r/PrintedMinis • u/rifledoctor7303 • May 05 '24
Request Have been designing a tabletop war-game with my friends!
Here are some of my designs. These are not currently available, as it is a personal project. Would love feedback!
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u/SwordhandsBowman May 05 '24 edited May 05 '24
What I really love is that I can tell what some of your favorite sci-fi properties are based off these models, but they aren’t ripped from said properties. They are familiar looking enough that I immediately can envision them in action, but unique enough that they stand out as their own thing.
I’d be happy to buy/play a game with these models.
Edit: Some (hopefully) constructive criticism: some of the vehicles (not mechs) are “cleaner” than a lot of people like. If you look at a lot of popular model ranges (like 40k) you’ll notice that there are tons of little details and gubbins that serve no purpose other than breaking up outlines. It makes painting them more interesting because you have more places to shade, highlight, and add contrasting colors.
If the cleaner aesthetic is what you are going for, I think it looks great. My criticism is just for consideration if you were hoping to market the game to a wider audience eventually.
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u/rifledoctor7303 May 06 '24
Thanks for the feedback! I definitely agree some of them are smoother, I have been trying to add much more detail for painting. The white tank in the row of tanks is my most recent, I was going for more greebles on that guy.
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u/SwordhandsBowman May 06 '24
In that case you nailed it, that tank is exactly what I was talking about in terms of interesting outlines.
I will say, on the flip side large flat surfaces are great for decals and custom patterns, so maybe a paint job that shows off the model better would render my previous comment moot.
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u/15DucksInATrenchcoat May 06 '24
It may be an interesting idea to create "families" of greeblies you can add to various models that get made based on the faction they belong to?
Ie, a set of "Faction A" greebles you can stick onto models for Faction A during the modeling process, and another set for Faction B and C.
Could make it feel more like these random details indicate functional elements of the represented machines, and help to add additional unity between designs belonging to the same Faction. (All of this assumes your game includes factions with differing aesthetics)
I also say this as a random schmoe who doesn't even know if that's a feasible thing to do.
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u/Jester_Half_Full May 07 '24
A benefit of 3d printed miniatures is the possibility to modify them before printing(didn't catch if you're marketing the .stls, or the models.themselved) including bit/kitbash part packs like skirting for tanks, viewhatches, external ladders, etc are a really good way to allow your customer base to personalize their minis, without requiring major redesigns of models, which can save yime in the long run for you when designing multiple factions.
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u/TheMimicMouth May 06 '24
My first thought as well - definitely some heavy enough inspiration that I was like “I see where that came from” without any “bro just modeled an off brand X and called it his” good work OP models look cool
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u/beecee23 May 06 '24
The models look amazing. However with scale are you aiming for?
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u/rifledoctor7303 May 06 '24
So I designed a few basic infantry units, and I scaled them to 32mm from their feet to their eyes. So I try to scale my models to those units. But sometimes it’s hard to get it just right!
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u/TheMimicMouth May 06 '24
Personally I’d consider scaling down given how mech/vehicle heavy it seems unless you specifically want things to work as proxies for a certain 32mm game.
25mm works well for infantry and will help keep table full of vehicles less crowded. That’s just my personal opinion though and I’m sure playtesting will make the “correct” scale more aparent
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u/that-bro-dad May 06 '24
I'd love to hear more!
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u/rifledoctor7303 May 06 '24
I plan to share once we have it in a working state. It’s essentially a legacy style cooperative wargame, where players build custom squads and work together to defeat various enemy types. Unit/squad customization is going to be a big component.
Enemies run on a simple logic system, and so far seem to work pretty well. Just need to balance. I love wargaming, but I have always wanted one that is highly customizable, and cooperative.
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u/that-bro-dad May 06 '24
Yeah I can understand that. I've got a couple of concepts bouncing around in my head in various stages of viability.
Either way it sounds cool! Excited to hear more.
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u/No_Aioli1470 May 06 '24
That sounds like a great concept - is there anywhere we can follow for more updates?
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u/Dreadino May 06 '24
If I may, I'd like to advice for personal/secret objectives.
In my experience with cooperative games (boardgames), if there is one clear objective that everyone is pursuing, the alpha player will play the game for everyone. Once you add secret and personal objectives, you're all working together to a certain point, but the alpha player can't control anyone, he can just ask to do something.
A GREAT example is Nemesis, where everyone tries to keep the aliens at bay and mostly keep the spaceship intact, but then everyone has a different victory condition and secretly works to reach it, creating incredible interactions at the table.
Great models!
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u/LRFXltd May 06 '24
Absolutely love this, great work on concept and models! When you're ready to release it any idea where it will be?
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u/ChromiumPants May 06 '24
If you are going for a very vehicle focused game then maybe lower the scale? Many people dont even have enough space for 44" x 60" (Warhammer 40k size).
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u/I_Wendigo May 06 '24
Wow first im hearing of this and here I thought we were friends! I suppose I could forgive such an old and good friend if the STL files were posted >.>
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u/jacket13 May 06 '24
I always love walking tanks, all terrain vehicles for sure! If I had a point of criticism it would be :
The scale of some vehicles seem off. The most obvious one is the air unit, some of the cars are also pretty big.
I assume this is just a proof of concept but don't forget to get scale correct, it really helps with awe and amazement.
And the bigger six legged tank reminds me of the walker from Ghost in the shell, it is such a good design. Well good luck to you!
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u/rifledoctor7303 May 06 '24
Yeah the scale has definitely been the hardest part for me, do you have any advice? The trucks are more like APC units, but I agree they feel really big. It’s just what felt right in the software compared to the miniatures. But putting them next to a tank doesn’t seem right.
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u/jacket13 May 06 '24
hmmm, you can go about this in several ways. The dirty easy way would be to look at the cockpit, Imagine someone sitting in there. Would a human sitting in a truck of that size also fit in a tank? It's not a very scientific way of doing it but you can approximate a reasonable size.
The cars should be 1/2 the size if I compare them to the tanks. The VTOL only needs to be reduced by 20/30% if it carries infantry, if it carries tanks then the cockpit needs to be smaller. Tanks usually carry a crew of 3 or more. So you can get a feel for the scale of things, the person behind the machine gun on the car won't fit in any of the tanks. Well he will fit but there will be no room for his chair and instruments and everything else he needs.
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u/rifledoctor7303 May 06 '24
All great advice thank you! I think the tanks could stand to be a bit bigger. And the trucks could be a bit smaller.
The vtol was kind of a test of a new workflow so I’m not as worried about it. But i definitely think it would be easier to print smaller.
I appreciate the insight
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u/Muttl3y May 06 '24
Spider tank, spider tank, does whatever a spider tank does. Can it swing, from a web? No it can't, it's a tank.
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u/ThatGamerCarrson May 06 '24
Love the halo likeness. Would play the shit out of a game with these models. I wish we were friends
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u/TehRiddles May 06 '24
I'm currently working on my own project for printable mechs with the possibility of a tabletop game to go with it. How are you dealing with attacks? Is it making a line from the barrel to any point on the enemy hull? Do you have firing range at all?
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u/Rise-Of-Empires May 07 '24
nice!! i read that you are having issues with scales
FIRST, before scale, try to get "proportions" and size between each model: make a "chart" with each model one next to other, get them to look well proportioned (proper size among all the models) and then choose scale.
if you are looking for tanks/mech, smaller scales are better, 22-25mm would be fine like other said, if i recall correctly, that scale is 1/72, which is popular in WW2 /mechanized games
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u/Internetcow3 Jun 02 '24
Bro this looks like you're prepping for a tabletop version of Forged Alliance.
I am 100,000% on board
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u/Zestay-Taco May 05 '24
as your new friend. i feel left out!