Friday, December 1, 2017

Are You The Keymaster?


While Jakob was home for Thanksgiving break I asked him about his thoughts on this years Historicon. This can potentially be his last event for quite awhile as his summers will be spent interning through school.


Without hesitation he said I should go back to last years original idea of a Ghostbusters game. I had the ideas for a game pretty well set last year, but decided to attempt something more "historical" with Agent Carter (pulp WWII era) because it isn't a big secret that HMGS graybeards look on non-historical games with the big stink eye. And I totally get that. But it's also no big secret that HMGS conventions continue to get less and less attendees every year. So maybe it's time to not solely focus on the "H" and maybe more on the "M and G"?


Anyway, I decided to finish up my Dana Barrett and Louis Tully that I got from Crooked Dice awhile ago. Hands down, I have to say Crooked Dice are putting out some of the best figures with nods to film and television. Here is Dana after being possessed by Zual and has become the Gatekeeper. Too bad I can't get some kind of shimmering effect on the dress. Maybe I should try a bit of glitter?


And Louis, the former resident of 55 Central Park West (Rick Moranis was just brilliant in this role!), who was turned into Vinz Clortho - "I am Vinz, Vinz Clortho Keymaster of Gozer. During the rectification of the Vuldronaii, the Traveller came as a large and moving Torb! Then, during the third reconciliation of the last of the Meketrex Supplicants they chose a new form for him... that of a Giant Sloar! Many Shubs and Zulls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Sloar that day I can tell you."
The number of times I would say that at a party or gathering meeting new people, with my wife standing right there, and immediately she'd give me the "Really?" look. Good times :)


I'm not sure what the plan for Historicon is. I've got a monster purchase coming from 4Ground that could make for a jaw dropping visual experience that I'm super excited about :). There is a new Gangs of Rome game coming out that looks really good, and then of course there is Star Wars Legion releasing soon as well. And HMGS Super GM Miles Riedy and I tossed about possibly working together on something, though with him being on the east coast and me in the mid-west that may be quite a hurdle.
But I'm also sitting on the second and third parts of Agent Carter. I have all the pieces and parts for a Kelly's Hero's game, and I've got pirates waiting to be based... but ultimately this years Historicon is in Lancaster, PA and despite all the renovations to the hotel the convention is in is, well, let's just say it's less than desirable. So who knows what I'll do.

Until next time, thanks for looking!
Ivor

12 comments:

  1. Great paint-jobs, Ivor, and awesome quote!! Looking forward to the "4Ground" scenery arriving and seeing what you do with it :-)

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    1. Thanks! Pretty excited about the 4Ground purchase, it was my biggest ever :)

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  2. Love the Stay puff man Ivor you really need to get that guy on the gaming table mate, the one thing I knew would never hurt me :)

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    1. We used roast Stay-Puft marshmallows by the fire at Camp Wakonda!
      Ray has gone bye-bye :)

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  3. lol ... maybe the wife knew some of those Shubs and Zulls? Too funny ... my wife does the same thing (except she rolls her eyes). I think a Ghostbusters game would be really cool --- ignoring the latest movie it is very retro/cool IMO.

    I wasn't aware of the HMGS conventions getting smaller. We had a few years out here with lower attendance to the local cons ... but the last few have seen increases (mind you, they are a mix of boardgame/RGPs/miniatures). Has historicon been getting smaller? One thing I would say is that I know there are still a lot of historical miniatures gamers around where I am ... but in the last year or two it seems they are less inclined to bring their toys out to the conventions.

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    1. I agree, I think a GB game could be pretty fun - and absolutely not including anything from the train wreck that was the Paul Feig reboot lol!
      Every year attendance has decreased at Historicon, and there are people who blame it on the move to Fredericksburg. It's a complicated and chaotic issue - one look at any number of threads on TMP will show that (though TMP in and of its self is pretty awful, so take that as you will). I just think the conventions as a whole would be better if it changed to just "gaming" like you mentioned, seeing board games/RPGs/miniatures more would be a good thing. But I could only imagine the uproar that would bring about.

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    2. Interesting. I've not been paying any attention to TMP for a few months ... not for any particular reason ... just busy. I think it is difficult to get new people into the hobby if you just have miniatures conventions ... I like the combined events. If for no other reason that when I've finished playing miniatures I can play a light board game or do something else to change it up.

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    3. Not paying attention to TMP is a good thing lol! It's the Facebook of miniature gaming sites. I agree 100%, I'd much rather go to a combined event - I just think there is a fear of change from the established HMGS member, and part of me gets that, but something has to change if increasing attendance is a priority. A move back to where Historicon used to be (and mind you, ALL three major HMGS conventions are now being held at the exact same location) with the thinking that that will fix the attendance issues is a head scratcher to me.

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  4. If ever I wanted to get my better half actively involved in gaming (apart from the annual "Halloween Hi-jinx"), I always figured that all I'd have to do is include some mini's from either 'Back To The Future' or 'Ghostbusters' - and boy was I right!
    I've just shown her your photo's and she's flipped! :-)
    Excellent stuff Ivor!!!!!!!!
    (The only downside is that I'm now getting an earful of her favourite quotes from the movies!)

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    1. That's brilliant! You should draw some petty cash and take her out to dinner. You don't want to lose her :)

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  5. I say put the game that you want to run on. It's fun to get the nasty looks from the grumpy old guys at HMGS. Of course my HMGS games are always meticulously researched for historical accuracy. Yup, you'll never find a more exacting study of WW2 squad level tactics vs the dark gods of Egypt than "DAK and Dragons"
    :)

    Fight the power!

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    1. I do enjoy the way you thumb your nose at the establishment :) I can only imagine it'll be two thumbs this year, with a bigger and even better game!

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