A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...I made my last post.
Last November? Good grief, how the time has flown. It certainly hasn't been my intention to let things slide so far!
You would think this type of neglect would imply a lack of time for all things hobby related and in some ways you'd be right. Work's busy and my children are taking up more and more time (in a good way, I might add - the oldest in particular is on the cusp of really getting interested in the beginnings of her old man's hobbies).
But in other ways, I'm hobbying more than ever. I've recently discovered the 'X-Wing' miniatures game and it is simply put one of the most enjoyable, challenging and well constructed games I've ever played.
I'll be posting much more on that in the near future (but for now - go Empire!).
In particular I wanted to talk now about some different ways of gaming that I've discovered recently that have helped this time poor individual get some games in.
The first is VASSAL, an online wargame/boardgame simulater. I first discovered this program years ago when I was looking into playing Games Workshop games online - back then I found the system a little clunky, but for a game like X-Wing (where movement is more precisely controlled it) the system works unbelievably well.
If you're even slightly interested in X-Wing the game, you must check it out.
The second discovery I've made more recently is the OCTGN system. Similar to VASSAL, but focussing more on cardgames, I've just exploring the game of 'Android: Netrunner', the cyber punk LCG produced by FFG.
I've been wanting to play this game for a long time now, but kept away from making the investment, knowing that I'd likely never justify the cost as I'd only rarely have a chance to play the game in person with the few friends I know who are in to it.
Both systems seem to have a gentleman's agreement with Fantasy Flight Games (who produce both X-Wing and Netrunner). From what I have seem, as long as certain text fields are not copied into the systems (i.e. you need to rely on your own cards) FFG have been happy enough not to fire off cease and desist orders.
It's a canny understanding on the part of FFG in relation to a section of their audience. For X-Wing in particular, I've spent much more money on their product (and played in various tournaments) after having used the VASSAL system to practice and learn the game - and I'm sure I just might not have ever jumped into the game so deeply otherwise.
I can imagine a similar thing happening with Netrunner.
So there's that.
In regards to the status of Imagined Realms generally, it's certainly not dead!
I'm looking to add greater original content (rather than just brief updates of things I like - though I'm sure that will continue, too). More articles (on these games as well as game design theory generally), more writing and painting.
As for all things Games Workshop...
Not much more to add than what I've written previously. The latest version of 40k was released just recently, but I've not really explored it at all. The game(s) and the company are really all over the place and without a major shakeup of things, I'm not sure I'll ever really enjoy it much as a competitive game.
But it's not all bad...the change to X-Wing has unchained me from the need to create and paint an army purely for play purposes and that's actually come as a great relief - now I can paint what I want to paint just for the sake of painting.
As such, I really want to get back to my Dark Eldar (which will probably be the only thing(s) I'll buy from GW in the near future when the army is inevitably redone).
And finally, slightly related to GW, but again as an indication of what I'd consider to be a missed opportunity on behalf of the company, check this out...the latest trailer for the Lord Inquisitor' movie.
Simply stunning...and it just drips with ADM dialogue. Hurray up and get it finished already!
Bye for now!
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