I thought I would do a general wrapping up post for the year. It has been a pretty interesting year, since sales were good overall, but not really in terms of new releases. It was mostly my older stuff carrying the day. I will say that the Renaissance infantry did come into its own towards the end. The second half of the year was kind of plagued by delays and complications, including the work needed to start fulfilling the Polyversal Kickstarter pledges.
Tentative 1Q 2017 release schedule + April: January – 15mm fantasy demons, 6mm Scifi New Terra preorder (supertank + friends March shipping at the latest) February – 6mm Fantasy Bugbear army March: Microwasteland release 2, 6mm Renaissance Italians (5 codes) April: Tons of Renaissance Cavalry
It is difficult to plan things working with different moldmakers and casters, the vagaries of sales and fund availability, but that is where my head is at right now. The Renaissance Cavalry could switch spots with MWL release 2, but I’m not sure yet. See below for a specific rundown of the various lines and future plans:
Microwasteland (MWL):
I have a bunch of stuff sculpted for expansion, and have some concepts in the pipe for next year for some heavy war rigs. Overall, I guess it is kind of a niche and there isn't a ton out for it yet, so it hasn't really caught on. Because of limited resources, I haven't really prioritized pushing the new stuff out, but the dry spell will end in the new year. Packs slated for release are as follows: Mutie Infantry set 2 Mutie Cavalry set 2 Mutie Hounds and handler Big Muties Wasteland War Tracks Denizens of the wasteland 1 (3 cars with crew) Denizens of the wasteland 2 (3 cars with crew) I expect the mutie expansion might do okay as proxies. I plan on rounding out the range with some modular monster trucks and war rigs, a few more medium pursuit vehicles, and some “Law” vehicles and personnel. After that, expansion will be dictated by sales.
6mm Scifi:
Modular supertank and friends will be released as the army of New Terra (because it is shorter to type than modular supertank and friends). These guys have been a bear to release, and were poised to come out weeks ago, except for a previously unidentified casting defect on the side missile sponsons. Basically, one missile was broken off, and looked like it was fired already. I was tempted to just release everything as is, but after putting so much money and time into it, I would rather everything come out perfect.
The replacement missile sponson has been ordered from the printers, and I’m hoping I can get squeezed in priority by the moldmaker, since it is 1 measly little part. Expect to see the entire line up for preorder in January 2017. In terms of other stuff, I am thinking about vehicles for the space rats, releasing a desert-themed space faction (infantry already sculpted), and I have all the concepts done for a scifi beastmen race I am calling the Dregs. I will preview the art in the coming days. No really solid release dates for any of this.
6mm Fantasy:
My main priority will be releasing the remaining standard fantasy archetype armies, as these are really what drives my sales. First up will obviously be all the remaining Renaissance stuff. Other things on the shortlist: Ratkin (sculpting well underway) Free Goblin Republic (large great goblins and truescale lesser non-hooded goblins, just waiting on the sculpting of the lesser goblins) Elven Kingdoms (concept art finished) Egyptian Undead (concept art finished) Lots of Monsters (art partially done) Undead expansion (art finished; Zombie Dragon, Revenant Giant, Death Knights foot and mounted, skeletal hounds, flesh golems, bone golems, new command pack, additional skeleton poses, armored skellies with xbow and halberd) Wood Elf Expansion (Elk cavalry, Druidess Elk Cavalry, Lord on GREAT eagle) In terms of standard archetypes, it really just leaves the Kingdom of Light army I have been planning for literally years. After that, I can start doing some really wacky stuff, but the priority is releasing the stuff above. 15mm Fantasy: I know, I know, kind of against the 6mm roots. I own a bunch of 15mm fantasy myself though, and I have a desire for some centerpieces and esoteric stuff. What good is a miniature company if you can’t indulge yourself once in a while? First releases should be out in January 2017, some demon infantry packs and a couple of super awesome resin centerpieces.
Other random stuff (not an exhaustive list, but some of the more salient points):
3mm scifi…I have been bitten by the bug. I am looking to do some really alien advanced tanks and such, since it seems they are lacking a bit right now. No idea on a timeline for that, beyond some soonish digital sculpting.
Fantasy Naval - my concept artist has expressed interest, and Spartan Gasmes has said they are not bringing back Uncharted Seas. I also felt the ships for that game were a bit big for my taste. Not sure if it will go into production next year, but will definitely be getting the art doine for the first 4 factions and some preliminary sculpting.
6mm Historicals – I plan on doing the entirety of the Bronze Age. It is actually a ton cheaper to release stuff for than fantasy, because less monsters and cavalry and such. I figured I can expand later with mythological elements as well. Again, no idea on timing.
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