Well, you all asked for it, so here's the next update of what we've been busy
on here at the GZG Command Bunker.....
Following last week's release of the first Islamic Ships for FT, I've been
working hard on the next ship line; we're still not 100% sure whose ships
they'll be (wavering between calling them UN or Japanese at the moment, with
the Japs as the front runner....), but the first few classes are now
in pre-production mould stage and will actually be in production and
available for sale in the next few days.
These latest ships are very "techno-brick" in style, and I'm very
pleased with them so far. The ones done so far are, I will freely admit, not
too
unlike some of the Jovian Chronicles ships in overall style - I've
definitely NOT copied their designs, but I have certainly been inspired by the
general configurations (to about the same degree, I guess, as a B5 Star Fury
could be said to be the same general configuration as a Star Wars
X-wing....); these look very "realistic" ships, with modular (and
interchangeable) sections for forward hulls, weapon and sensor booms,
reaction mass/cargo modules and drive units. We (and you) should be able
to make a very large number of variations from mixing and matching various
parts from the classes (and yes, they WILL be easy to assemble...
<grin>).
When they are fully available I'll post a list, code numbers and prices
-
we may even have decided whose ships they are by then!!
(BTW, there will be more Islamics very soon.....)
> -----Original Message-----
> these look very "realistic" ships, with modular (and
<cartman> sweeeeeet!
</cartman>
Could you throw in a few with rotational sections (kinda like the JC ships).
I would *love* to have some not-JC ships - seeing that DP9 prolly won't
be making any.
-DM
St^3 Jon said:
> Well, you all asked for it, so here's the next update of
(snip) these look very "realistic" ships, with modular (and
> interchangeable) sections for forward hulls, weapon and
Oh, you mean they're ALARISHI ships! Good!
> -----Original Message-----
I avoided centrifuge sections for two reasons: 1) the FT background has
artificial grav, and ships using centrifuges would be well obsolete in the
timeline, 2) I didn't want to make them TOO close to the JC ideas - I've
always got on quite well with the DP9 guys in correspondance, I like their
products a lot and I didn't want to infringe on their designs - though
the overall concepts are just too nice not to do! I'd be only too happy to see
DP9 do some JC ship minis, 'cos I'd love some myself - though with all
the hassle they've had with RAFM over the HG stuff I don't know who they'd get
to do them.
That said, some rotational habitat modules would be very easy to add to many
of the ships....
> >Could you throw in a few with rotational sections (kinda like the JC
Maybe you could do the ship designs for DP9 :-)
Enjoy,
> At 04:04 PM 10/19/99 -0500, Danny M. Moody wrote:
> Could you throw in a few with rotational sections (kinda like the JC
Actually, with the release of the Lightning Strike game for Jovian
Chronicles there ARE a set of 1/5000 scale ships in the planning stages.
They'd probably be resin, or at least that's what Mark Vezina has mentioned on
the JCML, but they'll probably end up in the same general size class as the FT
ships. They won't be out for awhile (DP9 is doing a major adjustment
of its in-house mini production lines, trying to reduce costs) but
they're in the works.
As far as doing not-JC ships (as opposed to ones that vaguely follow the
design principles), I think Senor Tuffley is wise to stay away from that.
Making similar representations of ships from movies and comics is quite
different from infringing on another gaming company's "turf." Especially when
there's a high likelihood that the Pod will be coming out with their own
stuff.
The new ships sound good ("techno brick," huh?) but I'd like to suggest that
they be UN ships instead of Japanese. I've always envisioned the Japanese
fleet as streamlined and high-tech instead of boxy, something with a bit
of panache. Similar to the FSE cruisers, perhaps. I like the NSL and similar
looking ships, but they're way too bulky to be Japanese.:) Anyway, that's just
my take on the matter.
Has anyone ever noticed that one Jon Tuffley is credited as a Special Advisor
in the Tactical Fild Support book for DP9's Heavy Gear? I seem to recall this
name popping up elsewhere in the book as a "renowned Terra Novan tactician" as
well... Coincidence? I think not...
Given the wealth of Human vs Kra'Vak (and other Xeno's) gaming going on at the
moment I'd have to plead for UN since they seem to be the ones making most
First Contact.
So please UN over Japanese...
Owen
> -----Original Message-----
Yes, please please, I need some UNSC ships to support my UN troops.
Slim
[quoted original message omitted]
> At 4:04 PM -0500 10/19/99, Moody, Danny M. wrote:
I liek the idea of relatively near future ships. Possibly part of a 'Solar
Thrust' line perhaps; big honking reaction drives, rotational sections, etc. I
do hope DP9 does their own, maybe if Lightning Strike does well they'll
reconsider (nb, LS works at a very different level of abstraction from
anything else I've seen, so the oddities (like their pseudo vector system,
which can be removed) are consistent with the internal model.
My vote is for UNSC ships as well. I too have envisioned the Japanese
ships with a sleaker, almost anime look, much like their infantry. I mean,
only anime girls where pigtails in uniform
Eli
> From: Simon LeRay-Meyer <sleray-meyer@vicdairy.vic.gov.au>
> Ground Zero Games wrote:
Awwwwwww.... I need SOMETHING to play Lightning Strike with until DP9 gets off
its collective arse and starts casting again.
> but I have certainly been inspired by
<grin>).
It's about time to. I've always thought that the one thing that spaceship
miniatures needed were decent "low tech" ships for those of us who want to
game in a more "realistic" era. I can't wait to see what they look like.
> When they are fully available I'll post a list, code numbers and
Heh heh.... You are going to bankrupt me Jon. Oh well... what did I do with
that VISA card.
> Ground Zero Games wrote:
> That said, some rotational habitat modules would be very easy to add
If I recall correctly, RAFM had a research ship for their Traveller line that
was merely a rotating ring habitat section with an engine in the center. I
would think that those who could track these figs down could easily adapt them
to the new miniatures. Does anyone else have a similar modeling suggestion?
> Michael Llaneza wrote:
I'd love to see an old fashioned solar sail vessel. Maybe with a
vacu-formed sail. Perfect for the ages-old generation ship filled with
20-th century humans that happened to get lost along the way.
Tom
> "Mark A. Siefert" wrote:
Sort of. It actually looks more like just a ring than a rotating ring. (to me
at least) I can post a photo of mine is anybody wants to see what it looks
like...
Tom
> trapper wrote:
I'd like to second (third? fourth?) that sentiment.
> I've always envisioned the Japanese fleet as streamlined and high-tech
> instead of boxy, something with a bit of panache. Similar to the FSE
Perhaps some variation on the elipsoid-looking ships from Star Wars?
(escape-from-Hoth ship from ESB and part of the fleet in RoTJ)
Interesting designs, and very sleek looking. Plus they'd have other
uses...
Tom
> These latest ships are very "techno-brick" in style [...]; these look
> very "realistic" ships, with modular (and interchangeable) sections for
> forward hulls, weapon and sensor booms, reaction mass/cargo modules and
> drive units. We (and you) should be able to make a very large number of
> variations from mixing and matching various parts from the classes (and
> yes, they WILL be easy to assemble... <grin>). <
I agree we need UN ships, and I'd like to see/get some UN ships, be it
these or another design scheme (I'm partial to some of the Brigade minis
that I've seen as being UN ships - esp the Sharon Class light cruiser,
which I need to get some of! - as they seem to have a nice mix of basic
NSL, NAC, FSE, ESU design philosophies going through their ships, with some
other design types thrown in for good measure). I think that the UN industrial
base will have grown fairly rapidly in the interim from when they were
borrowing ships from other powers to current. But that's my opinion.:) I'm
just surprised that since the IF have gotten their own
line of ships Noam hasn't piped up clamboring for NI ships... ;-)
Mk
> I agree we need UN ships, and I'd like to see/get some UN ships, be it
In that case, we await your order ;-)
> I think that the UN
That's because Noam already has a large fleet of Brigade SemFed stuff (see his
excellent NI page for lots of nice pics). BTW, Noam, I've finally
finished the Rabin Dreadnought - release data 15th November.
> On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 22:04:28 +0100 Ground Zero Games
Yes, I agree - I think I'm now leaning towards UNSC myself for this
range, partly because I've got some other ideas for the Jap navy, much more
"Ninja Rocketship" style.....
BTW, in case anyone didn't realise, the descriptions "Techno Brick" and "Ninja
Rocketship" were coined by RTG in one of their Mekton books, to
describe the two main styles of spaceship found in Anime - the Techno
Brick is the unstreamilned, "realistic" style with bits all over it ( Legend
of the Galactic Heroes etc.) while the Ninja Rocketship is Space Cruiser
Yamato, Harlock's Arcadia etc.....
So, suggestions for some class names for the UNSC fleet....?
> On 20-Oct-99 at 09:05, Ground Zero Games (jon@gzero.dungeon.com) wrote:
and
> "Ninja Rocketship" were coined by RTG in one of their Mekton books, to
Korea, first ship of class, MacArthur.
Pick a UN military action (not necessarily successful, you learn more from
your mistakes) and name the class that, pick soldiers in the action for ship
names.
The Traveller ship was the lab ship. It had a small launch in the center
docking ring. This would be a good source for kit-bashing a rotating
section for your mini. RAFM also had a Traveller modular clipper which you
could customize with parts like weapons and cargo modules. It had a long body
with a connecting spine section along the top. It reminded of the Eagle design
and I have been modifying one for use in my Space:1999 scenario.
Mike
Michael Miserendino Senior Software Engineer Lincoln Re mtmiserendino@lnc.com
> owner-gzg-l@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU at internet 10/19 10:45 PM >>>
> That said, some rotational habitat modules would be very easy to add
If I recall correctly, RAFM had a research ship for their Traveller line that
was merely a rotating ring habitat section with an engine in the center. I
would think that those who could track these figs down could easily adapt them
to the new miniatures. Does anyone else have a similar modeling suggestion?
> So, suggestions for some class names for the UNSC fleet....?
One obvious (bad) one would be Boutros Boutros Galley class.
So what about famous UN leaders, police actions, and diplomats?
> Ground Zero Games wrote:
How about a set of themed names based on their (supposed) missions?
Mercy Freedom Peacekeeper Justice Independance
...and for when the peaceful solution doesn't work: Retribution class
Battleship
Tom
> > So, suggestions for some class names for the UNSC fleet....?
How about Nobel peace prize winners? OK, strictly speaking the Nobel
organisation is independant but the sentiment is very UNSC.
Or the Secretary-General Class ?
> So, suggestions for some class names for the UNSC fleet....?
Well, the UNSC survey cruisers are named after SF writers, so why not continue
the theme with classes named after famouse composers, artists, diplomats,
athletes, scientists, etc. representing the best
of human achievement - very fitting for the UN.
I would drop Mercy. Everything else sounds very fitting.
Mike
Michael Miserendino Senior Software Engineer Lincoln Re mtmiserendino@lnc.com
> owner-gzg-l@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU at internet 10/20 8:23 AM >>>
How about a set of themed names based on their (supposed) missions?
Mercy Freedom Peacekeeper Justice Independance
...and for when the peaceful solution doesn't work: Retribution class
Battleship
Tom
> Michael T Miserendino wrote:
I was thinking for a hospital ship or similar... I agree that it doesn't
sounds like a good name for a warship.
Tom
> Indy wrote:
> I'm just surprised that since the IF have gotten their own
Oh I am. - Personally I'd like the Brigade Semfed Minis (if not their
backstory) to be [officially] recognized as the ships (not to mention ground
units) for New Israel. Several reasons: 1) They're excellent minis and IMO
belong in the ft universe; 2) Having NI taken care of would allow Jon to flesh
out other fleets; 3) Having the 'official' NI fleet would boost business for
Brigade and avoid competition between Brigade and GZG (which
Brigade would lose (IMO - outside of SFSFW) unless it renamed their
minis); 4) It would save me from having to buy another NI fleet (and repaint
my
current Brigade ships as something else). At least reasons 1-3 are
potentially serious things to think about.
No Mercy?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
-----
Brian Bell bkb@beol.net
-----
> -----Original Message-----
Gotcha. I agree for a Hospital ship. I was thinking they were all warships.
Mike
Michael Miserendino Senior Software Engineer Lincoln Re mtmiserendino@lnc.com
> owner-gzg-l@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU at internet 10/20 9:34 AM >>>
I was thinking for a hospital ship or similar... I agree that it doesn't
sounds like a good name for a warship.
Tom
> "Izenberg, Noam" wrote:
to be
> [officially] recognized as the ships (not to mention ground units) for
I'd like to second this request. I don't know if there are any other
considerations (being businesses and all) but it would be nice to see...
Tom
> Thomas Pope wrote:
> "I'd like to second this request. I don't know if there are any other
Brigade isn't a business, it's a hobby. Businesses make money, Brigade doesn't
... :-(
> Personally I'd like the Brigade Semfed Minis (if not their backstory)
to be
> [officially] recognized as the ships (not to mention ground units)
for New
> Israel.
I have to add a "me too" to this. Not only are the minis VERY cool, but
they're good people as well.
Plus it saves someone alot of sculpting.
On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 22:04:28 +0100 Ground Zero Games
> <jon@gzero.dungeon.com> wrote:
> These latest ships are very "techno-brick" in style [...]; these look
This sounds very UNSC-ish to me, rather than Japanese. Given the UN
forces' need to recruit from the major powers, and their relatively small
industrial base (I think), the modular route would be a good way for them to
go. I'm looking forward to seeing these (and maybe buying
some -- oh, my aching bank balance....), but preferably as UN ships.
Besides, with the advent of the Kra'Vak, I think we _need_ UNSC ships
rather than Japanese.
Phil
All I can say is, name them after great peacemakers and diplomats? I assume
this is still the primary role of the UNSC.
Eli
> From: Ground Zero Games <jon@gzero.dungeon.com>
> At 07:45 AM 10/20/99 -0400, you wrote:
> cruisers, perhaps. I like the NSL and similar looking ships, but
I've gotta go with the list on this one. I always thought of the Japanese
fleet as looking very sleek and, well, anime like. Another excuse to plug my
teeny, tiney little web site. I've got an image of my (one!) Japanese ship,
it's a RAFM ship that's being sold as a Silent Death fig, but was originally a
Traveller:The New Era design. Anyway, here's the URL:
> At 03:44 PM 10/20/99 -0600, Don wrote:
> matter.
Actually... I don't know if anyone else likes the idea, I like the ship
designs used in the intro to the Emperor of the Fading Suns copmuter game, and
was mildly upset when the ship designs produced for their ship combat game
looked nothing like 'em. The ships are very much in the style of seagoing
ships in space, though much curvier... the BBs and DNs also have wave motion
guns (or whatever) on the front. I can prolly pull some images from the intro
movie if anyone wants to see them... I'm not sure they'd be
*that* suitable for IJN (unless you really want to go Yamato-style) but
I would like to see minis of those ships.
The new mini looks great, BTW!
> On Wed, 20 Oct 1999, Tom McCarthy wrote:
> >So, suggestions for some class names for the UNSC fleet....?
So the crew would be Galley slaves? <ducks, quickly>
> So what about famous UN leaders, police actions, and diplomats ?
Probably too controversial. I like the geographic/astronomical system,
personally.
UNS Mars SDN, with escort DDs UNS Phobos & UNS Diemos...
> Brian Burger wrote:
> UNS Mars SDN, with escort DDs UNS Phobos & UNS Diemos...
I like that one. Bigger class ships = bigger planets? In the same as the Koran
class ships we were talking about a while ago, would you want an 'Earth' and
'Moon' class ships?
TTFN
Jon
I second this motion! I looked all day for your site yesterday (I found it by
accident 3 times on Tuesday) to point to the Japanese fighter you have
displayed. Jon T., I think that this would be a good picture for inspiration
when you
design the Japanese ships. This is _EXACTLY_ what I pictured for the
Japanese (just put a trigger on the lower part and it looks like a gun used by
a Mech). The ship pictured could be a destroyer or cruiser depending on
its size. The contoured and radial-beveled design is the way to go with
the
Japanese fleet. It seems to combine a sense of artistic/elegance with
deadly functionality.
When you do get around to doing the LLAR, I would think that it may be worth
it to investigate a fleet doctrine based on carriers (micro-mega).
-----
Brian Bell
brian_bell@dscc.dla.mil
bkb@beol.net
http://members.xoom.com/rlyehable/ft/
-----
> -----Original Message-----
Japanese
> ship, it's a RAFM ship that's being sold as a Silent Death fig, but
> Don
> On Wed, Oct 20, 1999 at 03:44:58PM -0600, Don Greenfield wrote:
Japanese
> ship, it's a RAFM ship that's being sold as a Silent Death fig, but
I love that figure. I've got a few of them painted in
battleship grey -- plain and boring, but effective. I've always
figured them for spinal mount designs -- they even have little
ports/barrels on the nose.
> "Robert A. Crawford" wrote:
Japanese
> > ship, it's a RAFM ship that's being sold as a Silent Death fig, but
Could either of you tell me the ID number of this miniature? I might have to
pick up a few myself...
Thanks
Tom
I believe that this figure is sold as the Javelin. I have 3 of these ships
in one of my very "non-FT canon" fleets - my Juraiian fleet with all of
the ships named after characters from the anime Tenchi Muyo.
> ----------
Japanese
> > ship, it's a RAFM ship that's being sold as a Silent Death fig, but
> Tony Francis wrote:
> Or the Secretary-General Class ?
Eleanor Roosevelt (OK,so she wasn't Secretary General, but she did a lot to
found the UN) Dag Hammarskjold Trygve Lye Koffi Annan Akbar Munami Bjork
Rakanovich Adman Kunarian Abdulai Idrisu Lee Kim Sung
Jean-Paul Funetre
etc etc Of course, some of the above haven't been born yet....
> At 06:57 AM 10/21/99 -0400, Brian wrote:
This would be...interesting. I haven't picked out a star for my Free State
star nation, but I always thought that their primary enemy would be
the LLAR. Since the Free State has *their* fleet based on (micro-)
carriers, I can see that there'd be a lot of dogfighting going on. Kind of
ironic, for a battleship man. Heh.