Secret Weapon Tablescapes - Kickstarter ended @ $311k

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**misterjustin**

COMMENT EXPLOSION!

I've managed to read all of the comments posted since I left for Adepticon, but there's no way I can reply to each of them. I will pick out a couple of biggies.

Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy Themes -- it was originally:

Sci-Fi
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
Fantasy

That's a 3/3 split -- but when we broke "Urban Streets" into two smaller goals it created the appearance of imbalance. Of course it has already been pointed out that the market for sci-fi boards is larger, and while a simpler fantasy set might have universal appeal I haven't seen that to be the case.

The Mid-Campaign Lull

In large part because this is a no-freebies Kickstarter (for now, folks have already posted about the 500k freebie madness I would have) I'm stuck fighting the wild success paradigm that Kickstarter has become. But comments are perfectly correct that I'm only promising what I know I can deliver -- and because I'm still liable for a HUGE chunk of the cost on every successful stretch-goal there isn't a lot of room for me to give away goodies.

Instead I could have said I needed $120k or more for the first goal and used that extra to fund freebies... but that's some-and-mirrors, and I'm much more interested in frank transparency.

And now, as Wednesday is the day I spend out with my son, I'm going to take him to the park and then the zoo. An update has been posted, I'm waiting on new art, and I'll have more to share tonight and tomorrow as we keep pushing for the next stretch-goal.

Thanks for the continued support and enthusiasm!

**Alpharius**

Update!

Project Update #23: Urban Streets - The Roads Debate
Posted by Secret Weapon Like

Wait, the size of the roads in the "Urban Streets" sets gets an update all to itself? Yes. Yes, it does. This is probably the hottest topic in the comments section and so I'm breaking it out, with a graphic, so that folks have a place to share their thoughts without getting lost in the flow of general campaign comments.

And so, without further ado, I give you... THE ROADS GRAPHIC!

This breaks down the size of the roads with a variety of Warhammer 40k vehicles, and the more common round lip base sizes.

You will notice that at 8" (20cm) the road only just accommodates the largest vehicles -- and while the 120mm base has room to spa re, thought has to be given for things like the arms on a Warmachine Colossus, and your ability to get to your models without knocking over buildings on either side of the road.

The sidewalks only just accommodate a 50mm base, meaning that your heavy trooper models and Warjacks will completely block that avenue if there's a building on one side, and anything in the road.

While the road itself is very wide on the table, at scale it also represents an urban 4 lane street, each at 8' wide (2.44 meters) and just about right. Could we go smaller to create a denser road? Yes, absolutely -- but then we'd create problems for people gaming with vehicles, as mentioned above. If you're gaming without vehicles the scatter terrain can easily be used to fill in the gaps and give your models some cover.

And that's only part of the debate that went into settling on 8" roads --- but have a look at the first renders for a taste of how it will work on the table.

**Wolf**

Thats looking awesome, It's really making me want to throw all the cash I dont have at it.

**scarletsquig**

The wide roads also have the advantage of not making the crossroads piece look too out of place.

**H.B.M.C.**

If they're not going to do a 90 degree turn, then I really think they should exchange one of the straights for another tiled non-road tile. It's just going to look like a speedway if there are too many road sections. Not like an urban area at all.

**Lansirill**

Looking at the road tile render a bit more I think the awkwardness of having a road run right into a tile panel (like the crossroad does) could be solved with a simple press mold to build a bit of a curb for the park tile. It probably wouldn't be too ambitious to use a similar idea to just cover up an entire section of the crossroad with some sidewalk to turn it into a straight piece or an L-bend.

MajorTom11 wrote:I wouldn't know, but I did hear men want to be him and women want to be with him, also, he smells like mahogany and leatherbound books.

It's true. The man should at least be bald or a donkey-cave to give us poor bastards a chance at being as awesome.

**Tibbsy**

Lansirill wrote:
Looking at the road tile render a bit more I think the awkwardness of having a road run right into a tile panel (like the crossroad does) could be solved with a simple press mold to build a bit of a curb for the park tile. It probably wouldn't be too ambitious to use a similar idea to just cover up an entire section of the crossroad with some sidewalk to turn it into a straight piece or an L-bend.

I'm going to quote this for truth, I'm not sure exactly how feasible it is, but I love the idea!

That would be so useful because having that crossroad lead to nothing is something that bugs me a little... I know it can just be rearranged in a different way but I think having a crossroad form a part of every set up maybe a little too limiting, so I love the idea of making a separate piece to cover it...

**Earth Dragon**

Mini-stretch goal after desert?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Another shout out that EBs are available half the time I check. Go in and grab one if you can

**Salacious Greed**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
If they're not going to do a 90 degree turn, then I really think they should exchange one of the straights for another tiled non-road tile. It's just going to look like a speedway if there are too many road sections. Not like an urban area at all.

Except you're only get 2 straights in each 8 tile set. I really think that this would make a great 24 tile set if he doubled the 8 tile set, then offered 4 more "building" tiles and 2 more straights and 2 plain pieces.

Also, I think you're totally missing out on tie-in stuff Justin, you should be 'marketing' a set of 6 manhole cover resin bases for objective markers for those playing 40k. I don't know what Infinity related markers you could offer.

I imagine you could also offer similar junk inspired objective markers for scrapyard. I really like your current set of 5 objective markers, but really wish I had a sixth one...

**Earth Dragon**

Salacious Greed wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
If they're not going to do a 90 degree turn, then I really think they should exchange one of the straights for another tiled non-road tile. It's just going to look like a speedway if there are too many road sections. Not like an urban area at all.

Except you're only get 2 straights in each 8 tile set. I really think that this would make a great 24 tile set if he doubled the 8 tile set, then offered 4 more "building" tiles and 2 more straights and 2 plain pieces.

Also, I think you're totally missing out on tie-in stuff Justin, you should be 'marketing' a set of 6 manhole cover resin bases for objective markers for those playing 40k. I don't know what Infinity related markers you could offer.

I imagine you could also offer similar junk inspired objective markers for scrapyard. I really like your current set of 5 objective markers, but really wish I had a sixth one...

I was just asking about adding in straights and stuff. It sounds like after these have shipped, they'll offer boosters and expansions for all themes. So you'll be able to buy more straights without buying whole bundles eventually.

**misterjustin**

While individual tiles won't be available until after all of the pledges have shipped, I'm working to draw more attention to the add-on items...

Because you CAN order bases as an add-on to your pledge. Likewise the scatter terrain. Unfortunately at the moment the main page only has the menu with a single photo for each item, because adding one of each would throw 20-30 new photos up!

**Mathieu Raymond**

I'd love to see urban scatter terrain... maybe in a not ruined variety as well, mayhaps?

**Earth Dragon**

I'm thinking concrete roadblocks and such

**Magos Explorator**

misterjustin wrote:
While individual tiles won't be available until after all of the pledges have shipped, I'm working to draw more attention to the add-on items...

Because you CAN order bases as an add-on to your pledge. Likewise the scatter terrain. Unfortunately at the moment the main page only has the menu with a single photo for each item, because adding one of each would throw 20-30 new photos up!

I've upped my pledge to include some bases. Might be worth adding some more photos of bases, etc/a more prominent mention that you're offering them as addons with a 10% discount.

**willb2064**

misterjustin wrote:
While individual tiles won't be available until after all of the pledges have shipped, I'm working to draw more attention to the add-on items...

Because you CAN order bases as an add-on to your pledge. Likewise the scatter terrain. Unfortunately at the moment the main page only has the menu with a single photo for each item, because adding one of each would throw 20-30 new photos up!

Are we able to add tank traps and the concrete barriers on your website as add-ons at 10% off? I'd throw a few of those into my pledge if it was an option. Ditto some of the washes and pigments. Not sure if it would be possible to do as part of this project, but I'd love to see how you paint/weather the boards and terrain pieces (photos or video). A set of washes and weathering powders that went back to each theme would also be a great add-on item.

**Azazelx**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
If they're not going to do a 90 degree turn, then I really think they should exchange one of the straights for another tiled non-road tile. It's just going to look like a speedway if there are too many road sections. Not like an urban area at all.

Complete disagreement with you there. You could easily plonk this on top of a straight (leaving the footpath) and Bob's your mother's brother. - While maintaining the flexibility of swapping in another road space.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

misterjustin wrote:
While individual tiles won't be available until after all of the pledges have shipped, I'm working to draw more attention to the add-on items...

Because you CAN order bases as an add-on to your pledge. Likewise the scatter terrain. Unfortunately at the moment the main page only has the menu with a single photo for each item, because adding one of each would throw 20-30 new photos up!

Then link from the KS page to your blog with pics of them all. It would be foolish to not show everything that's being offered as part of the KS, as add-one, or whatever.

**ironicsilence**

what company makes that building?

**Mathieu Raymond**

Yes, Azazelx, don't show us something like that and then leave us wanting more. You're such a tease.

**misterjustin**

Bases linked from the add-on text -- obvious idea was obvious. Derp. Thank you!

**Azazelx**

Ah, sorry guys. I didn't even think of that. They're FFG Dust Tactics buildings. Available in several of their campaign kits, as well as standalones.

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=3121
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=123&esem=2&esum=218
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=123&esem=2&esum=180

I personally found much better "bang per buck" by buying 2 copies of Cerberus for a fraction more than the standalone buildings, but YMMV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VneEE52qfrw

Automatically Appended Next Post:

misterjustin wrote:
Bases linked from the add-on text -- obvious idea was obvious. Derp. Thank you!

I Please to Aim!

**d-usa**

Well, I am officially in for the $150 level. I might pump it up to $200 to get more tiles and or add-ons.

**Redemption**

8" wide roads on 12" wide tiles finally give me an excuse to get the awesome Technobridge from Pegasus Hobbies I've always had my eye on, which happens to also be 8"x12":

Now all we need is some decent river tiles in the 'Rolling Field' theme.

**TheDungen**

The thing is a real size river doesn't fit well into a board.

**Redemption**

Well not a mile wide river, no, but a decent sized canal or creek should work fine and look good doing it - 6-8" wide or so? Enough to be an obstacle for ground vehicles and infantry, but easy enough for skimmers, jump infantry etc to pass.

And that would finally let Chimeras use their Ampibious rule.

**Mathieu Raymond**

Yeah, the Seine isn't that big. I can imagine it not being any bigger than 12'' wide on a gaming board.

The French will find offence of course, in what I just said, but facts are facts.

**H.B.M.C.**

Salacious Greed wrote:
Except you're only get 2 straights in each 8 tile set.

You're right! What I saw as a third straight is actually an even-more-unnecessary second T-junction.

No. We don't need 2 T-Junctions per 8. That's even worse given how unnatural it looks when the road just stops and the paving begins without any curb (like that render shows).

**Azazelx**

Redemption wrote:
8" wide roads on 12" wide tiles finally give me an excuse to get the awesome Technobridge from Pegasus Hobbies I've always had my eye on, which happens to also be 8"x12":

Link?

**Baragash**

I have no problem with roads being "ended" by the pavement on an adjacent tile, just makes it look like a cul-de-sac, which there are plenty of spread across the UK *shrugs*

Would would be more important to me would be whether road pieces for the other surfaces and/or transitional road elements would get done between different styles of surface.

**Redemption**

Azazelx wrote:
Redemption wrote:
8" wide roads on 12" wide tiles finally give me an excuse to get the awesome Technobridge from Pegasus Hobbies I've always had my eye on, which happens to also be 8"x12":

Link?

There's a picture in the post you quoted, but here's a few links:
http://ottawagamer.blogspot.nl/2010/07/pegasus-hobbies-sense-of-scale.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYZBQWD53qk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beRNM7MSCEs

**johnsilver3000**

plastictrees wrote:
Nice to see more options from more sources, seems like gamers choices are expanding every day.

This isn't for me though, at least not with the texture shown. Something like a streetscape or a ship interior that's more of a pain to scratch build would get my attention.

Go look at the stretch-goal unlocks. There is already a streetscape unlocked, and you are able to choose it when picking your tiles for the kickstarter. He says in the video that there are going to be quite a few different board types to be available.

I'm surprised that there are so many people who have commented on the lack of variety, an obviously haven't actually looked at the kickstarter. No offense to anybody, I'm just sayian. (see what I did there?)