I was idly creating heroes the other day when I noticed that the exoskeleton upgrade is mostly pointless.
This is because I added this upgrade to the rules before I added "simple upgrades" much later in development. So if you want +1 M, you're better off getting it with a simple upgrade than with an exoskeleton which can be switched off by an enemy EWOp in the Versus game. The exoskeleton still has a small theoretical value if you want to have an M greater than 6, but that f...
2021-03-04 12:38:45 +0000 UTC
View Post
I've said several times that the Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark beta will be up for patrons by the end of the month and this is definitely going to happen.
But this is the phase in development where the dice go down, the minis go away, the fun stops and it's a long, slow slog of formatting, error checking and lay-out planning.
I've been studying the rulebooks of other games and publishers, taking careful note of what works and what doesn't. I've been trying to understa...
2021-03-02 15:30:22 +0000 UTC
View Post
For sight of the layout and mission, see the livestream videos from Friday. They split into two as we lost the feed about three-quarters of the way through, but you'll get the gist.
Playing Mission 3 from Operation Gemini, Fight Out, the heroes had to make their way across a 3'x3' table, with multiple levels of elevated terrain, from hidden deployment, to an exit point in the far corner. In retrospect, I made it far too easy for the heroes, with too may steps and la...
2021-03-01 09:24:43 +0000 UTC
View Post
Let's take a look at how different companies - inside and outside the tabletop wargames industry - handle intellectual properties and why. Marvel, DC and Harry Potter and the big ones. But what about handling smaller, bespoke IPs? How can it be done and why?
Atomic Mass Games
Knight Models
2021-02-26 12:01:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
Thanks to patron BamBam who pointed out that the version of the Horizon Wars: Zero Dark tokens that I gave you guys was a bit low-res. I think I forgot to make it a hi-res export, because this version looks a lot better.
Speaking of Zero Dark, I'll be back to Zero Dark this Friday for the livestream, playing a mission. I'd like to get the heroes, table layout and mission all sorted in advance. So here's me throwing out a chance for you guys to see ...
2021-02-23 10:57:20 +0000 UTC
View Post
Priority & the Control Deck
At the start of a Versus mission, split the control deck in half and shuffle one joker into one half and the other joker into the other half.
Designate the players "red" and "black" and flip the first card on the Control Deck. Whichever colour it is grants thar player priority for deployment.
When two opposed forces of equal size meet...
2021-02-22 16:04:18 +0000 UTC
View Post
I'm putting together a set of Infinite Dark tokens and thought I'd ask your opinions on what else I could add.
I've got (from top left) hull damage 1-4, shields down 1-3*, advantage & disadvantage in four sets, power 0-3 and available/activated. I was thinking of adding a set of triangular vector/speed markers and maybe skirmisher/torpedo markers. Can you think of anything else that would be useful?
*Still trying to work out a good visual for beyond three shields l...
2021-02-22 16:00:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
Commissioning art for a tabletop game is one of those things that can be outside a designer's comfort zone and I've had a load of questions about it. To try to explain how to articulate your needs, find an artist, estimate a budget and compose a brief, I spent slightly over an hour in monologue about this subject.
I was going to do a feedback episode, but I got too tied up with other tasks this week, so we'll have the feedback episode in a couple of weeks. The good news is t...
2021-02-19 12:01:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
In response to the many, many requests that I include an option to perform a manoeuvre like this one, I've written some test rules for you. I have named it, here, after the patron who was most insistent on this point so he can take the blame. I make no promises that it will still be called this in the final rules...
CL1 vessels only may perform a thompson turn. This difficult manoeuvre is named for a long-forgotten pioneer of space combat and involves cutting the main engine an...
2021-02-18 16:20:52 +0000 UTC
View Post
The tale of Patreon and international currencies has been a bit of a... thing? I guess?
Those of you who support multiple Patreon campaigns might know more about this from better hooked-in creators than me. But as far as I can tell, it goes like this:
Patreon initially allowed creators and patrons only to take/send payments in USD. This was straightforward but not great for those of us having to take a hit on conversion rates one way or the other.
So Patreo...
2021-02-17 12:32:10 +0000 UTC
View Post
You know, I might stop posting anything but the podcast on a Friday, because I try to be super-disciplined about relaxing and not doing work at the weekend. And you guys gave me so much awesome feedback on my latest posts that I just couldn't stop processing all of your suggestions and contributions, which made my weekend just a wee bit less relaxing than it should have been.
However, I did have an excellent Valentine's weekend. My wife and I made our own marmalade for the f...
2021-02-15 14:18:40 +0000 UTC
View Post
As previously mentioned, I have employed a graphic designer to get me better illustrations of mechanics in Infinite Dark. Euan has done a cracking job and given me some options to consider.
So, what we've got here are really three options.
1. Monochrome (white background)
2. Monochrome (grey background)
3. Colour (white background)
4. Colour (space backgr...
2021-02-13 12:01:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
Welp...
So, when I started self-publishing, I was keen to retain some level of consistency, thematically, between the original Horizon Wars book and what came next. And one key part of this was my use of fonts. After much searching around and help from an old friend who is a self-acknowledged font geek, I decided that DIN Condensed was the font closest to fitting whatever Osprey used. I played with the kerning and the character width until I got close enough and I was ...
2021-02-13 09:01:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
Try not to fall asleep! I've been through the pain. I've done the research. I've come to conclusions. And all this excitement about VAT and customs duty etc... well, I don't think it's as scary as some people are making it out to be. And in this episode, I'll explain why.
DISCLAIMER: Not a lawyer. Not an accountant. Not a tax specialist. Just a podcaster. YMMV.
2021-02-12 12:00:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
I'm starting to get the layout of the book sorted out and, as I look at the ancillaries table, I can see that I have room on the pages for a few more ancillaries. Now, I never intended that the ones in the book would be the be-all and end-all for ancillaries - just a starter to whet players' appetites, with more coming in future rules updates and supplements. But seeing as I have room, I though: why not let someone else have some fun?
Depending on how long the rules are, I c...
2021-02-11 15:24:19 +0000 UTC
View Post
My excitement is certainly disproportionate to the actual news. But I have notebooks. Watch the video, or see below for the Cliff Notes version:
My top ten highest-supporting patrons (i.e. those who have supported me the most over the duration of their support) will get one of these free.
The next top ten will be offered the chance to buy one for £5+P&P.
Everyone else will be able to buy one for £8+P&P.
But I only have 24! So as the first te...
2021-02-09 14:54:26 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hi, guys! Sorry for missing out three ancillaries from the table in the final pre-Beta edition. For those waiting for the actual Beta edition:
Marines
Cost 1
Specialists in ship-to-ship combat, marines are veterans of bloody combat in the most lethal environment known to humanity.
A vessel with marines adds +1 to its F when performing a board test, and adds +1 to its D when the target of board test.
Mech<...
2021-02-08 10:22:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
Let me just say that, of the thumbnails YouTube offered me, this was the least mortifying. Make of that what you will.
Anyway, I noticed that Modiphius Entertainment was running a 60% off sale on their Achtung Cthulhu minis and I snapped up a bunch to use next year in the third operation manual. So I decided to do a live unboxing exclusively for my patrons.
I also threw in some chat about counters for Zero Dark.
And in case this sort of thing bo...
2021-02-07 19:31:58 +0000 UTC
View Post
Updated. These seem to be printing more-or-less OK, depending on your printer paper alignment, and now the Wounded(1) counter is correct.
I'll do a labelled version eventually to make it 100% clear what each counter is supposed to be, but this is doing the job. I used a black sharpie to colour in the millimetre or so of white that was still appearing on the very edge of the counters...
2021-02-06 09:00:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
Inspired by Jake Thornton's own Patreon campaign, I was moved to take a look at the concept of turns:
What are turns?
How do different designers and games approach them?
What alternative solutions are being used?
Why do we have turns at all?
2021-02-05 12:00:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
Elite level patrons now have access to the Discord!
I won't pretend that we have absolutely mastered the possibilities presented by Discord, but it seems to be more-or-less working. So if you just want to share some pictures of your minis, share feedback from a play-test, ask other fans to test a custom mission or give you feedback on your force list, come and join us.
And don't forget I'll be live on Facebook again this afternoon at 1400 UK time. We'll be having a loo...
2021-02-05 09:01:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
Longer-term patrons, or those who've really looked back at the posts over the last eighteen months, may remember that at one point I made a cardboard cutout of the rifle design the Zero Dark Miniatures will be carrying when they're done (we're making slow progress).
Well, I couldn't leave well enough alone. I expanded it a while back with some foamcore to illustrate optional poses to the sculptor. And then I took delivery of a new mirror that was full of XPS.
As you may know, ...
2021-02-04 15:18:46 +0000 UTC
View Post
Here we go: the final pre-beta edition is a better-looking creation than the last one, with some graphical flourishes to give you a hint of where I'm heading with the rulebook layout.
I've started talking to a graphic designer about getting some nice illustrations of the rules made, but I also need to talk to my other artist about interior illustrations, so if you've got some suggestions of things you'd like to see, throw them at me!
Next one should be the first, actual beta editi...
2021-02-03 11:00:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
I've not forgotten this project and have been trying to find a solution that really works to be able to offer a product to the market for those that want it. And I feel like I'm closing on the solution.
The attached is latest version of the counter set which, in my opinion, should offer all the counters that two players of Zero Dark are likely to ever need for the basic games. They are 13mm circles, arranged so you should be able to print them on standard A4 sticker...
2021-02-02 12:00:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
I'm aware that I had said that the final pre-beta would have been released for you guys by now, but I'm agonizing over some details, so it may be a little longer. To tide you over, have another mission!
Following a major defeat, your enemy has been forced to abandon a number of important assets in wrecks and abandoned stations at the battle site. Your fleet has been dispatched to locate and look these assets and return with them before your enemy can arrive to secure them. But time ...
2021-02-01 15:58:29 +0000 UTC
View Post
We've had an influx of new patrons over the last couple of weeks and one of them reminded me that I've not been terrific at updating folks on where we are with various publications, so here's a little reminder:
Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark
The spaceship combat game was originally intended to be out by the end of March, but development has taken longer than I had hoped for various reasons (one of which being the excellent feedback and suggestions I've had from playt...
2021-02-01 09:01:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
A little preview of the updated draft, which nearly merits the name "beta" (we're a few weeks away), which should hopefully be in your hands on Friday or Satuday at the latest.
Your fleet has been ambushed in transit by an overwhelming force, with no option but to flee through the nearest jump-gate. However, the next secure jump-gate is ancient and unpredictable, forcing you to stop and fight your pursuers until it can be found and activated.
2021-01-28 09:01:00 +0000 UTC
View Post
I've sent my brief for the cover art to the excellent David Sondered. David and his studio is a busy enterprise, these days, with lots of high-end commercial work and it's a pleasure to work with him.
I've known David for the best part of a decade, meeting him first on the old Ordo Illuminatus forum - a Warhammer fan-art page - where we were already blown away by his talent back then and he's only got better since.
I try to be a good client, giving a clear, coherent brief an...
2021-01-27 17:00:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
Space mines. Do they just sound cool, or are they an idea you think sounds good? If you've played the current draft of ID, can you imagine occasions when they'd be handy? Is it worth adding them as an option to the game?
2021-01-26 09:11:20 +0000 UTC
View Post
