-T-
2011-06-29, 04:17 PM
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2188428/terrablox_recessed.jpg
This is a project I've been working on for a few weeks and trying to make a reality.
The idea is explained more in depth on the page, but it should be pretty self explanatory. The image is a concept render, and I also have a video of the current prototypes (more versions are being made already):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOf5kHZdldQ
My plan right now is to generate some interest, submit to Kickstarter, and try to get these made. I've already been working with a local plastic manufacturer for design and prototypes; I'm going to send some samples to gaming sites and such and see if they can post about them.
I had a thread about about a week ago but they told me to remake it with a few changes, so here you go.
There are a couple posts from the old thread I didn't get to respond to so I'll quote them here:
what about hex-shaped blocks?
Right now it seems like square blocks would be the most unique and useful. For hex blocks you already have Heroscape. If this does end up becoming a respected brand name, hex blocks are a possibility.
I can't tell from the pictures, but it's necessary that they be 1" square, so that they can be used with flip-mats - also making it easy to measure height (1 block = 5 feet) so you know just how many d6's you're going to suffer for falling off these things.
I would also consider having them lock to the sides via "pips" - like how they lock top to bottom - instead of a sliding mechanism, so that larger free-floating structures like bridges are more stable.
They are indeed 1" squares, and 1" in height (with 1/4" pieces planned as well). They'll align to any 1" grid battlemat, which is how I intend to use them.
They do lock sideways, check out the prototype video. "Sliding" is what a lot of people assume they do, and I tried that as well, but making them lock sideways seems obvious to have when it's so simple to make it work.
Other things to consider - a way to keep them from sliding around (maybe rubber bits you can stick on the bottoms), a way to stabilize free-floating structures (I.E. stands), and perhaps later even pre-made terrain pieces that'll fit with these, or flexible plastic mats that have a raised grid of "pips" for easy building.
I would like to make larger pieces like hills, walls, baseplates, etc., but at first it will be only the basic shapes because tooling additional molds costs thousands of dollars. Those will be, essentially, a Second Edition thing.
Question. Are you limited to building stacks of things or is it possible to go under terrain? I see that you have the tree branches there, but it's hard for me to tell if that's something the finished product will do
Let's say there's a fight in an alley. Fighters surround the exits, archers and a mage show up on the rooftops. I can represent this on a map, no problem. But if there's a door into a house, players can go inside it and end up under the archers. As soon as that becomes an option, it's worth my time to build a model. Until that point it's not worthwhile. If your blocks can do interiors like this, I'd absolutely buy them. If not, I'll pass.
Multiple stories, overhangs, and arches are 100% possible, and the main advantage these have over a wet erase mat. They do indeed snap together in all directions, check out the prototype video. You'd have to have an invisible "fourth wall" to reach inside, but that's how it's usually done for wargames anyway.
This is a project I've been working on for a few weeks and trying to make a reality.
The idea is explained more in depth on the page, but it should be pretty self explanatory. The image is a concept render, and I also have a video of the current prototypes (more versions are being made already):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOf5kHZdldQ
My plan right now is to generate some interest, submit to Kickstarter, and try to get these made. I've already been working with a local plastic manufacturer for design and prototypes; I'm going to send some samples to gaming sites and such and see if they can post about them.
I had a thread about about a week ago but they told me to remake it with a few changes, so here you go.
There are a couple posts from the old thread I didn't get to respond to so I'll quote them here:
what about hex-shaped blocks?
Right now it seems like square blocks would be the most unique and useful. For hex blocks you already have Heroscape. If this does end up becoming a respected brand name, hex blocks are a possibility.
I can't tell from the pictures, but it's necessary that they be 1" square, so that they can be used with flip-mats - also making it easy to measure height (1 block = 5 feet) so you know just how many d6's you're going to suffer for falling off these things.
I would also consider having them lock to the sides via "pips" - like how they lock top to bottom - instead of a sliding mechanism, so that larger free-floating structures like bridges are more stable.
They are indeed 1" squares, and 1" in height (with 1/4" pieces planned as well). They'll align to any 1" grid battlemat, which is how I intend to use them.
They do lock sideways, check out the prototype video. "Sliding" is what a lot of people assume they do, and I tried that as well, but making them lock sideways seems obvious to have when it's so simple to make it work.
Other things to consider - a way to keep them from sliding around (maybe rubber bits you can stick on the bottoms), a way to stabilize free-floating structures (I.E. stands), and perhaps later even pre-made terrain pieces that'll fit with these, or flexible plastic mats that have a raised grid of "pips" for easy building.
I would like to make larger pieces like hills, walls, baseplates, etc., but at first it will be only the basic shapes because tooling additional molds costs thousands of dollars. Those will be, essentially, a Second Edition thing.
Question. Are you limited to building stacks of things or is it possible to go under terrain? I see that you have the tree branches there, but it's hard for me to tell if that's something the finished product will do
Let's say there's a fight in an alley. Fighters surround the exits, archers and a mage show up on the rooftops. I can represent this on a map, no problem. But if there's a door into a house, players can go inside it and end up under the archers. As soon as that becomes an option, it's worth my time to build a model. Until that point it's not worthwhile. If your blocks can do interiors like this, I'd absolutely buy them. If not, I'll pass.
Multiple stories, overhangs, and arches are 100% possible, and the main advantage these have over a wet erase mat. They do indeed snap together in all directions, check out the prototype video. You'd have to have an invisible "fourth wall" to reach inside, but that's how it's usually done for wargames anyway.