Lunar Wars, is the second wargame that takes place on the moon and that tickle’s my fancy. While the previous blog is an example of how it should NOT work. Lunar Wars is the prime example of how a campaign should. This is also the reason i want to talk about Telesis Games and Lunar Wars.
This blog is about a game that I think deserves a lot more attention than it does now. At the moment of writing this blog, it just had its launch 11 hours ago. Once again, these opinions are based on my own and I think out loud what I think of the project. Lunar Wars, the new game from Telesis Games, is a prime example of the exact opposite of what I spoke about in the previous KS article.
Evaluation of the Lunar Wars campaign
Jumping Straight into it, I have a feeling this is what the masses think about a campaign. In those terms, this campaign and Telesis Games do everything by the books and that is nowhere near negative. We find lore posts in the slider, but also a video that shows some of the models being used. We also see Lunar Wars runs on a D6 system, which is nice to know. Something that I notice is the size of the models. More on that later.
Below the slider, there is the offering, core, complete and insanely complete, and two retailer pledges. From off a retailer perspective, this is particularly good. They have the guts to show that there is shelf life after the campaign. This is not a one-shot product like the ones I described in my KS rant.
Upon looking at it, you immediately know the contents of the set you pledge. You have the option to split up by taking the core box and extra’s. There’s a breakdown on separate models one can expect by taking different pledges.
There is a section stretch goals that show what you can expect after funding lands. Sadly, we can’t see what these are and have no idea what we are working towards.
The campaign clearly shows the effort and love put into the game. Here’s one reason that it needs to succeed! More to come.
Retailer Pledges show Lunar Wars’s motivation
Not only does the campaign show what there is to expect from the add-ons and the game itself as a backer. One of the main factors showing motivation for a game and it’s developer, is a retailer pledge. Multiple even. Unfortunately a bit high for smaller companies like our own Roachnest. It does show they want more than the campaign. The boxes show clear shelf quality designs, which fit a store perfectly. They look inviting. Not only because we love “different setting” games, but games that play out on a still less discovered part of our own existence.
Heck, they even have a roadmap to what they want to do when the campaign funds and the product is in stores. Me like! This is a form of investment that creates a community. There is also the factor of availability. It’s Eu-made, so no worries there. So many cool games came and went because they were a one-time gig and this game shows that there is a clear roadmap. This could let a potential reseller of the product become invested and create more hype than just for the campaign and said product when it arrives.
For me as a (still) small/ medium shop, I would have loved to see a “pledge now and become a retailer when it lands” pledge, which makes it easier for smaller companies like ours to back awesome products. For now, I get the feeling they are aiming at the larger companies and distributors. Besides this comment, I can’t blame them for trying to reel in the bigger fish at the start. I just think Telesis Games misses opportunity towards smaller retailers here.
Lunar Wars is a haunting prediction
Call me crazy, but when it comes to uncharted territory, I am 100% game! With the moon being one of the biggest secrets of the human race, I am intrigued by and scared of it at the same time! Imagine looking up at the moon on a bright, slightly cold evening and seeing small bright dots, knowing that every bright dot is an explosion ending some poor sod’s life! Talking about needles warfare.
Combine that with the politics of this game and you have a premise that could reach far in the gaming world. Let’s face it, we’d rather have a piece of plastic die for the good cause than somebody’s father. This is the good thing about Sci-fi and wargames. The same goes for fantasy. When they connect, they become scary realities and I think this game nails it.
As far as I can see it from the GF-page, there is no far-fetched tech, but near future tech that could not only deliver a great game, but show a haunting future if we continue on the road we have just started walking on. Most of the movies that play out on the moon are either a huge battle, or are small horror movies about uncharted and unknown happenings. There is something spooky about a big black rock without any form of sustainable life preservation.
The Lunar Wars Promise
So, in short, what this game seems to promise, is not being a one and done product. They are motivated to bring shelf life to retailers, making it possible to play in stores and have a convention presence. Next to that, there are multiple new products hinted after this campaign and most of them are to better the lifespan of the game.
You are not simply giving the developers a moneybag, but you are investing in a future where this game is seen in game stores and online in bat reps, showcases and more! In my opinion, this is the perfect example of good use of crowdfunding and that’s why it should succeed. I can sure as hell say that if it’s not via the GF, it will be via the distribution of this game, but we will have this in our shop!
The Verdict
Take this game when you still have the chance in the coming days! It promises some fresh visuals. Next to that it also opens up to more terrain modeling. I mean, I literally know ONE person that has a moon board and that was for the only other game on the moon.
The size of the models opens up towards a bright future for wargaming as the recent trend, is making bigger models than the overly done 28-32 mm scale. These models promise 45mm sizes.
You have the option to keep playing as there are new models released after campaign delivery. This also means that when you play and are done with the same faction, the promise has already been made to be able to buy more and new models for factions old and new.
There you go, here’s your reason to invest in this game and make it happen. It promises long life, a lot of product and loads of fun blasting your opponent into lower orbit. Go back it already, because I will personally blame you when you blocked me from my possibly next favorite game!
Chadroach out.
Ps.
If you found out about Lunar Wars and pledged, let us know via a reaction below!