, but I have have questions I must get answered before I make any solid plans (not that I'm 'ready to move', it still may never really happen!)

1: What I primarily want to be is a writer. That's where my heart is, with game design being a close second. Black Library is doing their submission call thing, and I'm interested in that. But what I need to know is; Lets say I release something playable, and it gets popular (bare with me). I know GW is aggressive with competition, and I don't know the industry, but would that scenario (I'm both a writer for Black Library AND have made my own game) jeopardize itself? Would Black Library fire me for succeeding in making my own game? Will I more-or-less need to choose?

2: What setting is appropriate for a wargame's fluff? I wanted to use a universe I most recently made for my own fantasy novels, sort-of to 'keep in touch' while I (hopefully) write for Black Library. But to be blunt, I'm not sure I want to share my setting, as in with other writer's/game designers if the game got big. At the same time, I want to bring the world to life. So would that be a problem for the Wargame's enjoy-ability?

3: What options are there for manufacturing models? If I get that far, can I very easily outsource the models? I would want a hand in their making, I have a lot of ideas for them, But learning to sculpt is a time-consuming thing to add for me right now. While on the topic: 4: How long should I expect to take to learn to sculpt, say, average quality mini's, and what tools ought I use (Digitally designing the models or physically molding clay)?

Thank you for reading this, any advice would be helpful.
   
Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter






1). No clue if BL has some kinda non competition legialize bs but nothing stops you from writing and hording it to be released later. alternatively i think many writers end up using an alias.

2). literally any setting that could conceivably have some form of conflict could have a war game made of it. anything from space, future, near future, current, past, alt past, high fantasy, dark fantasy, or you could even get more creative like germ warfare or some other silly gimmic. you will probably have more in the way of creative writing and mechanics if you go into not historicals or current.

3). that one is tough honestly and i cannot answer.




 Unit1126PLL wrote:
 Scott-S6 wrote:
And yet another thread is hijacked for Unit to ask for the same advice, receive the same answers and make the same excuses.

Oh my god I'm becoming martel.
Send help!

 
   
Made in us
Douglas Bader






 Lazzamore wrote:
1: What I primarily want to be is a writer. That's where my heart is, with game design being a close second. Black Library is doing their submission call thing, and I'm interested in that. But what I need to know is; Lets say I release something playable, and it gets popular (bare with me). I know GW is aggressive with competition, and I don't know the industry, but would that scenario (I'm both a writer for Black Library AND have made my own game) jeopardize itself? Would Black Library fire me for succeeding in making my own game? Will I more-or-less need to choose?


This depends entirely on the details of the contract you sign. But I wouldn't worry about it too much, if you succeed well enough to be considered competition for GW then you don't need GW anymore. You have a successful and popular game, and can use that popularity to advance your writing career doing your own work instead of writing glorified fanfiction for GW.

2: What setting is appropriate for a wargame's fluff? I wanted to use a universe I most recently made for my own fantasy novels, sort-of to 'keep in touch' while I (hopefully) write for Black Library. But to be blunt, I'm not sure I want to share my setting, as in with other writer's/game designers if the game got big. At the same time, I want to bring the world to life. So would that be a problem for the Wargame's enjoy-ability?


Any setting works. Not being willing to share is probably an issue, you're not going to be able to handle all of the work yourself. If you can't stand the thought of involving people in your world then make a new world for the game.

3: What options are there for manufacturing models? If I get that far, can I very easily outsource the models?


Outsourcing is easy. Lots of sculptors will take commission jobs, and there are companies dedicated to manufacturing miniatures/board game components/etc. The only real limit here is how much money you're willing to spend.

How long should I expect to take to learn to sculpt, say, average quality mini's, and what tools ought I use (Digitally designing the models or physically molding clay)?


Expect to spend years of serious effort unless you have experience already, and success is not guaranteed.

There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices. 
   
Made in us
Incorporating Wet-Blending





Houston, TX

Writing and figure manufacturing are two completely different beasts. If you want to do writing, I strongly suggest you stay out of figs and focus on getting your setting and rules together. If you really want to focus on the fiction, maybe write for an existing open/free rules set. If you divorce the setting from the rules, you can always shift to a different set or make a proprietary rule system.

Also, if you ever want your setting to be more than a personal labor of love (IE a commercial endeavor), you'll have to relinquish *some* control. Plus, most fiction is not nearly as good to paying audiences as the creator believes. Which is why you are probably better off just keeping it a passionate hobby and look elsewhere to make your money. To that end, if you really want to write for a living, you need to really work on writing and think broader than BL. Writing is a notoriously tough way to make a living and you will probably want to build a writing resume, which also means getting published ASAP, even if it is shorter pieces (articles, etc.).

Good luck!

-James
 
   
Made in us
Battlefield Tourist




MN (Currently in WY)

I am not going to answer your questions in a straight forward way, but I will say this.

Do not write or make games for anyone but yourself. Do it because it is something that you must do! If you do it for anyone else or for lesser reasons than you will fail. If you only do it for yourself because you have to do it.... you never "fail".

You just might not make any money.


Edit: Oh, and be prepared. There will be a line out the door just itching for you to fail, and more than willing to kick you down. However, there will also be many people looking to help and prop you up.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/02/21 21:59:54


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Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

@OP:

1. You cannot control what GW does, but if you do write for them, then you had best read any NDA / non-compete very, very thoroughly. Be darn sure that you're not ripping off, or riffing off, GW's IP.

2. Any setting is fine, pick what is interesting to you.

3. You can hire concept artists, designers and sculptors - it's just a question of budget. Or, you can spend the time to sculpt your own, buying your own CAD tools.

   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User





 Easy E wrote:
I am not going to answer your questions in a straight forward way, but I will say this.

Do not write or make games for anyone but yourself. Do it because it is something that you must do! If you do it for anyone else or for lesser reasons than you will fail. If you only do it for yourself because you have to do it.... you never "fail".

You just might not make any money.


Edit: Oh, and be prepared. There will be a line out the door just itching for you to fail, and more than willing to kick you down. However, there will also be many people looking to help and prop you up.


I love this post. So much wisdom here in just a few sentences.
   
 
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