http://www.kickstarter.com/projects...toys-science-fiction-wargaming-acces?ref=city
https://www.facebook.com/pdc.gaming is a link to our Facebook page where we will be posting the most detail of the development of this project (since you can't link from the info tab to a business page)
The biggest decision we had to make was exactly what to offer the Kickstarter process.
Dave, Rhys and I are lifelong gamers. We love customising our models and are always frustrated by the difficulty (and cost!) of obtaining those extra bits that we'd all like to get hold of to make our models either correct to game what-you-see-is-what-you-get or simply to add bling.
Resin parts can be good but a lot of what's available is of poor quality and even the good stuff isn't as easy to use as actual plastic components.
Made from the same plastic as most common wargaming figures these accessories are intended to fit seamlessly into a variety of different gaming universes.
So when we sat down to discuss how we'd apply our existing design, development and production capabilities to our hobby- this Kickstarter project is the result.
We've created a selection of component sprues that are intended to be generic for 28mm sci-fi gaming - and from trials appear to work well with all the leading brands.
Extra point of note -
- All the plastic we use is recycled (including a lot from old model sprues!?)
- And we welcome the return of our own sprues to go back into the process!
Small scale production trials on our Ultra prototyper @ PDC
The £10,000 funding target allows us to lay down three accessory tools, which are:
We've improved the design from the prototypes making the mould process better - during our development we even had time to mould clear weapons... not sure when they'd be used though...
- The combined assault weapons sprue - 5 each of the flamethrower, microwave and plasma hybrid weapons (as piloted in our prototype tool)
The production sprue will also feature a few extras - targetters, scopes, scanners etc.
Hmmm - not sure what we can do with these parts....
- The heavy weapons sprue - 5 different types of large calibre / high power smack down
CAD models of the heavy weapons
The heavy weapons will be modular allowing for the maximum variety on one sprue
We have prototype sprues of the combined weapons ready to ship...
- The tracked weapons platform sprue -Dave's multi-role, mobile gun and technology carraige...
Tracked platform CAD
The REALLY big tracker alongside the actual scale model - with some minis from different game systems to demonstrate scale of the actual unit
Painted prototype tracked units...
Eventually we'd like to have a range of low-cost accessories for both sci-fi and fantasy gaming. To broaden the offering in this launch we've got a few extra designs we'd like to offer as finished product if we achieve extra funding... so we have....
If funding hits £12,500 we'll be able to add the close combat sprue to the range - featuring all those powered weapons and sharp sticks that come in so handy when hand to hand fighting is required...
- Stretch Goal One:
PDC's giant brick men (another story!) play testing the 2-handed hammers (at 1:6 scale!?)
Like the heavy weapons the hand to hand sprue will feature "pic'n'mix" shafts, blades, axes mauls and hammers - allowing for lots of different combinations to suit individual minis.
Handles, shafts and heads are all interchangeable
At £15,000 of funding the jet bike can be produced! A pretty unique item, which we'd all like to see made... so we really hope we get here...
- Stretch goal Two:
The fabled Jet Bike Development....
The sprue will have the bike, scenic base and various weapon options….
And for the future...?
After the launch - All the sprues will be available for individual purchase at a price of £7 per sprue (including postage in the UK, £2 shipping per order to Europe & the US, elsewhere postage will be at cost) through our website www.pdcgaming.co.uk
[h=3]Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter[/h] David and I are from a plastic product development company - which happens to include a fair number of gamers...
Before we even considered running a Kickstarter project we created the designs in 3D CAD, used our 3D printing equipment to get the look "just right" and then went on to make a prototype tool to finally ensure that the whole process was completely sound.
Unlike some KS projects this idea has gone through the same rigorous develpment process that we apply to "serious" (I know, our gaming is serious too 🙂 ) engineering projects (ie we've designed hydraulic valves, medical devices and numerous aerospace components).
We've used computer simulation to check that the plastic will flow to fill the tool; 3D prints to check look, size and over-all "coolness" and carried out direct user investigation to establish what type of accessories people would like to see.
We even have a "bricks'n'mortar" base - complete with all the equipment to deliver the project output!
As for the end-user fulfillment Rhys's gaming store cunningly has extensive experience in packing and shipping - the delivery of the finished goods will be in his capable hands!
So.... what could go wrong? In injection moulding tools do break... this is probably the worst thing (and is very rare indeed, I would add) that can happen but we have enough time (and funds) in the project to rebuild a tool if we do hit that level of snag!
Other than that the actual delivery of the project is fairly mundane - it's the kind of thing we do all the time for other people in our day jobs - we're just doing it for our hobby now!?
[h=3]FAQ[/h] Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
Ask a question
Report this project to Kickstarter
[h=5]250
Backers[/h] [h=5]£5,971
pledged of £10,000 goal[/h] [h=5]11
days to go[/h]
Back This Project £1 minimum pledge
This project will only be funded if at least £10,000 is pledged by Sunday Jun 2, 6:54pm EDT.
Funding period
May 3, 2013 - Jun 2, 2013 (30 days)
[h=6]Project by[/h] [h=5]PDC Gaming[/h] Winchester, United Kingdom Contact me
See full bio
- First created · 1 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: pdcgaming.co.uk
- [h=5]Pledge £1 or more[/h] 5 backers
"What a great idea" - Your name will be included in the honour roll and you'll know you've helped bring a really nice gaming project one step closer to realisation!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013
- [h=5]Pledge £4 or more[/h] 1 backer
A single sprue of your choice!?
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £10 or more[/h] 2 backers
"The main event" (ME) - your choice of three of the accessory sprues produced - and yes, if the goal is reached that could mean three tracked gun platforms or jet bikes!? And of course your name will be inscribed for posterity on the honour roll!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £10 or more[/h] 108 backers Limited (92 of 200 left)
"The Early Bird Bonus" (EBB) - everything in the main event PLUS one of the prototype moulded combined assault weapon sprues will be despatched to you as soon as the project is funded!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £15 or more[/h] 31 backers
"The Main Event but Bigger" (MEBB) - Everything in the main event PLUS your choice of any two more sprues from the range (ie five weapons platforms for £15)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £20 or more[/h] 50 backers All gone!
"The Bigger Early Bird" (BEB)- Everything in the MEBB PLUS TWO sprues from the prototype moulded combined assault weapon tooling shipped as soon as we launch... ie Five sprues of your choice and thirty combined assault weapons... nice.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £30 or more[/h] 21 backers
By request from various people: 10 sprues of your choice
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £4 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £50 or more[/h] 10 backers All gone!
"The Gold Standard" (GS) - Everything in the Bigger Early Bird - PLUS your choice of three more sprues PLUS you will receive one of our 3D printed Master Prototypes, with certificate of authenticity within 4 weeks of project launch!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £50 or more[/h] 5 backers Limited (15 of 20 left)
Eight sprues of your choice + 2 prototype rifle sprues (available on launch) PLUS a 4x limited edition 3D printed rifle and stand with a personalized plaque (see pic in update 4 - these will be available one month after launch)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £2 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £55 or more[/h] 9 backers
By request (again!?!): 20 sprues of your choice
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £8 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £100 or more[/h] 5 backers All gone!
A VERY BIG GUN - Everything in the gold standard... plus one of our giant weapons platforms - ie 2 prototype sprues, 8 production sprues of your choice, a master prototype from our development team AND one of only 6 giant gun tracks that will ever be produced (the 1st is on display at PDC Towers...)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
Add £10 to ship outside the UK
- [h=5]Pledge £250 or more[/h] 2 backers All gone!
A trip to PDC Towers in Winchester. You'll get everything in the Gold Standard plus you and a guest will have lunch with the design team, see how parts are modelled and manufactured and you can join in a creative meeting where modelling ideas and possible future projects are discussed. You'll also get to take away a goody bag of prototypes and personalised 3d models to commemorate your visit.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
- [h=5]Pledge £500 or more[/h] 0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
This one is for serious developers - 2 day consultancy with PDC Gaming - to include review & analysis of your CAD, suggested tool layout, tool costs and 250g of 3D printed material to used creating hi-res 3D models of your design. We can also assist with manufacturing and distribution cost calculations as well as processing and material selection. This can take place with you visiting PDC Towers, or we can come to you (you pay our travel expenses) or as is normal in design reviews we carry out the work by phone and e-mail. And you'll get 10 sprues of your choice as well...
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013
