Back in the late 80's (when I was a teenager!) - I was really into Wargaming... over the years I gave away / sold most of my old figures.... but I always held onto my favourite ones - the 15mm Sci-fi miniatures I used to play "LAZERBURN" with - I get them out from under the bed and dust them off every now and then.
In a moment of nostalgia I did a google search for 15mm Sci-fi to see if anyone out there was still interested in this stuff (probably not I thought...everyone's into the Games Workshop monopoly these days aren't they?) - and I was extremely surprised by what I found!! - Not only are the Lazerburn miniatures still available from 15mm.co.uk - but there are are a bunch of other company's currently creating new ranges of 15mm Sci-fi miniatures...and there is a very friendly on-line community of 15mm sci-fi wargamers, painters and modellers.
Although some folks are still using the old Lazerburn rules (and why not!), things have moved on somewhat... there are a few other good rules systems around - especially FUBAR (very basic
free rules all on one page!) and the new GRUNTZ 15mm skirmish rules that have just come out... I just got a copy of these - and I've really taken to them - very versatile, easy to pick up, and they cover everything from single figures of 15mm infantry and vehicles to mechas and giant monsters!
Some of the best 15mm figures/vehicles I have come across so far are from:
http://www.criticalmassgames.com/ - CRITICAL MASS GAMES
http://shop.groundzerogames.net/ - GROUND ZERO GAMES
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/ - KHURASAN MINIATURES
http://www.15mm.co.uk/index.html - 15mm.co.uk
http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ocproducts.htm - OLD CROW MODELS
A few Rules Systems for 15mm Sci-fi:
GRUNTZ -
http://www.gruntz.biz/
LAZERBURN -
http://www.15mm.co.uk/Laserburn_15mm_Sci-fi.htm
FUBAR -
http://thegamesshed.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/fubar-one-page-sfmodern-rules/
GUTCHECK - (15mm solo rules) -
http://tinysolitarysoldiers.blogspot.com/p/gut-check-solo-skirmish-rules.html
MUTANTS AND DEATH RAY GUNS -
http://www.ganeshagames.net/science-fiction/
15mm Sci-fi community links:
DROPSHIP HORIZON -
http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com/
MINI METAL MAYHEM -
http://minimetalmayhem.blogspot.com/
TINY SOLITARY SOLDIERS -
http://tinysolitarysoldiers.blogspot.com/
TMP 15mm message board -
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/topics.mv?id=271
GRUNTZ FORUM -
http://gruntz15.proboards.com/index.cgi
So I've decided to get back into 15mm Sci-Fi, I've ordered a smattering of minis - and I'm very impressed with the quality. So far I've got some of the Kaamados Dominion aliens from Critical Mass Games, Some of the Alien Mercenary minis from GZG...some of the Octopod Aliens from 15mm....and a couple of vehicles from Old Crow...all fantastic stuff!! - And I've got my eye on various other bits and bobs... for around 40p for a single miniature it's a very reasonably priced hobby (especially when you compare it to the prices you'd pay in Games Workshop for their Warhammer gear - ouch!)...
I just need to find some other local geeks to play with now... there are a couple of local wargaming clubs - so I'm going to see what they're up to - and see if I can make contact with anyone else who's into playing GRUNTZ or FUBAR....
It's been a long time since I painted any miniatures, so I might post some pics up on here as I do them - If they don't turn out a complete disaster! - I've been checking out the TINY SOLITARY SOLDIERS blog for some painting tips - that guy is just fantastic!!
