Trailer for the animated WH40K: Ultramarines

I just found out that a trailer for Warhammer 40k: Ultramarines is available on Youtube.

Warhammer FRP 3rd edition now available in Hardcover format as well

Well, 'now' is a matter of speech. Most likely at Fall 2010.

Lots of 1st and 2nd edition players were a bit let down by the fact that 3rd edition were 'bits and chits' heavy. Now, FFG is offering a hardcover format, and 'chit lite' version as well, including a Players Guide, Dungeon Masters Guide, and a Besiary. All three books are supplemented by the Vaults version which includes the 'chits and bits'. Also, lots of new boxes are announced, such as a Dwarven box included dwarven specific careers and a dwarven adventure.

More information in the official news-post.

Blood Bowl card game, by FFG

FFG, currently my favorite game company, just announced...

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd edition

I finally took the plunge.

After a hiatus on painting warhamemr 40k, I decided to try the new RPG from Fantasyflight Games. I had no experience from the previous version, but I love what I have been reading from the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd edition so far. I love the PC's high mortality rate, and the subtle 'Call of Cthulhu' influences.

I have created a blog about my group's campaign, but unfortunately it's in Greek, so I suppose it will not interest a lot of you.

On a sidenote, I also purchased an indy RPG called Fiasco. It's fast, fun and DMless. You should search the net for some reviews and/or playtests. I find it revolutionary.

Ultramarine movie in the works

It seems a Space Marine movie is in the works according to The Movie Blog. Codex Pictures, the studio that brought Bionicle to animated life, plans to do the same for popular tabletop game Warhammer 40,000. Computer-animated Space Marines and Orks will do battle in their own DVD movie, Ultramarines.

News of the production of a movie was unveiled at UK Games Day, the biggest event in the Games Workshop calendar, on Sunday, September 27 2009.
Follow the progress of Ultramarines at www.ultramarinesthemovie.com
Besides rumours to this being a straight to DVD movie, there are also rumors that it's going to be CGI only movie, like the FF series or the latest Resident Evil movie.

Blood Bowl

No painting this week and I blame the release of Blood Bowl (for Windows) for the this. This game is very addictive. I predict the next week and the week after the next are going to be spent playing Bloodbowl and not painting. Anyway, since I am doing a bit of research on Blood Bowl articles, and a couple of friends are interested in those too, I thought I should make a list of them and post them here, so others can browse them as well.

Living Rulebook 5 edition (pdf)
Living Rulebook Proposed 6 edition (pdf) (I think this is used by Cyanide's PC version)
Lot's of strategies (general and race specific)
Blocking Techniques (The art of blocking pdf)
A plethora of Playbooks for all teams

For those that don't want to pay 50 euros for a game, you can try the free java version of Blood Bowl over at FUMBBL.

I also played my first two private league matches. It was serious fun. The risk of losing my players that I had just leveled tremendously added to the excitment. The league is a greek one called GBBL (Greek Blood Bowl League) and we are constantly looking for more members. Join up if you are interested. Password is 'gr'.

Ooh, some many computer game releases and news, so little time to paint.

Following the announcement of MechWarrior reboot (see previous blog post) which got me excited, I decided to buy the Blood Bowl PC game too. I had never played Blood Bowl before, but I always was interested in it.

It's really awesome, albeit a bit pricey at 50 euros for a digital download (I could also buy the DVD version, but I couldn't be bothered to visit the local mall). As I see it, the solo campaign is pretty OK, but the game really shines in Mutliplayer mode. You got an option for RTS mode and Turn based. I love turn based games, so that's what I prefer. The rules are very loyal to the current version of Blood Bowl (Living Rulebook 5th edition).

If you are interested in playing a few games with me, my coach name is 'plutonick'. I am also fervertly looking for more Greek players, and perhaps I might get a Greek league started!

New MechWarrior videogame in the works, and other news

This week has been pretty exciting for me and every Warhammer fan. More Spacehulk news surfaced, Planetstrike released, Warhammer Invasion card game announced. But I think BattleTech fans were the winners.

You see there hasn't been a BattleTech/MechWarrior game for 7 years. Last one released was MW4:Mercenaries in 2002. After then, development of a new game by MicroSoft was in development hell, and then abandoned altogether. Now, seven years later, their prayers have been answered. A MechWarrior reboot is currently in production at Smith and Tinker (current holder of MicroSoft/FASA Mechwarrior IP) and Piranha games. Yes, that's right, reboot. Instead of this game becoming MechWarrior 5, the developers have decided to completely re-launch the entire franchise, calling this new title MechWarrior.

Also in honor of BattleTech's 25th anniversary, Smith & Tinker has authorized MekTek.net and MekTek Studios to distribute MechWarrior 4 (along with its expansion packs) completely free.

Me, I am starting saving for a new PC and planning my annual leave accordingly.

More info and videos here: IGN

Conversion: Space Marine Bike to Chopper, part 3 (WIP)

Part 1
Part 2

Progress so far. I glued the Space Marine together, then glued the Space Marine to the fork, but did not glue the Space Marine nor the fork to the bike since I need figure out how to add the armour plate with the headlight to the fork. Also, I need to decide where to put the bolter. Either on the front wheel, on the fork or next to the exhaust pipes.


I didn't like how the original feet-holders (dunno how they are called) looked on the chopper bike. They are ok on the original bike, but look to blocky on a chopper. So I cut it out a bit and made it slimmer.


I am getting used to the extremely long fork and general look. Below are some pictures of the model so far, starting with a picture with extreme perspective (fits the general tone).


This is an picture angled so you can see the cockpit. I am kinda proud of how it turned out, considering I started painting models a month ago.


I am really getting obsessed with Space Marine converted bikes. I did some researching and found some truly inspiring pictures. The one I singled out was by Santa Cruz Warhammer (thanks for posting your comment!). I like how the fork is almost parallel to the ground. Reminds me of some anime/manga bikes (Akira?). I will definately try this on my next model.

Conversion: Space Marine Chopper bike - part 2

Here is part 1

I did some progress yesterday.

As seen from the first picture, I inserted a wedge below the fork. The wedge was made by cutting the frame of a sprue. Also, I created suspensions and rivets using and sculpting glue.



Finally tried painting the cockpit on the sprue.



Now, I am trying to decide where to glue the 'fog-light and armor' piece. I might not use this after all. Also the bolters are a bit tricky to place. I might place then on the left and right of the front wheel.