Tuesday 27 May 2014

The Path of Least Resistance

After finishing sculpting a bunch more crate cubes and rock markers for Robinson Crusoe: AotCI, I looked at the clock ...it was 2am. I still though felt enthused to make something else. I find the ever handy short cut seems to make it's way onto the board in many of my games - time to give it's token a makeover.

It'll cut the trip in half

A handful more pics can be found on the pimped RC:AotCI page.
Now though ...time for a nap.

:)

Sunday 25 May 2014

Deadman's Island

The fog is rolling in and the dead are rising. A group of courageous god-fearing folk must brave the haunted island and exorcise the evil within.

Consecrate the earth and banish the spirits

I've now created cross and fog markers for use in the 'Cursed Island' scenario of the Robinson Crusoe: AotCI boardgame.

I haven't attempted it yet ...so far I have just been sticking to the Castaways scenario ~ a great challenge; but I'll see if I can summon the courage and attempt to turn these vile undead.

The encroaching fog bank will make things difficult

Hallowed ground

Feel free to check out the rest of my pimped RC:AotCI.
Next on the list I'm thinking may be some busts for the character pawns. Hmmm ;)

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Circle of Life

I was finding the life tracks on the bottom of the player cards in Robinson Crusoe: AotCI a touch fiddly, so I decide I'd whip up some Life Spinners. Now I don't have to fret about knocking those little markers off the cards ...and can focus on gathering kippers for tea ;)

The life of a castaway

Yes, I am aware the morale arrows are in fact pointing the wrong way ... oops ;p
I'll be fixing that small error though, then submitting it to the RC:AotCI files area on the Board Game Geek shortly ~ so those who'd like to spin their castaway's lives away can print them out and do so.

Edit: These Spinners are now available for download on the 'Geek ;)
Polish language versions are available too,
as well as German language versions (kindly translated by 'Geek user plissk3n)

:)


Monday 19 May 2014

Goblinson Crusoe

I'm happy to say it's been a productive few days here ...in creating and gaming.
With nary a minute to spare, the goblins have been completed. Well, they still need a lick of varnish ...but hey. With very little help from myself (I just did a few tidies and the basing) my young lassie has now wrapped up her first commission. I must say she looks rather relieved the task is complete; those goblins, though they look quick and easy can actually be fiddly little blighters.

Focussed on the task at hand.

The usual suspects.

Lets hope they last at least one round on the battlefield.


A little further progress has been made on pimping my copy of Robinson Crusoe: AotCI.

It came to me that a great token tray addition would be one of those 'multi dish snack platters' made from wood. I trotted down to the local Briscoes, as I had a feeling I had seen something similar there.

I was in luck; they had some sweet 3-dish trays, and whattaya know ...they were on sale. I grabbed 4 of them for a meagre $14 dollars total! They are all pretty much hand-made so each is a little different giving them a good desert island vibe. And I must say, those nice smooth curved dish sides make retrieving the tokens very pleasant ;)

Whittle me a dish Friday.

I've also had a request from another 'Crusoe player for some custom tokens. So I've been busy hunting, catching fish and baking some goodies. I still have to gather some bananas and coconuts ... a bit of fresh fruit in the diet's always a good thing.

I'm currently making 4 sets worth of the custom playing pieces (food/wood/hides/markers). One has dibs on it already, but the other three will be available for purchase once complete.

Prices have not been set as of yet and the items are currently under construction ... but if you are interested feel free to leave a comment or pm me.

Mmmmmmmm... tasty.

Speaking of RC:AotCI, my wife and I had a fabulous game last night (actually it's been on the table for a couple of evenings). It was more like "Robinson Crusoe: Adventures at the Luxury Resort".

We were playing the first mission, "Castaways", and just couldn't believe how well it went. We managed to get the short cut and hatchet very early on, wove a basket and discovered new flock. Even with a couple of dubious events that rolled in later in the game we still managed a win in round 10! Our blazing bonfire signalling the passing ship the second it came into view. It was unheard of.

It was a stark comparison to the game we had had previously; where we had been plagued by non stop torrential rain, bug bites and infected wounds, and the loss of nearly all our items ~ on top of that, we all died in the final round in separate incidents ...I (the Explorer) slipped down a bank and fell to my death while exploring, Friday (also exploring) had an unfortunate adventure, and being on one life at the time, also came to a sticky end, then finally my wife (the Cook) succumbed to the elements as a final vicious storm tore through the camp.

Ahh .. I just love the way you never know what this game's going to throw at you ;)

A tropical resort indeed!

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Luckily we have a good mix of both here.

:)


Tuesday 13 May 2014

The Storyteller and the Goblins

With the encroaching arrival of the Teller of Tales, my daughter is having to pull finger and get to it. Partially my fault ..ok, mostly my fault, for not trimming them up with the knife & needle file and undercoating them ...sooner.

Eek ...The goblins are coming!

Anyway, a troop of devious Goblin Archers is now under way.
To keep her composed and the task progressing I touched up the odd drawing-outside-the-lines.
I also couldn't resist the goblin's charms and found I had to paint one myself ;)
And in a handful of hours over a couple of days 4 of 10 are complete ...sans basing.

It's the pointy bits that hurt the most

Pincushin' 'em boys!


She's pretty happy with herself :) ...so more green-skins on the horizon.

Saturday 10 May 2014

A Storm's a Brewin'

Another piece completed for good ol' Robinson Crusoe: AotCI; the Storm token.

Looks like it's coconuts on the menu ....again.


Feel free to check out more pics on the Pimp my Game ~ RC:AotCI page.
:)

More Killer Tables than a Rolemaster Rulebook

My birthday's coming up ...just saying ;p

The Visier; I'll have one in walnut, thanks.

Check it (and more amazing furniture for the discerning gamer) out at Geek Chic.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Like Rats from a Sinking Ship!

It's been a small season since my last post ...but I have not been (too) idle.

I've been busy play-testing the upcoming Mice and Mystics 'Downwood Tales' expansion.
Venturing beyond the castle walls (from the core game) the mice explore into the wilderness, facing a whole host of  unfamiliar enemies and challenges as they take on exciting new adventures ...also joined by new heroes to help them on their path.
It certainly's going to be a great addition to Mr Jerry Hawthorne's rodent packed adventure game.

I've also been pimping out one of my recent acquisitions, Robinson Crusoe ~ Adventures on the Cursed Island. A wonderfully fun game of survival ...well, maybe not so much fun for the castaways themselves.
Washed ashore after being shipwrecked, a group of one to four unfortunate individuals must do their best to prevent their demise while attempting to complete one of six included scenarios; ranging from trying to build a signal fire in hope of signalling a passing ship, to dealing with cannibals, to escaping from lava spewing volcanoes. You have to build shelter, a roof, a surrounding palisade, find food, hunt and fend of wild animals, create tools, explore your surroundings and deal with varying weather conditions.

It's a fully co-op game, and can be played solo (which is what I've been doing) and it is a fabulous solitaire game! Not easy, a very good challenge with plenty to think about. Just what you want in a solitaire board game ...well, at least I do.

The theme is strong with this one ..so it certainly was asking for a component upgrade.

Here's the upgraded 'Weapons' marker
...it was originally represented by a 8mm black plastic cube.
I think this is a little more suitable.