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2013/11/01 12:21:33
Subject: Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter NOW LIVE until the 16th November!
Malika2 wrote: Congrats Joel! Very curious to see how this works out!
Thanks!
I am surprised and very pleased at how well we have done so far, just over two weeks to go - I kept this project shorter than most so we can get working on the rewards sooner!
Im finishing off some CAD files for printing over this weekend and if everything goes to plan, I should have some completed or at least WIP miniatures to show off by the end of the project, I appreciate many people are not impressed by computer renders alone!
I should be able to get previews of the Republic Grenadiers up by mid next week also.
STRETCH GOALS - the money we've raised so far is enough to cover the initial development costs I wanted but if we are able to get more interest and pledges, economies of scale mean we can include more figures and parts. I've updated the project with stretch goals up to 18k, and most of them are free upgrades for the main "Assault Team" pledge, plus some Add-On goals - Heavy weapon support teams for the Infantry squads.
ichigo wrote: I can't believe they are offering free postage to everyone! That's awesome!
Well we offer free postage on the website for all orders over £35 already, and I hate Kickstarters which have a low pledge cost but ridiculous added shipping charges, its misleading. Free Free shipping for everyone is the simplest and best option in our opinion.
I've been busy today with the CAD software playing Stretch Goal catch up. "Update #3" on the Kickstarter page shows the Republic Missile system which we already unlocked, and the next stretch goal is the Minigun system for the Unity Council Mechs -
For the time being, all my time will spent on AFTERLIFE so we will continue to sell the existing range of conversion parts, but I wont add to it in the forseeable future. Im sure others will pick up the "bits" baton! I do enjoy making Bits parts and when we have more resources Ill likely go back to it from time to time.
@Rigeld - Magnets are great, but fiddly and actually quite expensive used for lots of models. The AFTERLIFE figures have to be as user friendly as possible, so weapons which can be either glued in place, or pushed in with a little Blu-tack and a push fit pin join.
@Jerram - Yep, in the last week of the Kick Starter I will be updating the list of "Add-On" options, and any freebies will be available for purchase also.
@Barzam - Yep, the ammo box is clipped to the back of the upper arm, the belt allows for movement in the forearm for aim adjustment.
Functionally it would make more sense to have it mounted to the guys back, but that makes casting and assembling the miniature a lot more complicated and limited.
Anvils Hammer wrote: @Rigeld - Magnets are great, but fiddly and actually quite expensive used for lots of models. The AFTERLIFE figures have to be as user friendly as possible, so weapons which can be either glued in place, or pushed in with a little Blu-tack and a push fit pin join.
That's fair. Are the arm holes going to be a relatively standard size so that (for example) a 1/8" magnet will fit snugly? Or are we going to need to drill them out (or build up a magnet)?
My beautiful wife wrote:Trucks = Carnifex snack, Tanks = meals.
2013/11/03 00:05:13
Subject: Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter NOW LIVE until the 16th November!
@Hulksmash - I like making bits and random stuff, but designing complete miniatures is the plan for the time being, its a lot more risky, business wise, but an exciting new challenge.
@Rigeld- I will design them so that the hole the connector pin goes in is an existing magnet size - probably 2mm. Then people can drill out the other side if they want to.
Anvils Hammer wrote: @Rigeld- I will design them so that the hole the connector pin goes in is an existing magnet size - probably 2mm. Then people can drill out the other side if they want to.
Thanks for taking my rambling and barely coherent question and answering it perfectly :-)
Awesome. I'm excited.
My beautiful wife wrote:Trucks = Carnifex snack, Tanks = meals.
2013/11/05 01:34:22
Subject: Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter NOW LIVE until the 16th November!
@Hulksmash - I like making bits and random stuff, but designing complete miniatures is the plan for the time being, its a lot more risky, business wise, but an exciting new challenge.
@Rigeld- I will design them so that the hole the connector pin goes in is an existing magnet size - probably 2mm. Then people can drill out the other side if they want to.
Cheers,
Joel
No one can say you don't listen and take on board feedback and good ideas from your customers, Joel. Kudos!
@Rigeld- I will design them so that the hole the connector pin goes in is an existing magnet size - probably 2mm. Then people can drill out the other side if they want to.
No one can say you don't listen and take on board feedback and good ideas from your customers, Joel. Kudos!
Where ever its possible!
Im working on the parts for the Republic Mech final print sprue at the moment, Ive adjusted the arms to be more easily magnet useable, and also the two guns.
Once Ive sent this file to print I will be working on the CAD for the Republic Grenadiers, which is long over due!
Sorry it took so long but it took more time than I expected to complete the Grenadier design, I wanted a very specific look and there were a few trial and error alterations.
I hope you like it, any feedback welcome!
I will be working on the Heavy weapon upgrades next, and early next week I will have Resin components to preview, not just renders!
The KS runs for another nine days so plenty of time for me to get lots more done!
I love that. And - speaking from an idiot when it comes to the challenges involved in casting, etc) are there going to be multiple poses for that? Like, striding, aiming, etc?
My beautiful wife wrote:Trucks = Carnifex snack, Tanks = meals.
2013/11/06 22:23:36
Subject: Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter - Republic Grenadiers Preview!
Ouze wrote: 7.) If you gather 250 consecutive issues of White Dwarf, and burn them atop a pyre of Citradel spray guns, legend has it Gwar will appear and answer a single rules-related question.
2013/11/09 16:11:32
Subject: Re:Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter - Republic Grenadiers Preview!
Ive just updated the KS page with a summary of what's included in the Vanguard "Special Operations Pack" so you can see the miniatures we have planned!
£75 gets you the whole wave one "Assault Team" Pledge plus £45 worth (estimated) of pre-release figures in the Vanguard wave 2, along with some dice and the Trial Rules PDF. We are offering as much value as we can for people who support the game in its infancy!
In a couple of days I will be posting up a rules summary detailing some of the more unique concepts we are developing for the game.
If I was a huge weirdo who was only interested in the armoured legs from the Marines and/or Grenadiers, is that something that this KS will be producing?
As in, will the Marines and Grenadiers have seperate legs when produced, not, will you be creating an "All Legs" pledge level. I'm not that big of a theoretical weirdo.
2013/11/10 16:42:04
Subject: Re:Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter - Vanguard Pledge Level Update!
Plenty of you have signed up for The Vanguard Pledge with only a very vague description of what's included, and we appreciate your confidence in us, but its only fair we share some more information!
Over the past week I've been further developing the background for AFTERLIFE and Ive settled on the figures I want to develop for the Vanguard Pack.
It will contain eight miniatures with an estimated retail value of £around £45, including the imposing "Goliath" Heavy Support Mech for the Republic, and a Predator Strike Drone for the Unity Council. Plus an exclusive Bounty Hunter Miniature. You will get these models months ahead of everyone else, along with the trial rules set to try out, so its great value for money in exchange for your advance support!
A full description of the planned miniatures is below. In a few days time I will be posting a summary of the Rule set we are developing for the game, giving you a taste of how it will play on the table top.
For the Unity Council -
A lighter version of the Medium "Ajax" suit, The Tracer provides extreme agility and speed with an enhanced sensor array. It is commonly issued to Unity Marine Command and Recon elements. Estimated Retail value £6
Equipped with a compact collapsible Long Rifle, powerful side arms and numerous blades and other weapons. An elite and secretive Special Forces Unit, the training and bio-engineering procedures used to create Spectre Assassins is unknown. Their strength, endurance and lighting reflexes are matched only by their skill with their chosen weapons. When a Spectre operative is assigned an objective, only death can stop them. Estimated Retail value £6
Lightly armed and equipped, technicians are experts in battlefield technology and electronic warfare, they frequently accompany Unity Council forces into combat zones to secure vital data and intelligence, and its rumoured some are also trained in illegal Afterlife procedures, allowing them to retrieve data from the minds of fallen enemy soldiers. Estimated Retail value £6
A compact UAV with a variable payload of scanners and lethal weaponry, the Predator Strike Drone is widely used by Unity Council forces for reconnaissance and to supplement the air support offered by heavier Unity Gunships. The planned model will have an approx 40mm wingspan. Estimated Retail value £5
For the Pan-Continental Republic-
Captain and two support officers. Estimated Retail value £12
Standing around 55mm tall and containing two crew members, a pilot and gunner, the Goliath is the most powerful unit planned for the Special Operations Pack. It will be larger version of the Republic medium Mech, offering the Republic some serious fire power! Estimated Retail value £10
PLUS - . Never to be sold at retail,
PLUS - Complete trial rules PDF, with tokens, markers and templates to print out. Missions pack using all the miniatures in a number of different scenarios designed to get you playing straight away without spending ages reading the rules . Set of four D10 Dice.
All for £30 extra on top of the Wave One Assault Team Pack.
Join The Vanguard today and play your part in the battle for Earth!
Thanks,
Joel
So glad Ive upgraded to the Vangard pledge, those extra figures sound awesome
http://thelaughterofthedamned.blogspot.co.uk/
2013/11/10 16:47:54
Subject: Re:Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter - Vanguard Pledge Level Update!
@Ed Lowe- Thanks for your support! I certainly plan to make the Vanguard add on set as awesome as possible, Ill be getting to work designing the next batch of figures as soon as we've shipped all the Wave One rewards.
@Plastictrees- The legs will initially be cast in the same mould as the bodys, so will not be available separately. However at some point we will likely offer a "bits" service for the AFTERLIFE range which will include the separate legs, as they are suitable for conversions with other similarly sized miniatures.
Ive just posted an important KS update with more information about the game itself, which I reproduce here -
Here are some of the more unique planned concepts which will make up the AFTERLIFE Ruleset. These are all subject to development and alteration/improvement during play testing. After In house testing and balancing VANGUARD backers will get the trial rules set to try out several months before the main game release.
• "Learn by playing" mechanic - A series of basic scenarios will introduce new gamers to the core rules/mechanics one by one, with the game developing in complexity over a few hours as the rules are learned. This removes the need to spend hours reading the rule book before you can pick the dice up!
• D10 mechanics Most actions are resolved with a single dice role, keeping the game fast, but the D10 allows for lots of statistical variety between units.
• Simultaneous Activation system. Player A declares an action for a single unit, player B declares a reaction, which is assumed to take place simultaneously. This ensures both players are continuously involved in the game.
• Game Scaling Mechanic - Units will deploy into the game with a simplified "Battle" profile, but upon close range contact with the enemy will switch into "Skirmish" profile, allowing models more individual autonomy. This needs some extensive play testing, but the idea is to ensure a larger game moves fast in its opening stages, but the game gets more tactically interesting as opposing sides close in on their objectives.
• Fog of War- To add realism, Units are assumed to be invisible until they are detected by a scan/LoS. Players will have options to bluff with "ghost" units and substitutions, so you don't know exactly what you are facing until its right in your sights, this means the players will have to stay on their toes and it will be difficult to predict your opponents actions and strategies simply by looking at the miniatures on the table.
• Resource Points - Army lists are not always set in stone before the game, you start with a certain number of resource points which can be used to deploy units to the battlefield, or use special tactics and options such as Artillery Strikes. You can alter the makeup of your forces during the game, and redeploy "dead" units if you have sufficient resource points left, this adds an extra level of tactical uncertainty for players. In some circumstances it will be possible to earn extra Resource Points by achieving mission objectives.
• Command Points - These can be spent each turn to perform heroic actions and special combined actions involving several units acting at the same time. Careful use of command points will be essential to victory, as you can do most damage to your enemy with a "combined arms" approach, using the strengths of different units together to achieve powerful combination attacks.
• Faction Building - Rather than limit players to choosing a certain army list and units from that factions, we hope (subject to balance in play testing) to create a "DIY Faction" list where players can create their own corporation/government/resistance movement/mafia gang, and combine most units from any of the core factions to create a unique army, or add mercenary forces from one faction to supplement another.
The AFTERLIFE Battlefield and Terrain.
We will be looking at design and manufacturing options over the next few months to find an affordable way to make our own terrain system, though existing terrain by many other companies will also be ideal for AFTERLIFE games.
Combat in AFTERLIFE takes place across a horizontal battlefield but a vertical element will be a critical part of many scenarios. This will be achieved through the use of printed Floor Plans representing the upper levels of buildings which cannot feasibly exist in 3D. Floor Plans can also represent underground bunker facilities, space stations, rooftops or any combination of these elements, above or below the ground.
Units will be able to climb up and down between building/bunker levels and across combat zones at different altitudes, as well as fire between levels and across the air gaps between them. Battle Field Objectives will be scattered throughout the entire combat zone and require players to plan complex 3D strategies to try and outfight their opponent.
An example battle could see forces fighting entirely within a large sky scraper or adjoining skyscrapers, or landing on the roof of a sky scraper, clearing down through the building and then attacking through a military base to infiltrate an underground bunker.
The Narrative Missions.
AFTERLIFE will have a number of "Free play" missions with simple "capture the flag/wipe out your enemy" style objectives, suitable for any terrain and faction lists, but it will also feature a number of narrative missions in each volume.
The narrative missions will recreate a series of missions from the background story, with pre-set forces, approx terrain layouts and mission objectives. Missions will vary widely in size and scope and it will not always be a fair fight!
We are hoping to include secret instruction packs for the narrative game, which will opened as players reach certain points in the missions, revealing new objectives and tactical options, and occasionally a really nasty surprise which will leave one player fighting for their life and the other grinning like a maniac.
@Plastictrees- The legs will initially be cast in the same mould as the bodys, so will not be available separately. However at some point we will likely offer a "bits" service for the AFTERLIFE range which will include the separate legs, as they are suitable for conversions with other similarly sized miniatures.
Great, so at the very least they are a seperate piece. Is the plan for the Marines and Grenadiers to be legs, torso, 2x arms and head, or will you combine parts of the upper body?
For your add-ons, a Marine/Grenadier squad is 6 guys correct?
2013/11/10 20:07:20
Subject: Anvil Industry - The AFTERLIFE Volumes - Kickstarter - Vanguard Pledge Level Update!
The legs will be one piece, the entire upper body a second, so two pieces per figure, but plenty of different sculpts so you get just as much effective variety as a multi piece kit, but with more natural poses.
Correct the current marine/grenadier squad is 6 men, I will make that clearer, as well as update with a 10 man squad option during next week before the project ends.
