Originally Posted by
MajorWesJanson
How I spent my summer (Gamesday) Vacation
Most of my time was either in seminars, or hanging out talking to the luminaries at the studio guest table.
Will Hayes:
Contemptor Dreadnought Arms- Assault Cannon, Plasma Cannon, Twin Heavy Bolters, Twin Autocannons. Plasma gun in DCCW arm option.
Venerable and Chapter-specific Contemptors next, taking advantage of shoulders being part of the Dreadnought kit and not the weapon packs.
Discussed Crassius rules- limited use now, since only 30 capacity. I suggested making it 31 or 36, and/or giving command vehicle rule like Chimaera.
I asked about female princeps, alternate heads, and amniotic tank princeps options- unsure about female princeps possibility, I mentioned the one in Helsreach. Head options maybe, but likely not. Liked the idea of the tank princeps, perhaps as a special character, an ancient veteran princpes confined to the tank. Would maybe come with alternate faceplate or other options for making the titan distinct.
Warlord Titan- Not started yet, in the idea phase. 22-24 inches tall (60cm) based on an update of the beetleback design. Hadn't considered the secondary weapon mounts on the beetleback, likely would not include. Head likely skull-face appearance.
I asked about the correlation between shield generators and void shields in rules on the Mars warhound and Reaver. He hadn't thought about it, but agreed that it works really well to designate shields lost when played. Discussed placement of void shields on Warlor if 6 on there. Possibly two on each side rear, two in front on "hood."
Discussed carapace weapon mount. Didn't want to just flip the warhound weapons over. At that point I grabbed a sharpie and piece of paper and sketched out a quick turret idea. Will then drew his version- curved front slopes into flat back. Some mechanical gribblies on the sides. On the back, each gun would have a different ammo block that attaches, and the guns themselves would probably be mounted to a curved mantlet to attach to the front. I suggested mounting on a cylinder so the guns could be elevated. I still have the sketch.
Mark Bedford:
Elysian Veteran oncept pictures, mentioned as maybe too Halo looking. I thought they are great and urged them to be made. I also asked about a drop troop commissar. Elysians likely to be drip-fed models. Maybe a few with IA 11.
Most of the rest of my discussion with him was rehashed in the FW seminar.
Jes Goodwin
Void Raven bomber art, and pictures for SSlyth and poisoner.
Void Raven is larger Razorwing, with two more engines, angular glass canopy in the nose, stubby Void Lances. Discussed frame breakdown, likely to end up on three tank sprues.
Poisoner is female, wearing a mix of armor plates and sort of a kimono.
Sslyth is snake like. No legs, sits on tail. 4 arms, with CC weapons. Crocodile like head.
Used to allow pictures of concept art, but doesn't/can't anymore since other companies/individuals have used that art as a basis for knockoffs in the past. Especially unhappy with the argument that since his work is "derivative" that pirating the design is fair game.
Another thing he dislikes is how people say things online that they would never say in person. Mentioned an e-mail received from someone who hoped GW would go under. Responded asking if the person really wanted the company to shut down and employees to lose their jobs. Person seemed surprised, but still said yes.
I mentioned Warseer, and was surprised when he recognized me from here. He also gave a shout-out to Harry. We then segued into a major discussion of the internet response to GW.
Doesn't mind people who dislike his models, but anrgy when people call designers "lazy".
Haemculous and Beastmaster/beasts specifically brought up.
Haemi pose was intentionally cruciform, with a sort of "go ahead and shoot me, I don't care."
Beastmaster was done by Jes on spare time.
He asked what I thought of the Storm Raven, and I said that I leave the tails off mine for aesthetics. Otherwise, I kind of like them.
He asked what I thought the next major internet complaint would be, and I said that if Mat Ward was writing the Necron book (lots of hedging here by both of us, rather humorous) that there would be two weeks plus of whining and doomsday. Jes agreed that that was likely, and that some designers don't go online because there are so many people spewing vitriol. He thought it was unfortunate that people have such a narrow mindset that they prejudge a release even before knowing what is inside, or twist parts to suit their complaints. He mentioned that Ward especially gets this treatment, especially by people who would never say it to his face. Criticism is fine, but simple whining/hatred is not justified. Did not like seeing someone with a banner "taking the piss" about Mat Ward.
Female Imperial Guard- "People want what they can't have" and was joking with me about a comment I made about the quality of female models by GW.
Pricing of models is nothing to do with Jes. pricing done by others.
Medusae and Ur-Ghul in cabinet. Medusae has 2 different complete head options. Got to discussing the Ur-Ghul. Jes explained that it originally came from a throwaway line about a temple of the Ur-ghul, and when asked what they were, they ended up being expanded into a race and unit entry. Also got to discussing Urghul skin, and how it is like shark skin. Some Archons like to wrap the hilts of their weapons with Ur-ghul leather.
Ended when the FW seminar as about tostart and someone wanted to do an interview. Final discussion about pirates vs ninjas- Ninjas win was agreed upon.
I had a great time talking with all three people.
Jes, Mark, Will, thanks for putting up with all my questions and suggestions.