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Precinct Omega

Precinct Omega

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Precinct Omega posts

Zero Dark: Exoskeleton

I was idly creating heroes the other day when I noticed that the exoskeleton upgrade is mostly pointless.

This is because I added this upgrade to the rules before I added "simple upgrades" much later in development.  So if you want +1 M...

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The Long, Slow Slog to the Finish

I've said several times that the Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark beta will be up for patrons by the end of the month and this is definitely going to happen.

But this is the phase in development where the dice go down, the minis go away,...

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A Zero Dark Battle Report - Operation Gemini: Fight Out

For sight of the layout and mission, see the livestream videos from Friday.  They split into two as we lost the feed about three-quarters of the way through, but you'll get the gist.

Playing Mission 3 from Operation Gemini, Fight Ou...

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Precinct Omega Podcast - News #33 - Intellectual Property Management

Let's take a look at how different companies - inside and outside the tabletop wargames industry - handle intellectual properties and why.  Marvel, DC and Harry Potter and the big ones.  But what about handling smaller, bespoke IPs? &nbs...

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Friday Livestream - Suggestions Needed! - and Zero Dark Tokens (Again)

Thanks to patron BamBam who pointed out that the version of the Horizon Wars: Zero Dark tokens that I gave you guys was a bit low-res.  I think I forgot to make it a hi-res export, because this version looks a lot better.

Speak...

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Infinite Dark - Versus Mission #1 - Aggressive Posture

Priority & the Control Deck

At the start of a Versus mission, split the control deck in half and shuffle one joker into one half and the other joker into the other half.

Designate the players "red" and "black" and flip the first ...

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Infinite Dark Tokens

Infinite Dark Tokens

I'm putting together a set of Infinite Dark tokens and thought I'd ask your opinions on what else I could add.

I've got (from top left) hull damage 1-4, shields down 1-3*, advantage & disadvantage in four sets, power 0-3 and available/ac...

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Precinct Omega Podcast - Design #7 - Art, Artists & Commissioning

Commissioning art for a tabletop game is one of those things that can be outside a designer's comfort zone and I've had a load of questions about it.  To try to explain how to articulate your needs, find an artist, estimate a budget and compo...

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Infinite Dark Special Manoeuvre - THE THOMPSON TURN

In response to the many, many requests that I include an option to perform a manoeuvre like this one, I've written some test rules for you. I have named it, here, after the patron who was most insistent on this point so he can take the blame. ...

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Patreon & International Currencies (also, Ko-fi)

Patreon & International Currencies (also, Ko-fi)

The tale of Patreon and international currencies has been a bit of a... thing?  I guess?

Those of you who support multiple Patreon campaigns might know more about this from better hooked-in creators than me.  But as far as I can te...

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Monday Morning Update!

Monday Morning Update!

You know, I might stop posting anything but the podcast on a Friday, because I try to be super-disciplined about relaxing and not doing work at the weekend.  And you guys gave me so much awesome feedback on my latest posts that I just couldn'...

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Mechanical Illustrations

As previously mentioned, I have employed a graphic designer to get me better illustrations of mechanics in Infinite Dark.  Euan has done a...

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F#*%ing Fonts!!

Welp...

So, when I started self-publishing, I was keen to retain some level of consistency, thematically, between the original Horizon Wars book and what came next.  And one key part of this was my use of fonts.  After much searchi...

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Precinct Omega Podcast - News #32 - Let's Talk About Tax

Try not to fall asleep!  I've been through the pain.  I've done the research.  I've come to conclusions.  And all this excitement about VAT and customs duty etc... well, I don't think it's as scary as some people are making it ...

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Ancillaries

I'm starting to get the layout of the book sorted out and, as I look at the ancillaries table, I can see that I have room on the pages for a few more ancillaries.  Now, I never intended that the ones in the book would be the be-all and end-al...

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Precinct Omega Notebooks!

Precinct Omega Notebooks!

My excitement is certainly disproportionate to the actual news.  But I have notebooks.  Watch the video, or see below for the Cliff Notes version:

My top ten highest-supporting patrons (i.e. those who have supported me the most ove...

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Missing Ancillaries! (and other updates)

Hi, guys!  Sorry for missing out three ancillaries from the table in the final pre-Beta edition.  For those waiting for the actual Beta edition:

Marines

Cost 1

Specialists in ship-to-ship comba...

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Patron-Exclusive Video - Achtung Cthulhu Unboxing

Patron-Exclusive Video - Achtung Cthulhu Unboxing

Let me just say that, of the thumbnails YouTube offered me, this was the least mortifying.  Make of that what you will.

Anyway, I noticed that Modiphius Entertainment was running a 60% off sale on their Achtung Cthulhu minis and I snapp...

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Corrected Counters

Updated.  These seem to be printing more-or-less OK, depending on your printer paper alignment, and now the Wounded(1) counter is correct.

I'l...

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Precinct Omega Podcast - Design #6 - Turns

Inspired by Jake Thornton's own Patreon campaign, I was moved to take a look at the concept of turns:

What are turns?

How do different designers an...

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Discord Access now available to Elite Patrons

Elite level patrons now have access to the Discord!

I won't pretend that we have absolutely mastered the possibilities presented by Discord, but it seems to be more-or-less working.  So if you just want to share some pictures of your mi...

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1:1 scale Zero Dark Venusian rifle - WIP 2

1:1 scale Zero Dark Venusian rifle - WIP 2

Longer-term patrons, or those who've really looked back at the posts over the last eighteen months, may remember that at one point I made a cardboard cutout of the rifle design the Zero Dark Miniatures will be carrying when they're done (we're mak...

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Infinite Dark - Final pre-Beta Edition

Here we go: the final pre-beta edition is a better-looking creation than the last one, with some graphical flourishes to give you a hint of where I'm heading with the rulebook layout.

I've started talking to a graphic designer about getting ...

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Updated Zero Dark Counter Set

I've not forgotten this project and have been trying to find a solution that really works to be able to offer a product to the market for those that want it.  And I feel like I'm closing on the solution.

The attached is latest version o...

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Infinite Dark MISSION 3 - LOOT & PILLAGE

I'm aware that I had said that the final pre-beta would have been released for you guys by now, but I'm agonizing over some details, so it may be a little longer. To tide you over, have another mission!

Following a major defeat, your ene...

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State of the Precinct

We've had an influx of new patrons over the last couple of weeks and one of them reminded me that I've not been terrific at updating folks on where we are with various publications, so here's a little reminder:

Horizon Wars: Infinite...

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Precinct Omega Podcast - News #31 - Manufacturers and Materials

This week I mention:

Wargame Exclusive 

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MISSION 2 - UNSTABLE GATE

A little preview of the updated draft, which nearly merits the name "beta" (we're a few weeks away), which should hopefully be in your hands on Friday or Satuday at the latest.

Your fleet has been ambushed in transit by ...

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Infinite Dark Cover Art (Artist's Brief Sketch)

Infinite Dark Cover Art (Artist's Brief Sketch)

I've sent my brief for the cover art to the excellent David Sondered.  David and his studio is a busy enterprise, these days, with lots of high-end commercial work and it's a pleasure to work with him.

I've known David for the best part...

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Infinite Dark - Mines or no Mines?

Space mines.  Do they just sound cool, or are they an idea you think sounds good?  If you've played the current draft of ID, can you imagine occasions when they'd be handy?  Is it worth adding them as an option to the game?...

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