Friday, October 28, 2011

Version 1.3 of Robotech Battles is Ready for playtesting

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!
Finally, the wait is over.
Over the last two weeks I finished the tweeks, rewrites, corrections, fixing, shuffling and overall streamlining of the ruleset for this latest Version. The process was challenging but the result is a much better and easier to negotiate ruleset. (There is an appendix in the works)
This will be the version that I will be using for all play testing. You can see a full demo game at the Mechanicon GT on November4th & 5th in West Chester, PA. (shameless plug) 
Some of the new features and tweeks include:
  • This version is the first totally color version which incorporates a more streamlined ruleset that is easier to follow and does not require as much page turning and searching for the correct rules or results.
  • Terrain rules have been moved to the ranged and Hand to Hand sections where they apply. 
  • Defenitions have been revised so that you do not have to look through definitions to find additional rules. 
  • All 6 phases of the turn have been updated to provide a better gaming experience. 
  • The mecha for both races have been revised based on gameplay and additional balancing of the mecha's stats and firepower. 
There have been many rules questions and suggestions that I have received and  have helped greatly in this version. Thank you everyone that has provided input in the process. Also I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to download the rules and I hope that this version will give you even more enjoyment. I would also like to take a moment to Thank the members of my Gaming Group out of West Chester PA - The Green Dragons.. without their help and encouragement this project would have ground to a halt a long time ago.. 
Look for the additional 1/144 scale paper figs for the remaining battloids and officer pods that are in the rules. They are still coming.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Prep for Demos


Minmei's uncle's restaurant on Macross Island
 Ok so I'm building a portable table for Game Demos. Actually what I building is a game mat that can be put onto a 4'x6' table. The design is based on the first episode of the Robotech Series "Boobytrap" where the Zentraedi are invading Macross Island. The table will have a large landing strip down the middle of the board with cityscape on one side and open areas on the other. To all a quick note on painting indoors.. Always let your spraypaint dry outside or use a spray booth or something.. The wife was not happy that I was spraypainting.. The fumes were pretty bad.
Back to the table.. I have alot of work to do to get a few blocks worth of buildings.. And I'll need to make alot of 3, 6 and higher story buildings so that the people trying out the game will have enough stuff to blow up.. I'm going to probably build alot of 3 story sections that I can stack to get lots of varying levels. I have three weeks and no time, it should be interesting..
I recieved in the mail BUSINESS CARDS.. {insert happy dance here} The cards look great and I have a good amount to pass around. Also the CorSec Engineering telescoping flight stand that I ordered.. It will work out great. Just the thing to allow Mecha to change elevations effectively. I'm still waiting on missile stands that I ordered from Litko. I'm looking forward to seeing those on the table also. I plan on getting alot done this weekend starting with (hopefully) a release of version 1.3 of Robotech Battles Rules and then the release of the remaining Mecha paper cutouts. Currently there are 1/144 scale cutouts and smaller "battletech" or hero scale models for download.
For the cutouts, I would suggest printing the cutouts on a heavy paper or cardstock, or you can mount paper copies on plasticard to get a stiff standing mini that can then be mounted on a round or square base. When dealing with the minis, it's a good idea to denote the front of the mecha for determinig Front Line of Sights.
Let me know what you think of the progress and let me know if you will be attending the Mechanicon on November 4-6 and I'll be demoing Robotech Battles Friday and Saturday in the evening. Let me know and I would love to discuss the game with anyone thats interested.
-Tom

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Mechanicon

 
The MechaniCon 2011 is coming up fast.
The MechaniCon 2011 is a three day convention that will be held in West Chester, Pennsylvania. With over 9000 square feet of convention space, this is an event you will not want to miss!
November 4-6, 2011
Featuring:
  • The MechaniCon 40K Grand Tournament 2011 – Throne of Skulls National Circuit Event
  • Friday 40K Tournament – Forge World Friendly Rules
  • Privateer Press Steamroller events
  • Blood Bowl Tournament
  • Battlefleet Gothic Tournament
  • 40K Kill Team Events
  • Many other games and tournaments, check the web site frequently for the latest info
  • Vendor and Demo Room
  • Battlefront Miniatures and Gale Force Nine Vending Booth
Additionally
-venue is in West Chester, PA – about 30 minutes from the Philadelphia Airport, 30 minutes from Wilmington, DE
-discount room rates available at the venue
-shuttle service is available from the airport
-easy access to major roads
-main convention hall has concession stand and bar
-additional halls are across the corridor from the restaurant and bar
-great prizes, cool swag and more!

I will be holding demos of Robotech Battles on Friday and Saturday afternoon of the Con. 
I want to show you this great game..
here is the write up on the Mechanicon's website:

Another new indie game shows off at the con – Robotech Battles

Another new indie game shows off at the con – Robotech Battles We are happy to announce that local game enthusiast Thomas Roache will be showing off the game he has been working on. Make sure to check out demos on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 at this year’s MechaniCon!
Welcome to the Tabletop Miniatures Skirmish Game based on Robotech from the Japanese version of the Anime Series Macross. Robotech Battles is a 3D Tabletop Skirmish Game where you can either be human or the alien Zentradi. You are the pilot in control of Devastating Transformable Mecha battling for the earth’s survival, or the alien commander in control of the hordes of giant aliens bent on domination. Aerial Dogfights, missile trails filling the sky, and Mecha on Mecha combat give you the player, a taste of the Robotech Universe. Play out your favorite scenes from the series in this skirmish game where the fate of the First Robotech war can be decided on the results of your battles.
A few simple things about the game:
The game is an action/reaction based skirmish game where your pilots have the means of fully using the environment they are in to travel through the landscape (this includes up and down as well).
Missiles are the third player and act independantly once fired and be careful if they miss.
Terrain can be targeted and will blow up if your not careful.
Set-up is fast and gameplay is faster.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Version 1.3 progress..

Work continues on the latest version of the game. This version should see new page layouts, updated rules for close combat and weapon strengths and hopefully some pics and diagrams to go with the rules.
Also on the radar are paper figs of the remaining models not currently provided.