….
I got nothing
No fancy intro, lots of news from all the usual folk, I’m off to play the latest Ready or Not update.
As always, thanks to the News Fans and other patrons over on the ChargeBlog patreon for buying my time to make this wrap-up each week. If you like these roundups and find them useful, why not chip in on the Patreon?
Spectre Miniatures Adds New Tutorials And Goes Behind The Scenes
Spectre Miniatures kicked off last week with a few extra tutorial videos covering Spectre Operations V3. The new videos cover Sustained fire, AoE weapons, Bounding Fire and Smoke. These mechanics are pretty common in the game, so it’s good to get more walkthroughs directly from the developer. The full playlist is embedded above (starting with the first new video) or can be found on YouTube.
Spectre also showed off some more of the research that goes into sculpting the figures. On the Spectre blog, Steve goes over an interesting aspect of not just gathering background research but actually gaining some understanding of how the weapons and gear you’re sculpting would actually feel to use (advice given by the Perry Twins). As part of expanding his knowledge, Steve went on a firearms training course run by KnightRose Resources Limited led by Jay from GBRS Group. The blog post is definitely worth a read and from what I understand the work is already going to use with the upcoming updated SAS models coming soon.
(To editorialise for a moment – the best Ultramodern figures are those that combine passion about the time period and research to understand the fine details. It’s unlikely a figure sculptor is going off to get into combat directly, but this level of research is going to help.)
But of course, it wouldn’t be a week without Spectre dropping a miniatures preview and today we got a preview from the painter of the upcoming Local Forces. At first, there isn’t a huge difference (nothing close to the complete overhaul of the Crisis Response team) but a closer look shows off a few minor changes – the figure on the left now has a chest strap for his rucksack, while the RPK on the right has had its mag swapped from 7.62×39 to 5.45×39 (aligning him with the rest of the squad in terms of ammo type). Finally, both figures have received some kneepads. This is a very recent set to be remastered so I’ll be intrigued to see how this update affects those who bought the pack recently, especially as STLs.
BobMack3d’s World Revolution Storming Ahead
Bobmack3d‘s latest Kickstarter is still rolling on and doing absolute gangbusters. We’re currently at almost $18,000 in pledges, meaning we’ve stormed through the stretch goals, including the T-55AM shown above (as well as the T-55AMV for all the ERA fans). We actually only have two goals left – the Forward Air Control at $18,000 and the early model T-72 Ural at $20,000. I think this set has done so well based on the early time period of the Cold War, giving plenty of vehicles for everything from Team Yankee to the wild world of Post-Colonial conflicts worldwide.
To help show off what you’re going to be getting as part of the Kickstarter, Bobmack3d has released a video covering the differences between the stowed and unstowed vehicles in the pack. If you’re wanting to get your hands on the vehicles shown, the Kickstarter is open for five more day, so jump in quick if you want your own set of vehicles for the World Revolution.
FireModernCombatWargame Shows Off US Army Rangers
Fire! Modern Combat Wargame is getting close to its Kickstarter coming out soon. However, we have had another preview from them, showing off more of their modern-day US Army Rangers. As you can see, these guys are all rolling the latest guns from SIG, as well as all the high-speed operator clothing you’d expect. I can’t wait to see the rest of the figures, so keep an eye on their Instagram. Additionally, you should take a look at their YouTube page as well!
The Solo Wargamer Prepares To Release Haywire 2.0
The Solo Wargamer has been hard at work on Version 2 of his ruleset Haywire. This update covers a heck of a lot, from updating the cards included to be easier to use on the tabletop, to adding a whole host of new features such as vehicles. You can expect a full overview once the updated version releases, but for now, I recommend keeping an eye on the Facebook Group or Haywire Discord, as well as the YouTube channel.
Black Powder Red Earth Visiting Alexandria in August
If you’re wanting to give BPRE28mm a go and live close to Alexandria, Virginia then good news! Echelon Software, the guys behind Black Powder Red Earth, will be attending the Summer Bash at Your Hobby Place on August 17th. They will be bringing along the latest version of the game to run some demos, sign copies of the books and talk about all things BPRE.
Enemy Spotted Studios Dropping Ski-Mask Agents For Next Month’s Tribes Release
Enemy Spotted Studios last week announced what members of the Tribe on MMF will be receiving in August – ski-mask-wearing fighters! These guys are armed with a mix of Russian guns, as well as load-bearing gear and (of course) all wearing ski masks to hide their identities. These figures will be out at the start of the month, so definitely worth signing up if you want these guys in your collection.
Black Hills Games Previews July’s Bundeswehr Airborne
Black Hills Games has shown off the first photo from this month’s release – Bundeswehr Airborne. These guys combine the old-school German cool of the G36 with the more modern look (Gen 3 combat gear and plate carriers). This release is going to be the initial set, giving you a set of infantry and a machine gunner with the MG4. There is also going to be swappable heads, including one with a high-cut helmet. This set is going to be coming out by the end of the month, and will then be released on the Black Hills Games Gumroad at a similar time.
Combat Octopus Previews August Sharpshooters
Combat Octopus has reached the end of the month with a release 100% good to go. He even managed to upload the preview beforehand, giving us a hint of what’s going to be included. Two male operators in light gear and a chest rig, a female operator dressed the same and a female operator that would fit perfectly with the last released set. There are also a few interesting weapons among that release list, with both the high calibre firepower (with the M82) and the high volume firepower (with the MG5). I’m really looking forward to these guys, although I will need to actually get my act together and paint them up.
Modern Miniatures Previews August Release And Some Heavy Metal
Modern Miniatures has already prepared the renders for the August release. The DAGOR, complete with mounted Special Forces 50cal and a pile of modular add-on bits, such as the side boards, winch and stowage gear.
If you want the full experience, then going all-in will get you the crew set as well. Available both moulded into the seats and separate (ideal for mounting on Little Birds or Humvees), this set of four operators come with a set of modular heads. There is also an SF gunner model to sit up on the turret gun, which I’m sure is going to be used in several other vehicles from Modern Miniatures.
But wait! That’s not all Modern Miniatures is up to. Over on Discord, we got a preview for an upcoming project – a MENA T-62. The modular pieces also show off some of the additional items for the tank, including an improvised armour ring for the turret. No details for when this is rolling out, but we’ll find out soon enough.
Turnbase Miniatures Preview August Release
Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has shown off a preview of the upcoming set for August. As you can see from these two figures (and most importantly the beard/cap/knife combo) it looks like we’ll be getting a Ghost Recon Breakpoint-inspired team, using some of the high-tech gear that Turnbase has made in the past.
Checking the Patreon, the two previews that are being released only to Patrons give a little more of a hint as to what we’ll be seeing. Squinting through the blur, it looks like we’ll be getting another guy using the VHS-2.
Desk-Ops Offering 20% Gunslinger POD Through End of July
Friend of the site Desk-Ops is offering 20% off Gunslinger 2030 packs. However, this offer will only last until the end of July (yep this Wednesday) as the agreement allowing him to sell them ends when the clock strikes midnight. These sets give you a mix of forces, be it the Western Black Sector operators, the rough and tumble Kojoti mercenaries and multiple character sets. So if you’re interested in getting some of these guys printed for you, now is the best chance to get your hands on them.
If you want to support my work on gathering the news together, my Patreon is the best way to keep things going. With a minimal cost of £1 a month, every little helps to keep the news spigot flowing and to let me cover more of the suppliers out there.
Of course, if you are a REAL news fan, there is a brand new tier called, shockingly, News Fan. For £5 a month (or £1.25ish a news post), you can guarantee you’ll get your weekly dose of news updates.
If you think the news is only okay but would like to see me actually do something slightly more unique, you can join the ChargeReal Researchers. For only £7.50 a month, you’ll get to see first insight into the ongoing world of the ChargeReal, as I detail my fictional Ultramodern setting. Researchers will also get thanked in the final product as well as some input into the ongoing work such as suggesting ideas and providing feedback.
Leave a Reply