(https://www.pendraken.co.uk/user/news/Plansfor2024.jpg)
2023 was another big year with a lot of new ranges and new product lines, as well as ticking off some big jobs like the website photos. But a new year calls for an optimistic look ahead at what we'll be working on over the next 12 months!
I'll try and arrange these in a roughly chronological order, based on the months that we'll be working on each project.
10mm Sci-Fi Expansion!
Our main project for the year is the expansion of our new Sci-Fi ranges. The first two were released earlier today (more info here: https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,22857.0.html) and then we'll have the next two available in a fortnight's time, followed by ranges 5 and 6 in early February.
This will continue through the rest of the year with new ranges hopefully appearing in March, May, July and September, giving us 10 new ranges and circa 200 new products by the end of the year. These will be supported by some buildings and scenery along the way too.
We'll be working on the Future War rules but we don't have any timescales for this yet.
28mm Crossover Miniatures
We've licensed the full ranges of these 28mm Superheroes and we've made new moulds for them all here at Pendraken HQ. We're currently casting up stock and getting an initial batch over to Rusti in the States too, so we'll have them added to the website later this month.
Multi-Scale Flags
We've also reached an agreement to license and sell another company's flag ranges, covering multiple periods and scales. We'll have more news on this and I'd hope to have these added to the website this month.
10mm AWI Additions
Clib previewed some more AWI additions last year here: https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,22609.0.html and here: https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,22744.0.html which have arrived with us at Pendraken HQ. Once the Sci-Fi moulds have been done we'll then move on to these releases in February, for release in early March.
10mm Indo-China French expansion
These have been at Pendraken HQ for a while now so we'll be approaching these in February, ready for a release in March. I'll get some photos of the sculpts for everything to look at too.
10mm ACW Additions
We've had a lot of requests for additions to this range so one of our sculptors will be taking care of these over the next few months. So things like Western Theatre infantry, new cavalry types, as well as Custer and the 7th Cavalry to go with our Plains War range.
10mm Modern Vehicles
The next batch of additions to our modern vehicles are going to be trucks mainly, for the Brits, US and Soviets firstly. We might add in the T-72 tanks while we're at it.
10mm WWII Artillery crews revamp
We've had all of the older WWII artillery crews resculpted so we'll be going through an extensive remoulding process to get them all into production (and arranged more efficiently). This is quite a task so we'll be starting it around June time.
10mm TB Line
These have been delayed far too long, so I've put the TB Line Mongols down as a July job. I'll get them all cleaned up and get the eight new production moulds made. Their Ancients ranges will need to go off to Techno for some work, so that'll be a little later in the year.
10mm Dungeon World
In August we'll finally start working on the revamp of our Dungeons, with new modules ready to come online, fresh moulds for the monsters and furniture, and a revamped set of rules too. We'll also be able to bring back the oft-requested Dungeon Starter Sets!
12mm Fantasy ranges
The new Amazons and Ratmen didn't get any attention in 2023 so we'll be getting to these in Mar/Apr and Jul/Aug respectively. Release timescales should be the following months (so May and Sept) as long as everything else goes to plan! The Fomorians are still on Techno's table too, so we'll take a look at those towards the end of the year.
10mm Bronze Age Middle East
This one hasn't been mentioned previously but after a chat with our sculptor, he's asked if he can dive into these for us after he's finished the ACW additions. We don't have any details on exactly which ranges we'll be doing yet, but we'd be looking at things like Hittites, Sea Peoples, Egyptians, Akkadians, Nubians, Assyrians, etc. These will be sculpted in the second half of the year and we'll have more info for you in the summer.
Multi-Scale Red Vectors
Most of our plans for new MDF products had to be halted due to our 2D designer moving on to a new job, and we've not been able to replace him yet. We've approached our local University to see if they've got any design students who might be looking for a part-time job so I'm hoping to hear back from them in the next couple of weeks.
And a few other things:
Cold War Commander lists
Mark Fry has been working on all of the main lists to make sure that we've got consistency across the different nations, so once that's done we'll update all of the download files and let everyone know. There's a handful of new lists ready to format for the European NATO nations as well.
Painting Competition
The Painting Competition will be back in February so get your entries ready and we'll have more info on the competition soon.
Events
Last year we had a variety of events in our games room including Blood Red Skies, 15mm Naps, Pathfinder RPGs and more. This year we're hoping to have more regular events so if you think there might be something that we can work together on, get in touch and we'll have a chat.
That's just about it for now I think. There's a few odds and ends that'll find their way into production along the way but I've covered the main projects there.
Quote from: Leon on 15 January 2024, 01:43:26 AM(https://www.pendraken.co.uk/user/news/Plansfor2024.jpg)
28mm Crossover Miniatures
10mm WWII Artillery crews revamp
10mm TB Line
10mm Dungeon World
12mm Fantasy ranges
10mm Bronze Age Middle East
Multi-Scale Red Vectors
I see many additions to the lead/ resin/ mdf mountain ranges in the coming months!
My personal "Carthago delenda est!" - any chance the WW2 three-men-in-a-trench might slip in alongside the artillerymen?
Much for me to ponder here, the AWI will be most welcome, the proposed 10mm Bronze Age Middle East may also make a call upon my wallet/credit facilities. Wishing you all a busy and prosperous new year. ;)
Nice to see everything laid out in this sort of order and aside from the AWI additions, the Bronze Age stuff sounds very interesting :) .
This, alone, is fantastic news:
10mm Bronze Age Middle East
Quote from: Ithoriel on 15 January 2024, 01:58:46 AMI see many additions to the lead/ resin/ mdf mountain ranges in the coming months!
My personal "Carthago delenda est!" - any chance the WW2 three-men-in-a-trench might slip in alongside the artillerymen?
Yes, the three men in a trench for all WW2 belligerents. would be really useful.
It will only be the helmet that really notices, so some could be quite generic.
eg Italians, Normal Poles and Russians all used the same basic helmet so could be done with a single casting.
likewise Germans and Polish 10th brigade and French infantry and Polish Cavalry
Quote from: Ithoriel on 15 January 2024, 01:58:46 AMMy personal "Carthago delenda est!" - any chance the WW2 three-men-in-a-trench might slip in alongside the artillerymen?
I'll chase that one up as it had slipped my mind to be honest. The resin base is easy enough so then it's just a case of chopping some guys in half...!
Excellent news. Looking forward, in fact ACW will fit the rules I just published. :D
10mm Sci-Fi Expansion!
You say 10 new ranges. There are 6 human which gives ... err ... um ... carry the one ... some others. Presumably aliens?
Multi-Scale Flags
The could be very good news. I always feel a bit disloyal going elsewhere for the flags.
10mm ACW Additions
Those Plains War will be very interesting.
10mm Modern Vehicles
Yay! I love softskins. 8-> Stalwart, Stalwart, Stalwart 8->
12mm Fantasy ranges
Huzzah for the Amazons!
10mm Bronze Age Middle East
Another yay! Can I make a plea for Myceneans in Dendra armour? I always wanted Brad Pitt to try all that jumpy stuff he did in Troy if he were properly dressed as a dustbin.
Painting Competition
Annual Humiliation! :-bd
In the odds and ends, please could you add some harnessed horses? Thank you.
Quote from: fsn on 15 January 2024, 07:07:22 PM10mm Sci-Fi Expansion!
You say 10 new ranges. There are 6 human which gives ... err ... um ... carry the one ... some others. Presumably aliens?
Yep, the next two are a locust-style alien race and then we've got some goat/grey alien hybrids. Dogs are on the plan as well as space ducks... Plus scavenger/space junk guys, water bears, expanding the existing bugs into a proper range, etc.
Quote from: fsn on 15 January 2024, 07:07:22 PM10mm Modern Vehicles
Yay! I love softskins. 8-> Stalwart, Stalwart, Stalwart 8->
I think we were looking at the Bedford RL for the Brits but I'll see if we can add the Stalwart in too!
Quote from: fsn on 15 January 2024, 07:07:22 PM10mm Bronze Age Middle East
Another yay! Can I make a plea for Myceneans in Dendra armour? I always wanted Brad Pitt to try all that jumpy stuff he did in Troy if he were properly dressed as a dustbin.
Remind me when we get closer to the time (we'll put up some prospective range lists) and then we'll make sure the sculptor includes those. The Bronze Age is one of his personal interest areas so I'm leaving the ranges/structure in his hands for now.
Quote from: fsn on 15 January 2024, 07:07:22 PMIn the odds and ends, please could you add some harnessed horses? Thank you.
And yep, I'll get those sorted out too!
10mm Bronze Age Middle East
I don't have any Book I DBA armies :-\
Or chariots :-\
X_X
Quote from: Leon on 16 January 2024, 01:01:22 AMI think we were looking at the Bedford RL for the Brits but I'll see if we can add the Stalwart in too!
If I can ask, please, does that mean no Bedford MK/MJ models, for those collecting British Army (and others) post-1970+?
And I thought I was done with my ACW... Here come the westerners!
Quote10mm Bronze Age Middle East
This one hasn't been mentioned previously but after a chat with our sculptor, he's asked if he can dive into these for us after he's finished the ACW additions. We don't have any details on exactly which ranges we'll be doing yet, but we'd be looking at things like Hittites, Sea Peoples, Egyptians, Akkadians, Nubians, Assyrians, etc. These will be sculpted in the second half of the year and we'll have more info for you in the summer.
Be still my beating heart...
Even though I have a mountain of bronze already.
And haven't painted anything in months.
I've plenty of time to prepare though...
QuoteBe still my beating heart...
Be careful what you wish for ;) .
Quote from: Roy on 16 January 2024, 04:23:08 PMIf I can ask, please, does that mean no Bedford MK/MJ models, for those collecting British Army (and others) post-1970+?
Not in this next batch I'm afraid, no. The plan with all of the moderns ranges has been to work roughly chronologically through the decades, although we did bow to pressure and do the US/Soviets for the 1980s... We need to get some soft skins done for the 50s/60s/70s so at the moment that would be the US M35, the Brit Bedford RL and the Soviet ZiL-135 as our first set.
Just to remind - LUOTC from 72 to 76 had RL's and TK's (ok thats the civi one but you know what I mean).
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 18 January 2024, 09:27:42 AMLUOTC
Have to admit my ignorance, here. Google says it's, probably, (place's name) University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve).
Yes coukd be either Liverpool (in this case) or Leeds. Of course LUOTC was also 5th Btn Her Majistys 8th (Kings Liverpool) Rgt of Foot.
If those multi scale flags cover the War of Spanish succession at 28mm that would be excellent, not to mention whatever is to come on the sci fi and Future war commander stuff.
But bronze age middle East?! Just this week I was thinking about where to get Hittites/Sea peoples and if I should just abandon the Egyptians I've had forever. It's a Christmas miracle! In February. I won't quibble over it.
Quote from: Maraviglia on 28 February 2024, 03:35:27 PMIf those multi scale flags cover the War of Spanish succession at 28mm that would be excellent...
Afraid not, they do cover WSS but only in 6mm - 22mm sizes.
Quote from: Leon on 28 February 2024, 03:39:58 PMonly in 6mm - 22mm sizes.
Well what's 5mm between friends? Still might be workable...
Quote from: Maraviglia on 28 February 2024, 04:11:13 PMWell what's 5mm between friends? Still might be workable...
What I do is keep the flags I buy as 'masters', scan them and resize them before printing them myself. I've done this with loads of 28mm flags that aren't available in 10mm. Just a thought.
My AWI armies are entirely flagged with the GMB 15mm flags, which Graeme specially reduced for me to fit on Pendraken poles, while widening the central sleeve to make sure the detail wasn't on the pole. Brilliant service, glorious flags.
I am looking forward to the new alien races in the SciFi range. Especially the Space Ducks! To go with my Duckulons (converted minitaurs with laser weapons)
Sorry... Space Ducks?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 29 February 2024, 01:14:01 PMSorry... Space Ducks?
Yep! Those are one of the space races we're looking at doing, along with space dogs and some others.
Space dogs,eh? My 20mm Khanids would approve! :)
I am hoping that the sculptor will draw some inspiration from Duck Dodgers in the 24th and a half Century
:D
Hi Leon.
Any news on the Space Ducks? I am going quackers waiting for them. :)
Also will they have any vehicles? If not I will use the walkers in the old Human Sci fi range as Flamingo Class Heavy Assault units.
Thank you
Any more yokes like that un and we will barr you - welcome to bedlam
Well, it cracked me up, it was eggshellent!
Quote from: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 22 August 2024, 09:33:12 AMWell, it cracked me up, it was eggshellent!
Will we all know about your sense of umor :d
All white, we've had enough.
Yolking in Nobby, it's a shell game!
Why so hard boiled ? ;) ;)
The glare...
Quote from: BCato on 22 August 2024, 08:11:32 AMHi Leon.
Any news on the Space Ducks? I am going quackers waiting for them. :)
Also will they have any vehicles?
No news on the ducks yet, we've been working on space octopi, space wasps and space goats...
Space wasps ?....Well if you're not going to take this seriously, Leon. ;)
I want to know what medication Mark was on when he did the written brief. :P
Quote from: Techno 3 on 22 August 2024, 08:00:41 PMSpace wasps ?....Well if you're not going to take this seriously, Leon. ;)
:D
Space octopi? Obviously fake - octopuses maybe.
But I'm very much on board for Welsh space goats taking over the universe - geifr gofod am byth!
The company that makes Sci-Fi Capybara will clear up
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 22 August 2024, 09:31:19 PMThe company that makes Sci-Fi Capybara will clear up
Ooh, I don't have those on the list yet... :D
Quote from: Leon on 22 August 2024, 10:03:50 PMOoh, I don't have those on the list yet... :D
Hers are 28mm scale.
QuoteSpace wasps ?....Well if you're not going to take this seriously, Leon. (https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/wink.gif)
Space Wasps, courtesy of Khurasan
(https://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/t1500.jpg)
and Capybara courtesy of Bad Squiddo
(https://d2j6dbq0eux0bg.cloudfront.net/images/10152787/1525005587.jpg)
Thank you Leon and everyone 😂😂😂
I will just have to quack mournfully and be patient. 😊
Space wasps??....."Is this a stand up fight or just another bug hunt Sir?" ;)
QuoteSpace wasps ?....Well if you're not going to take this seriously, Leon. ;)
I want to know what medication Mark was on when he did the written brief. :P
All manner of psychotropic substances are proscribed on the NHS when they understand you are a wargames rules writer.
Although, I must admit they probably have been reacting strangely with my relatively new heart medicine :D :D :D
(NB: it's the Space Jellyfish that I'm looking forward to you sculpting Techno - so they can be cast in clear resin) ;D ;D ;D
X_X
Anyone care to guess which 'game universe' started out with the original working title of 'Star Bastards'.
Nowt to do with GW.
No chance it was the TTG Lazerburn universe ?
Quote. . . we've been working on space octopi . . .
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!
Quote from: Big Insect on 23 August 2024, 09:38:52 AMAll manner of psychotropic substances are proscribed on the NHS when they understand you are a wargames rules writer.
Do you want the Newbury rules injection?
NO!
Stuff the ducks, I want the squidlings!
I'm trying to work out a rule for ink spraying. :-\ Bit like a personal smoke generator?
(https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/rexfeatures_3749259a.jpg)
Quote from: Techno 3 on 23 August 2024, 12:01:28 PMX_X
Anyone care to guess which 'game universe' started out with the original working title of 'Star Bastards'.
Nowt to do with GW.
Do tell. :-\
QuoteDo you want the Newbury rules injection?
NO!
Most definitely not ... thank you for the kind offer (
what have I done to offend him I ask!!!)
QuoteDo tell. :-\
It was Critical Mass, Nobby. :)
Ah. Thank you.
Regrettably, I'm none the wiser.
QuoteSpace octopi? Obviously fake - octopuses maybe.
But I'm very much on board for Welsh space goats taking over the universe - geifr gofod am byth!
Oes gafr eto? Oes heb ei godro?
Ar y creigiau geirwon mae'r hen afr yn crwydro.
Gafr ofod, ofod, ofod... :-$
FSN this is from Ral Partha Europe's website
Critical Mass -The Game
The Critical Mass 15mm rule system is a fast play alternative action company level game. Infantry are based in multiples and form platoons, vehicles are based individually and grouped to form units. Each game round players must manage their units activations with play continually moving back and forth as each unit is activated meaning games a tense and involved. As you would expect from a sci-fi game Walkers, Drop Troops, Grav Tanks, and much more are a plenty, coupled with lots destruction and mission defined battlefield objectives.
(https://ralparthaeurope.co.uk/images/suspects.jpg)
That artwork looks VERY familiar. :)
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 31 October 2024, 09:11:41 AMOes gafr eto? Oes heb ei godro?
Ar y creigiau geirwon mae'r hen afr yn crwydro.
Gafr ofod, ofod, ofod... :-$
Psst!
Nid ar y creigiau, i fyny, yn yr awyr.
Gafr enfys!
Quote from: Ithoriel on 31 October 2024, 12:45:44 PMFSN this is from Ral Partha Europe's website
Oh!
Thank you.
It is heretical though, isn't it?
Quote from: fsn on 23 August 2024, 04:33:29 PMStuff the ducks, I want the squidlings!
I'm trying to work out a rule for ink spraying. :-\ Bit like a personal smoke generator?
(https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/rexfeatures_3749259a.jpg)
I think that the AFV smoke generation rules in CWC would work well for squid-ink. Or you could go for the Static Smoke Projector rules in The Forgotten War supplement.
QuoteIt is heretical though, isn't it?
Heretical indeed and yet sanctified by the iconography of the blessed Techno himself. So confusing! :)
QuoteI think that the AFV smoke generation rules in CWC would work well for squid-ink. Or you could go for the Static Smoke Projector rules in The Forgotten War supplement.
:-\ Thank you. I think it's something innate to the squidlings, something they produce in their bodies and can expel from an as yet unspecified orifice. ( :o ) It would be something they can do rarely, perhaps once per "day"*. It could also be a reaction, perhaps if surprised or frightened.
Squidling section advancing cautiously through the broken ground. Ground-Thumper Squelch scans the terrain ahead but doesn't notice the speckled-mole-fox burrow. As his lower-tentacle enters the burrow Squelch stumbles, and in his surprise and shock, his ink-sac involuntarily empties, covering Squelch and a significant area around him in a blue-black cloud. Ground-Thumper-Thumper Squit hisses angrily at Squelch, but it is too late. Artillery fire blankets the area. Perhaps I need rule for the Squidling infantry uniform to be atmosphere tight, but with a valve to allow release of the cloud. :-\
Having said that, I like the idea of disconcerted Squidlings in full combat armour having a helmet filled with smoke. ;D
*I hate term "day" in SF games.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 01 November 2024, 02:27:22 AMHeretical indeed and yet sanctified by the iconography of the blessed Techno himself. So confusing! :)
the Blessed Techno is a missionary for the One True Scale. He lays the path for those who know no better to find the correct size of their tiny soldiers.
Quote:-\ Thank you. I think it's something innate to the squidlings, something they produce in their bodies and can expel from an as yet unspecified orifice. ( :o ) It would be something they can do rarely, perhaps once per "day"*. It could also be a reaction, perhaps if surprised or frightened.
Squidling section advancing cautiously through the broken ground. Ground-Thumper Squelch scans the terrain ahead but doesn't notice the speckled-mole-fox burrow. As his lower-tentacle enters the burrow Squelch stumbles, and in his surprise and shock, his ink-sac involuntarily empties, covering Squelch and a significant area around him in a blue-black cloud. Ground-Thumper-Thumper Squit hisses angrily at Squelch, but it is too late. Artillery fire blankets the area.
Perhaps I need rule for the Squidling infantry uniform to be atmosphere tight, but with a valve to allow release of the cloud. :-\
Having said that, I like the idea of disconcerted Squidlings in full combat armour having a helmet filled with smoke. ;D
*I hate term "day" in SF games.
The interesting thing about squid is that they swim backwards. When they eject the ink from under their mantle, they can also release a jet-stream of water to help speed away from danger. (The ink sacs are located between the gills :-B )
Maybe the squidlings could have a combined (involuntary?) retreat/smoke-screen effect when they fail a morale check and break... :-\ :-/
Bonus fun fact: the ink may be dark-coloured
or luminous depending on the species...
Bigger fun fact: when you're in Venice, ask for squid stewed in its own ink. The result is delicious (as, indeed, is rather a lot of Venetian food if you pick your restaurant carefully).
QuoteBonus fun fact: the ink may be dark-coloured or luminous depending on the species...
Luminous you say!
The more I find out about squid and octopuses, the more intrigued I become.
(https://preview.redd.it/hegopsnjsjx71.jpg?width=271&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d3b82be8c1e49f5e1288f0bcea5df7b01eb53b4)
That's beautiful.
QuoteHeretical indeed and yet sanctified by the iconography of the blessed Techno himself. So confusing!
I do worry about the grasp on reality some members here have...
QuotePsst!
Nid ar y creigiau, i fyny, yn yr awyr.
Gafr enfys!
Beth dy honna yn yr awyr?
Aderyn? Na!
Awyren? Na!
Y Gafr Enfys... 8-}
Quote from: Last Hussar on 01 November 2024, 11:05:38 AMI do worry about the grasp on reality some members here have...
Yes, indeed! I mean we have Gwydion and O Dinas Powys typing in Klingon! ;)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 01 November 2024, 02:48:10 PMYes, indeed! I mean we have Gwydion and O Dinas Powys typing in Klingon! ;)
Is dat wat er be.
QuoteIs dat wat er be.
I didn't know you knew Welsh as well?
Quote from: Ithoriel on 01 November 2024, 02:48:10 PMYes, indeed! I mean we have Gwydion and O Dinas Powys typing in Klingon! ;)
Mae dy fam-gu yn lleddfu camelod! :P
QuoteMae dy fam-gu yn lleddfu camelod! :P
How dare you, sir, she was a respectable lady! :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 02 November 2024, 07:08:30 PMHow dare you, sir, she was a respectable lady! :)
>:<
Quote from: fred. on 01 November 2024, 07:23:38 PMI didn't know you knew Welsh as well?
Sounds more like ancient Cumbrian to me :-\
Hello little sospan?
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 04 November 2024, 10:18:18 AMSounds more like ancient Cumbrian to me :-\
Na twere Youkie
Google translate give me 'eases' as the verb.
Eases?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 04 November 2024, 11:27:16 AMGoogle translate give me 'eases' as the verb.
Eases?
Eases the camels?
Hunan lleddfu is, umm, "self-soothing" ... :-[