De-Mekton-i-fied.

Mekton Zero Kickstarter refund from R. Talsorian Games received and promptly spent on Copplestone minis. Should have done that in the first place.

Mekton Zero - Support Revoked

Lisa Pondsmith sent an email to backers offering a full refund of their Kickstarter pledge yesterday.

I jumped at the chance. Sent my request in as soon as I got home.

Honestly I wan't invested much in this Kickstarter (unlike Dust Tactics) - I greatly reduced my initial pledge during the Kickstarter because it was not managed, what I would call, well.

Here we are over two years latter - I've received nothing of what was supposed to be delivered in December of 2013. No dice. No pdf. No book. Apparently trying to use an outdated edition of Quark has caused them to be unable to deliver on the prime product for two years. Communication has been a fiasco... it was delegated to a small succession of backers, none of whom were consistent, and who had nothing to say from the Pondsmiths. No mention of what was delaying the book for over 18 months. R. Talsorian didn't take control of communication for as long. There have been no updates on the miniatures or other supporting products. I might add that the info on Cyberpunk 2077 has been as nonexistent these two past years; perhaps the idea is not a dark future game, but a dark present one?

I've been an R. Talsorian customer for most of my life. For years I ONLY played Interlock games (there were even Star Trek conversion I made for Interlock and Fuzion). I own every edition of Mekton and Cyberpunk. Every single one. Indeed I am missing only one Cyberpunk 2020 supplement.

I wish them luck - that they can get their act together. But I will never patronize that company again.

Strange Aeons, 2nd Edition Kickstarter

Uncle Mike's Strange Aeons Kickstarter is live (and already over 200% funded).

I was turned on to the original Strange Aeons by my good friend Obsidian, who I turned on to miniatures gaming when we were both stationed here in Japan (a decade ago).

Heh. You are welcome businesses that sell gaming supplies.

Anyway, for those that don't know, Strange Aeons is a great Cthulhu Mythos tabletop skirmish game set in the 1920s. Players control either evil cultists, or agents of Threshold, a sort of Delta Green type organization. Games are quick, fun, and only require a modestly sized playing area, 1 square meter is fine.

Second edition incorporates dome rules refinements and changes to the weapons table and costs.It should be an excellent successor.

Jump in now, the Kickstarter ends on November 3rd. Check out the existing Strange Aeons line here.

Chaos in Cochise County Kickstarter

I am incredibly stoked about this Kickstarter for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it's Weird West, with an extensive line of gorgeously sculpted heroic scale minis (think Chronoscope sized), which is completely awesome in and of itself.

Second, it uses a variant of the SuperFigs rules, which is a Pittsburgh-developed rules set concocted by acquaintances from one of my favorite games and comics shops, and friends-of-friends.

Thirdly, this particular game and the newly launched minis company behind it is brainchild by my friend Lee, one of the most talented miniatures painters I've ever seen, and a fellow that shares my twisted, and dark sense of humor, and love of history. Oh, and he wrote Chaos in Cairo (and other "Chaos" wargames), which might ring a bell for you.

So, a new minis company, with great sculpts, by veterans from the industry, who are hardcore gamers in their own right.

Just. Back. It.

UPDATE 10 SEP 2014: Sadly the Chaos in Cochise County Kickstarter was suspended. I am able to report that it is being retooled, many lessons learned, and will be back, better than ever (with videos detailing gameplay!). I'll keep you posted.

Man-crush crushed.

Well the Mekton Zero Kickstarter has been disheartening.

I was really stoked when it started. Immediately backed at $265. Sat back and waited for the fun. And waited and waited. Very little action by way of comments from the creator and sparse updates. Yes, I was coming off some awesome Kickstarters by Mantic, Palladium/Ninja Division, and Secret Weapon. Active creators that responded to questions and suggestions, and kept us involved with a solid stream of updates, info, ideas, and such.

Mekton Zero was not like this. Stretch goals were slow to be published... usually a day or so after the previous goal was met. Info on the projects and even pics/images of what they would be were few or nonexistent in some respects. The reward structure system seemed wonky... you got less for your money the more you pledged. Odd that. Indeed at my initial pledge level I was basically paying more than I would have at retail for the honor of helping to fund the project of an established company. WTF right?

For my $250 pledge I was looking at receiving:

Overall Value

$10 "backer" level got me:

bumper sticker ($10)

+$0

+15 to "citizen" ($25) level got me:

t-shirt ($15)
PDF copy of the game ($?)

+$0 & free PDF

+$25 to "militia" ($50) level got me:

Hardcopy of the game ($35)

+$10

+$10 to "mekton pilot" ($60) level got me:

KS exclusive Bendari mecha mini ($20)

+$10

+$25 to "veteran" ($75) level got me:

24"x36" poster map ($?)

-$25 & free poster

+$25 to "lieutenant" ($100) level got me:

GM screen ($?)

-$25 & free GM screen

+$25 to "commander" ($125) level got me:

5 Mekton dice ($10)

-$15

+$25 to "battle tactician" ($150) level got me:

KS exclusive 12 page mission ($?)

-$25 & 12 page scenario

+$50 to "ace" ($200) level got me:

Mauler mini ($10)
Vector mini ($10)

-$30

+$50 to "double ace" ($250) level got me:

2 unit patches (2x $5)

-$40

All in all I would be spending and extra $140 in exchange for a 12 page scenario book, a GM screen, a poster, and a PDF copy of the game.

The GM screen was described as being similar to the Mekton Zeta Tactical Display, which includes a 32 page rule addendum and retails for $10. The PDF of the game can't cost more than the hardcopy. And the poster can't be much more than the step grade of $25.  Even with the stretch goals... which upped the Mauler and Vector minis to 5 each ($80 value) and a couple PDF campaigns... my overwhelming conclusion was that I'd be a chump to back at higher than Mekton Pilot level. Considering the clutter of useless stuff (patches, t-shirts, posters, and bumper stickers) there was little gaming meat, and honestly I could do better buying from my local brick-and-mortar store where I get a 20% discount.

I wasn't the only one to notice this. Several backers expressed dismay at not having anything pledge worthy at higher levels, the lack of a merchandise free option (book/GM screen/dice) and the lack of any real discount for supporting the Kickstarter. My agreement with this, went as such:

@Uxxx... I feel you there.
I too am choosing to forego the t-shirt and bumper sticker... that gives me $25. Enough to cover international shipping and fund a set of dice. Definitely want a hardcopy of the book which puts me at Militia level. I'd like a copy of the referee screen, but I have no interest in a paper oversize map that will fill up the table and wear at the folds as we take it out and put it away. Smaller scale map (hand drawn if need be) is more table friendly. So that means I could spend another $50 for something that most likely will be around $20 dollars retail... I'll get it retail. My only real choice is whether or not to sit with Militia or up to Mekton Pilot for the Bendari mech.
I'd originally planned to fund at about 5 times that price point... but after consideration... it just isn't worth it. Sadly. Very, very sadly.

The creator responded a few posts latter about how the GM screen would feature exclusive artwork and a few tables that would not be in the retail release.

To wit me again:

With all due respect, I understand the exclusive edition idea of the referee screen... and if it was an add on I'd jump at it (as it seems would others) but, the alternate artwork doesn't offset the cost for me. And... if the extra charts were more than fluff I'd imagine they wouldn't be denied to the Mekton world at large; what would be the sense of hamstringing the line in order to thank 300 or so backers on Kickstarter, by leaving out game-vital charts/rules?

And then I got a personal address from the man; basically he laid out that it wasn't about me. I could do what I want, buy what I choose, but he didn't want to hear the complaints.

Now keep in mind... I wasn't trying to be a dick, I wasn't trying to tell him he sucked... I was trying to give suggestions and advice that would, perhaps, better resonate with the Mekton fans, like me, who were ponying up the dough for him to relaunch his business. He does not have to take my advice... but I'm not alone in my criticism or disappointment among the backers. I'm a long-time customer, who continually directed other backers to the R Talsorian web shop throughout the Kickstarter's run. He doesn't even have to listen or do what I suggest... it's a SUGGESTION. From a fan... from somebody who's bought every single Mekton and Cyberpunk release thus far. EVERY ONE.

Well until now that is.

There are many better uses on Kickstarter of funds. Indeed I rechannelled the money I had set aside for Mekton to two other projects... got a personal message from the creator of one, thanking me for the support (awesome!), and a freaking assload of miniatures from the other. Better use.

Maybe I'll pick up Mekton Zero at my shop... but quite possibly I won't. We'll have to see how it stacks up with Savage Worlds and the new RPGs. You know, classless systems with advantages, that are quick to play and simple. Maybe Interlock and RTal can transition to the 21st Century, maybe the next Kickstarter will better utilize the social side of crowd sourcing... who knows.

Another Kickstarter... But it's for Mike Pondsmith!

The blog here is turning into a Kickstarter notification network, however the latest is from Mike Pondsmith and R. Talsorian Games; So my support must be expressed.

Pondsmith, as you can tell from previous posts, is the force behind my favorite game, Cyberpunk 2020, as well as the excellent Mekton series. Mekton, while not as popular, is the backbone of the Interlock system. Simply put, without Mekton there would be no Cyberpunk.

Mike has gotten back to his roots lately. CD Projeckt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 has reinvigorated R. Talsorian. CP2020 is back in print, Mike is supposedly working on a pen-and-paper CP2077, and now we have Mekton Zero - featuring an updated core rules sysem: Resolution.



From what I can tell Resolution will be a blend of Interlock and Fuzion, producing a more modern playing RPG mechanic. It will also function as a wargame engine in addition to RPGs. I don't know about you, but an Interlok version of Savage Worlds sounds just about perfect for me.

Anyway, I'll post more about my gaming man-crushes, Mike Pondsmith and Mark Copplestone in the next update, for now take a look at the Kickstarter for Mekton Zero, drop a few bucks if you will, not only is Mekton worthy, but a successful project here brings CP2077 closer and closer...

Super Dimentional Fortress Macross

When I was a kid, I watched Robotech. It was one of the early anime influences on me. In junior high school, I rediscovered Robotech through a friend who had the Palladium game books. It was at this time that I discovered that Robotech was a bastard creation of the late Carl Macek, who took three unrelated series and slapped them together. As offensive as I found the concept of changing someone elses work, I came to love Super Dimentional Fortress Macross and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA in their original form. Soon after that I discovered how incredibly awful Palladium's game system was, and the search for better modern rules lead me to Cyberpunk and Mekton.

So there is a silver lining to the incredible pile of crap that the Palladium Robotech game represents.

Macross gaming holds a special place for me, but has been stunted by very limited miniature availability. I have a couple of the lead Battletech knockoff Valkyries... but not enough to really do anything with. I've also picked up a several soft plastic Valkyries from Japanese vending machines over the years - but Zentran mecha have been notably absent - so again, little utility in gaming.

Imagine my suprise at finding something on Kickstarter. Imagine my mixed feelings at it having both the Palladium and Robotech names attatched.

I decided to back it anyway. The rules have nothing to do with Palladium's percentile system, and they seem to realize that by keeping the three eras of Robotech distinct, Macross fans like myself will show interest.

So at the end of the year it looks like I'll be getting a good number of (round about a dozen) Valkyries and tons of Regults and such. Gotta start thinking of squadron colors. The Macross Compedium has a breakdown of a Valkyrie group being:

Group        Squadron     Team         Tactical
Commander     Commander    Leader       Fighter
                                   --- VF-1A
                      --- VF-1J --|
                     |             --- VF-1A
         --- VF-1J --|     
        |            |             --- VF-1A
        |             --- VF-1J --|
        |                          --- VF-1A
VF-1S --|          
        |                          --- VF-1A
        |             --- VF-1J --|
        |            |             --- VF-1A
         --- VF-1J --|
                     |             --- VF-1A     
                      --- VF-1J --|
                                   --- VF-1A
Type
S            J            J            A

I'll probably bastardize that down by removing the group commander level and upgrading the squadron commanders to S variants. Even with that I'm looking at fielding two squadrons, thus two paint schemes. I might do that, especially if the models can be clearly numbered. Otherwise I might make groups of four (S, J, and two As) in 3 or 4 different squadron schemes. Yeah, I actually like the sound of that better. One will be the tan scheme cannon fodder squadron, a Skull squadron (possibly of the movie scheme rather than the series), the Blue Impulse inspired scheme Max flew with... and something else yet to be determined.

Tablescape Kickstarter by Secret Weapon

Roads. Urban roads.

Secret Weapon has launched a Kickstarter for their Tablescapes terrain tile sets. Of particular interest is the Urban Streets design: Injection molded plastic 12" tiles of roads and sidewalks... both normal and damaged. I'm in, for at least two! And maybe a set of damaged ones....

The sidewalks will be 2" wide with 8" of roadway. The clean streets version above will consist of 8 unique casts, with another 8 casts in the damaged series. You can get them as all clean, all damaged, or mixed.

12 days left to help out.