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If your not familiar with me, warsmith.co.uk or the WARBOARD, my name is Steve Smith and i have been a war-gaming enthusiast for the best part of two decades now. I've had a go at miniature production in the past with some 'notable' success. But my latest endeavour has taken me away from miniature and onto the terrain games are played on.
Im going to copy across some of what i have up on the kickstarter page, as i think its does the best at explaining what the Warboard is, does and where its going. But before i do, here is a quick video to get you started.
*i know there are a couple of minor mistake in the video, the one viewable on kickstarter has been edited to fix all the ones i could spot.
Okay, So heres what the warboard is and does.
The Warboard is an innovative, quick, easy, attractive and cost effective playing area for 28mm tabletop wargaming that folds down in to something about the size of a few stacked magazines or rule books.
Each Warboard is constructed of 2mm solid board, is double sided and folds out to 2' by 3' gaming area (61cm x 91.5cm), so two boards makes 3' by 4', four generates 4' by 6' and so on. Each side of the board is printed with a different option, these options are explained further down the page. The innovative patten designs means that there is no limit to how many board you can join together. One Warboard can be combined with others in the range to generate beautifully diverse battlefields with an almost infinite combination of orientation options. So you can keep your battlefield layouts fresh, diverse and engaging with minimal fuss!
Every Warboard is crammed full of detail and texture, from garbage and chemicals spills to tyre tracks and spent shell casings, all printed at 300dpi+ with a quality silk finish for protection.
Protection for the Warboard doesn't stop there, once you're finished the Warboard can be quickly and easily folded away into it's 2mm solid board carry case. At under 25cm x 32cm x 4cm in size the Warboard is compact and takes up relatively little space, meaning transport isn't a problem, and no more curled up corners!
So at what stage is the Warboard?
Currently 5 out of the first 6 designs for the first run have been completed. Thats 4 cityscapes and 1 corridors. With the last corridors design on its way to completion shortly.
As for production, i have been working with an international box (and cardboard coffin) manufacturer for the last year or so on a variety of products as a designer and consultant. This has enabled me to cultivate a very good relationship with them. In turn allowing me to establish a solid/realistic costing and pricing structure.
As the designs are pretty much finished with all but the two corridors designs having already gone through a test print, i have been assured the turn around should be within four to six weeks of an order being placed This includes tooling for both the board and box etc. Giving an estimated delivery time of xmas (2013) to January (2014).
Why Kickstarter?
For me, Kickstarter is a super exciting opportunity to put a product i believe in direct to the people who want it and in a way that can include them in the story that is Warboard. Lets be honest, If i were to go down the route of investors, loans and the like there would of course be more risk involved. This would inevitably mean a higher cost for the end user. I want to keep the price as low as possible for you guys, so show your support and click the pledge button over at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/536295104/warboard-the-innovative-gaming-mat
So, there you have it. that the long and short of it. There are of course many more details and images over on the kickstarter page at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/536295104/warboard-the-innovative-gaming-mat So please, if this is something that you think you or anyone you know might be interested in, why not go check it out?
Thanks for reading, and i hope to hear from you soon!
Steve
This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2013/10/24 17:11:46
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2013/09/22 12:36:20
LOL, Theo your mind is an amazing place, never change.-camkierhi 9/19/13
I cant believe theo is right.. damn. -comradepanda 9/26/13
None of the strange ideas we had about you involved your sexual orientation..........-Monkeytroll 12/10/13
I'd put you on ignore for that comment, if I could...Alpharius 2/11/14
Grey Templar wrote: The Riptide can't be a giant death robot, its completely lacking a sword or massive chainsaw. All giant death robots have swords or massive chainsaws.
"You don't believe data - you test data. If I could put my finger on the moment we genuinely <expletive deleted> ourselves, it was the moment we decided that data was something you could use words like believe or disbelieve around"
Hey Hits i'm not sure if it's a typr or not but the $1k pledge doesn't actually include a warboard of any discription. Only the store logo on the case.
Also, wow that four 6x4 boards pledge (200 pounds) is sweet. I wonder if I can get some local players to go together on that with me... we've been wanting to replace the mats at the store forever.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/09/22 13:56:22
Thanks RiTides! Do you mean a 4 board set in a no dystopian sifi style? That could look pretty good. Might have to look at that for a stretch goal.
Snub - The 'retail honors' reward is there to entice potential retailers to contact me. The reason for doing it this way is that kickstarter don't allow you to offer more than 10 of any product as a reward. Obviously if there are stores out there who are interested in backing/placing pre orders in would be happy for them to get in touch to discuss bulk purchases. It's a shame that kickstarter don't support this.
02laney - thanks for the interest, I'm glad you like it. Even if you don't decided to pledge it would be great if you could show your support by passing the word around.
Well ladies and gents, we have just gone past the 10% funded point at only 2.5 hours after launch, I hope this pace is sustainable!
CptJake. Your both right, each individual board is 2'x3' 4 makes a 4'x6' and 8 can make 6'x8' or even a long 4'x12' which could be used as 3 4'x4' boards side by side. All you'd need to mark off the tables would be a few push pins and some string, you could even sharpy lines onto the boards if it's a permanent feature.
The sharpy idea also applies to many other game systems that might require grid markings.
If these had the grids for Dust Tactics I'd be all over this. Perhaps that could be an option for future releases?
You can never beat your first time. The second generation is shinier, stronger, faster and superior in every regard save one, and it's an unfair criticism to level, but it simply can't be as original. - Andy Chambers, on the evolution of Games Workshop games
I know it would be a 'home fix' but why not draw the grid on with a sharpie?
The only reason I'm dubious about printing a grid overlay is that it may put more people off than on. But I could incorporate some small markers the make drawing a grid on easier?
Look forward to seeing what you've come up with for stretch goals.
BlaxicanX wrote: A young business man named Tom Kirby, who was a pupil of mine until he turned greedy, helped the capitalists hunt down and destroy the wargamers. He betrayed and murdered Games Workshop.
I know it would be a 'home fix' but why not draw the grid on with a sharpie?
The only reason I'm dubious about printing a grid overlay is that it may put more people off than on. But I could incorporate some small markers the make drawing a grid on easier?
Well, to be blunt, because I already own Dust Tactics tiles, so spending a premium on card tiles that I then have to alter is not going to entice me to buy. Plus, you also need the center dots for each tile, as that is how LOS works in that game. It would be a bit tough to sharpie that on without looking bad, or screwing up the alignment.
I'm just pointing out there is a market here for Dust Tactics players, so making one version out of several sets that had grids would probably have DT players buying them up. I'm not saying it has to be part of the kickstarter, but making a version of these with grids will surely sell to DT players. Maybe a clear plastic overlay with a grid and the center dots would work, while also allowing any board to work with a grid pattern.
You can never beat your first time. The second generation is shinier, stronger, faster and superior in every regard save one, and it's an unfair criticism to level, but it simply can't be as original. - Andy Chambers, on the evolution of Games Workshop games
If I were going to get them, I would use them for games of Zone Mortalis, roleplaying, or smaller skirmish games like In the Emperor's Name or skirmishing using the 2nd edition 40K rules.
That being said, I would be much more likely to buy two boards that have the cityscape on both sides for variety of setup. I would rather see more like that. the main two boards are kinda of a downer because it will always be the same Cityscape all the time when using just the two.
"By this point I'm convinced 100% that every single race in the 40k universe have somehow tapped into the ork ability to just have their tech work because they think it should."
RiTides wrote: I think most folks are probably pledging for the cityscape tiles. Is anyone pledging for corridors, and if so, what will you use them for?
I was thinking themed games of infinity and Deadzone with a splash of Sedition Wars.
Tacticool always trumps tactics
. Early birds are going quickly, 8 gone already (and it's very early Sunday for the US).
