Red Dawn, Zombie apocalypse, breakdown of civil order and civil war.... Yup! Kept my brain busy this weekend. And a good job too as I have a report to write and finish on Monday, that would otherwsie have distracted me all weekend.
I've maintained an interest in gaming modern battles within the continental USA ever since the release of SPI's board game Invasion America in 1976. In recent months Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, has rekindled that interest with missions based around a Neo-Soviet invasion of America. So I've been inspired to ask Tony at Card Models to make some suitable American suburban buildings for Maff and myself.
I know there's quite a bit of kit available to American HO model railroaders but it ain't cheap or easy to get hold of in the UK. And whilst there are also loads of downloadable inner city buildings on sale for Zombie and rpg gamers, we wanted something more like Elm Street (no kidding) & Main Street, Swansboro, North Carolina.
I should explain here that Maff is intending to game Red Dawn/COD MW2 "Wolverines" Neo-Sovs vs American forces, whereas I'm more into 'Posse Comitatus', the militias vs a waning government after economic and social collapse sort of thing.
Of course, the funny thing is that if you follow the Hollywood line, all you need in the way of terrain is a shack and a trailer somewhere in the Santa Clarita valley woods, as per the opening episode "Sacrifice" of Series 4 of The Unit (plus Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, NCIS et al). And there's nothing to say we won't end up there yet!
Maff will be gaming in 20mm. I have to say that I am tempted, seriously tempted, especially as I have some old but much loved Twilight 2000 era Platoon 20 Americans in Fritz helmet. However, I also have a much larger collecton in 15mm based on a Peter Pig 15mm US Marine battlegroup with Humvees and LAVs, plus a Stryker Brigade platoon manned by Rebel Minis Modern Americans. Together with spare AK47 bods and Rebel Minis modern cops, SWAT, terrorists and armed civvies it's a no brainer to stick with 15mm.
So, taking all those figures into account, this is largely in the bag. Therefore I don't see 'Posse Comitatus' based games impinging on other projects or threatening to shift my current modelling and painting focus. It's simply, creating an opportunity to make the most of what I already have.
Cheers
Mark
I should just get my paycheck paid directly to Tony!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you, but I think that the computer game "World In Conflict" would help you out quite a bit. It's an alternate history game with the Soviets invading Seattle in 1989. The game is spectacular, and it also has the equipment you're probably looking for (K-Pots, M81 Camo, M16A2's). If you're into games like that, give it a go!
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteIf you have never seen the US TV series Jericho, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho_(TV_series), it might be up your alley.
You are probably better off doing this in 15mm as you said. There is a serious lack of US civilian vehicles in 20mm as HO or 1/87th is way too small for 20mm. But HO does look good with 15mm, even though it is much bigger. You can pick up some really cheap US civilian cars in HO off of Ebay from China. I plan to eventually do some US Zombie games set in the '70's with my 20mm, but I am going to resort to using OO scale UK civilian cars.
Cheers,
Joe
I have been wanting to do this project for years myself. There are plenty of 20mm US troops out there what with Eliahm and Rolfs liberation figs, but there is a series lack of 1/72 modern us civs. gangs, law-enforcement and militia types. So 15mm might be the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would know, I grew up around the survivalist don't trust the government types in Eastern Washington. They used that have some crazy notions and ideas. I also second that you should check out Jericho if you haven't already, and also National Geographic has a great new series out called, Doomsday Prepares. Check it out to get a feel for some of the people that are ready to "Bug out" as they say.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteThird recommendation for Jericho. I reviewed it for the PA games forum back in the day. Although terribly slow moving it is good background. It's a shame as it was just getting good when it finished. I have a copy of the first series I can send you if you want?
Thanks for the recommendations. Glad people find a resonance with this project idea.
ReplyDeleteI watched Jericho but never really got into it despite ostensibly being up my street. Just failed to warm to the principal characters.
Cheers
Mark
Some great ideas there- I'd welcome the US themed card buildings too (especially if there was a trailer park style mobile home) as they'd be great for the zombie games I want to do.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
I feel you on that mark. It took almost half way threw the first sesion for the characters to really start come into there own.
ReplyDeleteI kept hoping that some of them would get bumped off.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds ace - I've had a DMZ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMZ_(comics)) project planned for a while now, my first foray into 15mm (I primarily blame this blog!) - these would be perfect for it!
ReplyDelete