ScrapYard Armory

As mentioned in the previous The Succession Wars, Play By Email post, VASSAL  is a free open source board game engine for playing online and several modules have already been made for you to play The Succession Wars using it.

Our commendations to the developer of the 2.0 module, mycenae.  If at first you think it appears simple, you would be mistaken.  I’ve looked at the code and there is a lot of it.  I’m sure the Module Editor helped, but it is still pretty extensive work; not to mention the ton of little images.

The original layout of the 2.1 map was designed by nkestral, who is currently the GM running A New League.  I’ve helped revise it and adapted the layout several times including for my reference map.  There were some map errors in the 2.0 map caused by the fact that Terra was supposed to be added afterwards when using the region outline available online for the 2.0 map.  This 2.1 map keeps to the original connections of the board game and makes square pieces fit much better.

The House logos were made by Punakettu and there are more beautiful vector logos available in Punakettu’s deviantART Battletech Logos gallery.

You can download the 2.1 version from the ScrapYard Armory Downloads page or from the  The Succession Wars Modules wiki page.

The ScrapYard is in need of a few good gamers willing to donate some of their time which includes a distinct possibility of playing a game or two.

The game in question is the Succession Wars board game.  If that sort of thing is up your alley drop me a line at brian@scrapyardarmory.com and sign up for a slot.  There are only five available slots so hurry!

Please keep in mind the following short list of general requirements to be a tester.

• Must be available to play between the hours of 8:30-10:00 PM EST (I’d like all players to be available at the same time to aid progress)
• Must be willing to take notes along the way, bugs, improvements, comments and criticism welcome.
• Must be willing to accept that bugs may force the game offline from time to time.  Your patience and perseverance would be appreciated.

Thanks and hope to hear from you!

2011 is in the rear view mirror and it was a great year.  The 25th anniversary box set hit the shelves to overwealming interest from gamers.  I played some great games in 2011 and am looking forward to more in 2012.  For all that the past year has given us, 2012 promises much more.  We have a lot to look forward to including the realeas of the next major installment of the Mechwarrior franchise, community playtesting of specific parts of Interstellar Operations, and more great products from Catalyst Game Labs.

Catalyst Game Labs continues to be a force in the gaming industry and reguarly supplies the BattleTech community with new material for our games covering multiple eras.

The ScrapYard has been busy as always and have a full compliment of games, miniatures, and articles to write about in the coming year.  Here are the most popular articles from the past year based on a weighted average of page views.

1. Portable MercRoster
2. Breaking and Entering
3. BattleTroops Reborn in A Time of War
4. Hold the Line
5. Twilight of the Clans, The Great Refusal
6. 25th Anniversary Box Set
7. Dark Age Turning Points: Liao
8. Bad Intel
9. Chaos Reaving
10. Wolves in Exile for a Friend

Thanks to all those who took the time to comment on the many articles here on the ScrapYard.  I really enjoy your feedback and will continue to bring great material to the BattleTech community.

Heres to a great 2012!  Get those dice rolling!

It was a good run while it lasted but this year I am not going to make it out to Indy for the best four days of gaming.

In order to keep the coverage going, I’d like to reach out to someone from the BattleTech community to help me provide the news and pictures this year.

If you are going to GenCon this year and love BattleTech drop me a line.  At the very least here is what I would require from you.

• You must own your own camera.  It can be a point and shoot but it should be able to take nice miniature pictures. (macro mode)
• Be able to upload pictures to the ScrapYard.  I will provide FTP access for you.
• You should be planning on attending the What’s Up with BattleTech/Catalyst Seminar and take notes.

I wouldn’t be asking for help if I wasn’t able to make it worth your while.  In addition to the soul altering satisfaction of helping the ScrapYardArmory meet the insatiable demand for BattleTech GenCon coverage I am able to offer the following incentives.

• I’ll cover the cost of internet access at your hotel room if needed.  (last year the convention center had great free wireless coverage so this is just in case)
• For each day of coverage you help me provide, I’ll give you a new in box BattleMech from my collection.  I have at least a hundred or so minis to choose from, you are sure to find something you like.

While I am not able to go myself this year, I hope that somebody will be able to help continue the excellent BattleTech coverage this site has delivered.

brian@scrapyardarmory.com

Thanks to everyone for participating.  There were a lot of great designs and it took me longer than I thought to go through them all and finally pick my favorites.  Without further adieu, here are the winners!

Pirate Banshee by Jason “Panzerfaust 150″ Weiser – BNC-3E Banshee Pirate

Mercenary Thunderbolt by Mike “Eldragon” Kiscaden – TDR-9SE Thunderbolt Mercenary

I’m missing something right?  The Militia Combat Vehicle!  Sadly not everyone who participated in the contest had a Vehicle design to go with their ‘Mech submission.  I just didn’t get a great feel from any of the vehicles that were submitted.  Noting bad or obviously wrong, they just didn’t have the feel I was looking for.

I’m intent on giving away miniatures so the hunt is still on for the Vehicle design.  Anyone who already submitted may try again.  I’ll check back in a weeks time to see if there is a design I really like.  Somebody is getting some free minis, why not you?  So get out your Tech Manual and sharpen your pencils.

Plus it gives me another week to work on my Chaos Campaign!  I’m not quite done and there is a lot of polish I need to add but it is coming along, slowly but surely.  I have the ‘Mechs I need.  Now it’s time to find that perfect vehicle!

I’m in a bit of a bind.

My top two choices for sharing a room in Indy this year unfortunately can’t make the trip.  This leaves me with a hotel room all to myself which is quite expensive in the downtown Indianapolis area.  Lets face it, gamers know the value of splitting the cost of hotel rooms with friends.  It’s part of the DNA of convention going.

Rather than seek out a roommate in a random forum I’d like to first extend the offer to someone in the BattleTech community.

Let me be clear.  Come hell or high water I will be going to GenCon this year.  I’m just looking to defray the costs.  The more money saved on accommodations, the more money I can spend in the exhibitor hall.

So if you are dead serious about going to GenCon this year and don’t currently have a room or you already have a room and have space, please drop me a line; brian@scrapyardarmory.com.

I’m looking forward to good times and lots of fun in Indy this year.

I need a few good ‘Mechs.

I’m hard at work creating my second full length Chaos Campaign and in order to spice up the offering, I’ll be including three custom variants.  And I’d like those designs to come from you, the readers.

Here is what I’m looking for:

Banshee – Piloted by a Pirate Leader

• 3025 chassis with 3050 upgrades

Thunderbolt – Piloted by a Merc Leader fresh from the Clan Front Line

• Any chassis with 3050 upgrades

ANY VEHICLE – Piloted by a Planetary Militia Commander

• Should reflect more modest finances. ~3025 technology.

What’s in it for Me?

How about some motivation?  If I end up using your design(s), you can select any one blister from my recent haul of ‘Mechs, Vehicles, and Infantry.  (check the comments for the full list)

The Rules

• Only one submission per category per person.
• Deadline will be Friday May 7th.
• Submissions should be in text or HTML format (use the export function using SSW)
• Send all submissions to brian@scrapyardarmory.com

Most important is to have fun and let your imagination run wild.  I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Awesome clip from SpreadingtheMuse on YouTube.  He has a number of other clips on the scientific fact behind the starship battles we know and love.

Even if you are not an aerospace fan it is worth the view.

SpreadingtheMuse YouTube channel.

The painting competition I entered on the Classic Battletech forums has finally begun the voting process.  The first round is to determine among submitters with multiple entrants which will be used in the final painting showdown.

Both my entries are represented.  I hope you have the opportunity to cast a vote.  Just looking at the double entries so far there is a lot of great competition.  I’m looking forward to seeing the full field.

Voting Link Here

Can anyone guess which ones are mine?  ScrapYard contributors and NJ residents need not apply!

Totally politically incorrect but absolutely hilarious.  I had to share.

Courtesy of Fear the Boot RPG Podcast.