Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Unboxing videos and posts from around the web


I have a few things to cover in this post.

1)      The Forums are up Yay! The old forum suffered catastrophic failure due to my ISP changing database format without warning Boo! I suppose if I look on the bright side it means I will have a fresh start with the KS backers (I will send out invites to the private section of the forum when I have time to dedicate to game development)

2)      Updated instructions are now available in PDF format on the main product page of the website. This includes the updated Crusader instructions. You will also find them here in the bolg in the INSTRUCTIONS page (right hand column)

3)      If you are a retailer that is stocking DreamForge product, I would like to add you to my links. Please post a comment here and I will add your information. You don’t need a web presence, I am happy to add the address and phone numbers of brick and mortar locations.

I took a moment to use a little Google-fu and search for unboxing videos and builds. Here are a few that I was able to come up with so far, displayed in no particular order. I know I am missing some, I apologize if I overlooked your post; if you would like to be added, just post a comment to this story and I will update the links. And a BIG thank you for all those posting these!


 
Mordian 7th   Part1   Part 2   Part3
Reobeast    Part1  Part2   Part3

Games and life   Link

Between the Bolter and me   Link

Pick a damn army  Part1  Part2  Part3

Moon tank   Link

Warpstone pile  Link

Tabletop Online (German)   Link

A Gentalman's War   Link

Photos  Link


 And now for some YouTube action ;)

Warchild40k

 
 
 

 The Second Founding





Spikey Bits


 

Silver Skull Gamer

 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

REVISED LEVIATHAN CRUSADER INSTRUCTIONS

All changes have been made in bold red type and noted with a red circle. Without the CAD files I was unable to add in missing component renders but I did make notations as needed.

For PDF copy click here




Friday, February 15, 2013

My first build of the plastic Leviathan Crusader

I have built several resin kits but this is my first plastic Leviathan. I had a small hiccup with the instructions; one of the components was listed with the wrong part number… I emailed all the backers and posted an update for this step on my INSTRUCTIONS page.

 

The build was what I call a service grade, I cleaned up all the major tabs but did not go into spending time filling small seams or scraping every tiny parting line. It took about eight hours to complete… You do not want to approach this kit when you are short on time or having a bad day.

You will need:


A sharp Exacto knife to deal with the tab leftovers
A sprue cutter to remove the parts, but do not cut too close as the plastic will shrink back slightly; far better to trim it with the knife once it is off the sprue.
A small file will be helpful but is not required.

Model Cement; I prefer Testors orange tube (Please do not use superglue, the bond will be inferior)

 Some notes and thoughts:


The Capacitor Cooler and Excalibur sword options are permanent modifications to the base kit… You should choose what you want before gluing. You could get tricky by magnetizing for the capacitor coolers but that will take some work.
The screwdriver that comes with the kit is good for some of the areas, but the major joints, where you need a lot of tension created, you will need a larger screwdriver for better leverage.

Be careful about stripping the screw, if you over tighten you will strip the plastic part and end up with no way to add tension. Unfortunately there is no way to tell when this will happen… So use caution. I think the screws in the sword arm will be the easiest to strip, as they have the smallest teeth (threads).
Step 39: where you lock the legs into the ball joints: It is easier if you slide the cup over the ball joint and then insert the cup/ball into the leg socket. If you try to put the cup in the leg and then insert the hip ball joint you will need to use A LOT of force to get it to work ;) I tried it and decided to fish the cup out of the leg rather than attempt to force it.

As I stated earlier, there are some issues with the instructions. I will post an update ASAP but the worst of the issue is already noted on the instructions page in the link above.
Having built a few resin kits, this model was still a major departure, sure it looks the same but from an engineering and part design standpoint it is a very different kit. I spent twenty minutes just playing with poses and having fun… No way to do that with the resin kits. I was smiling ear to ear :)

Take your time, enjoy the build and I think you are going to love this kit.
 

Cheers!
Mark

Monday, February 11, 2013

DreamForge-Games Talent Search


DreamForge-Games is a small company located in California, we produce plastic miniatures for the tabletop gaming industry.

I started DreamForge-Games about twelve years ago with an eye to do something I enjoy and break my ties to the corporate grind. It has been a slow and sometimes tumultuous process but I have always approached this career choice with a passion. It is important to me to find individuals that share the same passion for what they do. In my humble opinion, you must enjoy what you are doing or the end result will not be equal to your potential.

As we step out into the gaming community with a larger number of products and begin to fully develop Iron Core the game, it becomes essential to form new relationships and contacts with other talented individuals.

With this in mind, I wanted to reach out to those who may be interested in working with me on a wide variety of subjects and disciplines.

Miniature - Model painters: Immediate need!

Creative and Technical writers:

Game designers:

Graphics designers:

Web designers - Flash animators.

2D Artists:

3D Artist:

 

If you like our vision or products and would like to be considered, please send your contact information to submissions@dreamforge-games.com

In your email, please take a moment to introduce yourself or your company.

What experience do you have that you feel would be applicable.

Examples or links to your work.

Expected compensation; your hourly or per piece or project rate.

I would ask for your understanding and patience in regards to our vetting and response to your submissions, my plate is full with current responsibilities but I look forward to discussing the current and future projects with you at the earliest possible convenience.

All the best!
Mark Mondragon
DreamForge-Games
http://dreamforge-games.com/
http://dreamforge-games.blogspot.com/

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What our customers think of the new DreamForge kits

This project is far from over and not without oversights and mistakes. There are a few things I wish we would have done differently and a few processes that I need to implement before we move to the next stage. Such are the realities for a small company building a relationship and process with another company a world away.

The Kickstarter orders are starting to make it into the hands of the backers, and the question is what do our customers have to say?
 

(Quotes pulled from Dakka Dakka, Facebook and the DreamForge Kickstarter page).

 “They are without a doubt the best plastic miniatures I have ever looked at or handled in my entire life of 32 years.
The level of detail is crazy. The level of customization is insane. The Leviathan just is absurdly amazing. A marvelous feat of engineering. Also retail is $120 on it. They will be available for preorder soon but only will ship after all KS backers have received theirs.

Dreamforge and Wargames Factory have absolutely conquered the plastic miniatures market. Renedra and Citadel look like crap compared to these kits.”
 
“As for future kickstarters, as long as Mark makes pretty models he will continue to receive my paychecks.”
 
 “Just some first impressions when opening up the boxes:
1) The box is awesome. Great printing and high quality cardboard. Not cheap and flimsy.
2) All the sprues were stacked then sealed in a plastic bag. I liked that touch as nothing is flying around.
3) holy crap that detail. I may have to buy a new sprue cutter because I feel dirty if I touch these models with my tainted pair (used to cut GW)
4) The instructions for the stormtroopers is kind of difficult to understand at first.” (Note: The revised instruction insert did not make it in time for the Kickstarter orders)


 “Braved the snows of Eastern PA to pick up my package of plastic goodness this morning, and I had high hopes for thing, almost too high. But there were the kits, nestled under a crumpled copy of the Deseret News, and all I can say is my hopes were not too high, and Judgedoug  (the first feedback posted) was not overselling things at all.

I literally said "wow" when I opened up my accessory kit: the number of bits is staggering, I mean, I knew on some level the number of items, but to actually see them, as opposed to just numbers, almost incredible! The detail on the models is better than I have ever seen on plastic models, better then I even thought possible.”

 “Mark, just want to give you and WGF kudos for these models and how excellent they fit together! Damn nice miniatures indeed - can't wait to get my Morty.”

 “This afternoon, I received my Leviathan Crusader model kit with Kickstarter bonuses. Very high quality kit with very crisp moldings and sharp detail - easily superior to GW's Gargant. I'm very impressed with DFG's design and WGF's execution & production.”


"I just got my Eisenkern Troopers in today, and I must say; WOW!! These are some of the best molded figures Ive seen in a long, long, time! Clean, crisp detail, flawless join edges, absolutely no warping at all! Just terrific! I had some concern about mold quality, since my Greatcoat Troopers from Wargames Factory were quite disappointing, but these are just stellar! I should have pledged for more sets!!!"

 
All very high praise; I am more than aware that these are the first glance reviews and that there is a certain amount of excitement in holding something new. I will take the compliment and say thank you again to all the backers who made these kits a reality.
All the best!
Mark Mondragon
DreamForge-Game


Note on assembly:
Please don't use any kind of Superglue... You will simply frustrate yourself on a multi part mini and end up with an inferior build. It does not bond well and it dries too fast to allow you to tweak the pose.

Use Testors model cement, the stuff in the orange tube. Trust me.... You will thank me for it.

 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Endless ramblings of a cluttered mind


 
Mark from the Second Founding podcast, kindly asked if I would be willing to do an interview. Little did he know that I have a rather poor habit of going off on tangents ;) This seems to be a side effect of being stuck behind a computer monitor for twelve hours a day.

We discussed many aspects of the current line, future plans and the Iron Core game system. Please excuse the sound quality, Skype was a little sketchy.

You can listen to the podcast here

 

Monday, February 4, 2013

Pre-Orders for the Crusader and Eisenkern troopers

Some stores have opened up pre-orders for the new release kits!

Some retailers that have offered pre-orders at significant discounts from MSRP.

USA
Cool Mini or Not
Bell of Lost Souls Market
Spiky Bits
The Warstore
Front Line Gaming
Paizo
The Combat Company
Michigan Toy Company

Germany
Fantasylanden
Radaddel
Tabletop online shop

Russia
Sky shop Лавочка Ская

UK
Caliver Books
North Star

Taiwan
Mini Shoppa

Spain
Goblintrader
Uimera
E-Minis

Not me... I have not had time to update my website, in fact I am looking at new cart software to better manage the back end.



If you are a retailer that will be carrying our line, please feel free to send me an email with your website or physical address and I will add you to my list of retailers and distributors so that my customers know where to find our kits.

I would love to help out the FLGS with a bit of free advertising.

Very exciting to see all this come together! Thank you all for the support.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Examples of assembled box sets

Not the greatest shots, but the best I could do with the inexpensive compact camera.
Regardless of the picture quality these shots will give you a great idea of what is in the kit.

The first two are shots from the Accessory Set, showing custom miniatures made with the components from this set as well and shots of the mechanical Cargo Mule.


 Here are some shots from the Eisenkern Rifle Squad.

 

Here Are some shots of the Eisenkern Support Weapons Set.

 
 
 Here are some sots of the Eisenkern Stormtroopers Set (with optional weapons shown).


 
Last but not least, the Leviathan Crusader!