Forum Noir

(Posting this here, as I can't seem to figure out how to configure the News category to allow comments.)

Hello, everyone.

First, let me again thank you all for your support of me (and by extension, Black Army) since the tragic events of Last November. I am pleased to say that family matters are now caught up, and the company's release schedule is once again chugging along. I wanted to share some important news with all of you.

Most importantly, I am planning to establish a Black Army Mailing List. This will be free to join, though membership will be modereated to prevent spammers. This will allow me to communicate with you as directly as possible regarding new releases and plans for new ranges, as well as to encourage a regular discussion between those who have ideas, thoughts, etc, related to our ranges. If you would like to be added to this mailing list, please contact me at: mithraeum@hotmail.com, and I will include you in the list of invitees when the list is finalized.

Second, new releases... boy have we got a lot of them in the pipeline!

First, I am pleased to announce THE LAST DECADE. While I can't let out too many details as yet (you'll get them soon, I promise!) The Last Decade will be a fully supported miniature ruleset, a first for Black Army, and incorporate several new releases in "Heroic Scale" 32mm. This will be a "Small Box" type game, that is to say, you won't need loads to figures to make it work.  Better yet, while we think the miniatures designed and planned for the range are pretty spiffy, there are no rules preventing you from using other minis for the game (and given the genre, I don't think finding additional poses/minis outside our range will be impossible.)

The first wave of LAST DECADE releases will occur in April, 2011 (maybe a tad bit earlier, depending upon how casting works out), with tthe following:

- 24 new figure sculpts in 32mm sculpted by Brian Cooke and Leandro Ventic, including everything from the vertically challenged to a camel (Bactrian, to be specific). Once the rules are finished and ready to go, you'll be able to field as few as one pack of these guys in order to get a game together, but you can use them with any ruleset, and in any setting you like.

- TWO new vehicles in 1/56 scale, sculpted by Tony Harwood (the Armored Sportscar we've already released, plus a suprise!)

Shortly thereafter (likely May or June, depending upon layout time), we'll be releasing:

- A sourcebook for the LAST DECADE setting, which will give you a taste of the universe and allow you to use the miniatures with any ruleset you like while we finish developing the core rules.


Wanna help with development/playtesting of the TLD rules? You may wish to wait until you find out more about the setting, but if you'd be willing to help with playtesting, feel free to drop me a line. I can't promise that I can include everyone, but I will keep you in mind when we reach that stage.


But there is other good stuff in the pipeline (discussed in rough order of availability)

- The Ford 3 Ton Tankette is FINALLY finished and arrived here this weekend. The hope is to have this out by April or May. The kit is slightly more complex than our others (a few extra parts), and so we're at the stage of trying to figure out the best way to cast it. However, I do plan to have it off to the caster within the next one to two weeks (essentially waiting on the estimate of casting costs for the LAST DECADE stuff.)

- The ACW2 book is still happening, and moving along very slowly. Essentially, work was delayed due to the passing of my dad, after it had already been put off by the complete collapse of our plan to have the 15mm Early War WW2 range released last year. The plan at the moment is to offer a special deal on the Ford 3 Ton to anyone who purchases the book. We have at least one special miniature planned as an "Exclusive" with the book, the hero of the Lindbergh Youth, "Little Dicky Washington." Expected release date? Probably June-ish, after the Last Decade sourcebook (which has been in the works for a longer period of time) is put to bed.

- The new wave of 28mm Champions of History is in planning stages. So far, we're looking at a Cowboy theme with the three  that have been discussed, so far. Also, as a certain movie has been recently released, completely destroying the image of a great Pulp icon, you can expect a very familiar face to be in this wave, if not the next one.

- New Engines of War being planned. Tony is keen to do some historical stuff, and we have several vehicles on the list (many of which were requests by you ). There is also the distinct possibility of a new Victorian Science Fiction vehicle (one which I'm very unhappy to find is not well covered, and yet essential for VSF gaming). One of the new EOW releases WILL be a DaVinci vehicle, that much I can  promise. Another frequent request, the Minerva Armored Car, is also quite likely to happen. However, not sure which one it'll be initially - as I say, the Last Decade stuff coming out has really filled out the queue for casting up through at least May.  If you have any suggestions, then throw 'em at me.

- Finally, the 15mm WW2 range is STILL happening. I am in the process of working with a new sculptor for the range. The Norwegians are still likely to be the first range, and the new sculptor will first be completing them. After that? We've had several requests - leaning toward Slovaks. Again, open to suggestions. On that note, it is true that we have been thinking about another Historical range in 28mm. The first place you'll see this happening will be in our 1930s era Japanese, which have sold well, and desperatey need some support weapons. Can't give you a timeframe on this, but definitely this year.

- And last, there is another ruleset in the very early stages of development. I don't want to say much about it, but I have no problem telling you that it was strongly influenced by the amazing success of one of our more recent Engines of War releases. This is very, very provisional in terms of time frame. (Ie: it IS Happening, but I don't want to give you a date and then end up having to alter it fifteen times; also, TLD must take precedence, for obvious reasons.)

A word on stock..

Stock on some of our miniatures is VERY low at the moment. Most low in stock at the moment, based upon my recent inventory, are Mata Hari and the Great Adamski, who have sold like hotcakes. The Walking Ghost is not far behind. We aren't completely out of any of these folks, but please be advised that it may be a month or two before we get a restock, once these are sold out. (Again, due to the impending LAST DECADE release.)

Finally, a word on your support:

As always, it means the world to me. Thank you. I know that in the last six months I've not been very good about responding to your messages here in a timely manner, and I can only say that, well, last year was absolute hell. That said, hopefully the new mailing list will also help things along, and perhaps we can get this forum kicking again while we're at it. I'm paying for it - might as well use the bleedin't hing.

Comments, questions, etc. are most welcome. Let's hear 'em!

-Alex, BAP

p.s.

For those of you keeping track, no, I have not yet sent those free items to certain Hauptgerfreiters or White Knights. Why? Primarily because every time I get restocks of those specific items in they immediately fly out the door to fill orders (and believe me, we had a large amount during the holidays). I'm very sorry about this, gentlemen. This will still happen (by the end of this month, if I can help it), and I will try to sweeten the pot in order to make up for it.