Now, of course, the one thing I don't need is to start a new range of figures but I've always had a hankering to do some Victorian steampunk. However, I have never really been that happy with any of the figures I had seen. Basically, they all seemed too much steampunk and not enough Victorian. Now, however North Star are coming out with line that's just right: definitely Victorian but with certain fantastical elements. They are very much in the vein of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Even better they have been sculpted by Steve Saleh whose work I have always liked.
The new line is to tie in with Osprey's new skirmish rules In Her Majesty's Name. I haven't been impressed by any of these other Kickstarter type campaigns, especially the much vaunted Gates of Antares one, which suffers from the not inconsiderable problem of not having example miniatures to show, but I signed up for this one straight away.
The advantage of the Osprey/North Star initiative, however, is that they present (splendid) pictures of the first (of what I hope will be many) forces for this interesting sounding game. I think the ultimate target of £48,000 for this is hopelessly optimistic for a niche subject but, at the very least, you get the four sets anyway although I think the discount for buying all four sets and the rules of £1.79 is a bit mean. In the last year or so I have been enjoying a number of Victorian steampunk novels; particularly those by Mark Hodder and George Mann and have thought about splashing out on some Victorian figures without finding any I really liked.
The big problem with the period is its Victorian (and in my mind at least) urban setting. Houses suitable for Victorian London are not a popular subject for terrain manufacturers in the way dark ages, medieval, Tudor and Stuart ones are. That said, somewhere in the loft I have a large ECW period manor house which with the addition of a laboratory in the grounds might work as a setting without too many buildings. Hmm!
The figures aren't released until Salute in April so I have plenty of time to think about scenery. I will keep an eye on Scott's blog as he has been doing some lovely work in this area.
Can't wait!
Yes I must admit I am tempted by this lot, and thanks for the plug.
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for the delightful Ms Pandey! ;-)
I couldn't agree more about the urban setting... I know you can play it rural, but urban is the image in the minds eye... I have been waiting for a while for Atenocities Workshop to get some windows back in stock before embarked on making any buildings as yet...
I may well check out those books you list, I could do with a little inspiration!
This has raised a flurry of interest in the colonies as well, though I think only a few of us have pulled the trigger as yet. AS for terrain, there's a fair bit of inspiration to be found up Privateer Press' alley, if not pre-made items.
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ReplyDeleteAlso very tempted by these!
ReplyDeleteI've never been tempted with gaming the whole Steampunk thing but I have enjoyed a lot of the fiction [Mark Hodder and George Mann as mentioned as well as KW Jeter, Tim Powers, William GIbson etc]. Definitely planning to get some of the figures when they're released.
Hi Guys,
ReplyDeleteThe rules are most definitiely aimed at the Victorian Science Fiction/Romance, rather than Steampunk genre. Both Charles and I are historical gamers who love this period of history, so we took what actually existed and give it a small twist rather than going the whole weird steampunk route we see so much of at the moment.
One of the unique aspects of the rules is the section on Landscapes which does take the players outside the cities as well as into their dark hearts.
They also include a full points system so you can devise companies, troop types, weapons, armour, equipment, talents and mystical powers of your own.
Cheers,
Craig.
Thanks! These really do sound more like my thing! Just the sort of adventures for my Darkest Africa explorers to get involved in when returning to England!
ReplyDeleteThen you are going to love The Explorer's Club company :)
ReplyDeleteHave you got a Giant Ape for your leader to ride upon in a howdah? Yes, the Giant Ape Howdah is in the options...